Admission to the Social Work Major
Students apply to formally enter the program during the Fall Term of their third year. Criteria for admission to the program include:

• Third-year standing.
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0..
• A grade of C- or higher in each course required for the social work major and in EN112: Intermediate Composition.
• Satisfactory completion of SW 181: Beginning Field Experience.
• Demonstration of professional comportment (integrity, work habits, professional conduct).
• Submission of an application for admission to the major and required attachments.

Professional Support & Networking
The program’s strong connection to the professional community is reinforced through a National Social Work Advisory Board, consisting of social workers, agency executives, and professional leaders from across the country. It enjoys a vibrant, supportive relationship with the National Association of Social Workers and its Iowa chapter. Click here for information about accreditation and licensure.

Social work students complete a minimum of two field experiences, totaling 590 hours. These courses provide observational experiences in a social service agency and a practicum in an agency setting for 30+ hours each week during Winter Term of their fourth year. Students work under the supervision of a trained professional in partnership with a member of the social work faculty. An optional May Term field experience is available for students who wish to gain exposure to diverse client populations and settings.

The program and its curriculum are based on the conviction that every person is worthy of respect and dignity and that this ideal cannot be achieved without a deep and active commitment to social justice, the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the qualities of life for all persons, locally and globally.  Ultimately, we strive to develop competent, proficient practitioners who reflect the ideals of a liberal arts education and the knowledge, values, and skills of the social work profession.

• Instill in students an appreciation for the community as an essential context for professional practice.
• Develop graduates with the vision, skills, and appreciation for advocacy to assume positions of professional and community leadership.
• Equip students with an appreciation for professional ethics and the skills needed to apply ethical principles consistently in everyday practice.
• Enable students to seek and skillfully use resources and research methods that enhance quality professional practice and service delivery.
• Develop students who do not merely tolerate human differences, but view diversity as a strength and vital element of social life.