The Bachelor of Arts with a major in social work (BASW) requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 60-64 s.h. of work for the major. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.00 in all UI courses and a GPA of at least 3.00 in social work courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core. Courses used to fulfill GE CLAS Core requirements may not be used to satisfy the social work electives requirement.

Our BASW program is available only on our main campus in Iowa City, and prepares students for beginning professional social work practice as generalists. The goals of the program are to prepare students for employment in public and private social services in home and community-based settings such as public welfare, child welfare, health, mental health, elderly services, and corrections; to prepare students for informed community participation in social welfare issues; and to provide a base for graduate study in social work or allied professions. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Our required undergraduate Social Work courses:

• Must be taken in a specific order.
• Meet in person, in the classroom.
• Take place during both daytime and evening hours; students must have flexibility to do a combination of both. (We do not have an evenings-only option, nor is it an online program.)

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work is a selective admissions program and has a separate application process. Interested students must apply by completing and submitting the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work application. Details about the admission criteria and the application process can be found on the Undergraduate Admissions page.

Want to know what makes Iowa unique? Check out this testimonial from a current BA student: 

Listed below are the general categories of coursework required to earn the degree. For more specific information on courses, curriculum, and requirements of the BASW, visit the UI General Catalog.

For more information, please contact:
Alison Oliver, M.S.W.
BA Program Director, Lecturer
353 North Hall (NH)
alison-oliver@uiowa.edu
319-335-1253

or contact ssw-admissions@uiowa.edu or call 319-335-1250.