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.

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    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. 

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    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. 

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    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.

We will continue our work with the individuals and groups disproportionately impacted by governmental policies and will also condemn and work to change policies that specifically discriminate.

Our Values

Social work’s guiding philosophy includes values that create a framework for social work education, research and community engagement.

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    Progressive Ideals

    Equity and equality, social and economic justice, cultural diversity, and freedom 

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    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 

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    Social Work Knowledge 

    Excellence in the development of social work knowledge and its dissemination to students, communities and policymakers

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    Social Change 

    Responsibility for promoting social change and leading the social work profession in this effort 

Our Plan

At GSSW, we’re not waiting for social change; we’re making it happen. Guided by our community, we completed our Gather & Grow strategic plan in 2017. Along with the University’s DU Impact 2025 plan, Gather & Grow is our roadmap for the future. We will build and strengthen connections within GSSW and with our many communities, mobilize our unique assets to advance change, and move toward greater equity and a more diverse school.

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