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Online Bachelors Military Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work with a specialization in Military Social Work prepares students to serve military personnel, veterans, and military families across diverse social service and community settings. You’ll develop an understanding of military culture, behavioral health needs, and the unique challenges faced by service members throughout military and civilian life.

Why Pursue My BSW Military Social Work at IWU?

Indiana Wesleyan University equips future military social workers with a strong foundation in ethical practice, cultural competence, and advocacy. This specialization emphasizes the distinct culture of military life and prepares you to support active duty service members, veterans, and family members through prevention, intervention, and care coordination.

What Will I Learn in This Military Social Work Program?

You’ll explore how social workers support military populations by addressing mental health, family systems, and access to social services. Coursework emphasizes crisis intervention, behavioral health support, and collaboration with military support programs and community organizations.

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.

Rooted in Christ

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

Superior Support

Discover online student resources to help along your journey.

Tuition & Aid

12 Credit Hours

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$455/ Credit Hour

Net Price Calculator

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

Prepare to serve military communities through focused learning and applied social work practice.

  • Analyze military culture and its impact on service members, military families, and personal lives.
  • Apply social work strategies to support behavioral health, substance abuse prevention, and emotional support needs.
  • Support individuals and families facing deployment stress, family issues, and relationship challenges.
  • Connect military clients to social services, military support centers, and community-based 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.

POL-100,POL-215,LDR-205,LDR-220

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

  • Military Social Services Specialist
  • Family Support Coordinator
  • Veterans Services Caseworker
  • Behavioral Health Program Assistant
  • Community Outreach Specialist for Military Populations


Work in Various Industries

  • Industry

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.
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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 make a meaningful impact in the lives of service members and their families. Request information to learn how the BSW Military Social Work specialization at IWU can help you pursue a career supporting military communities.

Request Info Apply Now

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