Why Iowa?

With mental health services in greater demand than ever, social work training has never been more valuable. As the home of the highest-ranked social work programs in the state, the University of Iowa has resources and expertise to prepare you for vital and rewarding careers helping people and communities.

Make an impact

Transform lives

Collaborative and committed

The research university difference

Benefit from the expertise, learning, and training opportunities you can only find at a major research university and health sciences campus like the University of Iowa

# 1

Highest-ranked MSW program in Iowa

US News and World Report

Social work: a career and a calling

Social workers are the nation’s largest group of mental health services providers. There are more clinically trained social workers—over 250,000—than psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses combined. And with an expected growth in jobs of 12 percent by 2030, social work is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States.

“The experiences and opportunities opened by an MSW are endless. I know so many classmates and friends with MSWs who have gone on to do some incredible work, in a variety of fields. Policy builders, politicians, community collaborators, therapists, directors of programs, and business owners.”

- Ondrea Patzlaff, MSW ‘11

Portrait of Ondrea Patzlaff

A format that fits your life

You have a lot going on–Iowa’s online MSW makes it possible to advance professionally without putting the rest of your life on pause.

# 19

Online MSW program in the nation

Source: College Consensus

News and Announcements

Richardson Co-Authors Second Edition of “Life Skills Progression”

Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Dr. Brad Richardson, research scientist and adjunct associate professor at the University of Iowa School of Social Work, is co-author of the recently released second edition of “Life Skills Progression™, An Outcome and Intervention Planning Instrument for Use With Families at Risk” from Brookes Publishing.

Connect to End COVID-19 | Long COVID and Educational Accommodations: Solutions Require Social Workers

Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Long COVID (also known as Post-COVID) was added as a disability under the American Disabilities Act (ADA) in July, 2021. A student who is experiencing difficulties in school related to COVID-19 may need to receive accommodations and/or special education and supplementary aids and services to boost academic...

Connect to End COVID-19 | Long COVID in Children and Adolescents: Solutions Require Social Workers

Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Long COVID conditions do occur in children and adolescents although less frequently than in adults. Young children may struggle to describe the difficulties they are experiencing. For children and adolescents with Long COVID who have conditions affecting physical performance...

Upcoming Events

Des Moines MSW Information Session

Tuesday, October 8, 2024 4:00pm to 5:00pm
John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center
Please join us for an in-person info session to learn more about earning your MSW degree from the University of Iowa.

Iowa City MSW Information Session

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Virtual
Please join us via Zoom for an info session to learn more about earning your MSW degree on our main University of Iowa campus in Iowa City.

Online MSW Information Session

Thursday, October 24, 2024 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Virtual
Please join us for an info session to learn more about earning your MSW degree from the University of Iowa.

Iowa City BA in Social Work Information Session

Tuesday, November 5, 2024 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Virtual
Please join us via Zoom for an info session to learn more about earning your BA in Social Work degree on our main University of Iowa campus in Iowa City.

Iowa City MSW Information Session

Tuesday, November 12, 2024 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Virtual
Please join us via Zoom for an info session to learn more about earning your MSW degree on our main University of Iowa campus in Iowa City.
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