Indiana Wesleyan University is launching an accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program to the IWU-Marion campus, making IWU the only Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) school in Indiana with an accredited residential MSW program.
The MSW program is designed to prepare students for advanced social work practice with an emphasis on clinical skills. Building off of the existing MSW – a fully online program currently available through IWU-National & Global – the new residential MSW hybrid program will allow for both face-to-face classroom time along with online learning components.
According to the university, it seeks to provide opportunities for students, who have a desire to integrate personal faith and learning, to become world changers in their service to fellow human beings.
The residential MSW program—which includes both classroom learning and field placement—will have two tracks based on a student’s educational qualifications. Track options are as follows:
The Advanced Standing Track is a one-year, 30-credit-hour curriculum for students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work. This track will launch in fall 2020.
The Standard Track is a two-year, 60-credit-hour curriculum for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in another discipline. This track will launch in fall 2021.
The Advanced Standing Track option has created a 4+1 program for undergraduate students studying Social Work at IWU, which means students can earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years.
“Our program is founded on the philosophy that Jesus was the first social worker,” said Dr. Katti Sneed, director of Social Work program. “He non-judgmentally served the marginalized and oppressed, yet held people accountable. As a Christ-centered institution, it is our calling to equip students in becoming culturally competent social workers and to be God’s hands and feet in a hurting world.”
