edX Online

About the program

  • Top-ranked MSW program:

    University of Denver’s online MSW is ranked #1 in Colorado and #12 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.Footnote 1

  • Two program offerings:

    Learners can earn their degree in as few as 12 months for the Online Advanced-Standing MSW or 21 months for the Online MSW.

  • Flexible field placement options:

    Online MSW learners can complete field internship hours virtually and through in-person agency settings.

MSW@Denver curriculum

MSW@Denver offers two online program options. The 81-credit Online MSW program is for learners who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work. The 54-credit Online Advanced-Standing MSW is for learners who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from any point in time. No matter which program a learner chooses, they will develop a holistic understanding of social work principles by learning to see individuals and systems through the lens of power, privilege, and oppression — and they will graduate prepared to create social change in their communities. Students will have the opportunity to customize their Advanced Social Work Practice by choosing a pathway that matches your interest and career goals. Examples of pathways can include:

  • Mental Health and Trauma:

    Focus your practice on comprehensive assessment, advanced interventions based on cognitive approaches, and trauma-informed care. With a strong foundation in theory, you'll develop skills to support informed clinical decision-making that empowers individuals, families, and whole communities.

  • Health, Equity, and Wellness:

    Focus your practice on integrative approaches to healthcare and to the mind-body connection. You will learn to incorporate problem-solving and evidence-based modalities that consider healthcare trends, interdisciplinary collaboration, and social justice.

Ready to advance your career?

Field internships

Real-world practice is a critical part of the MSW@Denver curriculum. As a learner, you will have to complete internships during which you will apply concepts and theories to your social work practice. Through these internships, you will gain valuable experience working with clients in professional settings in or near your community. 

MSW@Denver field placement specialists will help connect you to a vast network of over 2,500 internship sites across 48 states and with over 1,200 field supervisors. MSW@Denver learners have completed internships in settings such as:

  • Homeless shelters

  • Drug rehabilitation

  • Hospice/older adult care

  • Domestic violence clinics

  • Protective services (children)

  • Community mental health agencies

Frequently asked questions

How do field internships work?

Whether you live in downtown Denver, a small town in Colorado, or in another city across the United States, MSW@Denver’s placement team will help you find a field internship to practice the concepts and theories learned in your online classes.

What can I do with an MSW?

Earning your MSW provides you with countless opportunities to advocate for social change in your community and beyond. As a GSSW graduate, you’ll be prepared to seek social work employment in traditional and nontraditional settings, and to challenge systems of oppression at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. You can pursue employment in a variety of roles, such as behavioral health clinician, psychiatric social worker, community and economic developer, mental health counselor and evaluator, or policy analyst.