Social Work

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

Social Work (M.S.W.)

More Information

For questions about registration and learning in Brighton and Colorado Springs:

Karima Bounini
Continuing Education
(303) 376-2617
kbounini@learn.colostate.edu

For curriculum and academic advising questions:

Nancy A. Banman, Ph.D.
School of Social Work
(970) 491-0996
nbanman@colostate.edu

For admissions questions:

Peter Friedrichsen
School of Social Work
(970) 491-2536
Peter.Friedrichsen@colostate.edu

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Degree Overview

Obtain a master's degree in social work from the fully accredited School of Social Work at Colorado State University. The School of Social Work is dedicated to the values and the ethics of the profession of social work: the welfare of humankind, the disciplined use of a recognized body of knowledge about people and their interactions, and the marshalling of community resources to promote the well-being of all.

This master's degree is a part-time program with cohorts based in Brighton and Colorado Springs. It is designed to enable individuals who are employed full-time to obtain licensing in the social work profession.

You will focus 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 based on 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.

You will learn in a practice model that is problem solving centered, rather than methods driven. The program uses the ecological or person-in-environment perspective for assessment and intervention. Course work includes advanced content in individual, group and family practice, community practice, organizational practice, social welfare policy, and program evaluation research.

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

Degree Benefits

The advanced generalist curriculum in this flexible graduate degree prepares you to be employed in a broad range of social services sectors and is very versatile in its applications. Other benefits include:

  • Earn a Master of Social Work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education that provides the basis for obtaining a state social work license.
  • Learn from CSU faculty who travel to Brighton and Colorado Springs for classes and maintain regular contact with students through the Internet and telephone.
  • Attend the graduation ceremony in person and participate in the on-campus graduation ceremony. You can also view a live online streaming video of the graduation ceremony.
  • Interact and network with others in your industry.

Degree at a Glance

Brighton and Fort Collins

The next Brighton Advanced Standing cohort begins January 2011. Applications for Advanced Standing Admission are due by July 1, 2010.

Location

Brighton Learning Center
1850 Egbert St.
Brighton, CO 80601

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

Tuition

– $444 per credit
– $27,528 for Regular Admssion students
– $17,760 for Advanced Standing students
(financial aid available)

Colorado Springs and Fort Collins

The next Colorado Springs cohort begins January 2012. Applications for Regular Admission will be available January 15, 2011 and due by June 1, 2011.

The next Colorado Springs Advanced Standing cohort begins January 2013. Applications for Advanced Standing Admission will be available February, 1 2012 and due by July 1, 2012.

Each course meets four weekends per semester, three weekends in Colorado Springs 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 for the three-year regular program
– 40 credits for the two-year advanced standing program

Time Frame

This program is either two or three years depending on your eligibility. Refer to the Admission and Application page 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 given to on-campus students.