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Online Bachelors Medical Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work with a specialization in Medical Social Work prepares students to support individuals and families navigating the healthcare system. Through focused study of human behavior, patient care, and social services, you’ll build a foundation for practice in healthcare settings where physical, emotional, and social needs intersect.

Why Pursue My BSW in Medical Social Work at IWU?

Indiana Wesleyan University prepares future healthcare social workers to collaborate with fellow healthcare professionals while advocating for patient well-being. This specialization emphasizes ethical practice, case management, and patient advocacy—equipping you to address barriers to care and support individuals across medical and community-based environments.

What Will I Learn in This Medical Social Work Program?

You’ll explore how social work practice supports medical treatment outcomes by addressing mental health needs, social determinants of health, and access to community resources. Coursework emphasizes professional collaboration, emotional support, and effective communication within healthcare teams.

Learn More About the Bachelor's in Social Work Online Program

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided education for more than 100 years.

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Christ-centered support, resources, and services to online students, staff and faculty.

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Tuition & Aid

12 Credit Hours

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$455/ 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'll Study

Develop the knowledge and skills needed to support patients, family members, and healthcare team members through applied learning and practice.

  • Assess human behavior and social factors that impact health, treatment plans, and recovery.
  • Apply case management and patient advocacy strategies in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings.
  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals to support ethical, coordinated patient care.
  • Connect patients to community organizations, support groups, and financial or legal resources.

Indiana Wesleyan University

Courses in this Program

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.

HCA-310,HCA-410,HMSR-220,PHE-190

After Graduation

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.

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Potential Careers

  • Medical Social Worker
  • Hospital Social Worker
  • Healthcare Social Services Coordinator
  • Patient Advocate
  • Community Health Social Worker

Work in Various Industries

  • Industry

Program FAQs

IWU’s Social Work faculty bring extensive real-world and academic experience. Dr. Jessie Pablo specializes in school social work and child welfare prevention, with research focused on culturally responsive practice for immigrant populations. Dr. Jeanelle Verwayne brings expertise in school-based therapy and qualitative research focused on children and families. Dr. Michele Wells has extensive experience in addiction counseling and clinical work with both adults and adolescents. Together, faculty provide practical insights grounded in current social work practice.
Students should contact IWU’s Financial Aid Office directly by phone or email. Most inquiries receive a response within a few business days.
The program’s required field placement (internship) is the signature learning experience in social work education. Combined with coursework, it prepares students to apply theory to real-world practice, build professional skills, and gain hands-on experience in social service settings.
Graduates are prepared for a wide range of social work careers, including case manager, child welfare specialist, school support staff, community outreach coordinator, residential counselor, substance use support staff, probation or reentry support roles, victim advocate, and gerontology services. The program also prepares students for advanced standing Master of Social Work (MSW) programs, leading to clinical and leadership roles.
The social work practice sequence and practicum courses are central to student preparation, equipping students with essential skills for real-world social work practice.
Graduates typically pursue employment in social services or continue their education through an MSW program. Many also pursue social work licensure, depending on state requirements.
Students complete a 400-hour field placement in a community agency, often in a setting aligned with their career goals. Many working students are able to complete their practicum within their current workplace if it meets program requirements.
Yes. The program is fully online with asynchronous coursework. During the practicum phase, students participate in a required one-hour weekly synchronous seminar.
Core courses typically run 5–6 weeks, while practicum seminar courses run approximately 12 weeks.
Students take one course at a time in an accelerated format, allowing them to focus deeply on each subject.
Students progress independently but engage regularly with peers through discussions and collaborative learning experiences.

Courses are primarily asynchronous, with optional live sessions offered by faculty to enhance engagement.
Students should plan to spend approximately 13–20 hours per week per course.
Most students complete the program in approximately three years, depending on transfer credits and pacing.
Yes. The program offers rolling start dates throughout the year.

Students are guided through onboarding and begin working with advisors and faculty as they start their first course.
Students have access to academic advising, tutoring, faculty support, and career development resources.
Yes. Students receive mentorship through faculty who are active practitioners in the field, as well as through their field placement experience. The program also offers specialized tracks such as addictions, child advocacy, counseling, military social work, global social work, medical social work, and telehealth.
Yes. All students complete a 400-hour field placement in a community-based agency under the supervision of a qualified social worker.
Yes. Transfer credit is evaluated by admissions, and students must enter the program with a minimum number of prior credits.
No. Professional experience cannot be substituted for required coursework.
Yes. Students complete a 400-hour practicum along with a weekly seminar for supervision and professional development.
IWU’s Social Work program integrates CSWE-aligned training with a Christ-centered approach, emphasizing ethical practice, compassion, and service. Small class sizes, experienced faculty, and specialized learning tracks prepare students for both immediate employment and advanced study.
Students who are compassionate, self-motivated, and committed to serving others thrive in this program. Strong time management and a willingness to engage in self-reflection are also key.

Students benefit from small class sizes, personalized faculty support, and meaningful engagement with peers and professionals in the field.
Yes. Faith integration is woven throughout the curriculum through weekly devotionals, assignments, and discussions that connect Christian principles with social work practice. Students are encouraged to reflect on their calling and professional identity through a faith-based lens.

Program Requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Social Work program includes two steps. The first is being admitted as a pre-social work major. Requirements for this step are listed below (#1-4). The second step is admission as a social work major, which is described in #5.

  1. Proof of standard high school diploma or GED certification.
  2. Original transcripts from all previous college or university study a 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).
  3. 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.)
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

The admission of students to the Social Work program is a formal process separate from the initial declaration of social work as a major. The process includes successful completion of the SWK-170 Introduction to Social Work course and completion of 45 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Admission is granted after students successfully complete an application, compile three reference letters, and complete a department interview. Any unfavorable decision may be appealed by following the grievance procedures on file in the department and student handbook.

Students may transfer in credit for the following core courses: PSY-150, SOC-150, SOC-152, SOC-210, ECO-205, POL-200, BIO-106, BIO-106L, PSY-305, SWK-170, SWK-342, SWK-343, SWK-335, SWK-336, and SOC-482.

  • Only courses in which a "C" was earned will transfer.
  • The student must complete at least 30 semester hours of the core courses through IWU.
  • The Social Work program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.
  • Maintain an overall grade-point average of 2.5.
  • Maintain a minimum 2.7 grade-point average in Social Work Major Courses.
  • Complete 120 semester hours.
  • Complete 30 hours of general education.
  • Completion of a total of 400 supervised hours of field education.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.

Accreditation

  • Maintain an overall grade-point average of 2.5.
  • Maintain a minimum 2.7 grade-point average in Social Work Major Courses.
  • Complete 120 semester hours.
  • Complete 30 hours of general education.
  • Completion of a total of 400 supervised hours of field education.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.

Take the Next Step

Prepare to serve patients and families across healthcare systems with skill and compassion. Request information to learn how the BSW Medical Social Work at IWU can support your career goals in healthcare social work.

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