Master of Social Work (MSW)
Denver, USA
Master of Social Work
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 18,164 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, Blended
Program Summary
MSU Denver’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Program educates social workers to serve the needs of individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations in a multicultural and global society. MSU Denver’s MSW Program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the sole accrediting body for social work programs in the United States.
What can I do with this degree?
Social workers serve in a wide variety of roles including: mental or behavior health clinicians, school social work, military school work, hospice and palliative care, medical and integrated care, policy and research institutes, addictions services, forensic social work, community organizing and development, child welfare, organizational leadership, and more.
How long is it going to take?
Our program design is flexible to meet student’s varied needs. For those with a bachelor’s in social work, the MSW program can be completed in 1 year of full-time study. Those without a bachelor’s in social work can finish in 2 years of full-time study. Part-time options are also available.
What prior knowledge/training is required?
In addition to the completion of a bachelors degree at a regionally accredited institution, you also must have passed specific courses in your bachelor’s degree or earned a social work bachelor’s. Additional criteria, including a minimum GPA and a successful application are required for admission.
How is the program delivered?
All of our required courses are offered online and in person, but some of our electives are offered only online or only in person.
Financial Aid at MSU Denver
Domestic students can obtain financial aid in the form of unsubsidized loans. The process of receiving financial aid starts with submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete and submit the FAFSA as early as possible to be considered for the best aid available. Financial aid is awarded based on need, which is determined in part by annual income.
The information you submit via the FAFSA will allow MSU Denver to determine how to help you meet your financial needs. To continue to receive financial aid throughout your academic career, you must submit the FAFSA every year.
MSU Denver Graduate Studies also offers a limited number of Graduate Research Assistantships and Professional Development Fellowships.
Year 1
Fall
- The Art of Theoretical Inquiry: Social Work Theories Over Time
- Exploring the Foundations of Justice
- Groups and Teams: Collective Action for Change
- Co-creating Change with Individuals and Families
- Field Experience I (3)*
Spring
- Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice or Elective
- Integrating Research and Evaluation Into Social Work Practice
- Deconstructing Social Policy: Critical Analysis for Change
- Organizational Transformation: Empowering Communities
- Field Experience II (3)*
*Foundation Internship consists of 13-14 hours/week (200 hours/semester, 400 hours/year)
Year 2
Fall
- Choose 2:
- Advancing Justice in Organizations and Communities
- Advanced Application of Clinical Social Work
- Advanced Policy Advocacy Practice
- Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice
- Elective
- Developing the Capstone Project *
- Field Experience III*
Spring
- Choose 2:
- Advancing Justice in Organizations and Communities
- Advanced Application of Clinical Social Work
- Advanced Policy Advocacy Practice
- Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice or Elective
- Elective
- Implementing the Capstone Project*
- Field Experience IV*
*Concentration Internship consists of 16-17 hours/week (250 hours/semester, 500 hours/year)
With salaries ranging from $36,600 to $87,300 and a median pay of $55,350, it’s a good time to go into social work. Not only is social work one of the most personally fulfilling professions, it’s also a career field primed for growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that employment of social workers is expected to grow by 7% from 2022-2032 (faster than the average U.S. employment growth!).
- 69% of our graduates found a job within two months of graduation and 87% found a job in less than six months.
- 98% of graduates felt well-prepared by the program to practice social work.
- Our graduates are working in mental health or community mental health, health care, child welfare, school social work, substance abuse, family services, aging, domestic violence or crisis intervention, and corrections/criminal justice.
- Our graduates are working as program directors, medical social workers, therapists, school social workers, birth mother case workers, internal medicine social workers, therapeutic additions case workers, forensic social workers and more!
Course Delivery Options
Students may complete the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program in either the fully online or the mixed traditional (combination online and on campus) course delivery option.
In the fully online course delivery option, students take all courses online and are guaranteed a spot in online sections of all required courses. Internships are done in person, but can be done in the student’s local community.
In the mixed traditional (combination online and on campus) course delivery option, students may take courses on campus, online, and/or in the hybrid format. While we guarantee that there will be a spot for students in a section of all required courses, we cannot guarantee that students will always get into their first choice of section. Internships are done in person, but can be done in the student’s local community.
Students will be accepted into either the fully online or mixed traditional (combination online and on campus) course delivery option upon admission. If you need to change your course delivery option, please contact the Office of Social Work Student Services.
Enrollment Options
Students may complete the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program full-time or part-time.
Full-time students will take a total of 15 credits per semester. The Regular Program takes 2 years to complete full-time, and the Advanced Standing Program takes 1 year to complete full-time.
Part-time students will take between 6 and 9 credits per semester. The Regular Program takes 4 years to complete part-time, and the Advanced Standing Program takes 2 years to complete part-time.
Students will be accepted into either the full-time or part-time option upon admission. If you need to change your enrollment option, please contact the Office of Social Work Student Services.