The two-year MSW program is available to applicants with baccalaureate degrees in academic disciplines other than social work.
The University of Denver uses a quarter system in which the regular academic calendar includes three quarters: fall, winter and spring. If you attend full-time, you'll complete the 90-quarter-hour MSW program in two years (six quarters). In some cases, you may be required, or choose, to take courses in the fourth (summer) quarter and/or during the winter interterm session (a 4-week period between fall and winter quarters).
Foundation year
All two-year students begin their foundation year course work in fall quarter. During the foundation year, you'll be introduced to the professional foundation of social work and acquire a basic knowledge of intervention skills and techniques used to improve the social functioning of individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. You'll also learn about social justice and how it relates to social work ethics.
By the third quarter of your foundation year, you'll decide what you want to specialize in during your concentration year.
For detailed curriculum requirements, see the GSSW Bulletin.
Concentration year
In the second or concentration year, you'll advance your knowledge and skill by specializing in one of two social work concentrations:
- clinical practice, focusing on individuals, couples, groups and families, or
- community practice, focusing on social planning, administration, policy development and advocacy, and community organization.
For detailed curriculum requirements, see the GSSW Bulletin.
