About GSSW
Brave Ideas, Bold Action
The University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work is the place for people of purpose — diverse, creative educators, scholars and social workers who advance social justice through courageous ideas and action. Our work is guided by evidence, driven by our community and inspired by Colorado’s spirit of discovery, innovation and openness.
Responsive
When voters needed to know the potential impacts of a minimum wage increase, we responded with research. When the Colorado Legislature was considering new paid leave, our students got a real-time lesson in policymaking and its impacts. Learn how we are Influencing Policy.
Relevant
Through our Science for Action Series, we are bringing together leading scholars, policymakers and practitioners to tackle the Grand Challenges for Social Work. We’re working on some of society’s most intractable issues — including homelessness, decarceration and healthy youth development. Learn how we are Putting Science to Work.
Rigorous
Our faculty develop evidence-based practices such as Fostering Healthy FuturesⓇ. Through randomized controlled trials spanning more than a decade, Fostering Healthy FuturesⓇ has emerged as an evidence-based intervention that is changing the trajectory for youth at risk for mental health and behavior problems. Learn how we are Creating Tested Interventions.
Our Mission
The Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) promotes social justice by advancing scholarship, education, and community engagement that leads, connects, mobilizes, and transforms. GSSW values progressive ideas of equity for the advancement of human rights to promote social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, cultural diversity, and freedom. Social work’s unique focus on the person-in-environment shapes GSSW’s curriculum and approach to social work education. Our mission is to advance excellence in the creation of social work knowledge and to ensure its dissemination to students, communities, and policymakers. We are dedicated to unlocking human potential, promoting equity, and fostering thriving, sustainable, local and global communities.
Our Values
Social work’s guiding philosophy includes values that create a framework for social work education, research and community engagement.
Progressive Ideals
Equity and equality, social and economic justice, cultural diversity, and freedom
Systems Focus
Social work’s unique focus on systems and their impact on people as the central concept that shapes our curriculum, research and practice
Social Work Knowledge
Excellence in the development of social work knowledge and its dissemination to students, communities and policymakers
Social Change
Responsibility for promoting social change and leading the social work profession in this effort
