Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion

What you'll study

The curriculum combines foundational general education with program-specific courses in leadership, communication, policy and organizational behavior. Topics and course codes listed for the program include:

• GEN-111, UNV-181 (foundational/general education)
• BUS-230, MGT-215, HRM-175, HRM-215 (business and leadership)
• COM-115, COM-209, COM-280 (communication)
• ECO-205 (economics)
• CRJ-181, CRJ-202, CRJ-268, CRJ-270, CRJ-318 (criminal justice/public service courses)
• POL-100, POL-215, POL-230, POL-232 (political science/public policy basics)
• LDR-270 (leadership)

Learning outcomes emphasize critical thinking for rapid problem-solving, professional communication in high-stress contexts, understanding globalization’s effects on economics and national security, integrating Christian principles into public service ethics, and organizational behavior in government.

Entry requirements

Applicants must submit original transcripts from all prior regionally accredited postsecondary institutions. The program has tailored admission pathways:

• Military Track: available to active duty, reserve, National Guard members and veterans with at least 6 semester hours of ACE-recommended military training/experience documented on JST or CCAF transcripts; Air Force veterans without a CCAF degree must provide CCAF transcripts.
• First Responder Track: available to qualified first responder students who have at least 6 credit hours granted for law enforcement, fire academy, first responder, or emergency medical training via IWU prior learning assessment or an official accredited transcript.

Transfer credit is accepted from accredited institutions with a minimum grade of C and from JST/CCAF transcripts for applicable military training. Residency and graduation rules require completion of 60 total credit hours, at least 27 hours in the major with a minimum 2.0 major GPA, 24 hours of general education, a cumulative GPA of 2.0, and at least 15 semester hours completed at IWU.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for supervisory and management-track roles across public safety and government settings. Positions cited by the program include corrections officer, EMT, firefighter, paramedic and police officer, and roles such as community outreach coordinator or nonprofit coordinator and other management-level jobs in public service organizations.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

IWU notes that tuition is charged per credit and the published rate is locked for students who remain continuously enrolled in the same program; the program page lists a per-credit tuition of $325. Financial aid options mentioned include grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits and employer reimbursement. Applicants can request cost sheets or contact an enrollment counselor for detailed estimated cost of attendance and applicable fees.