Master of Social Work

The University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work is committed to ensuring that you acquire an excellent foundation in professional social work knowledge and skills, along with a passion for social justice and a commitment to social work ethics and values. But we're equally committed to academic innovation aimed at helping you achieve your personal and professional goals.

This is not a "one-size-fits-all" education. Our Master of Social Work (MSW) is top-ranked in the Rocky Mountain region and ranked in the top 11% nationwide. Continuously accredited since 1932, our MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation.

The two-year MSW program consists of the foundation year and the concentration year. Our new and innovative MSW curriculum includes two quarters of foundation courses that prepare you for generalist practice, followed by four quarters of concentration courses that prepare you for advanced practice in Child Welfare, Children and Youth: Risks and Positive Development, Family Systems, Aging Services and Policy, Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Organizational Leadership and Policy Practice, or Sustainable Development and Global Practice.

An increasing number of global practice courses and internships are available in countries like Bosnia, China, Kenya and Mexico. Students may take up to 10 credits in other University of Denver schools or departments. Interdisciplinary dual and cooperative graduate degrees – in law, international studies, theology or another field of your choice – multiply your options still further.

The MSW program includes 90 hours of classroom (60-63 credit hours) and field instruction (27-30 hours); 30 hours (18 classroom and 12 field) are waived for students admitted with advanced standing. Two-year MSW students enter in the fall quarter only; advanced standing students begin in early July. Our highly personalized social work PhD program is one of the oldest in the nation and offers numerous opportunities for collaboration with faculty, teaching and community-based research. More than $5.4 million is awarded annually in student financial aid. Nearly all GSSW students receive some type of financial aid, and more than 90% receive scholarships, grants and stipends.