Welcome to the Division of Behavioral Sciences at Indiana Wesleyan University. We offer undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Social Work, a Pre-Art Therapy track, and graduate study through our Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Students may also pursue minors in Psychology or Sociology.
Across all programs, experiential learning is central to our mission. Students engage in applied learning through research collaborations, service-learning opportunities, community-based practicums, and other hands-on experiences that complement classroom study. Our faculty bring both academic expertise and professional practice into their teaching, ensuring that students are well-prepared to integrate theory with practice in their chosen fields.
Your education in the Behavioral Sciences at IWU extends well past the classroom walls. Through internships, service-learning, research projects, and community partnerships, you’ll apply what you’re learning in real-world settings. These experiences not only deepen your understanding of your field but also prepare you for graduate school, professional practice, and meaningful service in your community.
Dr. Jason Runyan
Professor of Psychology (DPhil | Oxford University)
Dr. Runyan’s work lies at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy of mind. His research explores learning and memory, the measurement of mental states and dispositions through experience sampling, and questions of agency and free will. He helps students integrate rigorous scientific study with philosophical and theological reflection on life and meaning.
Discover your God-given potential and begin impacting the world in Jesus' name through a degree in Behavioral Sciences!
At IWU, Behavioral Sciences students experience an education that does not end at the completion of a course or graduation from the major. We encourage our students to engage in memberships with professional organizations and take advantage of opportunities to continue learning outside the classrooms and beyond the university.
The purpose of the Psychology Club is to create community by connecting Psychology majors and friends together for fun and fellowship. The club also does outreach by compassionately touching the Marion community with the love of Christ and serving them in a meaningful manner. Members strive for academic development by pushing each other to pursue academic excellence to become competent in the psychology field.
Many opportunities are provided for friendship, fellowship and fun while engaging in planned meetings and events.
The following professional organizations are associated with our majors. All of our faculty members belong to several of these associations:
AACC is committed to assisting Christian counselors, the entire "community of care," licensed professionals, pastors, and lay church members with little or no formal training. It is their intention to equip clinical, pastoral and lay caregivers with biblical truth and psychosocial insights that minister to hurting persons and help them move to personal wholeness, interpersonal competence, mental stability and spiritual maturity.
APA is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. With more than 137,000 members, APA is the largest association of psychologists worldwide. The mission of APA is to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.
NAADAC is the premier global organization of addiction-focused professionals who enhance the health and recovery of individuals, families and communities. The association's mission is to lead, unify and empower these professionals to achieve excellence through education, advocacy, knowledge, standards of practice, ethics, professional development and research.
ABCT is an interdisciplinary organization committed to the advancement of scientific approaches to the understanding and improvement of human functioning. These aims are achieved through the investigation and application of behavioral, cognitive and other evidence-based principles to assessment, prevention, treatment of human problems, and the enhancement of health and well-being.
BPD is a voluntary, individual membership association that represents the interests of undergraduate education and practice in social work. The association's approximately 800 members represent BSW program directors, baccalaureate faculty and field coordinators, and social work educators and practitioners who have an interest in BSW education and practice.
CAPS is a professional organization consisting of committed Christians who serve in the areas of psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, clinical research, pastoral counseling, and more. CAPS exists to encourage understanding of the relationship between Christianity and the behavioral sciences; fellowship among Christians in psychology and related professions; the spiritual, emotional and professional well-being of its members; and educational and research opportunities that assist the profession and the community at large.
CSWE is a nonprofit national association representing more than 2,500 individual members, as well as graduate and undergraduate programs of professional social work education. This partnership of educational and professional institutions, social welfare agencies, and private citizens is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States.
The IAAP is a professional membership organization for those individuals and groups that seek to promote the provision of substance abuse counseling and addictions counseling throughout the state of Indiana.
NASP empowers school psychologists by advancing effective practices to improve students' learning, behavior and mental health, with a vision of helping all children and youth thrive in school, at home and throughout life.
NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with 145,000 members. They work to enhance the professional growth and development of their members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.
NACSW equips its members to integrate Christian faith and professional social work practice. Their goal is to provide their members with the ability to tap the resources of faith to provide more effective and faithful social work services.
Graduates often pursue advanced study in psychology, counseling, occupational therapy, social work, or related fields (MA, MS, MSW, PsyD, or PhD). Others move directly into professional service—mental health agencies, child life programs, nonprofit leadership, school support, or ministry counseling. The program aims to develop both professional competence and a faith-informed capacity to serve others with psychological insight and spiritual wisdom.
● Faculty-Mentored Research Opportunities: Students partner with faculty to design studies, collect data, analyze results, and present findings—developing strong preparation for graduate study or evidence-based practice.
● Professional Pathways: The program provides structured preparation for careers in Child Life, occupational therapy, and related helping professions, giving students clear next steps toward certification or advanced degrees.
● Applied Internships and Field Experiences: Students gain hands-on experience through roles in counseling centers, human service agencies, nonprofit organizations, or schools.
● Faith Integration Across the Curriculum: Courses weave together psychological theory and Christian understanding of human flourishing, suffering, and ethics in practice.
● Capstone and Applied Courses: Upper-level courses, such as practicum and integrative seminars, guide students in applying theory to practice.
● Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Students connect with programs such as Social Work, Counseling, Ministry, Pre-Art Therapy, Child Advocacy, Neuroscience, Pre-Med, and Criminology to broaden their understanding of human care and holistic service.
Undergraduate research is encouraged and accessible. Many students coauthor conference posters, presentations, or research articles alongside faculty. Internships and field placements are widely available, offering community engagement and skill-building opportunities. Coursework intentionally balances theoretical learning, empirical research, and theological reflection, helping students integrate faith and psychology as they form their professional identities.
