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Bachelor's in Social Work – Counseling Specialization

Are you ready to provide a better mental and behavioral health outlook for others? IWU’s BSW – counseling specialization degree program can prepare you to serve as a social worker alongside a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or treatment team to achieve effective therapeutic mental health interventions for individuals, families, and groups. Plus, earn your BSW counseling degree fully online in as little as 37 months!

Why Pursue My Counseling Degree Online at IWU?

From a bachelor’s program that lets you apply your learning to hands-on experiences in weekly field placements to offering our online degree in social work fully online, IWU has aimed for the highest caliber of higher education experience for more than a century—and online education for more than a quarter century. We also offer the benefit of locking in your tuition rates the day you begin, so you’ll experience no tuition hikes through the duration of your program. We are also proud to offer the support you need to have a meaningful impact on mental and behavioral health—through faculty who bring a practitioner-centered approach to your learning and curriculum aligned to industry standards and best practices. Our Christian faculty teach from the same biblical worldview valued on our campus, so that students can implement these principles in a fulfilling career.

What Will I Learn in an Online Degree in Social Work Program?

This BSW degree program develops the fundamentals of social work—from sociology and psychology to human behavior and more. Specialized studies in counseling covers addiction theory and practice in group counseling, contemporary theory within psychotherapy, theories of personality and more. Graduates can pursue state licensure within the field of social work.

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided on-campus education for more than 100 years.

Rooted in Christ

Faith-integrated curriculum and a commitment to changing the world.

Superior Support

Center for Student Success for counseling, tutoring, and more!

Tuition & Aid

79 Credit Hours

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$449/ Credit Hour

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Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer reimbursement.

Financial Aid Tuition & Fees Info

Applicable fees for resources and services will be assessed throughout the program. Tuition and fees for prerequisites and required elective courses are in addition to the charges shown on the program cost sheet. Your tuition rate will remain the same as long as you remain continuously enrolled in the same program. The estimated cost of attendance is available on the financial aid webpage. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 866.498.4968 or emailing iwuenroll@indwes.edu.
What You Will Study in This BSW Program

Coursework for your bachelor’s degree covers how to:

  • Be a culturally-competent social worker ready for entry-level practice
  • Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
  • Assess and advocate for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  • Engage in research, practice, and policy

...
After Graduation
Potential Careers

  • Addictions Counselor
  • Social Work
  • Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Mental Health Therapist
  • Clinical Social Worker


Work in Various Industries

  • Industry

Program Requirements
  • Proof of standard high school diploma or GED certification.
  • Original transcripts from all previous college or university study at college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
  • A maximum of 40 hours of credit may be earned through the assessed learning process. (The Social Work Program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.)
  • Prior completion of at least 45 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education is required before the student is eligible to start a bachelor core program.
  • During the Introduction to Social Work course an Application to the Social Work Program is introduced. The application is completed in the second social work major course and an interview is completed with the Director of the BSW Program. This is followed by a formal letter of acceptance to the program.

 

Admission to Field Placement Internships

After all major coursework is completed each student is required to complete a Field Placement or internship in a social service agency. This placement site is arranged by the Director of Field Education in collaboration with each student, aiming to align with the student’s professional goals and development needs. As such, each student will complete a Social Work Field Placement Application along with an updated resume and personal statement. Students will submit their field placement application to the Director of Field Education. The field placement options are discussed and a tentative plan is created for Field Placement based on the student's interest and needs.

  • Completion of 120 semester hours.
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5.
  • Completion of all major courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher.
  • Completion of a total of 400 supervised hours of field experience.
  • Completion of 30 hours of general education as specified.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
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Accreditation

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.

Our program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) for over 25 years; www.cswe.org, 703-683-8080.

Take the Next Step

Discover the way ahead in your career goals. Pursue your Bachelor of Social Work in Counseling online at IWU!

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