Online Social Work Program with Specialization in Addictions
Discover the Way Forward
The world needs purpose-driven social work professionals dedicated to supporting people impacted by addiction.
The Bachelor of Social Work with a Specialization in Addictions prepares you to meet the growing needs of our culture in the areas of substance and behavioral addictions through practice and knowledge valuable in leading this specific population to a healthy lifestyle through social work.
Why a Specialization in Addictions?
This specific social work degree program at Indiana Wesleyan University prepares students to help people in a variety of places, from schools to hospitals and more social work settings. When youth and adults find themselves in a cycle of addiction, social workers help them cope and find real solutions.
Professionals in social work often represent marginalized populations, advocate for social justice, and help create better policies and practices to serve individuals and communities impacted by addiction through social services and social work practice. The online BSW program creates culturally competent social workers ready for entry-level practice to approach clients and their families in a helpful way.
Why Indiana Wesleyan University?
100% Online
The Bachelor of Social Work at Indiana Wesleyan University is a fully online bachelor completion program that prepares you for state licensure in social work. Students with a social work major can also choose to continue an education at IWU after completion in the Master of Social Work program.
Amazing Courses
The social work courses included in the Bachelor of Social Work with an Addictions specialization include Principles of Addictions Counseling, Addictions Theory, Theory and Practice of Group Counseling, Personal Adjustment, and more. View Specialization Courses
Completion Time
You can complete this bachelor’s degree in about three years! The BSW specialization in Addictions program is offered 100% online and can be completed in as little 37 months with specialization courses included.
Opportunities
This specific social work program offers many opportunities.
- Prepares you to work with individuals and families impacted by substance or behavioral addictions
- Offers evidence-based courses for professional social workers
- Teaches specialized techniques and assessments in social work
- Provides engagement in research, practice, and policy in social services
After Graduation
State Licensure
Bachelor of Social Work graduates apply for state licensure at the BSW level upon program completion.
A graduate can enter a career as a licensed social worker with a variety of social service agencies. A social work degree with a specialization in Addictions offers a more marketable degree in social work. Graduates will enter the social work field with a focused client population in tune with their calling and purpose.
Master’s Degree in Social Work
A licensed clinical social worker can join an existing social work practice or use credits from his or her bachelor's degree as advance standing in IWU's master's degree in social work.
Other Social Work Specializations
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Program Mission
The mission of the Social Work Program is to prepare students for social work practice through the teaching of the knowledge, values, and skills that equip them to be change agents advocating for the dignity and worth of all people and respect for human diversity. The Social Work program develops world changers by instructing students to utilize scientific inquiry, to integrate worldview, faith, and learning into active service that promotes social justice and growth for individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations.
Virtual Classroom
The virtual classroom is the online version of the on campus Social Work program and is tailored to meet the unique needs/experiences of working adults. It brings IWU’s Christian mission and vision, as well as an accredited Social Work program, to everyone. Students receive individual attention from instructors, interact with other students, and are part of the IWU community of learners. Through the use of various media, students are able to learn from real world Social Work scenarios and case studies from instructors who combine academic credentials with professional expertise.
You’ll Learn 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
TUITION
80 Total
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. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 866.498.4968 or emailing iwuenroll@indwes.edu.
FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans benefits, and employer reimbursement.
COURSES
Here is the list of courses required to complete the program. Full course descriptions may be viewed by clicking on the course titles. For further information, feel free to contact us.
22 Core Courses
In addition to the core courses required for a Bachelor's in Social Work, the following additional courses are need to complete a specialization in Addictions.
ADC-202,ADC-210,ADC-320,PSY-155
REQUIREMENTS
Click on each section to expand the different requirements for this program. If you have any questions about the admissions process, feel free to contact one of our admissions representatives at 1-866-498-4968.
- 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.
START DATES
The Bachelor of Social Work at Indiana Wesleyan University has many convenient starts throughout the year. Listed below are the next available starts. If you don’t see a start that fits your schedule, connect with our enrollment team to see more future starts.
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.
*Effective 07-01-2023 through 06-30-2024