School of Social Work | The University of Iowa

Why Social Work?

There has never been a better time, or a greater need, for professionals educated in Social Work.

Find out Why

Why Iowa?

The University of Iowa offers the highest-ranked Social Work programs in Iowa.

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# 1

The highest-ranked MSW program in Iowa

according to U.S.News & World Report

# 9

National ranking among online MSW programs

College Consensus ranked us #9 on their list of the 25 Best Online Master's In Social Work (MSW) Programs in 2021!

94 %

pass the licensure test on first try

On average, 94% of our MSW students who take the Social Work Licensure test pass on their first try! (Compared to a North American pass rate of 74% in 2020)

5

Learning Centers across Iowa

Scroll down to learn more about our programs in Iowa City, Des Moines, Sioux City, the Quad Cities, and Online

News and Announcements

Gilster, Witry, Logsden secure funding for “Social Workers in Eastern Iowa Public Libraries” project

Friday, June 17, 2022

Faculty in the University of Iowa School of Social Work and the School of Library and Information Science recently secured a $50,000 grant for a project integrating social work into public libraries.

University of Iowa announces 2022 winners of Annual National Poetry Contest for Social Workers

Monday, March 7, 2022

The 2022 winning entries will be published in the April 2022 issue of The New Social Worker Magazine.

Support students of color during National Social Work Month

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Help us reach our goal of raising $10,000 to support 5 deserving students in the next school year—not only by making a donation but also inspiring others to give through your generous example.

Upcoming Events

Iowa City MSW Information Session

Tuesday, August 16, 2022 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. Click here to join: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/109960976 Contact our Admissions Office directly with any questions or requests:ssw-admissions@uiowa.edu 319-335-1250

Des Moines MSW Information Session

Tuesday, August 16, 2022 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. Sessions take place from 4–5 p.m. (Central Time) at the: John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center 1200 Grand Ave. Des Moines, IA 50309 If you have questions or requests, please contact our coordinator: Christy Thies, Des Moines Program Coordinatorchristy-thies@uiowa.edu 515-235-4662

Sioux City MSW Information Session

Tuesday, August 16, 2022 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Virtual

Please join us via Zoom for an information session to learn more about earning your MSW degree at the University of Iowa. You can join in from a PC, Mac, iOS, or Android device via: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/98438270222 We welcome everyone to register prior to the session; however, it is not necessary. You are welcome to "drop in." Sessions take place at 5:30–6:30 p.m. (Central Time). If you have questions or requests, please contact our coordinator: Julia Kleinschmit, Clinical Professor...

Des Moines MSW Information Session

Tuesday, September 13, 2022 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. Sessions take place from 4 to 5 p.m. (Central Time) at the: John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center 1200 Grand Ave Des Moines, IA 50309 If you have questions or requests, please contact our coordinator: Christy Thies, Des Moines Program Coordinatorchristy-thies@uiowa.edu 515-235-4662

Sioux City MSW Information Session

Tuesday, September 13, 2022 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Please join us for an in-person info session to learn more about earning your MSW degree from the University of Iowa. In-person sessions take place at: Heelan Hall 096 Briar Cliff University 3303 Rebecca St Sioux City, IA 51104 Contact Julia Kleinschmit with any questions or requests:julia-kleinschmit@uiowa.edu 402-841-4919

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Our Learning Centers

The University of Iowa's Old Capitol building viewed through bright yellow flowers.

Iowa City

Iowa's Center for Intellectuals, Artists, Scientists Philosophers and Activists is the the central campus for The University of Iowa, in Iowa City, It has made many top ten lists of great places to, live, work, do business and retire.

Des Moines

Des Moines is geographically the heart of Iowa and of our nation--the state capital, offering an urban environment focused on the well being of the entire state in a culture that exemplifies typical Midwest friendliness.

Quad Cities

The Quad Cities is actually a group of five cities bridging the Mississippi River on the Iowa-Illinois boundary. The largest of these cities, Davenport and Bettendorf (in Iowa) and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline (in Illinois), are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which has a population of almost 400,000.

Sioux City

Sioux City and the surrounding areas of northwestern Iowa, northeastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota are sometimes referred to as Siouxland. Our part time, 3 year MSW program, based at Briar Cliff University is preparing for its fifth cohort of graduate students.

A woman's hands typing on a laptop keyboard

Online

This cohort-model program strives to build strong connection and engagement by keeping class sizes small, creating learning communities of students living in similar geographic regions and matching these communities with a local mentor. Students meet with their learning communities twice each year and with all students in the summer at the Summer Institute, held at the University of Iowa main campus in Iowa City, Iowa.