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MSW Program Curriculum
Important Update: The MSW program at MSU Denver is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. To uphold the 2022 Educational Policy an Accreditation Standards developed by CSWE, the MSW program curriculum has been updated effective Fall 2025. All students accepted to the MSW program in summer or fall 2025 will complete their degree under new requirements. The information listed below reflects the new Fall 2025 MSW Program Curriculum.
See the 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog for current MSW program requirements.
There are two types of programs in the MSW degree. The “MSW Regular Program” is for students who do not have a bachelor’s degree in social work, and the “MSW Advanced Standing Program” is for students who do.
Below you will find the curriculum guides for full-time and part-time completion options for both MSW Program options.
MSW Regular Program Curriculum
The MSW Regular Program is a 60 credit hour program designed for students with an undergraduate degree in a field other than social work. The Regular Program begins in fall semesters only.
The Regular Program can be completed in 2 years full time or 4 years part time and is available in both the mixed traditional and fully online course delivery options.
To learn more about the course sequencing, please download a MSW Regular Program Advising Snapshot. The Advising Snapshot outlines the required sequence of coursework in both the full time and part time plans. Any deviation from this plan must be approved by the Office of Social Work Student Services.
MSW Regular Program Full Time Plan
Required Foundation Coursework
FALL - Year 1
SWKM 5400 The Art of Theoretical Inquiry: Social Work Theories Over Time (3)
SWKM 5425 Exploring the Foundations of Justice (3)
SWKM 5575 Groups and Teams: Collective Action for Change (3)
SWKM 5600 Co-creating Change with Individuals and Families (3)
SWKM 5625 Field Experience I (3)*
SPRING - Year 1
SWKM 5475 Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice (3) OR SWKM Elective (3)
SWKM 5500 Integrating Research and Evaluation Into Social Work Practice (3)
SWKM 5450 Deconstructing Social Policy: Critical Analysis for Change (3)
SWKM 5650 Organizational Transformation: Empowering Communities (3)
SWKM 5675 Field Experience II (3)*
*Foundation Field Placement consists of 13-14 hours/week (200 hours/semester, 400 hours/year)
Required Concentration Coursework
FALL - Year 2
Choose 2:
- SWKM 6425 Advancing Justice in Organizations and Communities (3)
- SWKM 6450 Advanced Application of Clinical Social Work (3)
- SWKM 6475 Advanced Policy Advocacy Practice (3)
- SWKM 5475 Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice (3)
SWKM Elective (3)
SWKM 6700 Developing the Capstone Project (3)*
SWKM 6725 Field Experience III (3)*
SPRING - Year 2
Choose 2:
- SWKM 6425 Advancing Justice in Organizations and Communities (3)
- SWKM 6450 Advanced Application of Clinical Social Work (3)
- SWKM 6475 Advanced Policy Advocacy Practice (3)
- SWKM 5475 Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice (3) OR SWKM Elective (3)
SWKM Elective (3)
SWKM 6750 Implementing the Capstone Project (3)*
SWKM 6775 Field Experience IV (3)*
*Concentration Field Placement consists of 16-17 hours/week (250 hours/semester, 500 hours/year)
MSW Regular Program Part Time Plan
Required Foundation Coursework
FALL - Year 1
SWKM 5400 The Art of Theoretical Inquiry: Social Work Theories Over Time (3)
SWKM 5425 Exploring the Foundations of Justice (3)
SWKM 5575 Groups and Teams: Collective Action for Change (3)
SPRING - Year 1
SWKM 5450 Deconstructing Social Policy: Critical Analysis for Change (3)
SWKM 5500 Integrating Research and Evaluation Into Social Work Practice (3)
SWKM 5475 Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice (3) OR SWKM Elective (3)
FALL - Year 2
SWKM 5600 Co-creating Change with Individuals and Families (3)
SWKM 5625 Field Experience I (3)*
SPRING - Year 2
SWKM 5650 Organizational Transformation: Empowering Communities (3)
SWKM 5675 Field Experience II (3)*
*Foundation Field Placement consists of 13-14 hours/week (200 hours/semester, 400 hours/year)
Required Concentration Coursework
FALL - Year 3
Choose 2:
- SWKM 6425 Advancing Justice in Organizations and Communities (3)
- SWKM 6450 Advanced Application of Clinical Social Work (3)
- SWKM 6475 Advanced Policy Advocacy Practice (3)
- SWKM 5475 Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice (3)
SWKM Elective (3)
SPRING - Year 3
Choose 2:
- SWKM 6425 Advancing Justice in Organizations and Communities (3)
- SWKM 6450 Advanced Application of Clinical Social Work (3)
- SWKM 6475 Advanced Policy Advocacy Practice (3)
- SWKM 5475 Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice (3) OR SWKM Elective (3)
SWKM Elective (3)
FALL - Year 4
SWKM 6700 Developing the Capstone Project (3)*
SWKM 6725 Field Experience III (3)*
SPRING - Year 4
SWKM 6750 Implementing the Capstone Project (3)*
SWKM 6775 Field Experience IV (3)*
*Concentration Field Placement consists of 16-17 hours/week (250 hours/semester, 500 hours/year)
MSW Advanced Standing Program Curriculum
The MSW Advanced Standing Program is a 36 credit hour program designed for students with an undergraduate degree in a social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. The Advanced Standing Program begins in summer semesters only.
The Advanced Standing Program can be completed in 1 year full time or 2 years part time and is available in both the mixed traditional and fully online course delivery options.
To learn more about the course sequencing, please download a MSW Advanced Standing Program Advising Snapshot. The Advising Snapshot outlines the required sequence of coursework in both the full time and part time plans. Any deviation from this plan must be approved by the Office of Social Work Student Services.
MSW Advanced Standing Full Time Plan
Required Concentration Coursework
SUMMER - Year 1
SWKM 6400 Bridge Seminar (3)
SWKM Elective (3)
FALL - Year 1
Choose 2:
- SWKM 6425 Advancing Justice in Organizations and Communities (3)
- SWKM 6450 Advanced Application of Clinical Social Work (3)
- SWKM 6475 Advanced Policy Advocacy Practice (3)
- SWKM 5475 Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice
SWKM Elective (3)
SWKM 6700 Developing the Capstone Project (3)*
SWKM 6725 Field Experience III (3)*
SPRING - Year 1
Choose 2:
- SWKM 6425 Advancing Justice in Organizations and Communities (3)
- SWKM 6450 Advanced Application of Clinical Social Work (3)
- SWKM 6475 Advanced Policy Advocacy Practice (3)
- SWKM 5475 Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice
SWKM Elective (3)
SWKM 6750 Implementing the Capstone Project (3)*
SWKM 6775 Field Experience IV (3)*
*Concentration Field Placement consists of 16-17 hours/week (250 hours/semester, 500 hours/year)
MSW Advanced Standing Part Time Plan
Required Concentration Coursework
SUMMER - Year 1
SWKM 6400 Bridge Seminar (3)
SWKM Elective (3)
FALL - Year 1
Choose 2:
- SWKM 6425 Advancing Justice in Organizations and Communities (3)
- SWKM 6450 Advanced Application of Clinical Social Work (3)
- SWKM 6475 Advanced Policy Advocacy Practice (3)
- SWKM 5475 Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice
SWKM Elective (3)
SPRING - Year 1
Choose 2:
- SWKM 6425 Advancing Justice in Organizations and Communities (3)
- SWKM 6450 Advanced Application of Clinical Social Work (3)
- SWKM 6475 Advanced Policy Advocacy Practice (3)
- SWKM 5475 Legal Issues Impacting Social Work Practice
SWKM Elective (3)
FALL - Year 2
SWKM 6700 Developing the Capstone Project (3)*
SWKM 6725 Field Experience III (3)*
SPRING - Year 2
SWKM 6750 Implementing the Capstone Project (3)*
SWKM 6775 Field Experience IV (3)*
*Concentration Field Placement consists of 16-17 hours/week (250 hours/semester, 500 hours/year)
Course Delivery Options
Students may complete the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program in either the fully online or the mixed traditional (combination online and on campus) course delivery option.
In the fully online course delivery option, students take all courses online and are guaranteed a spot in online sections of all required courses. Field placements are done in person, but can be done in the student’s local community.
In the mixed traditional (combination online and on campus) course delivery option, students may take courses on campus, online, and/or in the hybrid format. While we guarantee that there will be a spot for students in a section of all required courses, we cannot guarantee that students will always get into their first choice of section. Field placements are done in person, but can be done in the student’s local community.
Students will be accepted into either the fully online or mixed traditional (combination online and on campus) course delivery option at admission. If you need to change your course delivery option, please contact the Office of Social Work Student Services at [email protected].
To learn more about on campus, online, and hybrid course options, please visit our Course Delivery Information page.
Enrollment Options
Students may complete the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program full time or part time.
Full time students will take a total of 15 credits per semester. The Regular Program takes 2 years to complete full time and the Advanced Standing Program takes 1 year to complete full time.
Part time students will take between 6 and 9 credits per semester. The Regular Program takes 4 years to complete part time and the Advanced Standing Program takes 2 years to complete part time.
Students will be accepted into either the full time or part time option at admission. If you need to change your enrollment option, please contact the Office of Social Work Student Services at [email protected].
Pathways and Electives
In the MSW Program at MSU Denver, students may select to further focus their practice in one of the many pathways offered in the program. Pathways are advising recommendations of electives that help students enhance learning in special areas. Students are not required to pick a pathway, but we offer them as an enrichment to the MSW Program. Students are free to take electives from any pathway they choose. With pathways, students are given more choice in their education. Students do not start a pathway until the concentration year. Below you can find a list of all approved MSW Program electives as well as information about current pathway offerings and the electives that fall under each pathway.
Please note – not all electives will be offered every semester. If there is a term listed in parenthesis after the elective title in the first drop down, that indicates the semester the course is likely to be offered. It may be offered during other semesters as well.
The following electives are approved by the Department of Social Work. If an elective counts within a pathway, it is indicated below. As a reminder, students are not required to choose a pathway and can select any of the electives offered in order to meet their learning goals.
- SWKM 6085 – Fundraising & Grant Writing
- Pathways: Leadership & Management
- SWKM 6090 – Advanced Topics in Privilege, Oppression & Power
- Pathways: Mental Health, Leadership & Management, Children & Families, School Social Work, Gerontological Social Work, Social Work in Health Care, Children & Youth, International Social Work
- SWKM 6095 – Social Work and Addiction (Spring)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Children & Families, School Social Work, Social Work in Health Care
- SWKM 6207 – International Social Work (Spring)
- Pathways: Children & Families, International Social Work
- SWKM 6625 – Crisis Intervention and Response to Interpersonal Violence (Fall, Spring, Summer)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Children & Families, School Social Work, Social Work in Health Care, Children & Youth
- SWKM 6630 – Social Work in Health and Integrated Practice (Fall)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Leadership & Management, Gerontological Social Work, Social Work in Health Care
- SWKM 6635 – School-Based Social Work (Fall, Spring, Summer)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Children & Families, School Social Work, Children & Youth
- Required for those that plan to get a license in School Social Work.
- SWKM 6640 – Social Work Supervision (Fall)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Leadership & Management, Children & Families
- SWKM 6645 – Organizational Development and Change (Spring)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Leadership & Management, Children & Families, Gerontological Social Work, Social Work in Health Care
- SWKM 6650 – The DSM for Social Work (Fall, Spring, Summer)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Children & Families, School Social Work, Gerontological Social Work, Social Work in Health Care
- SWKM 6655 – Therapeutic Use of Groups (Spring)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Children & Families, Gerontological Social Work, Social Work in Health Care, Children & Youth
- SWKM 6660 – Experiential Practice (Fall)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Children & Families, Children & Youth
- SWKM 6665 – Adventure & Wilderness-Based Practice (Spring)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Children and Youth
- SWKM 6670 – Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice (Fall, Spring, Summer)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Children & Families, School Social Work, Gerontological Social Work, Social Work in Health Care, Children & Youth
- SWKM 6675 – Chronic and Serious Illness: Advanced Practice Skills (Spring)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Gerontological Social Work, Social Work in Health Care
- SWKM 6680 – Vital Skills for Late Life Populations (Spring)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Gerontological Social Work, Social Work and Health Care
- SWKM 6685 – Couples and Family Therapy (Spring)
- Pathways: Mental Health, School Social Work, Gerontological Social Work, Children & Youth
- SWKM 6695 – Social Documentary and Social Work (Spring)
- Pathways: Consult with Graduate Advising Services Coordinator for Pathway Eligibility
- SWKM 6705 – Justice, Equity and the Law in Child Welfare (Fall)
- Pathways: Children & Families, Children & Youth
- SWKM 6715 – Human Trafficking (Fall)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Leadership & Management, Children & Families, Children & Youth, International Social Work
- SWKM 6720 – Maternal and Infant Mental Health (Spring)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Children & Families, Social Work in Health Care, Children & Youth
- SWKM 6730 – Anti-Racist Social Work Practice (Spring)
- Pathways: Mental Health, Leadership & Management, Children & Families, School Social Work, Gerontological Social Work, Social Work in Health Care, Children & Youth, International Social Work
Students are prepared for effective multilevel practice with populations experiencing, or at-risk for, behavioral health/mental health and/or substance abuse concerns. Students learn specialized skills on how to practice directly with clients and client groups.
Approved electives:
- SWKM 6090 – Advanced Topics in Privilege, Oppression & Power
- SWKM 6095 – Social Work and Addiction
- SWKM 6625 – Crisis Intervention and Response to Interpersonal Violence
- SWKM 6630 – Social Work in Health and Integrated Practice
- SWKM 6635 – School-Based Social Work
- Required for those that plan to get a license in School Social Work.
- SWKM 6640 – Social Work Supervision
- SWKM 6645 – Organizational Development and Change
- SWKM 6650 – The DSM for Social Work
- SWKM 6655 – Therapeutic Use of Groups
- SWKM 6660 – Experiential Practice
- SWKM 6665 – Adventure & Wilderness-Based Practice
- SWKM 6670 – Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice
- SWKM 6675 – Chronic and Serious Illness: Advanced Practice Skills
- SWKM 6680 – Vital Skills for Late Life Populations
- SWKM 6685 – Couples and Family Therapy
- SWKM 6695 – Social Documentary and Social Work
- Consult with Graduate Advising Services Coordinator for Pathway Eligibility
- SWKM 6715 – Human Trafficking
- SWKM 6720 – Maternal and Infant Mental Health
- SWKM 6730 – Anti-Racist Social Work Practice
Please note – not all electives will be offered every semester. Make sure to check the course schedule for the current semester to determine what electives are offered.
Students are prepared to take on leadership roles such as program managers, agency directors, policy analysts, program evaluators, and community organizers. Students learn the skills needed to develop, administer, and enhance programs.
Approved electives:
- SWKM 6085 – Fundraising & Grant Writing
- SWKM 6090 – Advanced Topics in Privilege, Oppression & Power
- SWKM 6630 – Social Work in Health and Integrated Practice
- SWKM 6640 – Social Work Supervision
- SWKM 6645 – Organizational Development and Change
- SWKM 6660 – Experiential Practice
- SWKM 6695 – Social Documentary and Social Work
- Consult with Graduate Advising Services Coordinator for Pathway Eligibility
- SWKM 6715 – Human Trafficking
- SWKM 6730 – Anti-Racist Social Work Practice
Please note – not all electives will be offered every semester. Make sure to check the course schedule for the current semester to determine what electives are offered.
Students are prepared to work effectively with families and family systems in ways that promote healthy family functioning. They will learn to work with organizations and communities in ways to support youth and families. Students are also prepared to work with abused and neglected youth, their families and caregivers, supporting social service agencies, and the Department of Human Services child welfare delivery system.
Approved electives:
- SWKM 6090 – Advanced Topics in Privilege, Oppression & Power
- SWKM 6095 – Social Work & Addiction
- SWKM 6207 – International Social Work
- SWKM 6625 – Crisis Intervention and Response to Interpersonal Violence
- SWKM 6635 – School-Based Social Work Practice
- Required for those that plan to get a license in School Social Work.
- SWKM 6640 – Social Work Supervision
- SWKM 6645 – Organizational Development and Change
- SWKM 6650 – The DSM for Social Work
- SWKM 6655 – Therapeutic Use of Groups
- SWKM 6660 – Experiential Practice
- SWKM 6670 – Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice
- SWKM 6695 – Social Documentary and Social Work
- Consult with Graduate Advising Services Coordinator for Pathway Eligibility
- SWKM 6705 – Justice, Equity and the Law in Child Welfare
- SWKM 6715 – Human Trafficking
- SWKM 6720 – Maternal and Infant Mental Health
- SWKM 6730 – Anti-Racist Social Work Practice
Please note – not all electives will be offered every semester. Make sure to check the course schedule for the current semester to determine what electives are offered.
Students are prepared for how to effectively work with children and youth in various settings for effective multilevel practice. Students are prepared to work with various at-risk children including those who have emotional and developmental challenges, abused and neglected youth, their families and caregivers, and support social service agencies.
Approved electives:
- SWKM 6090 – Advanced Topics in Privilege, Oppression & Power
- SWKM 6625 – Crisis Intervention and Response to Interpersonal Violence
- SWKM 6635 – School-Based Social Work
- Required for those that plan to get a license in School Social Work.
- SWKM 6655 – Therapeutic Use of Groups
- SWKM 6660 – Experiential Practice
- SWKM 6665 – Adventure & Wilderness-Based Practice
- SWKM 6670 – Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice
- SWKM 6685 – Couples and Family Therapy
- SWKM 6695 – Social Documentary and Social Work
- Consult with Graduate Advising Services Coordinator for Pathway Eligibility
- SWKM 6705 – Justice, Equity and the Law in Child Welfare
- SWKM 6715 – Human Trafficking
- SWKM 6720 – Maternal and Infant Mental Health
- SWKM 6730 – Anti-Racist Social Work Practice
Please note – not all electives will be offered every semester. Make sure to check the course schedule for the current semester to determine what electives are offered.