Lead with both heart and strategy
Add a business leadership credential to your MSW.
The profession of social work increasingly demands leadership, management, and organizational skills. The MSW + Leadership Certificate — offered through a partnership between the School of Social Work and Tippie College of Business, lets MSW students build those competencies without adding years to their degree.
A business leadership credential, built for working professionals
The MSW + Leadership Certificate (15 s.h.) is a formal partnership between the University of Iowa School of Social Work and the Tippie College of Business. It creates a pathway for MSW students to earn the Tippie Leadership Certificate alongside their MSW degree - building foundational business and management competencies without drastically increasing cost or time to completion.
Through this partnership, 9 semester hours of Leadership Certificate coursework cross-count toward MSW elective requirements. That means students complete just one additional course (3 s.h.) beyond their existing MSW requirements to earn both credentials.
Courses are offered online in 8-week terms, meeting once weekly, designed for working professionals balancing academic and professional responsibilities.
Skills the certificate builds
- Leading and developing teams
- Facilitating organizational change
- Influence and constructive persuasion
- Effective managerial communication
- Negotiation and conflict resolution
- Strategic and human resource leadership
Admission requirements
The MSW + Leadership certificate is available to students currently enrolled in the MSW program. Additional minimum requirements and application deadlines are posted here. Students must apply separately to the Leadership Certificate.
15 credit hours. Five courses. Built into your schedule.
Students complete four courses from the Tippie College of Business Leadership Certificate portfolio, plus one required SSW course. Through the partnership, 9 of those credit hours cross-count toward MSW elective requirements.
4
Selected from the Tippie Leadership Certificate curriculum — covering management, communication, influence, negotiation, and organizational change.
1
Either SSW:6400 Theory and Skills for Working with Organizations and Communities, or SSW:7430 Leading Programs & Organizations in Social Work.
9 s.h.
Nine semester hours of Leadership Certificate coursework count toward your MSW elective requirement, so you're not paying twice for the same learning.
For the full list of approved Tippie Leadership Certificate courses, visit the Tippie Leadership Certificate page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add the Leadership Certificate to my plan?
Students must be admitted to both programs separately and will enroll independently in each program. MSW applicants must meet all MSW admission criteria as outlined by the School of Social Work. Leadership Certificate applicants must meet the Certificate Admissions criteria established by the Tippie College of Business.
Who do I contact with questions about enrolling?
Direct admission questions to tippie-grad-programs@uiowa.edu. For help registering for an individual course before formal admission, contact tippie-grad-registration@uiowa.edu.
What courses do I need to complete the certificate?
Five courses total: two required courses, plus three electives. One of the three electives may be substituted with an approved SSW course — SSW:6400 or SSW:7340 — so your social work coursework can count toward the certificate.
Do I need to submit anything special to receive the certificate?
The certificate is tracked through a degree audit. When you're enrolled in your final required course, complete a degree application for the certificate through MyUI. Tippie's team reviews the application and awards the certificate from there. You do not need to wait until your MSW is complete to receive it.
When are the required courses and electives offered?
The two required courses are offered every semester, and electives are offered at least twice a year. Most courses run for 8 weeks and meet once per week. During the condensed winter session, courses meet twice per week. Current semester offerings are listed on the Iowa MBA Course Schedule.
Can I complete the certificate after I graduate from the MSW program?
Yes. The certificate can be completed after you’ve conferred your MSW. The certificate courses would need to be completed within a 10-year period.
Students may begin either program first or pursue both concurrently; however, they must be admitted to the Leadership Certificate prior to enrolling in business courses. Courses taken prior to admission to the MSW program, must also meet the SSW transfer credit policies as noted on the MSW Advising webpage.
Can I take a Leadership course before I'm formally admitted to the certificate?
Possibly. If seats are available, MSW students can request approval to take an individual Leadership course by contacting tippie-grad-registration@uiowa.edu. You'll need to verify at least 18 months of professional work experience (via LinkedIn or resume). Course cost is $2,250, separate from MSW tuition.
- You can take up to three courses before formal admission is required
- Seats are not guaranteed each time — admission gives you priority enrollment
- Coursework completed prior to admission counts toward the certificate as long as it's not more than 10 years old at the time the certificate is conferred.
Is there a cost to the certificate beyond my MSW tuition?
Students will be assessed tuition and fees according to the college offering the course:
- Social Work coursework: Assessed at the MSW tuition rate
- Leadership Certificate coursework: Assessed at the Iowa MBA course rate
Though subject to change based on future course cost rates, the current estimated cost for every additional Leadership Certificate course is $2,250.
Contact Tippie Grad Programs for the most current pricing as you plan your enrollment: tippie-grad-programs@uiowa.edu
Questions about the MSW + Leadership Certificate?
Tippie's graduate programs team can walk you through admission, course planning, and timing.