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

Iowa Social Work graduate students presenting research in Seattle

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Three School of Social Work graduate students presented research at the Society for Social Work and Research conference in Seattle, Washington, this past January. We sat down with them to chat about their research and experiences presenting.

School of Social Work faculty member and chair making a difference in child welfare in Ottumwa

Monday, March 10, 2025
Director of the School of Social Work, Miriam Landsman, sat down with us to talk about her newest wave research and latest project regarding child welfare in Ottumwa, Iowa

School of Social Work BA graduate named 2025 person to watch by local news paper

Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Fred Newell graduated from the School of Social Work in 2012 and began launching his non-profit organization. Over the last twelve years, his hard work has landed recognition, including being named a 2025 Person to Watch by the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

Upcoming Events

Online MSW Info Session

Thursday, March 13, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Virtual
Please join us via Zoom for an info session to learn more about the Online MSW program. We offer Advanced Standing and Regular Standing with specializations in Clinical Practice and Leadership Practice. Click here to join: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/94610615429

BA in Social Work Info Session

Tuesday, April 1, 2025 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. Click here to join: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/98742008183

Iowa City MSW Info Session

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 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.

Des Moines MSW Info Session

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Virtual
Please join us via Zoom for an info session to learn more about the MSW program in Des Moines at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center. Click here to join: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/94610615429

Online MSW Info Session

Thursday, April 10, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Virtual
Please join us via Zoom for an info session to learn more about the Online MSW program. We offer Advanced Standing and Regular Standing with specializations in Clinical Practice and Leadership Practice. Click here to join: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/94610615429
View more events