The Department of Social Work at Metropolitan State University of Denver offers both a Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree and a Master of Social Work degree.
MSW Program
msudenver.edu/socialwork
MSU Denver’s Master of Social Work program combines academic, research, and field experiences into an intense, demanding program that teaches: assessment and intervention skills with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. We encourage the growth of transformative social workers who passionately promote racial, social, environmental and economic justice through culturally responsive and context relevant practices. During Foundation Year, students learn about the generalist perspective as required by our accrediting body the Council on Social Work Education. Concentration curriculum is based on an advanced integrative practice lens as applied in clinical and community contexts.
The MSW program at MSU Denver offers the Regular Program and the Advanced Standing program. If the student holds an undergraduate degree in any discipline other than social work, the student may apply to the Regular Program.
Mission and Vision
Mission Statement
Our mission is to shape transformative social workers who passionately promote racial, social, environmental and economic justice through culturally responsive and context relevant practice. The MSW program focuses on nurturing diverse advocates, leaders, and clinicians who address critical social problems and enhance human and community well-being.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to be a diverse and equitable community that prepares students for social justice work through experiential learning and anti-oppressive practice. Our program honors flexible and innovative spaces for learners, inclusive of all backgrounds, circumstances, and identities. We seek to develop learners who are competent, grounded in scientific inquiry and embrace the human dignity and worth of all persons and advance the human rights of all.
Accreditation
The MSW Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the sole accrediting body for social work programs in the U.S. Accreditation assures that professional standards are met in curriculum content and delivery. Accredited programs periodically undergo rigorous review by CSWE in order to ensure compliance with educational standards.
Program Options
Regular MSW Program
Students who have a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than social work from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program must apply for the Regular MSW Program. Graduate students accepted into this program must complete 60 credits of graduate coursework. All students accepted into the Regular Program must complete certain prerequisites prior to the fall semester in which they begin the program. Students must be formally admitted to the MSW Regular Program and complete all required undergraduate prerequisites prior to starting courses. Students must adhere to the required sequencing of coursework and pass all courses with a grade of B- or better.
Required Coursework
Advanced Standing MSW Program
Graduate students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program should apply to the Advanced Standing MSW Program at MSU Denver. Graduate students accepted into the Advanced Standing Program must complete 36 credit hours of graduate coursework. Students must be formally admitted to the MSW Advanced Standing Program. Students must adhere to the required sequencing of coursework and pass all courses with a grade of B- or better.
Required Coursework
Degree Completion Options
Students may complete the MSW Program full-time or part-time. Full-time students typically take a total of 15 credits per semester. Part-time students typically take between 6 and 9 credits per semester. Any changes to this status must be initiated through the Change of Status form and approved by the Office of Social Work Student Services.
Students may complete the MSW degree fully online or in the mixed delivery program, which consists of a variety of options including on campus, hybrid and online. Fully online students may be required to participate in online seminars. Online courses may also require synchronous activity. Students must be accepted into the fully online or mixed delivery program at admissions. Any changes to this status must be initiated through the Change of Academic Plan form and approved by the Office of Social Work Student Services.
Regular MSW Program Admissions
If the student holds an undergraduate degree in any discipline other than social work, the student must complete the Regular (60 semester hours) Master of Social Work Program, including the undergraduate course prerequisites listed on the MSW Program website. The Regular MSW Program only begins during the fall semester. Please check the MSW website for current application deadlines.
Program Eligibility and Admissions Requirements
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 may still apply for admissions. If accepted, additional requirements will be part of the admission decision.
- Have completed, or will complete, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to the fall semester in which the student begins the MSW program.
- Undergraduate course prerequisites as indicated on the MSW Program website.
- Completion of all required application materials. The application materials for Regular Program applicants consist of several components. These components are updated each admissions cycle on the MSW Program website.
Applicants with questions may contact the Office of Social Work Student Services at socialwork@msudenver.edu or 303-615-0555.
Additional Admissions Requirements for International Students
- Complete all of the same requirements as domestic students. Visit the Graduate Studies website for additional requirements for international applicants.
Advanced Standing MSW Program Admissions
If the student holds an undergraduate degree in social work, acquired within the last 6 years, from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the student may qualify for the advanced standing, three semester (36 semester hours) Master of Social Work Program. The MSW Advanced Standing Program begins in the summer semester. Please check the MSW website for current application deadlines.
Program Eligibility
Advanced Standing eligibility is considered only for applicants who:
- Hold a degree from a baccalaureate, social work program accredited by CSWE, hold a degree recognized through CSWE’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service,* or hold a degree from a program that is covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.* The degree must have been completed within the last 6 years from the intended start semester in the MSW Program.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 may still apply for admissions. If accepted, additional requirements will be part of the admission decision.
- Completion of all required application materials. The application materials for Advanced Standing applicants consist of several components. These components are updated each admissions cycle on the MSW Program website.
*Applicants who have received degrees from outside of the United States should contact the department to determine eligibility.
Applicants with questions may contact the Office of Social Work Student Services at socialwork@msudenver.edu or 303-615-0555.
Additional Admissions Requirements for International Applicants
International students must:
- Complete all of the same requirements as domestic students. Visit the Graduate Studies website for additional requirements for international applicants.
Admissions Decisions
Applicants may be accepted, accepted with requirements, waitlisted, or denied admissions to the MSW Program. Applicants accepted with additional requirements typically have additional obligations to fulfill either before the start of the MSW Program and/or within the first 6 credit hours of enrollment. Waitlist status may be extended to eligible applicants in the case where program capacity has been reached. In these cases, applicants will be notified if space becomes available. Applicants who are denied from the Program are encouraged to apply again for future semesters.
For further information about each admission decision visit the MSW Program website.
Confirmation of Enrollment
Accepted students must confirm their acceptance and program criteria at the time of admissions with the MSW Program. The process by which to confirm enrollment will be articulated in the admission decision notification.
Admissions Deferral
Applicants who are accepted or accepted with requirements into the MSW Program may defer their start semester up to one academic year from the term that acceptance was originally offered. The full departmental application is not required, however there may be additional steps to reactivate your account. Detailed information will be sent via email.
Applicants who defer their start semester will be held to the policies and curriculum of the later term in which they officially start the MSW Program. The deferral process is only valid for one academic year from the original acceptance semester.
Applicants with questions may contact the Office of Social Work Student Services at socialwork@msudenver.edu.
Important Policies for MSW Students
As a graduate student, you should also be familiar with the University level policies outlined in the Graduate Catalog. Please refer to the MSW Program website for MSW Program-specific policies and procedures.
Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements
MSW students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in any academic term. Any student falling below a 3.0 in any given term will be placed on academic probation and be required to develop a plan for raising the GPA above 3.0. Students who fail to raise their GPA over 3.0 after 15 units will be dismissed from the program. No grade lower than a “B-” counts toward degree completion. Students receiving a “C+” or below will be required to repeat the course. Students must be aware that the sequential coursework policy will often require students to take time off to repeat the course work. Students who do not successfully complete a social work course with a “B-” or better after the second attempt will be dismissed from the program.
Please note, all grades and notations remain on the graduate transcript. There is no Best Grade Stands policy at the graduate level.
Graduate Course Registration Eligibility
Only students who are formally accepted into the MSW Program or non-degree-seeking status may register for any graduate-level social work course.
Time Limit on Completion of Degree
Students must complete the master’s degree within six calendar years from the term they initially enroll. Students should check the program website and/or specific program section of the catalog to determine specific degree requirements.
MSW Program students should refer to the MSW Program website for more information regarding the process for requesting an exception to this policy, www.msudenver.edu/socialwork.
