Fall 2023 MSW Enrollment Guide
Fall 2023 Denver Campus MSW Program
At the Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW), we are committed to community—the community within our school and the communities with whom we partner to create individual and collective impact.
We are excited to welcome you! Although we hail from diverse personal and professional backgrounds and have a wide variety of research, scholarship and career interests, our faculty, staff and students all share one thing in common: We are champions for social justice who are leading the charge for social change.
You are embarking on an incredible educational journey. You will graduate with the knowledge, skills and commitment to create a more just and equitable world for all. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Questions?
Please read through this page in its entirety, as it will answer many of the questions you have as a new student. If you have additional questions, your primary point of contact is a GSSW Admission Ambassador. You can email gsswadmission@du.edu or schedule a virtual one-on-one meeting.
Quick Links
- Tuition & Financial Aid
- Housing & Transportation
- Academic Planning
- Curriculum Plans
- Field Education
- Orientation & Academic Calendars
- Technology Resources
- Student Life
- Stipends & Research Assistantships
- Registration
- Campus Tours
- Certificates
Looking for a way to connect, ask questions and build relationships with future classmates?
Join the Admitted Student Facebook Group
If you have questions about the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to your future MSW journey, visit DU's Public Health website.
Advanced Social Work Practice Concentration Announcement
We are excited to announce the addition of new pathways, which will provide you with even more ways to customize your MSW degree to suit your passions and career goals. Starting in fall 2023, Denver Campus MSW students will pursue their degree within the Advanced Social Work Practice concentration. Although our concentrations have changed, our courses and faculty haven’t. We have been a leader in social work graduate education for more than 90 years, and that legacy of excellence and experience continues to guide us as we evolve our programs to best meet the changing needs of students and the field of social work. Pathways provide you with more flexibility in your degree than our former concentration structure did. No matter what pathway you choose, our accredited, justice-oriented curriculum will prepare you for social work practice in diverse settings, from providing individual therapy to shaping public policy. Watch the video to learn more.
CLIMB Stipend
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.
Priority Application Deadline: late June 2023
Eligibility: Denver Campus MSW Program and Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program students in their concentration year (year 2 of the program).
Learn More & ApplyTitle 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 $12,000 -$14,000 so you can effectively serve families who use public child welfare services.
Application Deadline: Application is rolling, due on the 15th of every month January – May, 2023.
Eligibility: Denver Campus MSW Program and Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program students with an interest in pursuing work in the Child Welfare system after graduation.
Learn More & ApplyGWEP 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.
Application Deadline: October 1, 2023
Eligibility: Denver Campus MSW Program and Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program students in the Health & Wellness or Aging Services and Policy concentrations.
Learn More & ApplyMutual Aid Fellowship
For students interested in community mutual aid, we offer six $5,000 fellowships. Students participate in a weekly field seminar plus field placements at agencies including Lifespan Local, Angelica Village and Mutual Aid Mondays.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2023
Eligibility: Denver Campus MSW Program and Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program students
Learn More & ApplyRegistration
| Start Date | Registration Begins |
|---|---|
| Fall 2023 | Wednesday, July 26, 2023 |
Registration Preparation
Check Your Student Profile for Registration Holds
- Log into MyDU with your DU ID (87#) and password
- Select “My Student Profile” under Academic Profile Widget
- Select the correct registration quarter from the "Term" drop-down menu above your profile photo
- Click "Holds" on the top right
- Direct questions or concerns to the department that placed the hold. View common registration holds and how to clear.
Confirm Your Registration Day and Time
- Log into MyDU with your DU ID (87#) and password
- Select “My Student Profile” under Academic Profile Widget
- Select the correct registration quarter from the "Term" drop-down menu above your profile photo
- Click “Registration Notices” at top right of screen and review your registration day and time under "Time Tickets"
Plan Your Classes
The most up-to-date course schedules are in MyDU.
- Tips for Viewing the Course Schedules:
- Search by the subject "social work" and use attribute: "Social Work: Denver" to only see your program's classes.
- All of your sections are in the 1s or 100s. If you see 200s, 300s or 500s, these sections belong to other MSW programs and you cannot register for them.
Find your program and curriculum plan below and register for the corresponding courses.
Curriculum Plan Courses Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program: Full-Time: 4-Quarter Curriculum Plan
- SOWK 4299 Advanced Standing Seminar (3 credits)
- SOWK 4302 Advanced Evidence for Practice (3 credits)
- SOWK 4303 Advanced Standing: Engaging Anti-Oppressive Social Work (3 credits)
Denver Campus MSW Program: Full-Time: 6-Quarter Curriculum Plan
- SOWK 4000 Professional Development Seminar (1 credit) all sections online for 5 weeks
- SOWK 4132 Power, Privilege & Oppression from a Critical Multi-cultural Perspective (3 credits)
- SOWK 4020 Integrated Social Work Practice for Social Justice (4 credits)
- SOWK 4001 Clinical Social Work Skills (3 credits)
Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program: Part-Time: 10-Quarter Curriculum Plan
- SOWK 4299 Advanced Standing Seminar (3 credits)
- SOWK 4303 Advanced Standing: Enaging Anti-Oppressive Social Work (3 credits)
Denver Campus MSW Program: Part-Time: 14-Quarter Curriculum Plan
- SOWK 4000 Professional Development Seminar (1 credit)
- SOWK 4132 Power, Privilege & Oppression from a Critical Multi-cultural Perspective (3 credits)
- SOWK 4020 Integrated Social Work Practice for Social Justice (4 credits)
- Tips for Viewing the Course Schedules:
Certificates
Human-Animal–Environment Interactions in Social Work Certificate
Prepare to recognize the importance and impact of human–animal–environment interactions in culturally responsive and ethically advanced professional social work practice settings.
- Contact program coordinator Nina Ekholm Fry if you have questions about the certificate.
- Does not require an application.
School Social Work Certificate
Prepare to work in Colorado schools, from preschool through high school.
- Contact program coordinator Julie Ann Laser-Maira if you have questions about the certificate.
- The application is due May 1, 2023, for Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program and Aug. 1, 2023, for Denver Campus MSW Program.
Latinx Social Work Certificate
Prepare for a bilingual career serving individuals and families of Latin American origin.
- Contact interim program coordinator Deb Ortega if you have questions about the certificate.
- Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program students can apply for the certificate after orientation, and Denver Campus MSW Program students can apply in the winter following their enrollment term.
Global Social Work Certificate
Prepare to work cross-culturally, either at home or abroad.
- Contact program coordinator Ann Petrila if you have questions about the certificate.
- Declare interest in participating in the certificate by emailing certificate coordinator Ann Petrila.
Field Education
With field internships, you can begin practicing your social work skills right away. With more than 700+ GSSW field agencies in Denver—from hospitals and hospices to child welfare agencies, policy nonprofits and animal sanctuaries—you’ll find an internship that fits your specific needs and interests. Email gsswadmission@du.edu with any questions.
Please review the internship search process below. NOTE: As soon as you deposit you will receive an email from Field@du.edu inviting you to begin your internship search process by attending a mandatory field information session.
Attend a Mandatory Field Information Session
Sign-up instructions will be emailed after you submit your deposit.
Complete the Internship Search Form
Information about the internship search form will be sent via email after the information session.
Schedule an Appointment with a Field Advisor
After you complete the internship search form, you will set up a one-on-one meeting with a field advisor, who will work with you to identify GSSW-approved field agencies for your interview and selection process. Learn more about our field advisors and some of our current field placements online.
Meet our Field Advisors
Housing & Transportation
Housing
The on-campus graduate housing application for summer and fall 2023 and winter/spring 2024 quarters is available. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but housing is limited and provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For off-campus housing, please visit the University of Denver's Off-Campus Housing Service; login using your DU credentials to see current listings and access the Roommate Finder.
Transportation
You’ll receive an RTD transit pass, making getting around Denver free and easy. The campus is a hub for light-rail and bus routes connecting you to downtown, the Tech Center, Denver International Airport and the entire metro area.
Parking on Campus
There are several paid parking options on campus, most of which are walking distance from GSSW’s Craig Hall. Parking passes are available for purchase.
Student Life
Enrolling in graduate school is a big step, and we’ll be there for you, from your first day of orientation through your job search after graduation and your career as an alumnus. We’re dedicated to supporting students in developing and enhancing their academic and professional skills while also ensuring that resources — such as accommodation for learning differences and disabilities, health and counseling — are available and accessible.
Meet our Denver Campus Staff You Will Work With
Faculty
GSSW is home to a courageous community of faculty members whose work is advancing social justice and social work practice. Their research and scholarship spans areas such as public policy, addiction, child welfare and youth development, homelessness, and issues including ableism, sexism, racism and intersectional lived experiences. Get to know our faculty and their research, and feel free to introduce yourself and ask questions!
Technology Resources
PioneerWeb
Check your PioneerWeb portal for important documents, registration info and other student essentials.
Canvas
Access our online learning-management system to find syllabi, assignments, deadlines and more.
Portfolio
Find electronic profiles of students, faculty, staff, alumni and organizations across campus.
Office 365
Access your email account, Microsoft Word, OneDrive and other resources that can help you complete your schoolwork.
Discover Denver
Arts & Culture
Campus is home to the acclaimed Newman Center for the Performing Arts and Myhren Gallery, and the museum district and other world-class venues—from Museo de las Americas and Su Teatro to the Museum of Contemporary Art and Clyfford Still Museum—are just a short train ride away.
Food
From vegan to locavore to carnivore, Denver’s food scene has it all, including a wide variety of global flavors walking distance from campus. Some of our nearby favorites are Jeruselem Restaurant, Kaladi Coffee Roasters, Deiter’s Chocolates and Illegal Pete’s. You can often find faculty, staff and students sharing a meal and conversation in Craig Hall or eating or studying al fresco during one of Denver’s 300+ sunny days a year. For other restaurants and hot spots throughout the city, check out the Crimson & Gold Trail passport, which offers discounts and deals for DU alumni-owned businesses throughout the city.
Sports & Recreation
You don’t have to leave campus to find one of Denver’s best sports and recreation complexes: The Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness and Coors Fitness Center. Hop a train to downtown for a pro sports matchup, or explore Denver’s more than 80 miles of urban trails and bikeways. There’s even a ski and snowboard terrain park—The Ruby Hill Rail Yard—minutes from campus.
