In 1919, The trustees of the Indiana Conference of the Wesleyan United Methodist Church purchased what was then the Marion Normal Institute in an effort to establish an institute of higher learning in Indiana. The normal school had moved to Muncie and merged with the Indiana Normal Institute, leaving the property vacant. The location was ideal for their purposes, just a few miles from the conference headquarters in Fairmount and with 25 Wesleyan churches within 30 miles of the campus. The Indiana Conference already had a successful school, the Fairmount Bible School, they were able to raise the $100,000 necessary to endow the college. The Fairmount Bible School was moved to Marion and a new teacher education program added to create Marion College. The first classes were held in 1920.
Over the next 68 years, the college operated as a liberal arts institution. Degree programs were added, including Master's degree programs in 1979. In 1983, the school decided to begin offering programs for working adults with classes held nights and weekends. The decision was so successful, it eliminated the college's debt and allowed expansion of the Marion campus. In 1988, the name of the school was changed to Indiana Wesleyan University to reflect the growth of the college and its influence in the state which spread far beyond Marion.
Even today, the College of Adult Professional Studies provides a majority of the funding used to renovate the campus and complete construction projects. It also allows the school to keep tuition low. There are over 14,000 students enrolled at the university whose mission is to provide students with a Christ-centered education with a focus on the changing world.
Indiana Wesleyan University Accreditation Details
Indiana Wesleyan University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation provides the prestige of national recognition and assures students that they are receiving quality education. In addition to regional accreditation, university programs are accredited by the following industry-specific organizations:
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy
American Music Therapy Association
Association of Theological Schools
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Council on Education for Public Health
Council on Social Work Education
National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission
National Association of Schools of Music
Indiana Wesleyan University Application Requirements
Students who have not earned college credit after high school graduation enter Indiana Wesleyan University as freshmen. Residential undergraduates must complete an application for admission and provide official high school transcripts. All students must contact an admissions counselor to discuss other requirements for admission.
Transfer students must complete an application and submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. There may also be supplemental documents required depending on the program the student plans to enter. All students must contact an admissions counselor to discuss any other requirements for their specific program.
Students who plan to attend online must complete an application and provide official transcripts. There is no application fee, but students must speak to an admissions counselor who will provide information and help guide students toward their education goals.
Students interested in graduate or adult programs should contact an admissions counselor to learn what is required to apply to Indiana Wesleyan University.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Residential tuition for undergraduate students is $33,494 for students who choose to live on campus and $25,346 for students who choose to commute. Part-time student tuition is $322 per credit hour on campus. Online tuition is $325 per credit hour. Graduate tuition varies depending on which program the student plans to enter.
Financial aid is available and 100 percent of students who apply receive some type of financial aid. Indiana Wesleyan University provides as much as $31 million each year in scholarships, grants and awards. Aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and work-study programs. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for any financial aid.
Online Degrees Available
Bachelor of Science in Addictions Counseling
Indiana Wesleyan University offers a Bachelor of Science in Addictions Counseling that is available in a completely online format. It is a 22-month program that provides in-depth education based in a Christian perspective. It is designed for those who wish to understand and serve those who are suffering from substance abuse as well as the families that love them. There is a practicum requirement which must be completed at a mutually agreed upon site. The cost of the program is $368 per credit hour. Courses required include:
- Addiction Programs and Professional Development
- Addictions Counseling Skills
- Addictions Theory
- Counseling Addicted and Dysfunctional Family Systems
- Developmental Psychology
- General Psychology
- Minority Group Relations
- Principles of Addictions Counseling
- Psychology and Abnormal Behavior
- Theories of Personality
- Theory and Practice of Group Counseling
Master of Arts in Clinical Addictions Counseling
There is a growing need for addiction professionals as the problem of addiction grows each year around the world. Indiana Wesleyan University offers a Master of Arts in Clinical Addictions program designed to help students gain hands-on experience while gaining classroom instruction in a completely online format. The program is based in Christian beliefs that addiction can be overcome. The program is 48 credit hours and adheres to an evidence-based curriculum. The program integrates a Christian viewpoint regarding behavior and social sciences. Students are prepared to work with chemical addictions and addictive behaviors that may include gambling, sex or food. Graduates of the program are prepared to bring a Christian worldview to the treatment of addiction and are challenged to integrate Christ into their counseling practices. Courses required include:
- Appraisal of Individuals and Families
- Counseling Addicted Families
- Integration of Christian Faith in Professional Counseling
- Issues in Addiction Recovery
- Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues
- Multicultural Counseling
- Psychopathology
- Psychopharmacology
- Research and Evaluation of Methods and Practice
- Theories and Treatment of Addiction
- Theory and Techniques in Group Counseling
- Theory and Techniques in the Helping Relationship
Students must also complete a three-credit-hour supervised practicum and six credit hours of supervised internship.
Indiana Wesleyan University offers many degree programs that are available in a totally online format, allowing adult learners who have work, family and social obligations to achieve their higher education goals, allowing them to move into a new career or advance in a current career.