The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is a nationally recognized Advanced Generalist program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Our program equips students for versatile career paths from micro to macro settings, such as clinical practice through nonprofit leadership and policy advocacy. In alignment with social work values, our program is anti-oppressive and anti-racist, continually striving to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in every aspect of social work education and practice.
Learning Objectives
Through experiential learning, in the pursuit of social, economic, and environmental justice, the goals of the Advanced Generalist MSW program are to prepare graduates who:
- Serve as skilled practitioners who engage in ethical, autonomous, and multi-disciplinary practice across system levels utilizing a Person-in-Environment perspective.
- Serve as leaders who advance social, economic, and environmental justice, promote human rights, and engage in social action to eliminate oppressive conditions for all people.
- Serve as leaders that value and appreciate human relationships and diversity in its multiple forms and who model and advocate for inclusive practices and cultural humility.
- Practice life-long learning, engage in scientific inquiry, and utilize critical thinking to inform practice at all system levels.
- Critically apply relevant theories and social work values to engage, assess, intervene and evaluate practice within changing contexts at all systems levels.
Program Options
The School of Social Work offers different program options for completing the MSW degree:
- Full Program – For students who have an undergraduate degree in a different discipline, our two-year full-time program starts every fall and is offered in person. Students in this program complete three elective courses, enabling them to complete one of five graduate certificate programs offered by the School of Social Work or to engage in interdisciplinary coursework. This program is 64 credits. View the MSW program schedule.
- Advanced Standing – For students who have earned a BSW from an accredited program within the past seven years, this accelerated path starts every summer and is offered in person. Students complete this program over three semesters for a total of 39 credits, which includes three elective credits (one course). View the Advanced Standing MSW Program schedule.
- Part-time Online/Hybrid Learning Options – The School of Social Work also offers a part-time online program completed in three years or in two years for students with Advanced Standing. Online students meet for one in-person learning weekend per semester at the cohort location. Current cohorts include Fort Collins (off-campus), Boulder/Longmont, and Denver. Please visit the Distance MSW Program website for more information.
- MSW/MPH Dual Degree – In partnership with the Colorado School of Public Health, the School of Social Work offers a dual degree Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health program. For information, visit the MSW/MPH website.
- MACP/MSW Joint Degree – In partnership with CSU's Department of Psychology, the School of Social Work offers a joint degree: Master's in Addiction Counseling in Psychology and Social Work.
Students who successfully complete the MSW program are prepared to pursue licensure in accordance with the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) in Colorado and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Licensure requirements may vary in different states and US territories.
Learn more about the Master of Social Work on the School of Social Work website.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Effective Fall 2019
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SOWK 500 | Principles and Philosophy of Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 511 | Small Systems Practice Skills | 3 |
| SOWK 515 | Theoretical Foundations for Social Work | 3 |
| SOWK 530 | Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOWK 520 | Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy | 3 |
| SOWK 588 | Field Placement | 6 |
| SOWK 592 | Integrative Foundation Field Seminar | 1 |
| Electives | 3-6 | |
| Total Credits | 13-16 | |
| Summer | ||
| Elective | 0-3 | |
| Total Credits | 0-3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SOWK 600 | Methods of Research | 3 |
| SOWK 630 | Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| SOWK 633 | Contemporary Issues in Social Welfare Policy | 3 |
| SOWK 688 | Field Placement | 7 |
| Elective | 0-3 | |
| Total Credits | 16-19 | |
| Spring | ||
| SOWK 631 | Advanced Community Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 634 | Advanced Practice with Families and Groups | 3 |
| SOWK 688 | Field Placement | 8 |
| SOWK 698 | Advanced Research and Social Work Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 64 | |
A minimum of 64 credits are required to complete the full M.S.W. program.
Effective Fall 2019
Advanced Standing M.S.W.
This option is available only to those who have earned a B.S.W. from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and have earned that degree within the past seven years. The B.S.W. degree must be granted prior to the beginning of advanced standing classes. Applicants must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the entire B.S.W.
Students attend one full year consisting of three semesters, starting with the Summer term.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR | ||
| SUMMER (6 Credits) | ||
| SOWK 530 | Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice | 3 |
| Required Elective | 3 | |
| FALL (16 Credits) | ||
| SOWK 600 | Methods of Research | 3 |
| SOWK 630 | Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| SOWK 633 | Contemporary Issues in Social Welfare Policy | 3 |
| SOWK 688 | Field Placement | 7 |
| SPRING (17 Credits) | ||
| SOWK 631 | Advanced Community Practice | 3 |
| SOWK 634 | Advanced Practice with Families and Groups | 3 |
| SOWK 688 | Field Placement | 8 |
| SOWK 698 | Advanced Research and Social Work Capstone | 3 |
| Program Total Credits: | 39 | |
A minimum of 39 credits are required to complete the Advanced Standing M.S.W. program.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |