University of Iowa · Iowa City, Iowa
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
What Should You Know About Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at University of Iowa?
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work is a BA in Social Work program at University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, offered on campus. It takes professional core takes 2 years from a junior start, or 1 year/3 semesters from a senior start. Published tuition: $11,971 per year (resident rate). University of Iowa's BSW is listed as accredited in CSWE's directory (September 2026); the accreditation covers this format.
Program Details
| Degree | BA in Social Work |
|---|---|
| Format | on campus |
| Credits | Minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 54 s.h. for the major |
| Length | Professional core takes 2 years from a junior start, or 1 year/3 semesters from a senior start |
| Admission to the major | No separate application; to begin the professional core, complete pre-social work courses (intro social work, psychology, sociology) with C or higher, 45+ semester hours, a 2.0 GPA and a signed Professional Social Work Agreement |
| Transfer pathways | Transfer students meet the same professional-core criteria |
| Field practicum | 400-hour BA Generalist Practicum in the final year |
| Start terms | Fall |
| Tracks and focus areas | Certificate in Critical Cultural Competence; Certificate in Resilience and Trauma-Informed Perspectives |
| Tuition | Tuition and fees $11,971 per year Iowa residents; $34,247 per year nonresidents (2026-27, full time; includes a one-time $250 records fee for new students) |
| MSW route | BA in Social Work graduates can earn the UI MSW in 36 s.h. |
From socialwork.uiowa.edu, reviewed October 1, 2026. Check start dates, deadlines and current tuition with the school before you apply.
How This Program Compares
- University of Iowa's federal tuition and fees, $10,964 a year in-state (2023-24), compare with a median of $13,212 across schools with a CSWE BSW.
After This BSW: Licensing in Iowa
- First years: general education and intro coursesPsychology, sociology, human biology, intro to social work
- Apply to the social work majorUsually in the second year, with a GPA minimum
- Senior field practicumAt least 400 supervised hours in an agency
- License: LBSW (ASWB Bachelors)Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
Iowa licenses BSW graduates as the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW). Iowa BSW license from its board. Online students licensed in another state follow that state's board.
BSW Programs at Nearby Schools
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at Mount Mercy University
Mount Mercy University school profile · Cedar Rapids, IAFormatOn campusTuition$43,442per yearAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at Saint Ambrose University
Saint Ambrose University school profile · Davenport, IAFormatOn campusTuition$39,348per yearAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus440-hour practicumTuition$42,640per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus420-hour practicumTuition$40,450per yearAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work: Common Questions
How Much Does Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at University of Iowa Cost?
Tuition and fees $11,971 per year Iowa residents; $34,247 per year nonresidents (2026-27, full time; includes a one-time $250 records fee for new students) (2026-27). Federal undergraduate tuition and fees for 2023-24: $10,964 in-state, $32,927 out-of-state. Grants lower most students' price; confirm current rates with University of Iowa.
How Do You Get Into Bachelor of Arts in Social Work?
No separate application; to begin the professional core, complete pre-social work courses (intro social work, psychology, sociology) with C or higher, 45+ semester hours, a 2.0 GPA and a signed Professional Social Work Agreement, according to University of Iowa's pages.
Can You Transfer Into Bachelor of Arts in Social Work?
Transfer students meet the same professional-core criteria.
How Many Field Practicum Hours Does Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Require?
400-hour BA Generalist Practicum in the final year, according to the school's program page.
Can Graduates of Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Go on to an MSW?
BA in Social Work graduates can earn the UI MSW in 36 s.h. University of Iowa's own Master of Social Work (Iowa City, Des Moines, Sioux City and online) admits BSW graduates with advanced standing. Any CSWE BSW qualifies you for advanced standing at other schools too.
Is Bachelor of Arts in Social Work CSWE Accredited?
University of Iowa's BSW is listed as accredited in CSWE's directory (September 2026); the accreditation covers this format.