Human activity is driving global environmental degradation and threatening human well-being and survival. This environmental degradation is predicated on environmental racism, injustice and speciesism, causing compounding global crises. An MSW degree with a certificate in Mental Health for Ecological Resilience and Adaptation will position you at social work’s forefront, preparing you to confront environmental crises and inequities, build psycho–social resilience in the face of global social and environmental change, build adaptation readiness and skills, create a regenerative world, and cultivate a compassionate human presence on Earth, guided by social work values of equity and justice.
In this certificate program, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to address environmental and social crises and to protect and restore well-being for humans, other species, ecosystems and the planet. The climate crisis, pervasive pollution, nature depletion and other urgent environmental problems are rooted in structural inequalities, intersectional oppressions and lack of understanding of social–ecological systems and interdependency. Through this certificate, you’ll develop a deep understanding of these systemic issues and how to address them.
This certificate is available to Denver Campus MSW students and will be open to all MSW programs in 2026.
Want to learn more about our Ecological Resilience MSW Certificate? Request information and we’ll connect you with an admission ambassador to discuss our MSW program.
Learning Outcomes
Core topics span social–ecological systems; critical anti-oppressive practice; strategies for psycho–social resilience-building with individuals, groups, or communities; systems thinking; traditional ecological knowledge; honoring other ways of being; regenerative futures; decolonizing the therapy room; and program development. The certificate will help you develop skills in the following areas, among others:
- Eco-distress clinical skills
- Community-based social work
- Social permaculture
- Building and teaching trauma-informed resilience
- Conflict resolution and managing resistance
- Reimagination
- Deep adaptation
- Critical hope, care and love
- Facilitation
- Nervous system regulation
- Indigenous wisdom
Your Career Options
There is a growing need for social work professionals who are trained to help individuals and communities build psycho–social resilience and to psychologically and socially adapt to human-induced global change. With the Ecological Resilience MSW Certificate, you’ll be prepared to work at the micro, mezzo and/or macro level helping humans build resilience and bolster adaptation for themselves, their communities and the world. Opportunities include:
- Helping individual therapy clients to process eco-emotions, economic challenges, and environmental injustices
- Working with organizations to address systemic inequities and dysfunction
- Writing and enacting local government policies to support environmental and social adaptation
Featured Courses
SOWK 4203
Environmental Change Impacts and Resilience Strategies for Mental Health
About this Course
In this course, you will explore the impacts of the climate crisis, ecological injustice and global environmental degradation on mental health and well-being of individuals and communities.
SOWK 4202
Creating a Regenerative Future
About this Course
This course explores how we can create a regenerative future that is life-renewing for people and the planet — a future in which all people, species and ecosystems thrive.
SOWK 4206
Clinical Interventions for Building Resilience for Global Environmental Change
About this Course
This course will prepare you with an advanced conceptual understanding of the intersection between mental health, equity and environmental change.
Certificate Coordinators
Rachel Forbes
Professor of the Practice of Social Work, Western Colorado MSW Program Director
Learn More
Key Faculty
Related Stories
Ecosocial Work
A new book co-edited by University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Prof. Rachel Forbes encourages social workers to advocate for environmental justice.
Eco-Emotions & Social Work
An increasing number of young people are experiencing ecological distress, including depression and anxiety. GSSW faculty, staff and students are trying to help.
Application Information
Upcoming Start Term: Summer 2025 Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program
