Master of Social Work Stipends

CLIMB Stipends

The Collaborative Learning and Innovative Educational Models of Behavioral Health Program (CLIMB) is a behavioral health workforce program that provides 50 MSW students in their concentration year a $10,000 stipend and specialized training. 

There are two types of CLIMB stipend awards: 

CLIMB@DU Stipend 

Climb@DU is a Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (BHWET) Stipend. MSW students complete field internships in an integrated behavioral health setting and are committed to working in integrated behavioral health in Colorado or the Four Corners region after graduation.

CLIMB-OWEP Stipend

CLIMB-OWEP is an Opioid Workforce Expansion Program (OWEP) Stipend. MSW students complete field internships with interprofessional organizations designed to help meet the behavioral health needs of people in high-need and medically underserved communities who have—or are at risk for—opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders, including children, adolescents and transitional-age youth. 

CLIMB@DU and CLIMB-OWEP Application Information

• Program Eligibility: students in the Denver Campus, Four Corners and Western Colorado MSW programs
• Student Eligibility: admitted advanced standing students and two-year students in their concentration year (year 2 of the program). Advanced-Standing students must start the MSW program in July or September with the Traditional 4-Quarter AS Curriculum Plan. Two-Year MSW students must start the MSW program in September with the Traditional 6-Quarter 2Y Curriculum Plan (Summer Off).
• Application Deadline: late June each year

Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend

In partnership with the Butler Institute for Families and the Colorado Department of Human Services, we offer 20 child welfare stipends ranging from $14,000 -$17,000 so you can effectively serve families who use public child welfare services. Students who receive a stipend must commit one year of post-graduation employment with a Colorado county or the tribal department of human/social services in a child welfare position.

Child Welfare Stipend Application Information

• Program Eligibility: students in the Denver Campus, Four Corners and Western Colorado MSW programs
• Student Eligibility: admitted two-year and advanced-standing MSW students in the Child Welfare or Advanced Social Work Practice concentration. Advanced-Standing students must start the MSW program in July or September with the Traditional 4-Quarter AS Curriculum Plan. Two-Year MSW students must start the MSW program in September with the Traditional 6-Quarter 2Y Curriculum Plan (Summer Off).
• Application Deadline: mid-May of each year

GWEP Stipend

In partnership with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), we offer four, $10,000 Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) stipends to students who are passionate about a career working with older adults who may have Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. Students who receive a stipend must contractually agree to practice in a geriatric setting in Colorado for a minimum of two years after graduation. 

GWEP Stipend Application Information

• Program Eligibility: students in the Denver Campus, Four Corners and Western Colorado MSW programs
• Student Eligibility: admitted two-year and advanced-standing MSW students in the Health & Wellness, Aging Services and Policy or Advanced Social Work Practice concentrations. Advanced-Standing students must start the MSW program in July or September and two-year MSW students must start the MSW program in September (all curriculum plans qualify).
• Application Deadline: June 1 of each year