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 and assist in your decision making process! 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 you make your decision. If you have additional questions, your primary point of contact is Associate Dean for Doctoral Education Dr. Jen Greenfield.
For the incoming fall 2023 cohort, submit your $300 deposit to hold your spot in the PhD in Social Work 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 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.
Academic Planning
During your first two years, you will complete the PhD program core course requirements. In the first year of the program, you will develop an educational plan in consultation with Associate Dean for Doctoral Education Jennifer Greenfield.
In your first year, you will meet with Dr. Jen Greenfield in the PhD Professional Development Seminar. The course covers:
course planning
how to structure your writing and research time
how to write conference abstracts and journal articles
what to think about when preparing for various PhD-level careers
Incoming students will also meet with their primary mentors during orientation week to begin planning their GRA time, and that mentorship will continue throughout the school year.
Registration
Registration began May 8, 2023. Find registration FAQs on the Registration Toolkit page. Your curriculum plan outlines the courses you will take in your first term. NOTE: Registration dates are subject to change.
Before you register, you must check and resolve any holds on your account. You will be unable to register until all holds are resolved.
New Student Orientation
Required for all incoming PhD in social work students, orientation will introduce community resources, expectations and opportunities as you begin your journey at GSSW. There are four virtual orientation sessions during the summer where you will meet your PhD cohort, meet a few current students, and get tips & tricks on how to prepare to start their PhD training (Note: the first day of classes date may differ from DU's academic calendar)
The on-campus graduate housingapplication for academic year 2023-2024 is available. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but housing is limited and provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Recent GSSW News
Storytelling for Social Justice
In the recent Truth to Power workshop — part of GSSW’s Catalyst Series for Social Justice — participants learned to use personal storytelling for critical self-reflection and social justice advocacy.