Admission Steps
Social Work (Denver Campus Program) - MSW
Admission Requirements
For the 2023-2024 academic year
Fall 2023 quarter (beginning in September)
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Final submission deadline: August 1, 2023
Winter 2024 quarter (beginning in January)
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Final submission deadline: December 1, 2023
Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.
Degrees and GPA Requirements
Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.
Grade point average: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree. An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for the baccalaureate. For applicants with graduate coursework but who have not earned a master’s degree or higher, the GPA from the graduate work may be used to meet the requirement. The minimum GPA is a cumulative 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework undertaken.
Program GPA requirement: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for this program is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Prerequisites
A minimum of 20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours in undergraduate course work in the arts and humanities, social/behavioral sciences and biological sciences. For each liberal arts course taken to fulfill this requirement, students must earn a grade of "C" (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better. In addition, you must have completed at least one course in English composition or present evidence of testing out of the English composition requirement.
Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers
Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), C1 Advanced or Duolingo English Test are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years from the test date.
The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:
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Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 95
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Minimum IELTS Score: 7
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Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 185
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Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 125
English Conditional Acceptance Offered: No, this program does not offer English Conditional Admission.
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Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.
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Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.
Additional Standards for International Applicants
Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.
Application Materials
Transcripts
We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.
Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.
Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are optional. Our holistic approach to reviewing applications, with or without a letter of recommendation, is a reliable basis for making a final admission decision.
If you choose to submit an academic and/or professional letter of recommendation, your recommenders should know you well and be able to speak about your background, your passion for social work and your ability to succeed in a graduate program.
Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.
Essays and Statements
Essay Instructions
Your Career Goals Statement is an essential part of your application. Your rationale for entering the social work profession, your self-awareness, creativity, critical thinking and writing skills are major factors committee members consider when reviewing your application.
The average statement length is four pages; submissions exceeding six pages are discouraged. Please double-space your statement, use a font size of no less than 12 and put your name in the upper right corner of each page. Answer questions 1-4 below. Answering question 5 is optional. Prior to writing your essay, review the NASW Code of Ethics.
1. Rationale: Identify significant factors that influenced your decision to pursue a master of social work (MSW) degree and how you intend to use it in the future. (1-2 paragraphs)
2. Social work values and ethics: Describe your understanding of the social work profession and its core values. Compare your own values with the professional social work values, any potential value based or ethical conflicts you might experience and how you plan to address or reconcile these conflicts (whether it be in the classroom, in field, in future practice or in any other areas). (1 page)
3. Personal and professional attributes and liabilities: Describe any cultural, economic or social challenges and/or opportunities that have provided you with a unique perspective about social work issues. What insights did you gain from these experiences about how to maintain professional judgment and performance during times of distress? (1 page)
4. Employment and volunteer history: Discuss the relationship between your educational, employment and volunteer experiences and what qualities equip you for the social work profession. Describe your experiences and feelings about working with populations different from your own. (1 page)
5. Optional: Please address any special academic or other considerations that you would like GSSW to consider in the review of your application.
Résumé Instructions
The résumé (or C.V.) should include all educational achievements, relevant work experience, research and/or volunteer work.
Start the Application
Start Your Application
Your submitted materials will be reviewed once all materials and application fees have been received.
Our program can only consider your application for admission if our Office of Graduate Education has received all your online materials and supplemental materials by our application deadline.
Application Fee: $65.00 Application Fee
International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor's or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.
Financial Aid Information
Applicants should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.