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Social Work

Looking for a career where you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, communities, and organizations? Social work focuses on promoting social welfare and improving the lives and conditions of our communities.

You can complete the social work degree as a daytime student with on-campus classes, or hybrid, that requires attendance one evening per week and a portion of coursework online. Both options provide students with extensive experiences both in and outside the classroom to prepare for a meaningful career in social work.

Grand View University's social work program was selected for the 101 Most Affordable Bachelor's in Social Work (BSW) Programs in America. According to HumanServicesEdu.org, "Grand View's BSW program is an exceptional value in undergraduate education. Plus, Grand View boasts an impressive 98-99% job placement rate among its graduates over the last two decades."

As a Grand View social work student, you'll develop the knowledge, skills, and values of the profession and learn to serve as an agent of change with individuals, families, groups, and organizations. Active learning opportunities in and out of the classroom prepare you to develop, carry out, and evaluate interventions that empower clients to meet their goals. You'll be prepared to work effectively with diverse populations in home-based services, schools, medical settings, mental health or substance abuse centers, and correctional institutions, and be competitive at both public and private agencies. To learn even more, explore our Grand View University BSW Program on Facebook!

Wondering whether you should pursue social work, psychology, or human services?

Explore the differences

Degree Level:

Undergraduate Programs

Program Type:

Major

Format:

Full Time, In-Person, Online

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Why Grand View?

  • Exciting opportunities to work on real-world projects, participate in career-related work experiences, and study under a dedicated faculty of experienced practitioners.
  • Every social work course embeds practice opportunities, so you can see what it is like to work with different populations in a wide array of settings. Students start right away in Introduction to Social Work (SWRK 101) by shadowing a credentialed social worker in agencies such as Calvin Community, Children & Families of Iowa, ChildServe, Community Youth Concepts, Des Moines Public Schools, EveryStep, Four Oaks, Iowa Homeless Youth Services/Lighthouse, LifeWorks, Orchard Place/PACE, Prelude Behavioral Services, ProjectIOWA, Woodward Community Based Services, and Youth Emergency Shelter & Services. Practice opportunities continue throughout the social work program.
  • The program is shaped by input from local practitioners, who help social work faculty understand and respond to key trends in the field. This helps ensure students graduate with an understanding of what is required to be successful in the profession. Read more to meet the members of the Grand View Social Work Advisory Council.
  • Strong advising relationships between faculty and students, which allows faculty to understand students’ academic and career goals.
  • Face to face and online options for completing the program. Choose from:
    1. All courses face-to-face, either during the day or a combination of day and evening classes.
    2. Evening and online, allowing you to fulfill other responsibilities (such as work or caretaking) during the day. Some social work courses are fully online, while the rest are on-campus on Monday evenings with additional coursework completed virtually.
  • No foreign language requirement, although Grand View offers a major, minor, and certificate in Spanish, including courses on translation and interpretation. Students are encouraged to pursue this option as a way to broaden their reach to populations and enhance cultural understanding.
  • BSW coursework fulfills the requirements for a tCADC (temporary Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) certification, which allows the student to apply for this credential upon graduation and have an edge in applying for jobs in this specialty area.
  • Grand View University has obtained the status of Full Accreditation by the CSWE Commission on Accreditation.

Student Testimonials

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Tuition & Scholarships

At Grand View University, your tuition supports instruction delivered by knowledgeable and experienced faculty who uphold our tradition of exceptional teaching. Additionally, we are dedicated to offering a high-quality education at the most affordable cost.

Transfer Credits

No matter what major you’re thinking about, you may be able to transfer in as many as 75 credits from a community college or junior college. If you have an A.A. or A.A.S. from an Iowa community college, you will be automatically admitted at junior status.

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AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Faculty

  • Dr. Cathy Beck-Cross • The recipient of the 2013 Iowa Educational Research & Evaluation Association Distinguished Research Award for her work on predictors impacting adolescent suicidal behavior. The results of her research were published in Children & Schools, a journal of the National Association of Social Workers. 
  • Myke Selha • Selected in 2017 as one of 60 social workers from the United States and Canada to be a part of the Standards Setting Task Force for the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
  • Kimberlee Gregory • Received the Social Worker of Excellence award by the National Association of Social Workers-Iowa Chapter. The Social Worker of Excellence award is given to a current member of the NASW-Iowa Chapter who demonstrates exceptional professional qualities, which make them stand out beyond the expectations of their job.

Alumni

  • Hailey Hilts '18 • Recipient of the Social Work Values and Ethical Principles award.
  • Darlene Wagler '18 • Recipient of the Social Work Scholar award for academic excellence.
  • Anna Determann, ’19 • Recipient of the Grand View Social Work Service award.
  • Clarissa Mejia, ’19 • Recipient of the Grand View Social Work Scholar award for academic excellence.
  • Becca Sotos, '20 • Recipient of the Grand View Social Work Scholar award for academic excellence.
  • Karina Johnson, ' 20 • Recipient of the Grand View Social Work Service award.
  • Jordan Rico, '21 • Recipient of the Grand View Social Work Service award.
  • Hannah Frerichs, '21 • Recipient of the Grand View Social Work Scholar award for academic excellence.
  • Jordan Rico, '22 • Recipient of the Grand View Social Work Service award.
  • Charity Dangelser, '22 • Recipient of the Grand View Social Work Scholar award for academic excellence.

 

FIELD EXPERIENCES

Many agencies value Grand View's experiential program and are more than willing to provide quality field experiences. Field education provides students with a guided, intensive social work practice experience and is taken during the student's final semester (in the spring for day students, and the summer for students in the evening/online program). The field education placement provides students an opportunity to blend social work theory and practice knowledge. It is a culmination of social work's competency-based education and the final step in academic preparation for becoming a generalist social worker. Students are placed in an approved setting and receive onsite supervision by a credentialed social work practitioner.

Students in the social work program have completed field placements in agencies such as:

  • ¡Al Éxito!
  • Ankeny Community Schools
  • Bridges of Iowa
  • Candeo
  • CareMore
  • Central Iowa Works
  • Children & Families of Iowa
  • Community Support Advocates
  • Community Youth Concepts
  • Department of Human Rights
  • Department of Human Services
  • Des Moines Public Schools
  • Drake University Career Center
  • Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement 
  • Lutheran Services of Iowa
  • Madrid Home Communities
  • Marshalltown Veterans Home
  • Mary Greeley Medical Center
  • National Association of Social Workers-Iowa Chapter
  • Passageway
  • UnityPoint
  •  UnityPoint Hospice
  • Youth Emergency Shelter & Services

Plans of Study

Depending on whether you are transferring in applicable coursework, you can complete the social work degree in two, three, or four years. See the plans of study, with applicable coursework, below.

2-Year Plan

3-Year Plan

4-Year Plan

Evening/Online Plan

Faculty

Cathy Beck-Cross
Dr. Cathy Beck-Cross

Associate Prof of Social Work & Program Dir
Alyssa Caldbeck
Alyssa Caldbeck

MSW Assistant Professor of Social Work
Barbara Cupp
Barbara Cupp

Administrative Assistant
Lisa Cushatt

Lecturer of Social Work
Zoey Erixon

Lecturer of Social Work
Kerby Hanson

Lecturer of Social Work
Margo Hanson

Lecturer of Social Work
Kathleen Issa

Lecturer of Social Work
Emily Johnson

Lecturer of Social Work
Ashley Lundstrom

Lecturer of Social Work
Stacie Nessa

Lecturer of Social Work
Gerd'Anice Noel
Gerd'Anice Noel

Professor of Practice I of Social Work
Leilany Noel

Lecturer of Social Work
Dr. Kris Owens
Dr. Kristine Owens

Associate Professor
Myke Selha
Myke Selha

Associate Professor of Social Work
Kelli Soyer

Lecturer of Social Work
Kylie Spies

Lecturer of Social Work
Megan Thibodeau

Professor of Practice I of Social Work

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