Winter 2024 MSW Enrollment Guide

Winter 2024 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

Looking for a way to connect, ask questions and build relationships with future classmates?

Join the Admitted Student Facebook Group
DU campus image

If you have questions about the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to your future MSW journey, visit DU's Public Health website.

Learn More

professor teaching to students

Advanced Social Work Practice Concentration Announcement

The University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) is excited to announce the addition of new specialization pathways, which will provide you with even more ways to customize your MSW degree to suit your personal passions and career goals. As a winter 2024 Denver Campus MSW student, your concentration will be in Advanced Social Work Practice, which you can customize to meet your personal interests and career goals. The concentration will prepare you with the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective social worker in a wide range of settings. Not sure where you want to take your career? The concentration gives you the flexibility to choose courses that span a variety of social work topics and find the right fit. If you know where your interests lay, we offer several customizable pathways that allow you to specialize in your area of interest. Watch the video to learn more.

Tuition, Billing & Financial Aid

The next step in your GSSW educational journey is to accept the offer of admission and submit your tuition deposit, if you haven’t already.

  • Tuition Deposit Instructions

    For the incoming winter 2024 classes, submit your $300 deposit within 10 days of receiving your admission letter to hold your spot in the Denver Campus MSW Program.

    The deposit is non-refundable, but the full amount will be credited to your first tuition payment. 

    1. 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.”
    2. 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.
  • Tuition & Billing

    Tuition for each quarter is due the first day of that quarter. More information about tuition, fees and payment are available at the Bursar’s Office

  • Financial Aid

    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 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.

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 reach out to Associate Professor Ramona Beltran.

MSW Curriculum Plans & Academic Planning

More information about course planning and registration is forthcoming. We will send you an email with instructions as registration approaches.

Denver Campus MSW Program

Start Date Full-Time Curriculum Plan Part-Time Curriculum Plan
Winter 2024 7-Quarter Curriculum Plan 14-Quarter Curriculum Plan

 

Register for an Academic Q&A information session.

For any questions about the registration process, course options, and your academic path prior to your arrival at orientation, you can register for an Academic Q&A Info Session. 

 

Winter 2024 Academic Q&A Info Session Slide Deck

Registration

More information about registration is forthcoming. We will send you an email with instructions as registration approaches. Registration dates vary depending on your start date. NOTE: Registration dates are subject to change.

Start Date Registration Begins
Winter 2024 Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Registration Preparation

  • a icon

    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.
  • b icon

    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"
  • c icon

    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 MSW Program: Full-Time – 7-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)  
    • SOWK 4006 Human Behavior & the Social Environment (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)

Certificates

Human-Animal–Environment Interactions in Social Work Certificate

group of students holding dogs

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

woman working with children

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

two ladys posing together with an art piece

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

group of people sitting together

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.

Students on the part-time plan will not begin their internship search process immediately. Upon deposit, you will receive an email letting you know when your internship search process will begin.  

  • A icon

    Attend a Mandatory Field Information Session

    Sign-up instructions will be emailed after you submit your deposit.

  • B Icon

    Complete the Internship Search Form

    Information about the internship search form will be sent via email after the information session.

  • C icon

    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

 
Jessica Zaslav

Jessica Zaslav

Associate Professor of the Practice; Associate Director of Field Ed

Learn More

Channing Spears

Channing Spears

Field Education Coordinator

Learn More

Erin Clark

Erin Elizabeth Clark

Adjunct Faculty

Learn More

Deb Blumenthal

Deborah Ann Blumenthal

Assistant Professor of the Practice, Field Faculty

Learn More

denver union station

Housing & Transportation

  • housing icon

    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.  

  • train icon

    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.

    RTD Denver

  • bridge icon

    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.

    DU Parking

New Student Orientation

Required for all incoming Denver Campus Advanced-Standing and Denver Campus students, orientation will introduce community resources, expectations and opportunities as you begin your journey at GSSW. (Note: the first day of classes date may differ from DU's academic calendar)

Register for Orientation

Start Date  Orientation First Day of  Classes
Winter 2024 Thursday, December 14, 2023 - Friday, December 15, 2023 Monday, January 8, 2024

All dates are subject to change. 

Academic Calendars

Catalyst Series for Social Justice event

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 Denver Campus MSW Program Staff

 
Deana Ahmad

Deana Ahmad

Assistant Dean for Students

Learn More

Kathryn Ross

Kate Ross

Professor of the Practice of Social Work; Assistant Dean for Field Educa

Learn More

Professor Anamika Barman Adhikari

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!

man on computer outside

Technology Resources

  • application icon

    PioneerWeb

    Check your PioneerWeb portal for important documents, registration info and other student essentials.

    PioneerWeb

  • service icon

    Canvas

    Access our online learning-management system to find syllabi, assignments, deadlines and more.

    Canvas

  • artwork icon

    Portfolio

    Find electronic profiles of students, faculty, staff, alumni and organizations across campus.

    Portfolio

  • email icon

    Office 365

    Access your email account, Microsoft Word, OneDrive and other resources that can help you complete your schoolwork.

    Office 365

DU Community Commons

"A lot of people come to DU because of the proximity to the mountains and the proximity to Denver and here we are just looking at all of it. It's pretty cool."

DU Student

Discover Denver

Art & Activism

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.

black female eating

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.

Denver baseball stadium

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.

Recent GSSW News