University of Iowa Master of Social Work
Program Options: Part-Time
Tuition: $9,427 per year
Acceptance rate: No data, new online program
GRE Required: No
1-year/Accelerated Option: No
Campus Visits Required: Yes
Field Hours: 910
CSWE Accredited: Yes (2010)
Application deadline: February 1, 2019
See our ranking of the Top 10 Affordable Master of Social Work Online (MSW) Degrees.
Overview
The University of Iowa is located on the eastern edge of the state in Iowa City and is a large public university with an enrollment of over 30,000 students each semester. With over 100 different areas of study, the university focuses on research and innovation in every subject from medicine to music. As a whole, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school #78 in all national universities and #31 for public schools. Many individual departments rank highly as well, especially in the area of healthcare, and the MSW program is #54 in the nation.
Strengths
The 2018 online MSW cohort is the first to begin this program even though traditional in-person versions have existed on University of Iowa campuses for many years. This program is only offered part-time, taking 3 years to complete. While this is a primarily online program, students have more of an opportunity to interact than one would expect. There are frequent video conferencing sessions in the evenings, a 4-day seminar in Iowa City each summer, and monthly face-to-face meetings with nearby classmates.
Concentrations
While there are no designated concentrations built into the online master’s of social work program, students do have the freedom to select elective classes. In this way, they can unofficially specialize in a particular area. Some possibilities include the aging process, the criminal justice system, early childhood development, addiction, and public policy.
Program Requirements
The MSW degree requires between 48 and 60 credit hours of study depending on previous coursework in the field. Throughout the program, there is a focus on practical applications of specific theories and research, and students are required to complete at least 910 intern hours. According to Forbes, this real-world emphasis increases employment opportunities after graduation. In order to enter professional practice after graduation, students also need to complete licensing exams and applications per state regulations.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions to the University of Iowa’s online MSW program is highly competitive as they only admit 25 students per cohort every two years. Applicants first must complete the application for the Graduate College. When this is completed, they are granted access to the MSW application.
While the GRE is not required, applicants need to submit a resume, transcripts, three recommendations, and answers to three writing prompts. Successful applicants will have a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA and an undergraduate transcript that shows excellence in both liberal arts and the sciences. Online students must live in Iowa or a surrounding state for practical and licensing requirements.
Faculty
Even though students will have limited face-to-face interaction with professors, faculty do play an important role in online courses. Many of the instructors are full-time employees of the University of Iowa. Some, though, are part-time teachers who primarily work as professional social workers, giving them a different perspective on the field.
Online Courses
Aside from internships, all courses are completely online. Students have the opportunity to choose their elective classes, but everyone takes the same core courses including the following.
- Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- Discrimination, Oppression, Diversity
- Social Welfare Policy and Practice
- Organization and Community Practice
Interspersed among these courses in the first two years of the program, students also begin learning how to interact with clients. Each course listed below focuses on clinical practice in preparation for the internship and professional life.
- Social Work Practice Skills Lab
- Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families & Groups
- Foundation Practicum and Seminar
- Integrated Theory and Practice I and II
The year before graduation is largely spent working in the field under close supervision so that graduates are prepared for the realities of the social work profession. In addition to the internship listed as Advanced Practicum, students take the classes listed below, each of which builds off their field experiences.
- Advanced Social Policy
- Advanced Practicum Seminar I and II
Throughout the 3-year program, students are required to take at least 7 hours of electives and are encouraged to take more. Some examples are Aging Studies, Social Work in the Criminal Justice System, and Child Welfare Policy. In addition, everyone also gets experience with the research aspect of the field completing Research Practice I and II as well as a computer lab.
Internships
The University of Iowa’s School of Social Work emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning. As such, even online students must participate in lengthy internships. A total of 910 hours is required, but this is broken up into two blocks. First, during the spring semester of or the summer following the second year, students must complete a 210-hour internship to practice the techniques in foundation classes. This is equivalent to a little over 5 weeks of full-time work, and students work with clients at an introductory level under the guidance of other professionals.
Then, during the third and final year of the program, students participate in a 2-semester, 700-hour practicum during which they have less supervision and actually do the work of a professional social worker. This allows students the opportunity to ask questions and to get a feel for the type of work they will be doing. Throughout the year, they are given increasingly more freedom until students feel comfortable working on their own.
Contact
Tomeka Petersen
Admissions and Programs Coordinator
(319) 335-1255
Throughout the program, students are encouraged to choose courses and secure internships that complement their interests and career aspirations. After graduation from the online MSW program, prior practicum supervisors and University of Iowa professors can provide references, and relevant coursework will be of benefit during their job search.