Dual Degrees and Certificates

Global Social Work Certificate

The Global Social Work Certificate helps students to understand global connections and perspectives through a series of courses, specialized monthly in-services, and internship projects. Focused career development is also provided.

Students who wish to be considered for admission to the Global Social Work Certificate are required to:

• meet the general requirements for admission to certificate programs
• complete the Global Social Work Certificate application once matriculated into a MSW degree programs.
• attend a group information meeting or individual meeting with the certificate coordinator.
• be willing to attend extracurricular, Global Social Work Certificate activities.

Learn more about the certificate and outcomes.

• Application Requirements

  For Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW students, the process begins in the first quarter.

  1. Through information sessions and individual advising, students become familiar with the certificate.
  2. Students declare their interest in the certificate by emailing the GSSW Registrar at gsswregistrar@du.edu. 
  3. Course scheduling and the internship search process are outlined for students through certificate and field advising.
  4. Internship approval in conjunction with the GSSW Field Team is required.

  For Denver Campus MSW students, the process begins in the second quarter of the first year.

• Course Requirements

  12 Credits: 3 academic courses and 3 credits from field internship

  Participation is required in Let’s Go Global, a series of monthly trainings and activities focusing on issues relevant to global social work practice.

  Required
  SOWK 4759	Global Cultural Perspectives: Ethical Considerations	3
  Select two of the following (international courses included):		6
  SOWK 4355	Genocide: A Social Justice Issue (3 credits)
  SOWK 4465	Human Security (3 credits)
  SOWK 4642	Global Trauma (3 credits)
  SOWK 4635	Immigration Policies and Services (3 credits)
  SOWK 4765	Global Social Change (3 credits)
  SOWK 4786	Human Trafficking: Prevention, Intervention, and Support of Its Victims (3 credits)
  International Course Options:
  SOWK 4757	Social Work and Latino/a Cultures: An Intensive Practice and Spanish Immersion Course (3 credits total)
  SOWK 4758	Social Work in Kenya: Context, Conservation, Empowerment, Sustainability (3 credits total)
  SOWK 4762	Bosnia in Transition: The Social Work Response (3 credits total)
  SOWK 4763	Social Work and Social Justice in South Africa (3 credits total)
  Field Internship Requirement
  SOWK 4970	Concentration Field Internship (3 credits from the total 12 credits you will complete for internship will apply to your certificate )	3
  Total Credits		12

• Field Requirements
  • Students must be in an internship, either domestically or internationally, that has the capacity for a global focus as part of the Concentration-year internship.
  • Internship approval for the certificate is made jointly by the Office of Field Education and the certificate coordinator.
  • Of the total internship credits required for completion of the MSW degree, 3 will be applied toward this certificate.
• Other Supports

  Advising: Students receive advising specific to their global social work interests and are encouraged to take particular courses to supplement the required certificate courses.

  Career Development: In conjunction with GSSW career development advisors, students receive direction and support in exploring post-degree fellowships, employment and other international opportunities.

Human–Animal–Environment Interactions in Social Work Certificate

The Human–Animal–Environment Interactions in Social Work certificate prepares students to recognize the importance and impact of human–animal–environment interactions in culturally responsive and ethically advanced professional social work practice settings. Clinical and community settings such as mental health agencies, schools and shelters are emphasized. The certificate centers social justice and highlights intersecting systems of oppression and violence directed toward humans, animals and the environment.

Students who wish to be considered for admission to the Human-Animal-Environment Interactions in Social Work Certificate program are required to:

• meet the general requirements for admission to certificate programs listed in the introductory section.
• be willing to attend extracurricular, experiential Human-Animal-Environment Interactions activities offered by the Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC).
• integrate Human-Animal-Environment Interactions concepts into their concentration year field placement. It is not required to have a therapy animal or therapy animal-in-training to fulfill this requirement.

Learn more about the certificate and outcomes.

• Course Requirements

  Courses are taken in sequence (SOWK 4795, SOWK 4796, SOWK 4797), primarily during the Concentration year.

  • SOWK 4795: Foundations for Human–Animal–Environment Interactions in Social Work (offered summer, fall, and spring quarters; starting the course sequence in spring quarter is only available to first-year students)
  • SOWK 4796: Human–Animal–Environment Interventions in Social Work Practice (offered fall and winter quarters)
  • SOWK 4797: Professional Integration of Human–Animal–Environment Interactions in Social Work (offered winter and spring quarters)
• Course Planning for Denver Campus MSW Students

  Option	Spring Quarter	Summer Quarter	Fall Quarter	Winter Quarter	Spring Quarter
  A	SOWK 4795 (Course 1)		SOWK 4796 (Course 2)	SOWK 4797 (Course 3)
  B	SOWK 4795 (Course 1)			SOWK 4796 (Course 2)	SOWK 4797 (Course 3)
  C	SOWK 4795 (Course 1)		SOWK 4796 (Course 2)		SOWK 4797 (Course 3)
  D		SOWK 4795 (Course 1)	SOWK 4796 (Course 2)	SOWK 4797 (Course 3)
  E		SOWK 4795 (Course 1)	SOWK 4796 (Course 2)		SOWK 4797 (Course 3)
  F		SOWK 4795 (Course 1)		SOWK 4796 (Course 2)	SOWK 4797 (Course 3)
  G			SOWK 4795 (Course 1)	SOWK 4796 (Course 2)	SOWK 4797 (Course 3)

   

• Course Planning for Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Students

  Option	Summer Quarter	Fall Quarter	Winter Quarter	Spring Quarter
  A	SOWK 4795 (Course 1)	SOWK 4796 (Course 2)	SOWK 4797 (Course 3)
  B	SOWK 4795 (Course 1)	SOWK 4796 (Course 2)		SOWK 4797 (Course 3)
  C	SOWK 4795 (Course 1)		SOWK 4796 (Course 2)	SOWK 4797 (Course 3)
  D		SOWK 4795 (Course 1)	SOWK 4796 (Course 2)	SOWK 4797 (Course 3)

   

• Optional Courses

  In addition to the required course sequence, optional 1-credit courses are available to deepen learning. Please check with the certificate coordinator to learn when these courses are offered.

  • SOWK 4990: Canine Interactions in Social Work Practice — Pro-Active Handling and Training
  • SOWK 4990: Social Work in Nature — Green Care and Nature Therapeutics
  • SOWK 4990: Green Chimneys and HAI Research

   

  Students pursuing the Human–Animal–Environment Interactions in Social Work certificate have access to a dedicated Canvas page with information about additional learning opportunities and events for students.

Latinx Social Work Certificate

Our Latinx Social Work certificate provides students with the skills and knowledge to address the critical issues and needs of Latinx individuals, families and communities. Students will gain acumen in social work practice steeped in the culture, politics, histories and legacies of domestic and international Latin American people.

Learn more about the certificate and outcomes.

• Application Requirements

  Students considering the Latinx Social Work certificate program may be in any pathway at GSSW and are required to:

  • Complete the Latinx Social Work certificate application.
  • Schedule and attend a meeting with the certificate coordinator.
  • Non-Spanish speakers are eligible to take all the certificate courses. All certificate students, regardless of language ability, create language learning plans. (For students interested in more language learning support, the Center for World Languages and Cultures at DU offers credit and non-credit language learning.)
• Course Requirements

  12 Credits: 3 academic courses and approved field placement 

  • SOWK 4749: Culturally Responsive Practice with Latinx
  • SOWK 4750: Critical Perspectives on the Latinx Context
  • SOWK 4753: Social Development in Latin America
  • Approved field placement (discuss with certificate coordinator and field advisor)

   

School Social Work Certificate

The School Social Work Certificate explores all aspects of school social work, such as crisis intervention and school-based assessments, and prepares you to work in Colorado schools, from preschool through high school.

Students who wish to be considered for admission to the School Social Work Certificate program are required to:

• complete the School Social Work Certificate application and submit application to the certificate coordinator.
• complete course work
• have a school placement in the State of Colorado for their internship.

Learn more about the certificate and outcomes.

• Application Requirements
  1. Email gsswschoolsocialwork@du.edu about your intention to obtain the certificate.  
  2. Review and complete the School Social Work Application. 
  3. Return the application by the due date listed below.
     • Denver Campus MSW Program students: June 1
     • Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program students: Sept.1
• Course Requirements
  • SOWK 4712: Social Work and the Law (offered fall, winter, spring and summer quarters)
  • SOWK 4715: School Social Work Interventions (offered fall, winter, spring and summer quarters)
    • This course is required for Colorado School Social Work Certification
  • SOWK 4718: Social Work Assessment and Realities (offered spring quarter only)
    • Open only to School Social Work certificate students
• Field Requirements
  • All students must have a school placement in the state of Colorado in either their Foundation or Concentration year.  If you are in progress in identifying your school social placement, you can still apply.
  • All students must be supervised by a school social worker.