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The Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) at the University of Denver is internationally recognized as a leader in educating practitioners, scholars, educators and researchers. GSSW’s vision aims for the achievement of thriving sustainable communities, actualized human potential, and embodiment of equity across all communities. GSSW's mission promotes social justice by advancing scholarship, education, and community engagement that leads, connects, mobilizes, and transforms. This mission is carried out in a rich educational environment featuring excellent teaching by award-winning faculty and path-breaking research.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is ranked in the top seven percent of all accredited MSW programs in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. GSSW offers four program locations to fit diverse learning needs. Although course options differ between locations, all MSW programs provide small class sizes, field internships and an individualized learning experience. MSW program locations span across Colorado and beyond:

• Denver Campus MSW Program – four unique certificates and international courses 
• MSW@Denver - Online MSW Program – course work is 100% online
• Four Corners MSW Program (located in Durango, Colorado) - focus on rural and tribal communities
• Western Colorado MSW Program (located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado) - focus on rural social work practice, integrated health and sustainability

Throughout the MSW program, students gain fundamental skills to make a significant impact on individuals, communities, systems and policy. 

GSSW’s Denver-based Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work was one of the first in the United States. During the program, students work alongside distinguished faculty to conduct research, write publications and gain substantive knowledge in the field of social work.

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Social Work

The doctoral program at the Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) trains master's-level human service professionals to become social work researchers, educators and policy experts. This program is among the oldest social work doctoral programs in the West, enrolling students from across the nation and around the world. PhD students spend their time in the field conducting powerful research and developing solutions for the most pressing problems in society. Throughout the program, students work alongside GSSW faculty who are committed to scholarship rooted in social justice.

The doctoral curriculum includes advanced content in theory, policy and research methodology. Students learn and practice quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research approaches as well as analytic techniques. Our extensive network of community-based partners-from large healthcare systems to social service providers to schools and community organizers-gives PhD students the opportunity to collaborate on community-engaged research. PhD students work with faculty mentors to apply their skills in ongoing research projects locally, nationally and internationally.

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Social workers empower people and communities and create positive change – locally and around the world. As a social worker you can work toward social justice while making an impact working with populations who have experienced oppression.

GSSW Career Services is committed to supporting your career development as you align your degree concentration and field placement experiences to a variety of traditional and non-traditional social work settings.   We aim to help you articulate your skills, knowledge base and experiences to be a well-rounded, competitive applicant.

Drop-In Hours with GSSW Career Advisors GSSW Career Development Advisor office hours are listed on the Student Resource Portal. Weekly drop-in hours with your career advisor are available currently via zoom .

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Online Advanced-Standing MSW

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The Online Master of Social Work From the University of Denver The Online Master of Social Work From the University of Denver The Online Master of Social Work From the University of Denver

Delivered by a Top-Ranked Graduate School of Social Work | CSWE-Accredited Delivered by a Top-Ranked Graduate School of Social Work | CSWE-Accredited Delivered by a Top-Ranked Graduate School of Social Work | CSWE-Accredited

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University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work is ranked No. 11 on  U.S. News & World Report ‘s 2022 list  of best social work programs.

The Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) takes a progressive approach to social work education, preparing students to practice social work in traditional and nontraditional settings. Students in the online Master of Social Work (MSW) program, MSW@Denver, are taught to think critically and creatively to advance equity across all communities. They also learn to become champions of social change and to empower populations impacted by oppression.

MSW@Denver Program Highlights

Graduate-Level Credits

Hours of Direct Fieldwork

Months to Complete Full Time

Learn more about the Online MSW

Months to Complete Full time

Learn more about the Online Advanced-Standing MSW

About the GSSW

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Online msw admission.

We seek candidates from a variety of backgrounds and educational experiences, and we encourage those with and without related experience to apply. There are four convenient start dates throughout the year , so you can begin classes on your schedule:

Choose from start dates in January, March, June and September.

GSSW reviews applications on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you’ll receive an admission decision. Learn more about the application process.

The final deadline to apply for the September 2024 cohort is July 12, 2024.

Online program offerings.

MSW@Denver offers two programs: the Online MSW Program and the Online Advanced-Standing MSW Program.

If you have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field other than social work, you are eligible to apply to the Online MSW Program. This program can be completed in as few as 27 months in the full-time track or 21 months in the accelerated track.

As an Online MSW student, you will complete:

• 81 graduate-level credits; full-time or accelerated tracks available
• During the first half of your program, you’ll focus on the foundation curriculum. In your second half, you’ll customize your Advanced Social Work Practice concentration to match your interests and career goals.
• Two field internships totaling 900 hours of fieldwork

View a sample course schedule for the online MSW.

If you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited institution at any point in time, you are eligible to apply to the Online Advanced-Standing MSW Program. The Online Advanced-Standing MSW can be completed in as few as 18 months in the full-time track or 12 months in the accelerated track.

As an Online Advanced-Standing MSW student, you will complete:

• 54 graduate-level credits; full-time or accelerated tracks available
• Two bridge courses, one seminar, and customizable Advance Social Work Practice concentration. If you want to specialize, you can explore pathways in areas such as mental health and trauma or health, equity and wellness.
• One field internship totaling 500 hours of fieldwork

Learn more about the online advanced-standing MSW.

GSSW also offers the MSW program at three locations in Colorado, including our main campus in Denver. Visit the GSSW website to learn more about our on-campus MSW programs.

MSW@Denver Curriculum

With the MSW@Denver curriculum , you will gain a holistic understanding of social work principles and be prepared to advocate for social justice in a variety of settings.

If you are an Online MSW student, you will begin the program with the foundation curriculum . The foundation curriculum develops your understanding of the history, values and ethics of the social work profession. If you’re an Online Advanced-Standing MSW student, you will complete two foundation courses and then proceed to the Advanced Social Work Practice concentration which you can customize to meet your personal interests and career goals.

Concentrations

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 lie, we offer customizable pathways that allow you to specialize in your area of interest.

Mental Health and Trauma  pathway focuses on comprehensive assessment, advanced interventions based on cognitive approaches and trauma-informed care.

Health, Equity and Wellness  pathway covers the history of health, health disparities and culturally competent social work practice.

View the curriculum.

Featured Courses

As a student in the online program, you will complete coursework that covers a variety of topics, providing you with a strong foundation for social work practice. Some sample courses include:

Power, Privilege and Oppression: Examines how these phenomena affect individuals, families and communities

Leadership and Supervision Skills: Examines the application of leadership and supervision theories to practice settings

Evidence for Practice: Develops skills in identifying, analyzing and applying empirical evidence to inform a practice

Assessment of Mental Health Across the Lifespan: Assesses psychological, social and biological contributors to mental health disorders in all ages

How Do Field Internships Work?

Whether you live in downtown Denver, a small town in Colorado or another city across the United States, we will help you find a field internship to practice the concepts and theories learned in your online classes.

The Field Placement Process

• You will work with a field placement specialist who will find you a school-approved internship site in or near your community.
• You will be supervised at your site by a licensed social work professional who will provide feedback on your work and help you develop your skills.
• You will receive support from your field liaison who will ensure you’re meeting curricular milestones throughout your time at your internship site.

What Can You Do With an MSW?

Earning your MSW provides you with countless opportunities to advocate for social change in your community and beyond.  

As a GSSW graduate, you’ll be prepared to seek social work employment in traditional and nontraditional settings and challenge systems of oppression at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. You can pursue employment in a variety of roles, such as behavioral health clinician, psychiatric social worker, community and economic developer, mental health counselor and evaluator, or policy analyst.

Growth in the Field

The field of social work is projected to grow 12% by 2030, 1 with increases in the following sectors:

13% increase

Child, family and school 2

15% increase

Mental health and substance abuse 2

Health care 2

Many traditional social work careers require licensure. Learn more about how to become a licensed clinical social worker in Colorado or view your state’s specific licensure requirements.

What Students are Saying About MSW@Denver

“It’s not so easy to relocate to another city or state. Sure, it would have been a great experience to do so, but an online program afforded me the ability to work closely with my community as I begin the journey towards developing my practice as a helping professional.”

—Sabrina Martine, MSW@Denver student

Why Earn Your MSW Online

With an MSW, you can advance your career, fight for social justice and serve marginalized communities. The flexible online format allows you to balance your personal and professional commitments while pursuing a master’s degree from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work.

Study from Anywhere in the U.S.

As an MSW@Denver student, you will attend live online classes, complete coursework and grow your personal relationships through our online campus. You can easily connect with your network of classmates, professors and support services while you complete coursework on your computer, tablet or smartphone using our convenient mobile app.

Make a Difference in Your Community

In-person, hands-on experience is a key aspect of your social work education. During your internships, you will make a difference in your community while building your skill set and receiving mentorship from experienced professionals. GSSW facilitates internships in traditional and nontraditional settings, supporting the individual goals of students in our community.

Attend Small, Collaborative Classes

As a student in the online MSW program, you will be supported from admission through graduation and beyond. You also join a learning environment dedicated to student success and growth. MSW@Denver offers support in the following areas:

Your Admissions Counselor will introduce you to the program, guide you through the application process and connect you with resources such as online information sessions and application workshops.

Enrollment:

Throughout the program you will work with a Student Success Advisor who will provide assistance as you enroll in the program, attend orientation and register for classes.

Classes and Technology:

Your academic advisor will help you track your progress throughout the program and ensure it is meeting your goals. Tech support is available 24/7 to assist with technical problems that may arise.

Field Internships:

Your field placement specialist will work with you to find an internship site near your community that helps refine your skills and meet curricular milestones.

You will work with the Career Development Office to prepare for the social work job market. Support includes mock interviews, resume refinement and cover letter feedback.

Graduation and Beyond:

You will be invited to the University of Denver’s on-campus Commencement ceremony where you will officially join our alumni network of 8,000 social change-makers worldwide.

Take the Next Step

Are you ready to discover how you can prepare for a career creating positive change as a social worker?

About the Top-Ranked Graduate School of Social Work

GSSW is a top 15-ranked school of social work that prepares you to become a professional who advances social justice. Faculty members have community experience and are committed to mentorship, so you can pursue a career creating positive change.

Our curriculum and community are grounded in equity, inclusion and diversity, and we seek passionate change-makers who will join our efforts to make the world a more just place.

CSWE-Accredited Online MSW Program

MSW@Denver is accredited by the CSWE. Accreditation verifies the University of Denver’s online Master of Social Work curriculum meets the high standards of social work education. As an accredited online MSW, MSW@Denver prepares you with the knowledge, skills and field experience you need to meet your state’s specific education licensure requirements.

Committed to Community

“Our faculty and staff provide countless opportunities for your development. You will be inspired, supported and mentored by them. We are committed to helping each member of our community find a place to root and grow through respect and celebration of difference.”

—Amanda Moore McBride, Morris Endowed Dean and Professor

GSSW promotes social justice by advancing scholarship, education and community engagement that leads, connects, mobilizes and transforms.

Learn from renowned faculty.

Faculty members have social work experience across many fields of practice, and they publish groundbreaking research to impact social change. As an MSW@Denver student, faculty will challenge you to think critically and creatively about how social work can create meaningful change. You can meet with professors face to face through the online campus for classes or 1:1 office hours. Learn more about faculty members and their expertise below.

Ramona Beltrán, PhD

Associate Professor Ramona Beltrán works alongside institutions and Indigenous communities to  spotlight solutions that are present in creative and culture-driven modalities .

Anthony Fulginiti

Prof. Anthony Fulginiti uses machine learning to  study suicidal behavior among youth experiencing homelessness .

Learn more about faculty.

Have you seen or experienced the impact of oppression and injustice on the lives of individuals, families and communities? Are you eager to advance social justice with the knowledge and skills you will gain through MSW@Denver? Request information to discover how you can prepare for a career creating positive change as a social worker.

[1]   U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers  ↑ [2]   U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers Job Outlook ↑

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University of Denver

Graduate school of social work.

Whether as faculty members in top schools of social work, research scientists in universities, or analysts at policy thinktanks, our graduates respond to today’s most urgent needs. While we are home to one of the nation’s oldest social work doctoral programs, nothing about our program is old-fashioned. We center:

• Team-based mentorship…Strong relationships with multiple faculty mentors drives our students’ success in becoming productive well-rounded scholars.
• A Critical Social Justice Lens…We embody a deep commitment to fostering social justice integrating intersectionality, equity-based solutions, and structural understandings of intractable issues.
• Community-Based Research and Collaborative Knowledge Creation…Our extensive network of community-based partners works in alliance with us to co-create knowledge, awakening creative solutions.
• Strengthening Public Impact…Translating our scholarship into tools that are useful within and outside the academy harnesses our scholarship for lasting social change.
• Foundation in Theory…The development of scholars who are solidly ground in theory and require a foundation grounded in the philosophy of science.
• Producing Excellent Teachers…We believe that the ability to implement evidence-based teaching and pedagogy are central qualities of top scholars.
• Varied Methodologies… Our students learn and practice quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research designs and analytic approaches to enable their flexibility to produce the most impactful research.

• Where: Denver, CO, USA
• Type: Private, Non-Profit
• Degree Offered: PhD in Social Work
• Program Type: In-Person Program Only
• Students: Full-time Enrollment Only
• Average Enrolled Students Yearly: 6 Students
• GRE Requirement: No
• TOEFL Requirement: Yes, with a cut-off score
• MSW Requirement: No, MSW not required
• Joint MSW/PhD Program: Yes

Substantive Research Areas of Faculty

• Addiction/Substance Use
• Adolescent and Youth Development
• Aging/Gerontology
• Child Welfare
• Children & Families
• Community Practice/Macro Practice
• Corrections/Criminal Justice/Restorative Justice
• Family Violence
• Housing/Homelessness
• Immigrants, Refugees & Displaced Persons
• International Social Work & Global Development
• LGBT Issues & Services
• Mental Health
• Organizations, Management & Administration
• Poverty/Disadvantaged Populations
• Race and Ethnicity
• Religion/Spirituality
• School Social Work
• Social/Economic Justice
• Social Welfare Policy
• Social Work Education
• Social Work Practice
• Work/Family/Family Policy

For more information visit University of Denver .

To update your program's profile, please complete the Program Directory Update Form .

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PhD Program

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR FALL PHD ADMISSION IS JANUARY 1.   APPLY NOW

The PhD in Health & Behavioral Sciences (HBS) prepares students to be leaders in the interdisciplinary field of population health. Our program draws on theories and methods from the social, behavioral, and health sciences, to understand health, health behaviors, and health care. A few recent research topics in our program include the AIDS epidemic, the social contexts of medical care, the diffusion of health behaviors through social networks, the ethics of health care, biases that shape decision making, the mechanisms that link social conditions to biological health, and the determinants of health disparities. Graduates from our program are leaders in analyzing the conditions that give rise to the inequitable distribution of health within and across populations.

More Information

Our faculty have expertise in fields including medical anthropology, health psychology, medical sociology, demography, gerontology, health disparities, social epidemiology, community health, using new technologies to promote health, and social networks. Our research crosses disciplinary lines as we use a range of quantitative and qualitative methods to answer critical population health questions. For example, these are just a few recent research projects by our faculty: Why men in sub-Saharan Africa are less likely to have HIV but more likely to die from it. How we can exploit cognitive biases to nudge individuals into healthier behaviors including hand washing and influenza vaccination. How health care systems may generate or exacerbate health disparities. The number of lives we could save if all adults in the U.S. had at least a high school degree. How race and physical functioning intersect to shape participation in the labor force among older adults. Whether cardiovascular reactivity and recovery from acute stress explain socioeconomic status disparities in cardiovascular health. Preferences for punishing norm violators or compensating victims in Papua New Guinea How older siblings of Mexican-origin young women in immigrant families may protect younger sisters from risky sexual behaviors. Whether text message based interventions have long-term benefits on adolescent sexual health behaviors. How social context may shape network based interventions that target adolescent smoking behavior. For more information please see our faculty pages .

Students are admitted for the fall semester, whereupon they spend two years taking required courses within a cohort of fellow students. The coursework focuses on social and behavioral theory, research design, statistics, qualitative methods, and the social determinants of population health. After coursework, students usually spend one to two years preparing a proposal for their dissertation research with mentorship from their dissertation committees. After successfully defending a prospectus, students typically take one to two years to finish their dissertations, also with mentorship from their committees. Students who work full-time on their studies usually finish the program in four to six years. Throughout the program we encourage students to pursue mentored research with faculty, and independent research on their dissertations and other projects. 

We welcome students who have training and work experience in diverse fields. In recent years, we have accepted students with training in fields including anthropology, community health, engineering, geography, nutrition, physiology, policy, psychology, public health, sociology, social work, and health professions including medicine, nursing, and physician assistants. The faculty consider multiple factors when evaluating applications: A well written statement that describes your research experience and interests is essential for evaluating your fit with our program. Please contact us at so we can explore how your interests fit with our program. Strong letters of recommendation from people who can speak to your potential for success in our PhD program provide additional background on your academic aptitude and preparation. GREs are not required, but you may submit your scores if you believe they will strengthen your application. 

Students in the Ph.D. program in Health & Behavioral Sciences will demonstrate proficiency in the following core competencies by the time they graduate from our program:

• An ability to integrate and apply multiple social and behavioral science theoretical perspectives to particular health and health care problems.
• A basic understanding of the broad range of methods and research designs employed in the health and behavioral sciences.
• Advanced proficiency in a particular method or set of methods.
• Precision and clarity in the oral and written communication of complex ideas.

Our program prepares students for academic, government, or professional careers that involve independent research, publication-quality writing, advanced research skills, critical thinking skills grounded in theories from the social and behavioral sciences, and the ability to thrive in interdisciplinary settings.   

Health and Behavioral Sciences has historically provided tuition assistance and stipends to first and second year PhD Students (the first 32 credit hours of required classwork) provided they remain in good academic standing. Please note all departmental tuition assistance is net of any other sources of tuition support students may have. We also typically offer funding to support mentored research with faculty during the first few years of the program. 

All Health and Behavioral Sciences PhD students are eligible for paid Teaching Assistant positions for our undergraduate major in Public Health. Beginning in third year, PhD students are eligible for Teaching and/or Research Fellowships. Other funding opportunities (e.g., undergraduate advising, work with faculty on grants) sometimes become available. The department, college, and university also have small grants available to support conference travel or other professional development. We also work with interested students to develop grant propsals to support dissertation research.

Additionally, students have access to funding opportunities including (but not limited to): a dissertation grant after successfully defending their prospectus, annual conference funding to support travel to conferences where they will be presenting research, and other scholarships and awards. Continued funding support is contingent on good academic standing.

There are three dimensions to the required curriculum:

• A core curriculum that focuses on problem-oriented, interdisciplinary approaches to theory and method
• Elective course work intended to provide the student with a solid base from which to launch the dissertation research
• Dissertation research and writing

The curriculum is subject to change. What appears below is intended to give students a general idea of the extent, shape and content of the curriculum. Students should check with the program office for up-to-date information on specific course requirements and scheduling.

The Core Curriculum

The core curriculum should be completed by students by the end of their second year of full-time study. It consists of the following series of courses which, together, constitute 29 semester hours:

I. Health and Behavioral Sciences Colloquium

Each fall, the HBSC program will organize a series of presentations by scholars working in the health and behavioral sciences. The presentations provide students with the most current science and theory in the field. Required of all first- and second-year students, who must take at least two times.

• HBSC 7001 - Colloquium Series in the Health and Behavioral Sciences

Total: 2 Hours

Ii. theoretical perspectives in the health and behavioral sciences.

This series is designed to give students a thorough background in how the principles of the social and behavioral sciences have been applied to health issues. Topics include: the interplay between structure and agency in creating and maintaining health; social epidemiology; critical theory and social determinants of health; issues affecting Western biomedicine and public health systems; diffusion of healthy behavioral change among populations; social construction of health and illness; health policy and bioethics; social networks; and stress.

• HBSC 7011 - Theoretical Perspectives in Health and Behavioral Science I
• HBSC 7071 - Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health and Disease

Total: 6 Hours

Iii. human ecology and environmental adaptation.

This course will emphasize the biological/physiological dimensions of human health and disease.

• HBSC 7031 - Human Ecology and Environmental Adaptation

Total: 3 Hours

Iv. research design and methods in the health and behavioral sciences.

Three HBSC core research design and methods courses, plus one additional advanced methods course of student’s choosing. This series covers the philosophy of science and the structure of scientific inquiry, procedures for hypothesis-testing, quantitative and qualitative methodological strategies commonly employed in the field, epidemiology and program evaluation. 

• HBSC 7041 - Research Design and Methods in the Health and Behavioral Sciences I
• HBSC 7051 - Qualitative Research Design and Methods
• HBSC 7061 - Quantitative Methods in the Health and Behavioral Sciences
• HBSC 7161 - Quantitative Methods in Health&Behavioral Sciences II

Total: 12 Hours

V. applications of the health and behavioral sciences.

This course offers students the opportunity to focus on individual research interests with guidance from faculty and input from peers.

• HBSC 7111 - Applications of the Health and Behavioral Sciences

TOTAL CORE: 26 Hours

Elective Courses

Elective course work together constitutes 6 semester hours, which can be drawn from the large number of offerings in the health and behavioral sciences at CU Denver. Students will be expected to fulfill the necessary prerequisites for taking these courses, and final authority as to whether a student may enroll in the course will rest with the department in which the course is offered.

TOTAL ELECTIVES: 6 Hours  

Doctoral Dissertation Research

The doctoral dissertation research topic is chosen by the student. The student is expected to define a research question in health and behavioral science, identify the research strategy to be used for answering the question, conduct the research required and document the project in the form of a doctoral dissertation. The student will be guided in this process by a doctoral dissertation advisor and the additional members who comprise the student’s doctoral dissertation committee (see below). A minimum of 30 semester hours of dissertation work is required. Students must register for a minimum of 5 dissertation credits each semester of their dissertation work. Students may not take more than a year’s leave of absence or fail to enroll for semester hours more than three semesters before they are dropped from the program.

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Physics and Astronomy

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

Choate Receives Visiting Scholar Award to Work at Fermilab

Graduate Student Sarah Choate has been awarded $12,000 from the Universities Research Association's (URA) Visiting Scholars Program (VSP) to support work on “Study of the Neutrino Magnetic Moment with the NOvA Near Detector.”

The grant will allow Choate to work on this research at Fermilab with members of the NOvA Collaboration who are part of the Exotics or Near Detector group. After understanding prior work done, she will conduct the magnetic moment analysis,  analyze the data, and summarize her findings in a formal presentation.

"Being able to speak face-to-face with those who are experts in neutrinos physics at Fermilab will not only allow the analysis to progress more  rapidly than it otherwise would have, it will also be beneficial to my long term goals, which revolve around remaining in neutrino physics," Choate said. Learn more about the NOvA experiment here .

The VSP was established in 2007 to support faculty and students from URA institutions to work at Fermilab for up to one year.

NOTICE: The University of Iowa Center for Advancement is an operational name for the State University of Iowa Foundation, an independent, Iowa nonprofit corporation organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable entity working to advance the University of Iowa. Please review its full disclosure statement.

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• University of Denver
• Graduate School of Social Work

Create Positive Change With a Degree in Social Work

Social workers are trained to empower people and communities and to create positive change – locally, nationally and globally. With a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW), you can advance social and racial justice, and work with individuals and populations who have experienced oppression.

Program Highlights:

• Top-Ranked MSW Program:  Ranked #1 in Colorado and #11 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
• A Specialized MSW:  MSW Pathways include mental health, ecological justice, rural social work, aging services & policy and more
• Location: Two MSW program options available in three Colorado locations — Denver, Durango and Glenwood Springs

No matter which program options you choose, you’ll be prepared for a meaningful career in a wide variety of settings, from public policy to private practice, health and mental health care, child welfare, nonprofit management and more.

• Denver Campus MSW Program

Distance MSW Programs

• The GSSW Difference
• Faculty Research

The world needs more social workers. Find out how you can make a difference with a degree in social work.

Request information, msw program stats, $9m total student scholarships awarded each year, 22 average class size, 750+ field internship sites.

Denver Campus MSW

Located in one of the nation’s most scenic and vibrant cities, the Denver Campus MSW is GSSW’s most flexible degree program. We offer both full- and part-time options for the  Denver Campus MSW Program  (for students who have a bachelor’s degree in any field other than social work) and the  Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program  (for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in social work).

With a concentration in Advanced Social Work Practice, you can follow one of several specialization pathways or create your own customized MSW degree to meet your personal interests or career goals. You can also choose from several dual-degree programs and certificates in Global Social Work, Human–Animal–Environment Interactions, Latinx Social Work and School Social Work. With so many options, you can chart your own career path!

If you want to specialize, you can choose from eight sample pathways, or create your own.

• Child Welfare : Work with children, youth and families across the continuum of care within the child welfare system, from entry to exit in both public and private child welfare agencies.
• Children & Youth: Risks and Healthy Development : Work with adolescents and children in a wide variety of settings, including mental health, family services and community agencies, schools, treatment centers and correctional facilities.
• Ecological Justice : Work in environmental social work, including assessment, community engagement, education, health promotion, mobilization, organizing, poverty reduction, environmental preservation and capacity building.
• Family Systems Practice : Work with families and diverse clients in a variety of direct-service, private-practice and family-policy settings.
• Health & Wellness : Practice in a variety of holistic health, integrated health and wellness settings, including hospitals, after-school programs and experiential treatment settings.
• Mental Health : Work in a therapeutic social work setting as a counselor or behavioral health clinician who assists with trauma, mental illness and substance abuse issues.
• Organizational Leadership & Policy Practice : Develop programs, administer organizations, build community coalitions, craft and analyze social policy, implement program and policy research, and advocate for policy and program change.

Request information to connect with an Admission Ambassador.

Western colorado msw program.

Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, our  Western Colorado MSW Program  and  Western Colorado Advanced-Standing MSW Program  in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, offer a concentration in Advanced Social Work Practice. The programs will prepare you to work in rural social work practice, integrated health, ecological health and sustainability, community mental health, child welfare and other settings.

Four Corners MSW Program

Our  Four Corners MSW Program  and  Four Corners Advanced-Standing MSW Program  are located in Durango, Colorado, near the state’s intersection with New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Offering a concentration in Advanced Social Work Practice, these regional programs will prepare you to work in rural and tribal communities in mental health, integrated health, school, agency and other settings.

GSSW Differentiators

The GSSW faculty includes some of social work’s brightest minds. With diverse experience across many practice specialties, they will challenge you to come out of your comfort zone and fight for social and racial justice.

Student Experience & Support

We provide student and career services support to help you nurture self-care, make a career plan, connect with peers and the community, and have some fun along the way.

We have three on-campus locations — all in sunny Colorado where hiking, skiing and adventuring is at your doorstep. We also offer MSW@Denver, our  online Master of Social Work program .

GSSW’s justice-oriented curriculum will teach you to recognize and address issues of power, privilege and oppression from the micro level to the macro.

How to Become a Social Worker

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Social Work?

A Customizable MSW