GSSW Office of the Registrar

Bulletin — What & Why?

The University of Denver Graduate Bulletin has been prepared by the faculty and administration to serve as the governing document for the University's graduate academic programs, courses and policies. The Graduate Bulletin represents the University’s best planning at the time of publication. Course and curriculum changes; modification to tuition, fees or other charges; and unforeseen changes in other aspects of the University of Denver sometimes occur after the bulletin has been published but before the changes can be incorporated in a later edition and apply to all students as of the date they become effective, regardless of whether they were in effect at the time the student initially enrolled at the University of Denver. The Graduate Bulletin does not constitute a contract between the University of Denver and its students on either a collective or individual basis.

Why is the Bulletin important?

Students are responsible for knowing all academic and administrative policies and regulations affecting their program of study and for abiding by all such policies and regulations during their period of enrollment at the University.

Your Bulletin is what dictates your degree requirements for graduation and what fuels your degree audit, which you use to track your progress to graduation.

Which Bulletin is my Bulletin?

Your Bulletin is based on the term and year you were admitted to the program. The official academic year begins every Fall Quarter and ends following the Summer Quarter. If you are admitted in the Fall Quarter 2022, Winter Quarter 2023, Spring Quarter 2023 or Summer Quarter 2023, follow the Graduate Bulletin 2022-2023.

Forms

Here is a list of specific GSSW registrar forms. Our forms are fillable PdF. If you do not have the most up-to-date Adobe, you can download it for free via the DU website.

Handbooks

Denver Campus, Four Corners and Western Colorado MSW Programs

MSW Online Program Program

Attendance Policy

Student attendance in class is part of ensuring mastery over course content. Every course is also a learning community, and student attendance helps fulfill commitment to the success of the community. Also, attendance is a matter of professional behavior. Students are expected to be punctual and attend all meetings of a class, including the scheduled hours for field instruction, for which they are registered. Attendance requires not only being physically present in class or field, but also demonstrating the readiness to learn and be accountable for the outcomes of one’s own learning.

Students must attend a minimum of 70% of in-person or live synchronous sessions (depending on course modality) to receive a passing grade for a class. Examples of attendance issues that would result in a failing grade include, but are not limited to:

Missing 4 or more sessions of a 10-week course that meets once per week
Missing 4 or more sessions of a 5-week course that meets twice per week
Missing 2 or more sessions of a 5-week course that meets once per week
Missing 2 or more sessions of a 10-week course that meets every other week

At GSSW, students should expect that individual instructors may have different policies about whether they provide hybrid/Zoom access to in person classes, whether or not a missed class can be made up (and if so, how), and whether or not Zoom recordings of class are provided. These instructor decisions are grounded in course-specific issues such as pedagogy, sensitivity of class discussions or topics, and other aspects of academic freedom.

A specific course may adopt a stricter or more specific attendance policy if that policy and any penalties (e.g., grade deductions) are provided to students in writing (e.g., Canvas or other learning management system post/announcement, addition to syllabus, email from official DU account, etc.) before the first day of class.

Under rare and extenuating circumstances, an exception to the above policy may be granted upon request with approval of the instructor.

University policies related to persons with a disability (e.g., temporary or permanent accommodations), bereavement, religious observations, and Equal Opportunity & Title IX supersede this policy.

Grading Policy

Grades are based on competence. Letter grades are used as follows for all instruction other than field instruction:

Grade	GPA
94—100: A	4.0 (an A+ cannot be given)
91—93: A-	3.7
88—90: B+	3.3
84—87: B	3.0
81—83: B-	2.7
78—80: C+	2.3
74—77: C	2.0
71—73: C-	1.7
70 and below: F

Criteria are as follows:

A: Excellent work (91—100)
B: Good work — meets course expectations (81—90)
C: Poor work — minimally meets course expectations (71—80)
F: Failing work (70 and below)

Expectations concerning objectives, attendance, examinations and evaluation of student performance will be stated in each course syllabus and discussed during the first class session of each course. Grades of “Pass” or “No Pass” are not given, except in field internship. No “D” grades are given as final grades.

Grades of “Pass” or “No Pass” are assigned for field internship (SOWK 4950 and SOWK 4970). These grades are not included in computing the student’s GPA. Grading criteria for field internships are set forth in the GSSW Field Manual. A grade of “No Pass” will automatically result in a formal student review or termination hearing. A grade of “No Pass” is equivalent to a failing grade in the sense that no credit is earned, however, the GPA is not affected.

Academic Probation Policies and Resources

Current Academic Probation Policy:

All graduate education policies can be reviewed at the DU Graduate Bulletin. Academic Probation is established by the University of Denver’s Below 3.0 Grade Point Average policy. You will find other Academic Standards policies, including Probation and Dismissal and Termination on the DU Graduate Bulletin. Students whose GPA falls below a 3.0 may also not be eligible for some types of financial aid. For more information, review the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy or contact the Office of Financial Aid (finaid@du.edu) for details. It is a student's responsibility to track their academic progress and the associated impacts on their standing in the program.

Options:

With any changes to academic planning or courses/credits per term, students are encouraged to consult with the relevant resource, such as an advisor and/or a Financial Aid contact (finaid@du.edu). Students are also encouraged to keep in mind registration dates, add/drop timelines, and tuition refund periods, as listed in the GSSW Academic Calendars.

GPA calculator: Consider proactively calculating your GPA and projected grade needs for your upcoming terms to meet the required 3.0 or higher GPA. If you identify that it is not mathematically possible to meet the required 3.0 GPA after utilizing the GPA calculator you may consider adding another course to your upcoming term. Please discuss this with your advisor.
- Download GPA Calculator here
If you failed a required course, please consider retaking that course as soon as possible in your next term and taking advantage of the Course Repeat with GPA Replacement policy below. Course requirements are located on the MSW Student Resource Portal - Advising + Academic Planning tab. Please select your program and starting timeline. If you believe the grade to be an error, you may review the grade appeal policy and process.
If you have an Incomplete in a previous term, please communicate with your instructor on a plan to complete the course. Incompletes will roll to a failed grade after a year, unless a different timeline was established with your instructor.
Course Repeat with GPA Replacement Policy Option: If you are retaking a course, you are encouraged to review and consider the Course Repeat with GPA Replacement Policy. Applications must be submitted by the last date for course withdrawal within the term.
If you had extenuating circumstances or are wanting to request an exception to DU policy: You may consider reviewing academic exceptions petition options through the DU Academic Exceptions Committee. This is a centralized DU committee outside of GSSW. Please review policy information, petition options, contact information, and guidance on submitting a petition at the Academic Exceptions webpage. It is the student’s responsibility to understand petition requirements, monitor their petition, and inform GSSW of any information requested from the committee.

DU Resources:

Resources, including leave of absence information, can also be found on the MSW Student Resource Portal > Health and Wellness Resource section.

Leave of Absence & Withdrawal Policy

In order to prepare appropriately for a leave of absence from DU/GSSW, you are encouraged to ensure that all implications are considered in advance. Please follow the steps below if you need to take a leave of absence. First, review the DU Bulletin to identify the type of withdrawal you need to take:

Permanent Withdrawal
Temporary Withdrawal
- Medical Leave of Absence
- Personal Leave of Absence

Are you thinking about taking a leave while in the middle or near the end of a term? Have you considered the option of incompletes or a combination of course drops and incompletes to finish the term out? This option requires meeting the eligibility criteria established by DU and instructor discretion for each individual course. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate these conversations and to be aware of all DU deadlines and withdrawal timelines.

Leave of Absence & Withdrawal Process

Submit a leave request

Students can complete withdraw and leave of absence requests via MyDU > Student Resources (on left side) > Records and Requests > Withdraw from DU. During the withdraw process, you will be prompted to provide additional information for the leave as applicable.
Contact financial aid

Students should be clear about the impact of withdrawal on loan repayment requirements as well as scholarships, teaching assistantships, and other forms of University aid. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the appropriate financial aid office above to verify all implications before taking a leave of absence.
- Denver Campus, Four Corners, and Western Colorado students: Mariegrace Veres
- MSW@Denver students: University of Denver Office of Financial Aid at finaid@du.edu or 303-871-4020
Are you in a field internship?

If so, please consult with your Field Liaison prior to withdrawing from your field internship to discuss the best way to approach a leave with your agency. If you withdraw from field credits during a term, you may risk losing your field hours for that term. Students cannot take a leave of absence and continue in field internship, as a leave of absence is a full withdrawal from a current or future term.
Do you have DU student health insurance (applies to Denver Campus students only)?

If so, please reach out to the DU Health and Counseling Center to identify if there will be coverage changes due to taking a leave. Contact: insurance@hcc.du.edu or 303-871-2205

Verification Process

Enrollment and GPA Verifications: To verify current enrollment or current GPA, students may complete the verification request located in MyDU > Student Tools > Records and Requests > Requests and Other Actions > click on Request Enrollment.

Education and/or Licensure Verification Forms and Letters

The GSSW Registrar completes education verifications for current students and alumni, including but not limited to:

Education verification forms
State licensure forms
School social work licensure forms
Certification of master's forms
Scholarship paperwork
Federal loan paperwork

Please submit forms to gsswregistrar@du.edu. Note: If requesting a letter, be sure to include all relevant information, including content required and recipient name and contact information.

Transfer Credit Process

Denver Campus Program
Students interested in transferring graduate credit work from outside DU towards their MSW at GSSW need to:
1. Review Transfer Credit Criteria/Policy. Ensure the courses meet the following criteria:
  1. Courses must be at the graduate level.
  2. Courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B-.
  3. Credits must have been earned within the last five years.
  4. Credits may not have been used to earn another degree or certificate.
2. Obtain unofficial transcripts with grades posted.
3. Collect syllabi for each class. This must be the syllabus; we will not accept course descriptions.
4. After collection of the above materials, complete the Transfer Credit Request Form. You will need to upload the unofficial transcripts and syllabi.
  1. This information will be received by your program director. Who will review the information and determine how the requested class may transfer in. You will be notified when they have concluded.
GSSW transfers in credit based off CSWE accreditation and competencies standards. Course objectives for courses transferred into DU/GSSW must meet one of the nine competencies in order to replace a required course in our curriculum. This is why syllabi must be reviewed. Therefore, courses outside of social work, if transferred, are typically only applied as electives.

Transfer credit toward a master’s degree is limited up to 25% of the minimum number of credits required for the degree. (Note: 1 semester credit equals 1.5 quarter credits).
- MSW: 20 quarter credits
- Advanced Standing MSW: 13 quarter credits

MSW@DEN Online Program
Students interested in transferring graduate credit work from outside DU towards their MSW at GSSW need to:
1. Review Transfer Credit Criteria/Policy. Ensure the courses meet the following criteria:
  1. Courses must be at the graduate level.
  2. Courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B-.
  3. Credits must have been earned within the last five years.
  4. Credits may not have been used to earn another degree or certificate.
2. Obtain unofficial transcripts with grades posted.
3. Collect syllabi for each class. This must be the syllabus; we will not accept course descriptions.
4. After collection of the above materials, complete the Transfer Credit Request Form. You will need to upload the unofficial transcripts and syllabi.
  1. This information will be received by your program director. Who will review the information and determine how the requested class may transfer in. You will be notified when they have concluded.
GSSW transfers in credit based off CSWE accreditation and competencies standards. Course objectives for courses transferred into DU/GSSW must meet one of the nine competencies in order to replace a required course in our curriculum. This is why syllabi must be reviewed. Therefore, courses outside of social work, if transferred, are typically only applied as electives.

Transfer credit toward a master’s degree is limited up to 25% of the minimum number of credits required for the degree. (Note: 1 semester credit equals 1.5 quarter credits).
- MSW: 20 quarter credits
- Advanced Standing MSW: 13 quarter credits