Starting Social Work Careers at Anderson
Anderson University appears in our ranking of the 35 Best Value Christian Colleges with CSWE-accredited Programs.
Dedicated to Isaiah 1:17, the School of Humanities & Behavioral Science first launched its Bachelor of Social Work in 1979 for Anderson University undergrads to become servant leaders who effectively rebuke oppressors and rectify injustices. Directed by Dr. Lolly Bargerstock, the 64-credit, upper-division major fulfills Indiana's entry-level LBSW certification from a caring Christian viewpoint. Courses like Family Law, Grant Writing, Victimology, Child Welfare, and Social Gerontology maintain a 17:1 student-faculty ratio for closer interactions. Fieldwork is built into the four-term plan with 76 practicum and 442 senior internship hours. Potential placements include St. Vincent Hospital, Tenth Street Elementary, Assurance Health, Alternative Inc., Stepping Stones for Veterans, Bountiful Harvest, and Indiana CPS. Majors might also join Phi Alpha Theta XI, contribute to the Prison Ministry Project, attend the Social Work Conference, take Chicago field trips, exchange to Trinity College, and minor in Nonprofit Leadership.
About Anderson University
Anderson University was opened in Byrum Hall in 1908 by trumpet workers of the Church of God, a Protestant Holiness movement rooted in founder Daniel Sidney Warner's reforms. First called the Anderson Bible Training School, it graduated an inaugural class of 18 ministerial students. By 1932, liberal arts classes were added and its name changed to Anderson College & Theological Seminary. Coeducational since 1949, Anderson officially gained university status during Patrick Allen's 1980s tenure. Endowed for $29.9 million, AU is now a "College of Distinction" split into seven schools with 1,877 Ravens, including Social Work majors, for private Christian education. On the White River, Anderson's 40-hectare campus stands just 40 miles north of Indianapolis, Sperling's 10th best city. Linked to 15,124 LinkedIn alumni, AU has graduated Gloria Gaither, Jon McLaughlin, Carl Erskine, and more.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Anderson the 38th best Midwest school, 25th best for vets campus, and 40th top regional value. On Niche, AU boasts America's 93rd best religious studies, 153rd top therapy program, and 346th safest study area. College Factual noticed Anderson for the 60th best social work degree and 14th top-paid grads. PayScale calculated a mid-career salary of $72,900 for Anderson University alums. WalletHub placed AU 213rd for campus experience and 96th for faculty resources nationally. In Washington Monthly, Anderson held the 44th highest Peace Corps production and 76th most service hours. Forbes positioned Anderson University 568th overall with the country's 276th happiest graduates. Social Work Degree Guide named AU the 17th best Christian BSW. Times Higher Education also featured Anderson among its top 800 institutions.
Anderson University Accreditation Details
On April 20, 2009, the Higher Learning Commission on the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) continued the Level VI accreditation at Anderson University for another decade after a successful evaluation under president John S. Pistole, the 2007 Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism winner. Based 198 miles north up Interstate 65 in Chicago, this large 19-state Great Lakes Region accreditor is powered by the U.S. Secretary of Education to fairly evaluate Anderson's 61 baccalaureate, seven master's, and two doctoral programs from Carmel to Speedway. The School of Humanities & Behavioral Science also holds lower-division accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) through 2025.
Anderson University Application Requirements
Enrolling at Anderson University is labeled "moderately difficult" by Peterson's because 1,760 of the 2,650 Fall 2016 applications were triumphant for 66 percent admission. First-year Ravens can't quite swoop into the Bachelor of Social Work yet, even after a secondary diploma or GED. Sophomores generally apply during the Spring term with 45-60 credits under their wings. Four prerequisite courses, such as SOWK 2000 and SOCI 2020, must be passed with a minimum 2.5 GPA. English Composition is another required course graded "C" or better. Foundation courses like BIOL 2040 and PSY 2000 are also suggested for matriculation. Up to 64 credit transfers from other regionally accredited colleges are accepted above 2.0 GPAs. When taken, AU undergrads receive a mean SAT score of 1100 and ACT score of 23. Foreign BSW entrants must display English skills with a 50 Duolingo, 6.0 IELTS, or 547 TOEFL pBT score.
Anderson University skips strict deadlines for easy, rolling BSW admission. The only important date is June 1st for international undergrads filing I-20 immigration requests. Remember that preference for financial aid is given before April 15th though. Simply create an online account to complete the AccessAU Application in 15-20 minutes. Some documents are filed digitally via the Common Application or Parchment too. If needed, mailed physical materials to 1100 East Fifth Street in Anderson, IN 46012. Please contact (800) 428-6414 or [email protected] with more questions. Bachelor of Social Work applications shine with the following:
- Official high school and transfer transcripts
- PDF or JPG copy of entrance exam scores
- Two letters of recommendation from non-relatives
- Résumé of work activities and community service
- Campus interview with BSW Program faculty
- Typed, 300-word essay on one's faith experience
- English fluency proof and immigration forms if applicable
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Anderson University is charging Bachelor of Social Work majors $14,975 each full-time semester or $29,950 annually. Taking under 12 credits incurs part-time tuition of $1,249 per credit. Summer term courses cost much less at $380 per credit. Undergrads budget for the $500 student services fee and $60 parking permit every year. Living at the Madison County campus' dorms like Martin Hall adds $6,180 for room and $3,710 for board. AU suggests leaving $1,200 for books, $1,000 for travel, and $1,800 for personal supplies. Annual bachelor's attendance equals around $43,450 on-site and $33,710 if commuting.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 87 percent of full-time AU Ravens soar with sunny annual financial aid packages averaging $21,683 each for $35.84 million total. University funds include the Nicholson Scholarship, Edwards Scholarship, Morrison Award, Helios Merit Scholarship, Alumni Council Scholarship, Church of God Minister's Scholarship, Dr. James Earl Massey Scholarship, and Mayor of Anderson Honorary Scholarship. The Matching Church Scholars Program will match congregant donations up to $1,500 per year. Financially needy undergrads receive $100 to $10,000 from the Anderson University Grant based on EFC. Filing the FAFSA application with code 001785 opens Federal Pell and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant offerings. The Indiana Commission for Higher Ed gives Hoosiers the Frank O'Bannon Grant, Mitch Daniels Scholarship, Adult Student Grant, and more. College Factual records median debt of $32,328 from Perkins, Stafford, Plus, and private loans. Off-campus FWS jobs also help social workers reap paychecks for at least $7.25/hour.
Learn more about Anderson University at the Social Work Department website.