Metropolitan State University of Denver Department of Social Work

Located in the heart of the city, Metropolitan State University of Denver offers more than 85 academic majors, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work. The school boasts an average class size of 21 students, with an 18-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.

MSU Denver opened in 1965 as a two-year vocational school. About half of the 1,189 students planned to continue their education with a four-year degree, and the school launched its undergraduate programs in 1967.

The 150-acre Auraria Higher Education Center houses MSU Denver, along with the Community College of Denver and the University of Colorado Denver. Together, the three schools serve more than 38,000 students. They also share some resources, like the Auraria Library, recreation center, health center, and counseling services.

Featured Programs in Social Work

Metropolitan State University of Denver Department of Social Work

The Metropolitan State University of Denver department of social work offers an academically rigorous curriculum and relevant hands-on experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. Students apply in the spring of their sophomore year, after completing general education and prerequisite courses.

Student organizations include the Student Association of Social Workers, Phi Alpha, and Building Allies of Diversity. These groups provide extracurricular and service opportunities. The department also partners with the resiliency taskforce to review trauma intervention strategies.

The department recognizes its scholars with honors activities and graduation events. It also hosts the annual Palliative Care Social Work Conference. Students attend alongside practicing social workers to take part in continuing education and networking.

MSU Denver is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The MSU Denver Department of Social Work’s programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Online Social Work Programs

MSU Denver’s social work programs include fully online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students choose to attend full-time or part-time, and they can still take on-campus classes. The school offers all social work curriculum requirements online, but some prerequisite courses may require on-campus courses.

Online courses primarily use asynchronous courses, though some instructors may schedule certain activities. Students make use of readings and videos. Collaborative software, such as Google Hangouts and Skype, allows students to meet with their instructors or classmates for group assignments. The undergraduate degree requires 120 credits, while the master’s degree requires 60 credits.

Much of the social work curriculum requires field education. The office of field education maintains an extensive list of community agencies through which students may complete their fieldwork. Courses require 16-20 hours of work each week.

On-Campus Social Work Programs

In addition to its undergraduate and graduate degrees, MSU Denver’s social work department also offers a minor. Students must apply to the department to choose a minor and commit to 45 hours of volunteer service per semester.

The on-campus curriculum matches online offerings; however, students must attend scheduled classes. Undergraduate courses follow a sequence that builds upon earlier coursework. The school’s location in downtown Denver offers multiple agency placement opportunities for fieldwork.

Metropolitan State University of Denver Online Social Work Programs