The UCCS Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work are both accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.

Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process.  An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. 

Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program.  Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact Accreditation.

Given that social work licensure is typically required to practice as social worker, particularly at the MSW level, it is important that students know the licensing requirements in the state or location in which they intend to practice. The requirements for licensure are determined by the social work board of the state in question, and they vary by state. Because of variability in state regulations, and due to the fact that we have not yet completed CSWE’s accreditation process, UCCS cannot guarantee that our BSW and MSW programs will fulfill licensure requirements in students’ desired locations of practice. This webpage is dedicated to ensuring that current and potential BSW and MSW students can easily access information about licensure requirements in various locations.

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) is the association of boards that regulates social work and serves as an additional resource for students who have questions about licensing. The ASWB features an excellent website where you can compare Social Work Licensure Requirements for all of the jurisdictions in the United States, the US protectorates, and in Canada.

Students who graduate from the UCCS MSW program are eligible for social work licensure in Colorado.

There is no Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)-level licensing in the state of Colorado. As a CSWE-accredited program, BSW graduates qualify to practice social work in some settings without a license.

Please review the licensure requirements on the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners’ webpage.

The Colorado National Association of Social Workers also has excellent information on their SWC, LSW, & LCSW Licensure webpage.

You may contact the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners with questions directly at (303) 894-7800 and/or dora_mentalhealthboard@state.co.us.

Most state boards list graduation from a CSWE-accredited program as a requirement for licensing.

To learn about the specific licensure requirements in your desired state or location of practice, please review the webpage of the appropriate regulatory body (linked below), and contact the appropriate board by telephone or email with specific questions (contact information provided below).

BSW and MSW students alike are advised to inquire about policies in their state of interest regarding licensure for graduates of programs that are in the CSWE accreditation process but have not yet been accredited.

BSW students in states that do not license at the BSW level are advised to inquire about the state’s requirements for non-licensed practicing social workers.