Indiana Wesleyan University MSW

Indiana Wesleyan University started as Marion College in 1920 and has proven its academic excellence through a century-long heritage. The university sits in Marion, Indiana, halfway between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne along I-69, serving as a private evangelical Christian institution that welcomes new ideas while honoring tradition.

The university’s 350-acre campus has seen remarkable changes since its early days. A major transformation began in 1985 when the institution evolved from an undergraduate liberal arts college into a student-focused regional university. The name changed to Indiana Wesleyan University in 1988, showing its growing influence throughout the state and stronger ties to The Wesleyan Church.

Academic excellence at IWU has earned recognition, with the university ranking #14 in Regional Universities Midwest. Students benefit from a 12:1 student-faculty ratio that creates opportunities for individual attention and enriches their educational experience.

The traditional campus buzzes with life as 2,075 undergraduates (fall 2024) join over 3,000 students in the four-year liberal arts college and residential graduate school. Students come from 11 countries and represent more than 80 Christian denominations.

The campus showcases modern facilities backed by $280 million in construction and renovation projects since the 1990s. These improvements have created a debt-free, high-tech learning environment. Key facilities include:

• Williams Prayer Chapel
• Barnes Student Center
• Recreation and Wellness Center
• Phillippe Performing Arts Center
• Jackson Library
• Chapel-Auditorium (opened in 2010, seating 3,800)

The university broke ground on its most ambitious project yet – the ‘I Am Third Arena.’ This 80,000 square foot indoor facility costs $30 million, making it the largest building investment in university history.

IWU’s Christ-centered academic community focuses on developing students’ character, scholarship, and leadership skills. The energetic learning environment blends spiritual growth, academic rigor, and supportive instruction to prepare graduates who make lasting contributions to society.

The university’s prime location and thorough educational approach make it perfect for students seeking quality education rooted in Christian values.

Programs offered

Indiana Wesleyan University’s Master of Social Work program gives you multiple paths to reach your career goals in social work practice. The program uses an advanced generalist model that gets you ready for professional settings through complete clinical training.

Program Tracks

IWU has two MSW tracks based on your education:

• Standard Track: A 60-credit-hour curriculum built for students who don’t have a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Students can finish this track in about 24 months.
• Advanced Standing Track: A 30-credit-hour fast-track option just for students with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited institution. This track creates a 4+1 path where you can earn both degrees in five years.

Program Modalities

IWU’s flexible learning formats fit different student needs:

• Fully Online: You can complete the entire MSW program online while keeping up with work and life commitments. Online students use cutting-edge learning technology with virtual reality, video discussions, concept maps, and demo videos.
• Hybrid Option: A mix of online and classroom learning at the IWU-Marion campus.

Curriculum Highlights

IWU’s MSW curriculum teaches everything you need for advanced practice:

• Mental health and psychopathology
• Advanced interpersonal practice
• Research methodology
• Leadership, administration, and supervision
• Family and group therapy

Field Education

Field education is essential to the MSW program. The Council on Social Work Education calls it the “signature pedagogy” of social work education. Students in the 24-month standard track start their field placement about four months after beginning the program. They must complete 900 hours of fieldwork. Advanced standing students begin their field work roughly six months after starting and need to complete 500 hours.

Faith Integration

The MSW program blends faith-based principles with professional social work practice since it’s part of a Christian university. You’ll learn how Christian faith and Biblical worldview add value to social work settings. This combination helps you serve others using spiritual wisdom and evidence-based methods.

IWU’s MSW program prepares you for licensure in all 50 states and DC. Graduates work as agency directors, case managers, program directors, social service supervisors, and therapists in organizations of all sizes.

About the online program

Indiana Wesleyan University’s online Master of Social Work program gives students a personal, professional, and innovative learning experience. The program works well for busy adults who want advanced credentials while keeping their careers active. Students can complete assignments at their own pace without scheduled meeting times, thanks to the program’s 100% asynchronous coursework.

The online MSW program uses advanced educational technology that creates an engaging learning environment. Students learn through innovative platforms like virtual reality, video discussions, concept maps, and demonstration videos. These tools help bring complex social work concepts to life. This technology-focused approach helps students build practical skills while learning theoretical concepts.

Field education plays a crucial role in the online MSW program. The Council on Social Work Education calls this the “signature pedagogy” of social work education because students can apply their knowledge, values, and skills in real-life settings. Students take charge of finding and securing their practicum sites since the program serves multiple geographic areas. IWU’s field platform, Tevera, helps by providing a database of previously approved field agencies.

Your tuition rate stays fixed once you start the program, which helps you plan your finances better throughout your educational experience. The 2024-2025 academic year tuition costs $629 per credit hour.

The online format works great for students who need to balance their career, family, and academic goals. Quality education becomes available to everyone, no matter where they live. Students from Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and other areas can get their degree without moving.

IWU offers these support services to help you succeed:

• Academic resources: 24/7 tutoring through Tutor.com, Academic Writer for APA formatting, Grammarly to improve writing, and Brightspace Pulse app to manage courses
• Technical support: IT help whenever you need it
• Research assistance: Online Campus Library Services (OCLS) ready to help with your research
• Accessibility services: Tools like ReadSpeaker/TextAid that support different learning needs

This program integrates faith with professional training. Students learn to combine expert knowledge with compassionate, faith-based principles to tackle complex social challenges effectively.

Accreditation

Quality indicators play a vital role in social work education programs. The Master of Social Work program at Indiana Wesleyan University holds full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This difference shows the program’s academic excellence and commitment to professional standards.

CSWE accreditation means much more than just another credential. Your degree will meet national professional standards. The quality, substance, and professional value remain similar between online and on-campus formats. Students learn from the same curriculum, complete supervised fieldwork, and meet faculty standards. The final degree earned stays similar whatever the delivery method. Your diploma will simply state “Master of Social Work” without any mention of the online format.

Professional organizations call CSWE accreditation essential because it forms the foundations that confirm your degree’s quality and professional value. Employers and state licensing boards fully recognize IWU’s MSW program. This recognition removes any remaining doubts about online education. Many employers value graduates from online programs who show valuable, in-demand skills. These skills matter more than ever in today’s digital world.

IWU’s MSW program follows CSWE standards strictly. Students cannot receive academic credit for life experience or previous work experience. This policy will give all graduates the required academic coursework and field education components they need for professional practice.

The program carefully follows CSWE’s requirements to track and report student learning outcomes. The university’s website publishes these outcomes using Form AS 4(B) and/or Form AS 4(M), with updates every two years at minimum. Students and the public can review the program’s effectiveness through this transparent reporting.

The program went through its latest accreditation review in 2022, with the next evaluation scheduled for 2030. This eight-year accreditation cycle proves the program consistently meets CSWE’s rigorous standards.

Career-focused students will appreciate that the IWU MSW program prepares graduates for licensure opportunities across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Your education investment becomes portable across state lines, opening doors to practice settings and career advancement possibilities throughout the United States.

Admission Requirements

Indiana Wesleyan University’s MSW program has specific academic and professional requirements that vary based on your educational background. The university sets high standards to help students succeed in their program.

You’ll need a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Your previous institution should send your original transcripts directly to IWU. You also need two recommendation letters from people who can speak about your work ethic, skills, competence, and character.

The Standard Track needs you to have a minimum 2.7 GPA from your baccalaureate degree institution, where you completed at least 30 credit hours. Students with GPAs between 2.5 and 2.7 might qualify for probationary admission.

The Advanced Standing Track welcomes only graduates with a Bachelor of Social Work from CSWE-accredited programs. This track has these requirements:

• A minimum 2.7 GPA
• BSW degree earned within the last seven years
• Completed personal statement

Students with an active social work license in good standing might still qualify for probationary admission even if their BSW is more than seven years old.

Your personal statement is a vital part of the admission decision. The committee reviews how well it matches program goals and mission, your interest in social work, writing abilities, and connection to a program with a Christian worldview. Statements receive scores from 1-20. Scores above 15 lead to admission, while scores between 10-14 might need more information.

The program expects you to show strong communication skills, both written and verbal. You should also display good interpersonal abilities, self-awareness, and time management skills. These skills will give a solid foundation to handle both coursework and fieldwork.

IWU follows CSWE standards and does not give credit for life or work experience, whatever your professional background. This rule keeps the program’s academic standards high and makes sure all graduates meet the same educational benchmarks.

The online application takes just five minutes to complete. This makes your first step toward advancing your career simple and available.

Tuition

Getting your MSW degree at Indiana Wesleyan University requires you to understand program costs and financial aid options. Your educational investment offers valuable returns through better career opportunities and higher earning potential.

Indiana Wesleyan University prices its MSW program at $648 per credit hour. Your total tuition will depend on your chosen program track:

• Standard Track: This 60-credit-hour curriculum costs $33,540 in tuition
• Advanced Standing Track: The accelerated 30-credit-hour option costs $16,770 in tuition

You’ll need to budget for extra charges like educational resources, technology services, and graduation fees. These extras include a technology fee, educational resource fee (ERF), and a $100 graduation fee. Standard Track students pay about $2,300 in additional fees, while Advanced Track students pay roughly $1,200.

Indiana Wesleyan University shows its steadfast dedication to affordable education by investing $20 million yearly in grants and scholarships. Graduate students can access financial help through several options:

• Federal grants and loans (FAFSA school code: 001822)
• Academic merit scholarships
• Veterans’ benefits
• Employer reimbursement programs

Your academic performance determines scholarship eligibility based on your cumulative GPA. Transfer students with 12 or more college credits can receive these annual scholarships:

• Premier Scholars: $11,000 (GPA 3.700-4.000)
• Distinguished Scholars: $9,000 (GPA 3.250-3.699)
• Prominent Scholars: $7,000 (GPA 2.701-3.249)
• Acclaimed Scholars: $4,000 (GPA 2.700 and below)

Online MSW students should also plan for indirect costs that average $11,505 yearly for books, supplies, housing, and transportation. The total cost for online graduate programs averages $22,719 per year, though your actual costs may vary.

Additional Information

IWU’s MSW program graduates achieve impressive career success. The National Association for Colleges and Employers First Destination Survey shows how graduates perform professionally within six months after graduation.

The program’s faculty features accomplished professionals who make a real difference. Dr. Cindy Faulkner, an LCSW-Supervisor in Texas, brings 35 years of hands-on social work practice. Her deep knowledge of addictions and mental health adds significant value to the clinical curriculum. Faculty members go beyond teaching – they become mentors who provide customized guidance throughout your educational experience.

Students get valuable opportunities through collaborations with the Behavioral Health Academy™. This creates a simplified process for dual licensure in treating substance-use disorders and complex mental health issues. Students receive stipends during field work and get priority interviews at community mental health centers after completing the program.

The program’s success speaks through numbers. IWU awarded 156 master’s degrees in social work in 2022, ranking #57 among the most popular schools for MSW candidates nationwide.

Graduates work in various professional roles including:

• Agency Director
• Clinical Social Worker
• Program Director
• Geriatric Case Manager
• Mental Health Specialist