Social Work Degree Programs in Colorado

As the highest state in the United States, Colorado has more mountains reaching 14,000 feet in elevation than any other state. Known as the "Centennial State," Colorado is renowned for its tourist attractions at Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, the Great Sand Dunes, and world-class skiing resorts that claim more than 300 inches of snowfall annually.


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Being the sixth largest state at 104,100 square miles, it is no surprise that Colorado is packed with some exceptional undergraduate and graduate programs in Social Work. The following are the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Social Work that have been accredited by the CSWE in Colorado.

Colorado State University

School of Social Work

Standing proudly on nearly 5,000 acres of land at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Northern Colorado at Fort Collins, Colorado State University is among the leading research universities in the United States. According to the recent 2014 survey from the U.S. News and World Report, CSU has been ranked as the 121st best college and 60th top public school in the nation. The university was also included in the 2014 edition of the "Best 378 Colleges" by the Princeton Review for its excellent green efforts, myriad research opportunities, and friendly atmosphere.

As a division of the CSU College of Health and Human Sciences, the School of Social Work is nationally recognized for having the 60th best graduate social work program in the country. Perfectly aligned with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards from the Council on Social Work Education, the School endeavors to enhance human health and well-being by strengthening social work knowledge through high-quality teaching, research, service, and clinical practice.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

The undergraduate Bachelor of Social Work program at CSU is designed to prepare students for professional and ethical generalist social work practice across all system levels. The program aims to create social workers who have a strong knowledge of social work practices and theories, behave in an appropriate manner that aligns with the NASW Code of Ethics, demonstrate commitment to social and economic justice, and participate in lifelong learning for continual professional development. After successfully completing the 120-credit hour program, graduates are well-prepared to assume the role of counselor, community agent, advocate, mediator, and researcher in a variety of settings.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

The School of Social Work offers both an on-campus and distance Master of Social Work program designed to help prepare students for advanced generalist practice in dynamic professional settings. Students enrolled in the 62-credit hour program are required to participate in two field placements for a minimum of 945 combined internship hours for real-world experience in an approved clinical setting. In order to be admitted into the MSW program at CSU, applicants must have a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited university within the last seven years, at least 18 credits in social/behavioral sciences, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and more than 400 hours of verified work or volunteer experience related to social work.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation
  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Colorado Commission on Higher Education

Contact Information

127 Education Center
1586 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523
(970) 491-6612
[email protected]
http://www.ssw.chhs.colostate.edu/

Colorado State University – Pueblo

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Nestled within a rich historic and cultural community at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado State University at Pueblo is located just a short distance from the metropolitan areas of Denver and Colorado Springs. With more than 300 days of sunshine providing a positive atmosphere, CSU Pueblo prides itself on providing world-class education taught by experts in their field to students with intimately small class sizes. Since it was first founded in 1933 as a three-room junior college with 63 students, the university has thrived to now serve nearly 5,000 students from all 50 states in more than 32 degree programs.

The CSU Pueblo College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) aims to help students develop the essential critical thinking and problem solving skills, ethical/cultural perspectives, and aesthetic awareness to become well-rounded professionals and citizens. In particular, the Department of Social Work is committed to promoting social justice, economic equality, creativity, and innovation with a strong knowledge base in the curriculum. Accredited by the CSWE since 1982, the department places emphasis on social work practice with the Chicano and other regional communities within the Southwest.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

The CSU Pueblo Bachelor of Social Work program is designed to help prepare students for careers as professional social workers. Through the rigorous curriculum, students take courses in Social Justice, Policy and Service, Research Methods, Diversity, Populations at Risk, and Values and Ethics. In the fall semester of the senior year, students are required to participate in a field practicum for hands-on clinical experience in a social service agency. In order to be accepted into the BSW program, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in required social work courses, pass a background check, provide an official transcript from each institution attended, and supply two letters of reference from instructors or employers.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation
  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact Information

Psychology Building, Room 102
2200 Bonforte Blvd.
Pueblo, CO 81001
(719) 549-2831
[email protected]

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Department of Social Work

As a high-quality urban college of opportunity for a diverse student body of more than 23,000, Metropolitan State University of Denver is ranked as the 23rd best college and 5th top public school in the West by U.S. News and World Report. MSU Denver offers coursework in three distinct locations in downtown Auraria, Northglenn, and Greenwood Village, as well as online from anywhere with an Internet connection. In the Military Times newspaper, Metropolitan State College of Denver was ranked as the 52nd best university for providing programs and resources for more than 1,000 active duty and veterans of the U.S. Military.

Within the School of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, the Department of Social Work is dedicated to educating and training professionals in generalist social work practice. With a strong focus on the issues that affect oppressed minorities of color and other diverse populations, the department seeks to create leaders for social justice to fight against unjust human conditions. Reaccredited by the Council on Social Work Education in 2008 for eight more years, the department provides social work programs at both the baccalaureate and master's level.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

The Bachelor of Social Work program at MSU Denver is designed to prepare students for generalist social work professions with diverse populations at risk, including the individuals, groups, families, organizations, or whole communities. Students in the program must have 24 credits of prerequisites, 30 credits of program requirements, 18 credits in electives, and 48 credits in social work coursework to graduate with a total 120 credits. BSW degree-seeking students must also fulfill a minimum of 90 hours of volunteer/internship work in a social service setting and maintain documentation to successfully complete the program.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

The Master of Social Work program is focused on helping students develop essential skills in clinical assessment, intervention, ethical decision making, scientific inquiry, leadership, self-reflection, and global awareness. Students with undergraduate degrees in majors other social work are required to complete the full two-year, 60-credit hour program. However, applicants with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from an accredited university are able to qualify for the advanced standing one-year, 30-credit hour program.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation
  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)

Contact Information

Central Classroom, Suite 315
PO Box 173362 Campus Box 70
Denver, CO 80217
(303) 556-3474
[email protected]
http://msudenver.edu/socialwork/

University of Denver

Graduate School of Social Work

Settled at the base of the Rocky Mountains in the vibrant urban center of Colorado's capital city, the University of Denver is ranked as the 91st best college and 10th best up-and-coming school in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, the DU Graduate School of Social Work has been nationally recognized as the 26th best graduate program for social work in the United States. With a small average class size of just 14, the School offers more than 600 clinical and community field internship options in the Denver area.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Ranked in the top 11 percent of all accredited graduate social work programs in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report, the Master of Social Work program is offered on the main campus, the Four Corners campus in Durango, and the Western Colorado campus in Glenwood Springs. Within the two-year MSW program, students are encouraged to select a concentration in Child Welfare, Children and Youth, Family Systems, Aging Services, Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Organizational Leadership, or Global Practice. Students in the program can also further their expertise by pursuing a concurrent certificate in Animal-Assisted Social Work, Couples and Family Therapy, or Social Work with Latinos.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation (CSWE) Commission on Accreditation
  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact Information

2148 South High St.
Denver, CO 80208
(303) 871-2886
[email protected]
http://www.du.edu/socialwork/programs/oncampus/index.html