At this time, we are "reimagining" our B.A. in Social Work program.  Everything is under review, including:

  • Program requirements
  • Admission criteria
  • Application process and deadlines

We appreciate your patience and encourage you to return to our website in October for admission updates.  We also recommend joining a future Info Session this fall.

Information Sessions

We encourage prospective applicants to attend a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Information Session to learn more about the admission process and our program. Upcoming information session dates and registration form can be found on the following Information Sessions page.

Iowa City B.A. Information Sessions

Criteria for Selective Admission to the B.A. in Social Work Program


While much thought is going into this process, at a minimum, the following criteria will be required for admission:

  1. You must have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.50 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of admission. The admissions committee will still consider for admission applicants who do not meet the minimum G.P.A. but demonstrate strengths/potential in other areas on an individual basis.
  2. You must have earned a grade of C or above in SSW:1022 - Social Justice and Social Welfare in the United States, or an equivalent course(s) taken at another college and approved by the School of Social Work.*  You may be enrolled in SSW:1022 in the semester you apply, but you must earn a C or above before entering the program.

Who Can Apply

Social Work Interest Majors

If you are planning to apply to the School of Social Work, we encourage you to declare a Social Work Interest major through the University's Academic Programs Office. Declaring a Social Work Interest major can be done any time before earning 72 semester hours. As a Social Work Interest major, you can participate in the Social Work Student Association and other School activities before being admitted to the program.

Applicants with other Majors

Students who have declared another major or are an open major can apply to the School.

Transfer Students

Transfer students from a community college or another B.A. in Social Work program can apply to the School. You must be admitted to the University of Iowa when you complete the separate application to the Social Work program. Transfer students must follow the admissions process described above.  More details to be posted here by October.

*The School has approved introductory level social work from numerous area community colleges (see equivalency tables of approved courses). If the introductory course you took is not on this list, contact ssw-admissions@uiowa.edu for approval before you submit your application.

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.

Gen Ed CLAS Core World Language Requirement
The School is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS).  For students entering the UI for their first degree-seeking session in summer 2024 or later, additional pathways to meet the world language requirement details here.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the program, the application process, or need assistance with a requirement listed above, please contact us at ssw-admissions@uiowa.edu or call 319-335-1250.