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.
The Child Life Specialization offers a focused path within the BSW program for those preparing to work in pediatric healthcare settings. You will build foundational skills in child development, therapeutic play, and psychosocial care while learning how to apply social work and psychological principles in healthcare environments. Coursework emphasizes communication, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and compassionate, Christ-centered care, preparing you to pursue certification as a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS).
If you are passionate about supporting children and families during medical experiences, the Child Life Specialization at Indiana Wesleyan University can help prepare you for meaningful work in pediatric healthcare settings. This specialization is commonly paired with a Psychology major, though it may also complement related majors such as Social Work and Education. Through focused coursework and hands-on learning, you will gain knowledge and skills that prepare you to pursue certification as a Child Life Specialist or related graduate study.
Why Pursue The Child Life Specialization At IWU?
There are several benefits to pursuing the Child Life Specialization at IWU. Courses are taught by faculty who are committed to integrating professional preparation with a Christ-centered approach to caring for children and families. Students learn how psychological principles apply within healthcare environments while developing compassion, communication skills, and professional competence. The program also emphasizes collaboration with interdisciplinary healthcare teams and prepares students for the clinical experiences required for certification in the child life profession.
What Will I Learn In The Child Life Specialization?
The Child Life Specialization provides coursework designed to prepare students for work supporting children and families in healthcare environments. Students develop an understanding of child development, family systems, therapeutic play, and the emotional needs of children facing illness or medical treatment. Courses also introduce topics such as grief and loss, medical terminology, and the role of child life professionals within interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Through this training, students gain the knowledge and preparation needed to pursue certification as a Child Life Specialist and to serve children and families with compassion and excellence.
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.
Discover the way ahead and make a greater impact in your community with a career in social work. Learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work degree program at IWU!
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