Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a private not-for-profit evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located in Marion, Indiana. It is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church and is the largest private university in Indiana. It is committed to liberal arts and professional education and it offers more than 80 majors. Its mission is to provide an educational environment that is centered on Christ and dedicated to changing the world by helping students develop in character, scholarship, and leadership. It strives to prepare students to make a significant impact on the world by offering an integrated experience of academic rigor, spiritual growth, and leadership development.
Indiana Wesleyan University offers online programs that are readily available to adult students. Online courses are presented in a collaborative model and taught by dedicated and experienced instructors. The programs are offered at an accelerated rate to enable students to complete their education quicker. Every course generally lasts five weeks. The classes are designed to enhance the mastery of new information and simultaneously build upon prior knowledge and experiences. Online programs promote shared knowledge among students and class sizes are capped to promote a personal learning experience. Online courses are delivered via the Blackboard Learning Management System, which provides a virtual classroom that enable students to consistently interact with other students and instructors. The online classroom includes course material including course syllabus and descriptions of activities; asynchronous discussion forums; assignment manager with an inbox and outbox to view and submit assignments; online grade book; and student support with links to the off-campus library, technical support, students services and other resources. Students are also able to order textbooks and other course materials and have them sent directly to their home. Online programs are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral degree levels in various areas such as accounting, business administration, computer information technology, marketing, addictions counseling, criminal justice, education, and nursing.
Indiana Wesleyan University was founded in 1920 as Marion College and the first class had five students. It offered its first master degree program in 1924, which was available until 1950. The college gained accreditation in 1966 and offered master’s degree programs again in 1979. It became Indiana Wesleyan University in 1988. Since the 1990s, the university has expanded continuously adding new programs and enrolling more students. The first doctoral program was offered in 2004. Today, Indiana Wesleyan University is the fastest growing university in Indiana and it educates more than 3,200 students on the main campus and an additional 12,000 adult learners through other locations and online.
Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Indiana Wesleyan University.
Schools of Education
College of Arts and Sciences: offers nearly 100 different areas of study through the School of Arts and Humanities, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Business, School of Teacher Education, School of Physical and Applied Sciences, and School of Theology and Ministry.
College of Adult and Professional Studies: offers academic programs designed for working adults that are offered on-campus and online.
School of Nursing: houses highly praised undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
Graduate School: works to provide policies, standards, and leadership for graduate education, scholarly research, and graduate faculty.
Wesley Seminary: includes an innovative approach to seminary education and offers graduate opportunities based on local church ministry.
Scholarships Offered
Indiana Wesleyan University offers numerous scholarships including the Presidential Scholarship, Academic Scholarship, Transfer Academic Scholarship, Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship, John Wesley Scholarship, National Hispanic Recognition program, National Achievement Scholars program, Athletic Scholarships, Alumni Scholarship, Church Matching Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, Indiana State Nursing Scholarship, Indiana State Minority Teacher/Special Services Scholarship, and Campus Challenge/Wesleyan Bible Bowl Scholarship. The university also encourages students to apply for outside scholarships.
Financing Options
Indiana Wesleyan University participates in a variety of financial aid programs such as the IWU Grant, IWU Opportunity Grant, Wesleyan Pastor Dependent Benefit, Wesleyan Missionary Dependent Grant, Wesleyan Student Grant, Out-Of-State Wesleyan Grant, Wesleyan Canadian Grant, International Wesleyan Grant, Pastor Dependent Grant, Federal Pell Grant, Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH), Federal PLUS Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Indiana State-Frank O’Bannon Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized Loan, Federal Direct Stafford Unsubsidized Loan, Hoosier Scholar Award, IWU Loan, Hope Scholarship Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, and Shugart Grant. It also offers a Family Tuition Discount and a monthly payment plan.
Credit Earning Options
Indiana Wesleyan University accepts transfer courses for credit from other accredited schools. All courses must have earned a grade of at least a C or better. Students may receive up to 94 credits toward a bachelor’s degree. Credit may be granted for examination such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement (AP), or American Council on Education (ACE). Military students may also receive credit for education and service. The university may also grant credit for life experience and students are required to submit a portfolio of prior work, additional training, and life experience.