Application to the social work program happens after you've begun your studies at Grand View. Students apply to the social work program during the semester they will have completed each of the prerequisites, SWRK 101, ENGL 101, PSYC 101, and SOCS 101.

Admission is selective and involves completion of an application with a personal essay and recommendation from a non-social work faculty member. Students applying to the major must have and maintain a 2.5 GPA, plus earn at least a C in all courses required for the major, including prerequisites.

Applications are due by December 1 for students enrolled in SWRK 101 in the fall term, April 1 for students enrolled in SWRK 101 in the spring term, and July 15 for students enrolled in SWRK 101 in the summer term.  Students who have completed SWRK 101 but have not yet completed required prerequisites should apply in the term in which those prerequisites are expected to be completed. Students accepted to the program begin enrollment in classes toward the major the following fall.

See Social Work Student Handbook for details on the application process.

Social Work Application Checklist

Field Education Manual

Pre-admission courses for the major:

These courses will not be included in the major GPA but must be taken for admission to the major.

Requirements for the Major:

These courses will be counted in computing the 2.5 GPA required for this major. Students must apply for admission to the Social Work Program after completion of the four required prerequisite courses. Students must earn a grade of C or above in all courses required for the major. Grand View University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

• Students who have an AA or AS may be able to complete the social work degree in two years, and summer classes may not be needed.
• Students who plan to complete the program taking day classes may choose to enroll in the summer section of Introduction to Social Work (SWRK 101) in order to complete remaining coursework in two years (four semesters consisting of two fall terms and two spring terms).
• Students who plan to complete this program taking a combination of evening and online classes should plan to enroll beginning in the fall to complete the remaining coursework in six terms (two fall terms, two spring terms, and two summer terms).
• Social work courses taken at another institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) will be reviewed to substitute for Grand View social work degree requirements.
• DMACC transfer students:

1. Can cross-enroll in SWRK 101 during the fall or spring at no extra charge, as long as they are taking 12 or more credits at DMACC during the same semester.
2. May substitute a combination of Introduction to Human Services (HSV 109) + Human Services Internship (HSV 804) for Grand View's SWRK 101, as long as the internship is under the guidance of a credentialed social worker (contact our Admissions Office at admissions @ grandview.edu for additional information and guidance).
3. DMACC's Discrimination and Diversity (HSV 185) may be substituted for Grand View's Cultural Competency in Social Work Practice (SWRK 210).

Catalyst Scholarship
The Catalyst Scholarship is intended to support the education of a full-time student majoring in social work who shows promise as a strong catalyst for change. This $1,000 scholarship gives preference to students whose personal characteristics reflect historically underrepresented populations in the profession, such as (but not limited to) diversity in race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, language, socioeconomic status, national origin, age, faith, or culture. Students must meet these qualifications:  

• Admitted to the social work program
• Enrolled in at least the first full year after acceptance to the major
• 3.0 cumulative grade point average at Grand View
• Financial need as indicated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Applicants must submit an essay indicating how they see themselves as catalysts for change, both as students and as future social workers. Learn more about our Scholarships and Grants.

Application deadline: March 1 of each year

Discover Non-Grand View Scholarships

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023), social work employment is expected to increase by 7 percent from 2023 through 2033. Read more about growth of the social work profession, including information about specialty areas growing at even higher rates than the field as a whole.

Grand View Social Work graduates make our world a better place to live by helping individuals make positive changes, promoting social and economic justice and respect for diversity. Consider a future in:

• Behavioral Health
• Advocacy / Community Organizing
• Child Welfare Programs
• School-based Services
• Health Care Settings
• Immigration and Refugee Services
• Developmental Disability Services
• Graduate School
• Aging Services
• Victim Services
• Juvenile Justice
• Adoptions
• Adult Corrections

Getting a job after graduation is important! After obtaining their BSW, Grand View social work students work in a wide variety of settings, including:

• Ankeny Community School District 
• Boys Town
• Bridges of Iowa
• Children & Families of Iowa
• Community Support Advocates
• Department of Human Services
• Des Moines Area Community College
• Des Moines Public Schools
• Grand View University
• Iowa Total Care
• Johnston Public Schools
• LifeWorks
• Mercy Hospital
• Mid-Iowa Community Action
• Orchard Place
• UnityPoint Eyerly Ball Mental Health Services
• Urbandale Community Schools
• Vita Health Services
• West Des Moines Public Schools
• Youth Emergency Shelter and Services

The Grand View social work program prepares you for success in graduate school, should you wish to pursue an additional degree. Social work graduates have been accepted to institutions such as:

• Clark Atlanta University (Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing) 
• Drake University (Master of Science in Counseling)
• Seattle School of Theology and Psychology (Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology)
• University of Iowa (Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing; accelerated and 2-year program)
• University of Wisconsin-Madison (Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing)
• University of Wyoming (Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing)
• University of Southern California (Master of Social Work)

1. Must be at junior status before applying and apply in the term in which you will complete 90 credits. (Check with your advisor if you are unsure when you will reach 90 credits).
2. A Grand View cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required.
3. Request two letters of recommendation: one should speak to your academic strengths, professionalism, and capacity to complete a graduate degree program; and the other must be from an undergraduate instructor. You will request these when you complete the graduate application. Recommendations may not be from Grand View BSW or MSW full-time faculty.
4. You must demonstrate proficiency in writing through submission of an essay.
5. You must be a member in good standing of the Social Work program and not on a plan for improvement.

Applicants who do not meet all of the requirements may still be considered for admission to the program on a case-by-case basis. In these instances, the applicant will be interviewed by the department’s Admission Committee.

Students considering this program need to plan carefully as the program requires students to take full loads and perhaps courses in the summer. They are encouraged to begin working with a Social Work Department advisor as early as possible.

• Save tuition dollars while still earning your Master's degree (the tuition for the first year of your MSW is at the Bachelor's rate)
• Complete the degree in one year after the BSW without having to take graduate coursework at an accelerated pace
• Receive a higher salary in most cases
• Develop social work leadership skills
• Develop skills in your desired specialty area (clinical social work, administration and leadership, or school social work)
• Deepen understanding and practice of social justice in practice and policy
• Develop skills in program evaluation through practical application of research methods
• Learn how to apply strategies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice settings