MSW Online

  • Programs By State
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington DC
    • Wisconsin
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Online Programs
    • Online Bachelor’s in Social Work
    • Online Master’s in Social Work
    • Online PhD/DSW in Social Work
    • Advanced standing online MSW programs
    • Accelerated online MSW
  • Degrees
    • Master’s in Social Work
    • Associate in social work
    • Bachelor’s in Social Work
    • Clinical MSW
    • Accelerated Bachelor’s
    • PhD/DSW in Social Work
    • MSW in international social work
    • MSW in forensic social work
    • Marriage and family therapist (MFT) master’s degree
    • Master’s in counseling
    • Master’s in mental health counseling
    • MSW and MBA dual degree
    • MSW and MPH dual degree
    • MSW and law dual degree
    • MSW and MPA dual degree
    • MSW and theology dual degree
    • MSW and education dual degree
  • Experts
  • Social work certifications
  • Careers
    • School Social Worker
    • Medical Social Worker
    • Child Social Worker
    • Behavioral Therapist
    • Military Social Worker
    • Forensic Social Worker
    • Hospice Social Worker
    • Psychiatric Social Worker
    • Chemical Dependency Counselor
    • Community Social Worker
    • Research Social Worker
    • Public Policy Social Worker
    • Pediatric Social Worker
    • Mental Health Social Worker
    • Substance Abuse Social Worker
    • Geriatric Social Worker
    • Private Practice Social Worker
    • Marriage and Family Therapist
    • Immigration Social Worker
    • International Social Worker
  • Resource Center
    • How to Become a Social Worker
    • Job Guide
    • Internship Guide
    • Salary Guide
    • LCSW Guide
    • Cyberbullying Guide
    • COVID-19 Guide
    • Student Mental Health Guide
    • Scholarship Guide
    • Mental Health Resources
    • CSWE Accreditation
    • Social Work Ethics
    • MSW vs MSSW degrees
    • Women in Leadership
    • Continuing Education Guide
    • Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Guide
    • Guide to Online Counseling
    • Guide to Field Experience
    • Social Work and Climate Change
    • Social Work vs Psychology
    • Dual-Degree Programs
    • MSW Specializations
    • Gun Violence Prevention
    • MSW Admission Requirements
    • Bilingual Social Work
    • Levels of Licensing
    • Mental Health and Homelessness
    • LGBTQIAP Support
    • Food Insecurity Issues
    • Social Work and Healthcare Costs
  • Experts
  • Certifications
    • Case Management
    • Child Welfare
    • School Social Work
    • Forensic Social Work

MSW programs in Iowa

Written by MSW Online Contributors – Last updated: February 2, 2023

This detailed guide will break down all that you need to know about becoming a social worker in Iowa and what social work programs you can pursue, both in person and through the online format. The guide will also focus on MSWs or master’s in social work since these advanced degrees are required to obtain a clinical social work license.

CONTENTS OF THIS GUIDE

  • Social work in Iowa
  • MSW programs
  • How to become a social worker
  • License requirements
  • Social worker jobs and salary
  • Job outlook
  • Expert advice

Social work in Iowa

As a state with some of the richest farmland in North America, Iowa is largely a rural area with few metropolitan hubs: traditionally the largest source of social worker employment. Iowa also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country on average (not accounting for recent COVID-19-related job loss).

Ad
mastersinsocialworkonline.org is an advertising-supported site. Clicking in this box will show you programs related to your search from schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other information published on this site.
Featured Online MSW Programs

School NameProgram More Info
University of Southern California (USC)Accredited Online MSW Program from USC website
Aurora UniversityOnline MSW With 7 Track Options website
Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaFull or Part-Time Online MSW website
University of KentuckyCSWE Accredited Online MSW Program website
Syracuse UniversityOnline MSW Program—CSWE Accredited website

This does suggest that it’s an excellent environment for social workers that are licensed in the state, as they’re more likely to enjoy full-time employment compared to social workers in some other states.

More specifically, social workers in Iowa will be mostly asked to focus on the same kinds of social ills that plague other rural states, like drug abuse, child abuse, and family therapy. Social workers who focus on these aspects of the profession will find multiple opportunities.

Furthermore, social workers will be in perfect positions to facilitate community outreach programs and bind disparate people and families together across larger geographic distances.

MSW programs in Iowa

MSWs, or master’s in social work degrees, are the credentials required for obtaining a clinical license. These are advanced degrees and normally require either a bachelor’s degree in social work or a few staple or cornerstone classes under a student’s belts before they may be pursued.

Furthermore, MSW degrees accredited by the Council on Social Work Education are particularly valuable and are almost always necessary to meet the requirements to become a licensed clinical social worker. So these programs are prioritized by all serious social work students.

CSWE-accredited MSW programs include:

  • Focused and modern classes that cover core social work concepts. These classes are periodically updated so that new social workers practice the discipline correctly and with modern attitudes and sensibilities
  • Certain classes will also be offered that allow you to specialize your social work efforts. Examples include healthcare or mental health
  • All MSW programs will require that a certain number of clinical or practical hours be completed at a physical clinic or medical center to graduate 
  • Most programs also offer the opportunity to complete electives if you want to round out your education or earn a secondary degree

Despite its rural characteristics, Iowa has more MSW degree options that many other states, with six options available overall. Four of these are available for on-campus students only. Examples include Clarke University, which offers a hybrid weekend program and an advanced standing program for students that already have some social work credits under their belts.

Saint Ambrose University is another option. Located in Davenport, Iowa, it offers full-time, part-time, and advanced standing program options for its students. Additionally, students can pursue dual degrees and acquire either a master’s in business administration or a master’s of public health.

Online MSW programs in Iowa

Many more students will choose to take online MSW programs. Online programs are advantageous because they allow you to complete your degree requirements at a part-time or relaxed schedule, especially compared to on-campus programs. These online programs also allow you to complete work or focus on your family life without stopping degree progress entirely.

Furthermore, online MSW programs don’t ignore academic rigor or practical/clinical hours. Instead of attending the clinical hours at a medical center partnered with a university, online MSW students will complete their clinical hours at local medical centers or clinics relative to their location. This grants students additional flexibility as they complete the degree requirements.

Iowa has two online MSW programs to choose from. The first of these is from the University of Iowa, and it offers the MSW credential in a variety of scheduling formats, and in both regular and advanced standing varieties.

The University of Northern Iowa is another example, and it also offers traditional and advanced standing options depending on your experience level.

How to become a social worker in Iowa

Social workers in Iowa can practice under three levels of certification. Unlike some other states, you can acquire social work jobs with only a bachelor’s degree in the subject as you further your education up to the MSW level.

Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)

This earliest form of social work licensure allows you to practice under the supervision of other licensed social workers. However, you can’t practice by yourself and it’s most often used as a temporary license on the path to MSW degree completion.

  • Submit your LBSW application to the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB). This can be done either with an online form or by mailing a physical copy into the Board. Either way, it costs $120
  • Pass the ASWB Bachelor’s Exam, which costs $230 and which has 170 multiple-choice questions
  • Receive your license if you pass the exam

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

This is an advanced type of licensure that allows social workers to perform advanced treatments and procedures for clients. Such social workers can also offer assistance with diagnosis and treatment planning. You must have an MSW, but don’t have to have all of your clinical practice hours completed for this credential.

  • Submit your LMSW application to the Board and pay the $120 fee
  • Pass the ASWB Master’s Exam, which costs $230 and which has 170 questions
  • Receive your license if you pass the exam

Licensed Independent Social Worker

This credential is equivalent to the LCSW commonly found in other states. It allows social workers who hold it to practice clinically and independently all across Iowa.

  • Submit your application to the Board and pay the $120 fee
  • Earn all of the required experience and clinical practice hours
  • Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam, which costs $260 and which has 170 questions
  • Receive your license if you pass the exam 

Social work license requirements in Iowa

The Iowa Board of Social Work is responsible for outlining social work credential requirements in this state. According to them, LISWs must accumulate 4,000 hours of social work experience after their master’s degree is completed. These 4,000 hours must be finished within six years and no earlier than two years.

All social workers must also have 110 hours supervised by an LISW who has been licensed for three years already and who has completed supervision training.

Furthermore, all Iowa social workers have to renew their licenses every two years. Fees are $72, $120, and $144 for each level of licensure. Additionally, social workers must complete 27 hours of continuing education credits every two years.

Social worker jobs and social worker salary in Iowa

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides detailed salary information for Iowa social workers and salaries at the national level. They break down social workers into four major types:

  • Child, family, and school social workers should expect an annual salary of $50,380 and an hourly wage of $24.22. These social workers number 2,020 at the moment.
  • Healthcare social workers can expect an annual salary of $57,840 and an hourly wage of $27.81. There are 1,140 healthcare social workers practicing in Iowa as of last count.
  • Mental health and substance abuse social workers can expect an annual salary of $55,220 and an hourly wage of $26.55. There are only 750 of these social workers in Iowa. 
  • All other social workers should expect an annual salary of $61,090 and an hourly wage of $29.37. There are 440 social workers that fit in this category in Iowa.

These salaries are quite competitive given that the national average salary for social workers is around $50,000. 

Job outlook for social workers in Iowa

It’s difficult to determine the outlook for social workers in Iowa specifically, but social workers should expect a national increase in available positions of about 90,700 by 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of these may open up in Iowa over the next few years.

Remember, Iowa has a very low unemployment rate relative to the rest of the country. This means that open social worker positions will fill up quickly and won’t be vacated anytime soon. Thus, Iowa may be a good state for social workers looking for long-term employment or an opportunity to climb up the experience ladder without having to jump from position to position.

Ultimately, social workers in Iowa can expect a great salary and solid employment prospects across the board.

Social Work Programs in Iowa

In this Section:
BSW programs
MSW programs
Online MSW programs
Ph.D programs

Career Advice

Find the latest social work career advice from people working directly in the field in Iowa. Learn more about all the different pathways and opportunities available in social work today.

  1. What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Iowa?
  2. What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Iowa?
  3. What does the future of social work look like in Iowa?
  4. What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in Iowa?
  5. Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Iowa?


SOCIAL WORK BACHELOR’S PROGRAMS IN Iowa

School City Program Website
Briar Cliff University Sioux City Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
Buena Vista University Storm Lake Social Work Major
Clarke University Dubuque Bachelor of Social Work
Dordt College Sioux Center Bachelor of Social Work
Grand View University Des Moines Social Work Major
Loras College Dubuque Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work
Luther College Decorah Social Work Major
Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
Northwestern College Orange City Social Work
St. Ambrose University Davenport Bachelor of Social Work
University of Iowa Iowa City Social Work, Bachelor of Arts
University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls BA in Social Work
Wartburg College Waverly Social Work Major

SOCIAL WORK Master’s PROGRAMS IN Iowa

School City Program Website
Clarke University Dubuque Master of Social Work
Saint Ambrose University Davenport Master of Social Work – MSW
University of Iowa Iowa City, Des Moines, Sioux City, Quad Cities Master of Social Work
University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Master of Social Work

SOCIAL WORK Online Master’s PROGRAMS IN Iowa

School City Program Website
Clarke University Dubuque Master of Social Work
University of Iowa Iowa City, Des Moines, Sioux City, Quad Cities Master of Social Work
University of Norther Iowa Cedar Falls Master of Social Work

SOCIAL WORK Ph.D PROGRAMS IN Iowa

School City Program Website
University of Iowa Iowa City PhD in Social Work

Primary Sidebar

  • Careers
    • School Social Worker
    • Medical Social Worker
    • Child Social Worker
    • Behavioral Therapist
    • Military Social Worker
    • Forensic Social Worker
    • Hospice Social Worker
    • Psychiatric Social Worker
    • Chemical Dependency Counselor
    • Community Social Worker
    • Research Social Worker
    • Public Policy Social Worker
    • Pediatric Social Worker
    • Mental Health Social Worker
    • Substance Abuse Social Worker
    • Geriatric Social Worker
    • Private Practice Social Worker
    • Marriage and Family Therapist
    • Immigration Social Worker
    • International Social Worker
  • Resource Center
    • How to Become a Social Worker
    • Job Guide
    • Internship Guide
    • Salary Guide
    • LCSW Guide
    • Cyberbullying Guide
    • COVID-19 Guide
    • Student Mental Health Guide
    • Scholarship Guide
    • Mental Health Resources
    • CSWE Accreditation
    • Social Work Ethics
    • MSW vs MSSW degrees
    • Women in Leadership
    • Continuing Education Guide
    • Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Guide
    • Guide to Online Counseling
    • Guide to Field Experience
    • Social Work and Climate Change
    • Social Work vs Psychology
    • Dual-Degree Programs
    • MSW Specializations
    • Gun Violence Prevention
    • MSW Admission Requirements
    • Bilingual Social Work
    • Levels of Licensing
    • Mental Health and Homelessness
    • LGBTQIAP Support
    • Food Insecurity Issues
    • Social Work and Healthcare Costs
  • Experts
  • Certifications
    • Case Management
    • Child Welfare
    • School Social Work
    • Forensic Social Work

  • Guides
  • Online Programs
  • Career Profiles
  • Campus Programs
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
mastersinsocialworkonline
Copyright © 2023 · Masters in Social Work Online · All Rights Reserved