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're 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.
For the incoming fall 2023 classes, submit your $300 deposit within 10 days of receiving your decision letter to hold your spot in the Western Colorado MSW Program.
The deposit is non-refundable, but the full amount will be credited to your first tuition payment.
Accept Offer of Admission:To accept our offer of admission, visit your application status page. There, scroll to the “Forms” section and click the “Reply to Admission Offer” link to select “I ACCEPT your admission offer.”
Submit your Tuition Deposit:Once you have accepted your offer, you will have the opportunity to pay your tuition deposit by clicking the “Enrollment Deposit—Submit Payment” link that appears on your application status page. This link will take you to a webpage where you can pay your deposit with a credit card.
To apply for state or federal financial assistance, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form as soon as possible. This application is required to determine eligibility for grants, loans and student employment.
If you have questions regarding the FAFSA, Federal loans or the GradPLUS loan, please email finaid@du.edu.
If you have questions regarding a merit-based scholarship, graduate assistantship, deposit deadline or scholarship disbursement, contact gsswadmission@du.edu or call 303-871-2841.
Stipends & Research Assistantships
If you are interested in pursuing a research assistantship, view our active research project page to identify a project that fits your interest. From there, reach out to the affiliated faculty member directly for position availability. For general questions about research assistantships, please contact Associate Professor Ramona Beltran.
CLIMB Stipend
The Collaborative Learning and Innovative Educational Models of Behavioral Health Program (CLIMB) provides 50 MSW students in their concentration year a $10,000 stipend and specialized behavioral health training.
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: Western Colorado MSW Program and Western Colorado Advanced-Standing MSW Program students with an interest in pursuing work in the Child Welfare system after graduation.
In partnership with the Health Resources and Services Administration, 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 and are in their concentration year.
Find registration FAQs on the Registration Toolkit page. Your curriculum plan outlines the courses you will take in your first term. Registration begins July 26, 2023. Learn more.
Attend orientation.
Approximately one month before your scheduled start date, you will receive an invitation for the mandatory orientation. Orientation is September 14, 2023.
Start your first term!
Classes start Friday, September15, 2023. You'll meet with Western Colorado faculty and staff during your first quarter to plan out your future academic terms.
COVID Protocols
If you have questions about the COVID-19 endemic in relation to your future MSW journey, visit DU's Public Health website.
Search by the subject "social work" and use attribute: "Social Work: Glenwood Springs" to see only your program's classes. Western Colorado classes will always be in the 300 sections. You will not be able to register for other MSW program's classes, as we place program restrictions on all our classes.
Register for the courses below for the Fall 2023 quarter:
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)
SOWK 4001 Clinical Social Work Skills (3 credits)
SOWK 4950 Foundation Field Internship (register for section CRN 4633) (3 credits)
Field Education
With field internships, you can begin practicing your social work skills right away. With more than 50 GSSW field agencies available in Western Colorado—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.
When you submit your deposit, Erin Leazer will reach out to start your internship search process.
RFTA is the public transportation serving the Roaring Fork community, including access to the Colorado Mountain Campus locations.
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.
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!
Campus is surrounded by art and culture in the various mountain towns in the Roaring Fork Valley. Visit the world-class arts and music venues in Aspen or the Carbondale Arts community art center. Join the Glenwood Springs Art Council for some art education and celebration.