The social work major can be declared when you complete your application to the University of Iowa or after you start courses at UI.
With a social work major, students are still required to meet the following criteria and submit a signed professional social work agreement form to be eligible to enroll in professional core social work courses. We encourage students to meet the criteria by the end of their second fall semester.
Criteria to enroll in the professional core social work courses
You can register for the professional core courses when you’ve successfully completed the following three prerequisite courses with a C or higher:
- SSW:1022 Social Justice and Social Welfare in the U.S. or approved Intro to Social Work course (3 semester hours)
- PSY:1001 Elementary Psychology or transfer equivalent (3 semester hours)
- SOC:1010 Introduction to Sociology or transfer equivalent (3 semster hours)
and meet these requirements:
- 2.0 grade-point average (GPA) minimum overall
- Completion of 45 semester hours or more
- Submits a signed professional social work agreement form (signed after criteria is met)
Access the professional social work agreement form by contacting us at ssw-admissions@uiowa.edu.
Relevant documents to the admissions process and course planning
- Program requirements
- Sample of the professional social work agreement form
- 1-year sequence of professional core social work courses
- 2-year sequence of professional core social work courses
- 2-year with 2 semesters of practicum & seminar sequence of professional core social work courses
The BA in Social Work curriculum sequence is very structured, with the professional core social work courses starting in fall.
Information sessions
We encourage prospective applicants to attend a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work information session to learn more about the program requirements and criteria to be eligible to enroll in the professional core social work courses.
Who can enter the social work major?
Students are eligible to complete the professional social work agreement form, after they meet the previously listed criteria.
To access the professional social work agreement form, contact us at ssw-admissions@uiowa.edu.
As a social work major, you can participate in the Social Work Student Association and other school activities.
Transfer students
Transfer students from a community college or another BA in Social Work program can be eligible to complete the professional social work agreement form if they meet the previously listed criteria.
- You must first be admitted to the University of Iowa to access the agreement form. This includes sending a transcript to UI.
- Contact ssw-admissions@uiowa.edu to access the agreement form. The email must include your University ID number.
The school has approved introductory level social work courses from numerous area community colleges (see transfer course tables of approved courses). If the introductory course you took is not on this list, contact ssw-admissions@uiowa.edu for further guidance.
Transfer students from another accredited BSW/BASW program
If you completed social work courses at another CSWE-accredited social work program, you can request to have these courses applied to the social work major. The school will evaluate and approve courses on a case-by-case basis. To have your social work courses at another institution considered, it is best to provide these course outlines to ssw-admissions@uiowa.edu before applying so you know which courses are approved towards the major if you are accepted. If these courses are accepted, your advisor will adjust your plan of study accordingly.
General Education CLAS Core world language requirement
The school is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). For students entering the University of Iowa for their first degree-seeking session in summer 2024 or later, the college has added additional pathways for students to fulfill the General Education CLAS Core world languages requirement.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the program, the professional social work agreement form, or need assistance with a previously listed requirement, please contact us at ssw-admissions@uiowa.edu or call 319-335-1250.