Social Work

Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Social Work (M.S.W.)

Degree Overview

Obtain a master's degree in social work from the fully accredited School of Social Work at Colorado State University. The school is dedicated to the values and ethics of the profession of social work. Through your coursework, you will learn to utilize community resources to promote the well-being of all, understand the complexities of people and their interactions through a recognized body of knowledge, and advocate for the welfare of humankind.

  • Advance your career through a part-time program designed for working professionals.
  • Learn from our experienced and knowledgeable faculty members through a combination of face-to-face instruction and distance learning methods.
  • Earn a master's degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, providing the basis for obtaining a state social work license.

The program focuses on an advanced generalist social work practice in the context of community. This perspective recognizes that practice is informed by socio-behavioral and ecosystems knowledge. That knowledge is rooted in ideologies that include democracy, humanism, and empowerment. The degree prepares you for direct and indirect interventions that are client-centered, problem-focused, and research-based.

Requirements

The program is designed for students without a bachelor's degree in social work, but who have a four-year undergraduate degree in another field. Students must complete 62 credits over nine consecutive semesters. Learn more about the degree requirements

Curriculum

Colorado State University teaches a nationally recognized advanced generalist curriculum. Learn more about the curriculum

Course Descriptions

Coursework includes advanced content in individual, group, and family practice, community practice, organizational practice, social welfare policy, and program evaluation research. Learn more about required courses

Faculty

MSW program graduate Earl Poteet says, "Since starting this program, I have a better understanding and more tools for helping my clients. I have so many more tools now than I ever had in the previous 25 years of working in this field. [...] I was attracted by the diversity of the degree, combined with the outstanding curriculum. That allowed for so many career options upon graduation."

Read more »

Our faculty members bring a wealth of knowledge about social work to the program, with extensive experience in child welfare, mental health, disabilities, social policy, human service administration, community and organizational change, populations at risk, and research. Learn more about our faculty

What Our Students Say

"If I had to come up with a slogan to describe CSU Fort Collins' distance learning MSW program it would be 'flexibility and integrity delivered with compassion, competence and the highest quality and standards of academic instruction.'"
-Jeff Lujan, Colorado Springs MSW Student
Read what other students say

Career Opportunities

With a Master of Social Work, you gain the skills and knowledge to work with a wide range of clientele in countless areas of the social services sector, from domestic abuse to mental health to child and geriatric care. Learn more about career opportunities

How to Apply

To be admitted to the program, you must have 450 hours of verifiable human service work and/or volunteer experience; a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution, with 18 credits in social and behavioral sciences; and a minimum GPA of 3.0. GRE scores are not required. Find out how to apply

The Learning Experience

The program comprises both face-to-face, classroom-based instruction and distance learning methods. As a cohort program, the same group of students starts and completes the program together to ensure maximum networking, strong relationships, and an enhanced learning community.

Cohorts meet one weekend per month, four weekends per semester. The first weekend of the semester is typically held in Fort Collins. There are three semesters of coursework each year. Find out more about the learning experience

Questions? Ask us.

We'll be in touch within 2 business days.

- or contact -

Mike Macklin
(970) 491-7583
michael.macklin@colostate.edu

Receive periodic emails about this program.

Degree at a Glance

Colorado Springs and Fort Collins

Each course meets four weekends per semester, three weekends in Colorado Springs and one weekend in Fort Collins.

Tuition

$466 per credit (financial aid available)

Thornton and Fort Collins

Each course meets four weekends per semester, three weekends in Thornton and one weekend in Fort Collins.

Delivery

In addition to face-to-face instruction, instructional hours will be delivered online through web-based learning. Students will need a computer with internet access in order to participate in online learning.

Total credits

62 credits

Time frame

This is a three-year program. Refer to Requirements and Curriculum for more information.

Designed for

Individuals working in human services who want to increase their professional skills and earning potential, those who are interested in a career in social work and want to broaden their knowledge base from an advanced generalist perspective, working professionals or students who are interested in a part-time degree program without interruption of their work schedule, individuals seeking a career change to expand opportunities and increase marketability.

What you will earn

You will earn the same regionally-accredited Colorado State University degree that a student on the Fort Collins campus is awarded. Your diploma and transcript are identical to those awarded to on-campus students.