Denver Campus Master of Social Work Program

Education for Social Action

We’re ranked among the nation’s top 20 social work graduate programs, and for good reason. At the Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW), teaching and research are shaped and guided by our social justice mandate and the needs of our community. Our small classes and 11:1 student–faculty ratio mean you’ll develop close research and scholarship collaborations with faculty mentors. Individual career planning and support services will help you realize your ambitions, and a range of organizations, activities and events — from the Shades of Brown Alliance for individuals of color and allies, to the Catalyst Series for Social Justice — will provide opportunities to connect outside of the classroom.

We offer two Denver Campus Master of Social Work (MSW) program options: the Two-Year MSW Program and the Advanced-Standing MSW Program. With eight degree concentrations to choose from, you’ll be prepared for countless career paths in a field that is adding jobs faster than most others.

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Denver Campus Info Sessions

General Information Session: During this session, we will discuss the MSW program, admissions process and financial aid options. There will also be a Q&A where you can chat with current students about their experience at GSSW.

Dual Degree Information Session: During this session, Clinical Associate Professor and Dual Degree Coordinator Karen Bensen will discuss GSSW’s 13 dual degree options, curriculum plans and how to apply.

Financial Aid Information Session: During this session, we will discuss financial aid opportunities as a GSSW student including merit-based scholarships, work-study funding, stipend programs and more.

Thursday, November 10, 4—5 p.m. MST

The Denver Difference

Our “outside of the classroom” is pretty incredible. The University of Denver campus is just a short train or bus ride from downtown Denver (all University of Denver students get a free pass!), a city that U.S. News & World Report has named one of the nation’s best places to live. Craft beer, food trucks and art crawls are plentiful, as are urban and mountain parks and recreation opportunities. Denver also is home to a thriving community of social justice activists. And as one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, Denver has no shortage of social work internship and job opportunities, which are plentiful statewide, too.

Learn more about the Denver Campus MSW degree.

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500+ Denver Campus MSW Students

18 Average Class Size

95% Denver Campus Students Receiving Scholarships

Two-Year MSW Program

The Two-Year MSW Program is for students who have a bachelor’s degree in any field other than social work. If admitted, you may choose to start your MSW program at GSSW in either September or January.

September Start (2022 or 2023)

If you start in September 2022 or September 2023, you will follow the Traditional 6-Quarter 2Y Curriculum Plan (Summer Off). You will start your foundation field internship in quarter 1 (fall) and will continue your foundation internship during quarters 2 and 3 (winter and spring). You will have summer off. Your concentration field internship will take place during quarter 4, 5 and 6 (fall, winter, spring).

Key Dates for September 2022 Start

Final Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
Expected Graduation Date: June 2024

Key Dates for September 2023 Start

Early Application Deadline: December 1, 2022
Expected Graduation Date: June 2025

Winter Start (2023)

If you start in Winter 2023, you will follow the Extended 7-Quarter 2Y Curriculum Plan. You will start your foundation field internship in quarter 2 (spring) and will continue your foundation internship during quarter 3 (summer). You will not have summer off. Your concentration field internship will take place during quarter 6 and 7 (spring and summer).

Key Dates for Winter 2023 Start

Final Application Deadline: December 1, 2022
Expected Graduation Date: August 2024

Advanced-Standing MSW Program

The Advanced-Standing MSW Program is for students who already have a CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work degree. If admitted, you may choose to start your MSW program at GSSW in either July or September.

July Start (2023)

If you start in July 2023, you will follow Traditional 4-Quarter AS Curriculum Plan. You will complete your field internship in fall/winter/spring quarters.

Key Dates for July 2023 Start

Early Application Deadline: December 1, 2022
Expected Graduation Date: June 2024

September Start (2022 or 2023)

If you start in September 2022 or 2023, you will follow the 4-Quarter AS Curriculum Plan. You will complete your field internship in fall/winter/spring quarters.

Key Dates for September 2022 Start

Final Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
Expected Graduation Date: August 2023

Key Dates for September 2023 Start

Early Application Deadline: December 1, 2022
Expected Graduation Date: June 2024

MSW Degree Focus Areas

Denver Campus students choose from eight degree concentrations.

Certificates

Human-Animal-Environment Interactions Certificate

The first of its kind in the nation, our Human-Animal-Environment Interactions certificate explores the therapeutic use of animals in many types of social work practice. It is paired with a Denver Campus MSW degree for added specialization that prepares you to work with human and nonhuman animals in a variety of practice settings.

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Latinx Social Work Certificate

Our Latinx Social Work certificate addresses the critical need for bilingual and culturally responsive social workers. It is paired with a Denver Campus MSW degree for added specialization that prepares you to effectively serve individuals and families of Latin American origin.

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School Social Work Certificate

The School Social Work Certificate explores all aspects of school social work, such as crisis intervention and school-based assessments. It is paired with a Denver Campus MSW degree for added specialization that prepares you to work in Colorado schools, from preschool through high school.

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Global Social Work Certificate

Paired with the Denver Campus MSW degree, the Global Social Work Certificate will help you understand global connections and perspectives. Courses are anchored in social work values and ethics and apply a power, privilege and oppression framework to human rights advocacy and intervention, giving you the skills and knowledge needed to work cross-culturally, either at home or abroad.

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MSW Program Features

Field Education

Field internships allow you to practice the concepts and theories you learn in the classroom. Students choose from more than 750 options for internships working with clients, systems and communities in professional settings.

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Global Courses & Internships

Whether you aspire to work abroad or study social work abroad to build your cultural competence to work with diverse populations in the U.S., our international social work courses and internships are a great place to start.

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