Social Work, MSW

The UCCS Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares students to change lives and communities for the better through ethical and competent trauma-informed social work practice.

Graduates are prepared for careers as professional social workers able to help individuals, families, groups, and communities enhance, restore, and create conditions favorable to social functioning. Students are trained to be clinicians, advocates, and leaders who make a difference in the lives of clients and communities impacted by trauma.

The MSW program follows a modified cohort model. As such, traditional MSW applicants (e.g., full-time and extended degree plans) are admitted in the fall semester only. Advanced Standing applicants are admitted in the summer only.

Applicant Materials:

• Online Graduate School Application
• A non-refundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
• Professional statements for 3 writing prompts (500 to 1,000 words for each question)
• Current resume
• Contact information for 2 professional references

Specific details about the application process are included in the MSW Student Handbook.

MSW Program Prerequisites:

A four-year undergraduate degree from an institution accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association (or equivalent if your degree was earned outside of the U.S.)

Grades sufficiently high to indicate the ability to pursue graduate work. Typically, this is a grade point average of 3.0 or better. However, when applicants have an exceptional application, those with a lower GPA may be considered. The UCCS Graduate School requires a GPA of 2.75 or higher for full admission to UCCS graduate programs.

Sufficient undergraduate preparation and training for graduate study in social welfare (at least 18 social science credits in anthropology, economics, ethnic studies, geography, history, linguistics, political science, psychology, sociology, etc, or any combination)

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission to the MSW program.

Advanced Standing Program:

Students who hold an undergraduate social work degree from a Council on Social Work Education Accredited program may apply for the Advanced Standing Program (ASP). Students applying to the advanced standing program must submit a copy of a field/practicum placement evaluation(s).

Application Deadlines:

Applications are reviewed in batches during the weeks following each deadline, with the first review starting on December 2nd. Applicants will be notified of decisions within 2-3 weeks after each deadline. 

The UCCS Master of Social Work is 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 staff.

Assessment

All social work programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) measure and report student learning outcomes, which are based on the 9 social work competencies outlined in the CSWE accreditation standards. These competencies are dimensions of social work practice which all social workers are expected to master during their professional training. Click the link below for more information.