B.S.W. Social Work Degree
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Are you passionate about helping people and making a difference in your community? With the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at Indiana Wesleyan University, you can qualify to work in several types of social service agency settings. As a Christian university, we can help you learn to integrate your Christ-centered beliefs into a virtuous career helping individuals, families, and communities. Discover how IWU helps students prepare for a variety of career paths with a flexible, faith-based learning environment.
The bachelor of social work at IWU is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and is taught by faculty who combine professional expertise with a Christ-centered commitment to student learning. You’ll be part of a supportive learning community where professors mentor you in faith and scholarship, preparing you for both career success and spiritual growth. With small classes, strong faculty-student connections, and access to services like tutoring and tech support, IWU provides the resources you need to thrive in this social work degree program.
The BSW program is designed to prepare you for immediate impact in the field of social work as well as for advanced study in graduate programs. Coursework covers key areas such as human behavior, human development, social policy, research methods, and practice skills across diverse populations. In addition, IWU faculty bring years of professional experience into the classroom, ensuring your learning is grounded in both theory and practice. Field education placements give you hands-on opportunities to apply your learning in real-world contexts, serving communities and building the skills you’ll use in your career.
What Makes IWU Different?
IWU has provided education for more than 100 years.
Faith-integrated curriculum and a commitment to changing the world.
Center for Student Success for counseling, tutoring, and more!
IWU surpasses the national averages in a number of important educational benchmarks, including, but not limited to: higher than average graduation and career outcome rates. Plus, compared to the national average, IWU students receive their education with lower than average student debt!
Coursework for this social work program covers how to:
Learn how to combine social work and Christian faith in ways that promote justice and foster growth for individuals, families, and communities
Understand how social, cultural, and environmental factors shape human experience, and develop strategies to respond to these challenges through effective social services
Explore how biblical principles and values can guide your professional practice as a social worker, equipping you to serve with both competence and compassion
Gain hands-on experience through field placements, service-learning projects, and community engagement opportunities that prepare you for real-world social work practice
In accordance with CSWE Standard 4.0.3, all accredited social work programs are required to provide program assessment data based on the 2015 EPAS competencies. The following link is Indiana Wesleyan University’s BSW’s most recent assessment form: (IWU BSW Assessment )
These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence. For a full list of courses and prerequisites required to complete your degree, please visit the course catalog. Click on a course below to view the description.
PSY-150,SOC-150,SOC-152,POL-200,SOC-210,SWK-291,MAT-305,SWK-335,SWK-336
After graduation, many students continue at IWU to pursue the Master of Social Work (MSW), which can be completed in as little as one additional year for qualified BSW graduates. This efficient pathway builds on your foundation in social work and positions you for advanced roles and diverse career options.
Learn more about the MSW program
Associate Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Attendance at graduation exercises is expected. Please notify Registration and Academic Services if you need to graduate “in absentia” and will not be present for the ceremony.
Students may receive one degree only per commencement. A student who is enrolled in two majors with different degrees may select which major is considered the first major so that the appropriate degree will be awarded at the ceremony. Students meeting requirements for more than one degree must apply for and participate in two different ceremonies. Any university-approved dual degree program is an exception to this policy.
Attendance at graduation exercises is expected. Please notify Registration and Academic Services if you need to graduate “in absentia” and will not be present for the ceremony.
Students may receive one degree only per commencement. A student who is enrolled in two majors with different degrees may select which major is considered the first major so that the appropriate degree will be awarded at the ceremony. Students meeting requirements for more than one degree must apply for and participate in two different ceremonies. Any university-approved dual degree program is an exception to this policy.
