Indiana Wesleyan University Online  Master of Arts in Psychology

Why Indiana Wesleyan University? 

Indiana Wesleyan, a small private Christian university in Marion, Indiana, recruits applicants to its Master of Arts in Psychology online degree program. Offered by the College of Adult and Professional Studies, the program expects all applicants to have a GPA of at least 2.5. Applicants do not have to submit standardized test results. There are no prerequisite courses that students must have finished in their undergraduate program.

Program Snapshot

University Name	Indiana Wesleyan University
Location	Marion
State	Indiana
Niche.com Grade	B
Name of Degree	Master of Science in Psychology
School or Department Administering Program	College of Adult and Professional Studies
Credits	30
Cost per credit	$490.00
Tuition for Entire Program	$14,700.00
Test Requirements	none
Minimum GPA	2.5
Prerequisite Courses and Skills	none
Campus Visit Required?	no
Typical Time to Complete	1 year
When Can Students Start the Program?	multiple times per year
Program Concentrations	Industrial and Organizational Psychology/Life Coaching and Positive Psychology
Synchronous classes	no
Required Courses	Lifespan Development Theories of Personality Development History and Systems of Psychology Research Methods in Psychology Psychopathology and Emerging Trends Foundations of Interviews and Interventions Principles and Practices of Industrial/Organizational Psychology Leadership and Motivation Organizational Ethics Capstone in Psychology
Does the Program Include a Capstone?	Yes
Does the program include a practicum or internship?	No
Other Features that Make the Program Unique	5-8 week classes; Led by faculty with experience as professional counselors, life coaches, and psychologists to pastors, organizational leaders, and medical professionals
Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program)	Build your professional identity through acts of service Understand mental health and well-being from traditional psychopathology and positive psychology perspectives Promote human flourishing using the principles of positive psychology Apply and integrate your faith in your career, including biblical and ethical principles
Program Description	The program’s 30 credits can be finished within 1 year, and includes a required capstone but no required practicum. Students can pursue two concentration areas: Industrial and Organizational Psychology or Life Coaching and Positive Psychology. Students will build a Christian-influenced vision of psychological theory and practice.

What will I Learn?

As a graduate of this program students will build a professional identity through acts of service and an understanding of mental health from the perspectives of traditional psychopathology and positive psychology. The program’s worldview is explicitly Christian, with a focus on integrating professional skills with biblical and ethical principles. 

Students start the curriculum by studying foundational topics in courses such as Lifespan Development, Theories of Personality Development and History and Systems of Psychology. Courses in Research Methods in Psychology and Foundations of Interviews and Interventions teach foundational techniques. Students gain a deeper comprehension through coursework in Psychopathology and Emerging Trends, Principles and Practices of Industrial/Organizational Psychology,  Leadership and Motivation and Organizational Ethics. As a capstone to the curriculum, students are required to take  Capstone in Psychology

Students can choose to specialize in one of the following concentrations: Industrial and Organizational Psychology/Life Coaching and Positive PsychologyThe study of human thought patterns and behavior within sizable organizations, particularly in employment, is known as industrial and organizational psychology. Primarily focused on evaluating and ameliorating workplace problems, organizational psychology addresses issues with individuals, groups and organizations. In the Life Coaching and Positive Psychology concentration, students learn the practice of encouraging others through life challenges, through an approach to psychology that emphasizes building on an individual’s strengths.

How much will the program cost?

Students finish their degree within 1 year and pay $490 per credit for a total of 30 credits, or just over $17,000 for the entire degree.

How does the program fit into my life?

Students can complete the program within one year on an accelerated and intensive schedule. Since all courses are taught asynchronously, there is no fixed time that students must log in to attend an online class. Instead, students are required to complete certain online activities each week and receive regular opportunities to interact with their instructor and other class participants. Students may find themselves participating in online group discussions, having one-on-one meetings with instructors, completing practice activities, taking online quizzes, and completing other online materials. Students are not required to visit the campus at anytime during the program.

There are numerous start dates available each year, enabling students to start the program as soon as they are accepted. With a flexible curriculum, students in this program can make choices about balancing their schoolwork with other obligations.

Summary

Students may be drawn to the accelerated curriculum model because the 5-8 week sessions allow them to concentrate intensely on particular subjects and create a course schedule that balances other obligations in their lives.

The Christian viewpoint of this reputable curriculum may be advantageous for some students but disadvantageous for others. The program boasts that it will prepare students for careers as professional counselors, life coaches, pastors, organizational leaders, and other career paths.