Degree Programs at Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Great College Deals: Master of Public Administration Online.
Indiana Wesleyan University offers opportunities for students in Indiana and other states. In addition to taking classes on its Marion campus near Indianapolis, students can also take classes online and at some of its regional centers. The programs available for undergrads include several associate programs. Those programs include majors in:
- accounting
- business
- computer information technology
- criminal justice
- occupational therapy assistant
- early childhood education
- Christian ministries
- integrative studies
Even more options are available for bachelor’s degree students. Those who want to major in business can pick from focus areas such as accounting, business information systems, business administration, financial planning or management. The university’s marketing program offers concentrations in:
- marketing analytics
- service and nonprofit marketing
- social media and digital advertising
- promotions
- branding
Some of the university’s other bachelor’s programs include majors in:
- communication
- international relations and security
- criminal justice
- nursing
- social work
- psychology of human relations
The Wesley Seminary is part of Indiana Wesleyan University and offers graduate programs in:
- divinity
- practical theology
- ministry
Students in the ministry program can choose from concentrations that include:
- leadership
- pastoral ministry
- spiritual formation
- worship arts and children
- youth and family ministry
Other graduate degree programs are available from the university itself such as those in:
- school counseling
- marriage and family counseling and therapy
- student development counseling and administration
Indiana Wesleyan University also offers many business programs for graduate students, including:
- an online Master of Public Administration
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership programs.
About Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University is a private university known for its continuing education programs and for the opportunities it offers for nontraditional learners. The main campus in the system once served as the Marion Normal College and the Marion Normal Institute. This institute moved to Muncie and later became Ball State University. The old campus became the property of the state. The state sold the land to the Wesleyan Methodist Church, which used the campus as a summer camp and later as training grounds for some of its followers. That led to the organization working with its followers to raise the funds needed to move the old Fairmount Bible School to the area. This school would later become Indiana Wesleyan University.
Known as both Indiana Wesleyan University and IWU today, the university still has a deep affiliation with the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Known as Marion College for several years, it didn’t become a full university until it introduced Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts programs. The new curriculum led to the university adding some graduate programs. IWU has a strong reputation for its nontraditional degree programs. Originally offered on weekends and at night, those programs now include online classes for adult students. Nearly 3,000 undergrads attend the university’s campus in Marion, but enrollment across all its campuses now totals more than 15,000 students.
Indiana Wesleyan University Accreditation Details
IWU has both institutional and program accreditation. The program accreditation the university has applies to many programs and comes from professional organizations and associations that include:
- the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
IWU also holds regional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It has religious accreditation from the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools.
Indiana Wesleyan University Application Requirements
Undergrads who want to attend IWU must have a minimum GPA of 2.6 and a score of 19 on the ACT or 990 on the SAT. Those who fall below these requirements can speak to an admissions counselor and learn what they need to do to take classes from the university. The university does not have an application fee or deadline. It does ask that students apply as soon as they can. Students have the option of starting classes in the fall or spring, but they can also start in the summer. Home school students need to provide a transcript with a GPA on it and an official test score. All prospective undergrads can use the IWU application.
Graduate students also need to use the IWU application and submit their transcripts. Most programs give priority to those with a college GPA of at least 2.75 to 3.0 or higher. Some programs also look for those who have experience in the fields they want to study at the university. Students may need to provide a test score such as an official GRE score and either letters of recommendation or contact information for their references. They often need to submit a personal statement or respond to an essay question too. This shows the university their reasons for choosing IWU and what they will do with the degrees they earn.
Tuition and Financial Aid
IWU is up front about how much students pay each year and how much they will pay to complete a full degree program. Undergrads pay more than $38,500 a year. This includes a tuition rate of $26,630 and room and board fees of $8,480 each year. Students who sign up for the May term pay $519 per credit hour. Those who take classes in the summer pay $362 per credit hour for online classes and $566 per credit hour for classes taken on an IWU campus. Students also pay $952 per credit hour if they take more than 17 credits or less than 12 credits in a semester. All of the university’s graduate programs charge the same rate of $546 per credit hour. Students pay between $19,656 and $32,760 to finish their degrees.
Financial aid is available for all types of students, including:
- those enrolled in an online program
- nontraditional learners
- traditional graduate students and undergrads
Students can get loans and grants when they use the FAFSA and sign a promissory note that guarantees they will pay back their loans. They can also use institutional aid such as one of the scholarships offered by IWU. The university has a grant program that will match any scholarship a student gets from his or her church. Some programs have assistant positions available too. These provide students with tuition waivers and stipends for working as teaching and research assistants. Any student applying to Indiana Wesleyan University can also apply for financial aid.