At the Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW), teaching and research are shaped and guided by our social justice mandate and the needs of our community. Our small classes mean youll develop close research and scholarship collaborations with faculty mentors. Individual career planning and support services will help you realize your ambitions, and a range of organizations, activities and events from the Shades of Brown Alliance for individuals of color and allies, to the Catalyst Series for Social Justice will provide opportunities to connect outside of the classroom.
A master's degree in social work with a specialization in Children & Youth will prepare you to work across developmental stages from birth to early adulthood in settings that include mental health clinics, family services, community and government agencies, schools, youth programs, treatment centers and the juvenile legal system.
Using a strengths-based resilience framework, youll learn to apply theories and methods for youth development, assessment, prevention, early intervention and clinical treatment with children and adolescents. Coursework emphasizes equitable and culturally responsive practices that focus on individuals and communities in their environment.
The Denver Campus MSW Program is for students who have a bachelor's degree in any field other than social work. (If you already have a bachelor's degree in social work, the Advanced-Standing Denver Campus MSW Program is the program for you.) Full-time students attend classes during weekdays, while part-time students can take some evening classes. Field internships may require weekday hours, but if youre already employed in a human services organization or agency, your current job may count toward your internship requirement.
In the full-time program, you can obtain your degree in under two years. Classes are weekdays, and most classes must be taken on campus, limited Saturday and online class options are available. Most internships are offered during weekday business hours. You can choose between starting your MSW program during winter or fall quarters. With a winter start, youll have a lighter credit load some quarters, but youll take classes and work at your internships during summer. If you start in fall, youll take more credit hours some quarters, but youll have summers off.
