Denver Campus Master of Social Work Programs
Education for Social Action
We’re ranked among the nation’s top 15 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 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 programs with myriad opportunities to specialize:
Important Links
500+ Denver Campus MSW Students
22 Average Class Size
95% Denver Campus Students Receiving Scholarships
Full-Time Denver Campus MSW
In the full-time program, you can obtain your degree in under two years. Classes are weekdays, and most classes must be taken on campus; limited Saturday and online class options are available. Most internships are offered during weekday business hours. You can choose between starting your MSW program during winter or fall quarters. With a winter start, you’ll have a lighter credit load some quarters, but you’ll take classes and work at your internships during summer. If you start in fall, you’ll take more credit hours some quarters, but you’ll have summers off.
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Winter Start
- Program length: 7 quarters
- Curriculum plan: The Winter Start Curriculum Plan includes summer quarter.
- If you start in winter 2025
- Classes begin: January 2025
- Expected graduation date: August 2026
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Fall Start
- Program length: 6 quarters
- Curriculum Plan: With the Fall Start Curriculum Plan, you’ll have summer quarter off.
- If you start in fall 2024
- Classes begin: September 2024
- Expected graduation date: June 2026
- If you start in fall 2025
- Classes begin: September 2025
- Expected graduation date: June 2027
Part-Time Denver Campus MSW
In the part-time program, you can obtain your degree in 3.5 years. Evening classes are available (most classes must be taken on campus). However, depending on your placement, your field internships may require you to work weekday business hours. If you choose to begin classes in the fall, you’ll start your first internship in your 5th quarter, and with a winter start, you’ll begin your internship in your 4th quarter; either way, you’ll complete internships over six quarters.
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Winter Start
- Program length: 14 quarters
- Curriculum plan: With the Part-Time Winter Start Curriculum Plan, you’ll start your first internship in your 4th quarter.
- If you start in winter 2025
- Classes begin: January 2025
- Expected graduation date: June 2028
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Fall Start
- Program length: 14 quarters
- Curriculum Plan: With the Part-Time Fall Start Curriculum Plan, you’ll start your first internship in your 5+th quarter.
- If you start in fall 2024
- Classes begin: September 2024
- Expected graduation date: June 2028
- If you start in fall 2025
- Classes begin: September 2025
- Expected graduation date: June 2027
Full-Time Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW
In the full-time program, you can obtain your degree in one year. Classes are weekdays, and most classes must be taken on campus; limited Saturday and online class options are available. Most internships are offered during weekday business hours. You can choose between starting your MSW program during summer or fall quarters. With a fall start, you’ll begin your internship right away; with a summer start, you’ll take classes for a quarter before you start your internship.
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Summer Start
- Program length: 4 quarters
- Curriculum plan: With the Summer Start Advanced-Standing Curriculum Plan, you’ll complete your internship in fall, winter and spring quarters.
- If you start in summer 2025
- Classes begin: June 2025
- Expected graduation date: June 2026
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Fall Start
- Program length: 4 quarters
- Curriculum Plan: With the Fall Start Advanced-Standing Curriculum Plan, you’ll complete your internship in fall, winter and spring quarters.
- If you start in fall 2024
- Classes begin: September 2024
- Expected graduation date: August 2025
- If you start in fall 2025
- Classes begin: September 2025
- Expected graduation date: August 2026
Part-Time Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW
In the part-time program, you can obtain your degree in 2.5 years. Evening and weekend classes are available; most classes must be taken on campus. Depending on your placement, your field internships may require you to work weekday business hours.
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Fall Start
- Program length: 10 quarters
- Curriculum Plan: With the Part-Time Fall Start Advanced-Standing Curriculum Plan, you’ll complete your internship in your last three quarters.
- If you start in fall 2024
- Classes begin: September 2024
- Expected graduation date: March 2027
- If you start in fall 2025
- Classes begin: September 2025
- Expected graduation date: March 2028
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.
Learn MoreLatinx 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.
Learn MoreSchool 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.
Learn MoreGlobal 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.
Learn MoreMSW 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. If you're already employed, some jobs may qualify for your field internship hours.
Learn MoreGlobal 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.
Learn MoreRelated Stories
Increasing Student Financial Support
University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work MSW student Dee Zimmerman designs fund to support diverse students and those experiencing hardship.
A Powerful Field Partnership
An expanded field internship with Savio House trains Graduate School of Social Work MSW students in evidence-based practices and gives them a pathway to employment after they complete their internship.
Welcoming GSSW’s 8th Dean
As GSSW’s new dean, Henrika McCoy plans to address challenges related to admissions, financial aid, diversity, equity and justice, among others.