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:

  1. Serve as skilled practitioners who engage in ethical, autonomous, and multi-disciplinary practice across system levels utilizing a Person-in-Environment perspective.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Practice life-long learning, engage in scientific inquiry, and utilize critical thinking to inform practice at all system levels.
  5. 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:

  1. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
SOWK 500Principles and Philosophy of Social Work3
SOWK 511Small Systems Practice Skills3
SOWK 515Theoretical Foundations for Social Work3
SOWK 530Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice3
Elective3
 Total Credits15
Spring
SOWK 520Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy3
SOWK 588Field Placement6
SOWK 592Integrative Foundation Field Seminar1
Electives3-6
 Total Credits13-16
Summer
Elective0-3
 Total Credits0-3
Second Year
Fall
SOWK 600Methods of Research3
SOWK 630Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals3
SOWK 633Contemporary Issues in Social Welfare Policy3
SOWK 688Field Placement7
Elective0-3
 Total Credits16-19
Spring
SOWK 631Advanced Community Practice3
SOWK 634Advanced Practice with Families and Groups3
SOWK 688Field Placement8
SOWK 698Advanced Research and Social Work Capstone3
 Total Credits17
 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.

FIRST YEAR
SUMMER (6 Credits)
SOWK 530Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice3
Required Elective3
FALL (16 Credits)
SOWK 600Methods of Research3
SOWK 630Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals3
SOWK 633Contemporary Issues in Social Welfare Policy3
SOWK 688Field Placement7
SPRING (17 Credits)
SOWK 631Advanced Community Practice3
SOWK 634Advanced Practice with Families and Groups3
SOWK 688Field Placement8
SOWK 698Advanced Research and Social Work Capstone3
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