Master 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.
Ranked among the top 15 social work graduate programs, GSSW provides an accredited education with myriad options to customize and specialize. We offer full- and part-time options and multiple start dates for our Denver Campus MSW programs, which you can customize to fit your interests and career goals. We also offer MSW programs in Durango and Glenwood Springs, Colorado, for those who live in the Four Corners region or mountain communities and for those who want to specialize in rural social work practice. If you want to pursue your degree online, the 100% online MSW@Denver provides access to a fully accredited education from anywhere in the United States.
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, ecological justice, child welfare, nonprofit management and more.
The world needs more social workers. Find out how you can make a difference with a degree in social work.
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!
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Full-Time MSW Programs
Full-Time Denver Campus MSW
Obtain your degree in under two years. Classes are weekdays, and most classes must be taken on campus; limited Saturday and online class options are available. Most internships are offered during weekday business hours. You can start the program during winter or fall quarters.
Full-Time Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW
Obtain your degree in one year. Classes are weekdays, and most classes must be taken on campus; limited Saturday and online class options are available. Most internships are offered during weekday business hours. Start your MSW program during summer or fall quarters.
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Part-Time MSW Programs
Part-Time Denver Campus MSW
Obtain your degree in 3.5 years. Evening and weekend classes are available (most classes must be taken on campus). However, depending on your placement, your field internships may require you to work weekday business hours. You can start the program during winter or fall quarters.
Part-Time Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW
Obtain your degree in 2.5 years. Evening and weekend classes are available; most classes must be taken on campus. Depending on your placement, your field internships may require you to work weekday business hours.
Distance MSW Programs
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
Faculty
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.
Location
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.
Curriculum
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.
GSSW Faculty Teaching & Research
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Research & Scholarship
Recognizing Weight Stigma in Social Work
University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Assistant Prof. Erin Harrop works to increase awareness of weight stigma in social work. -
Research & Scholarship
Preventing Youth Suicide
University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Prof. Anthony Fulginiti uses machine learning to study suicidal behavior among unhoused youth. -
Research & Scholarship
Prison-Industrial Complex Abolition
In a new course, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Prof. Sophia Sarantakos introduces MSW students to prison-industrial complex abolition.