Admission
Applying to MSW@Denver
Our online program, which offers an integrated approach to social work, will prepare students to transform lives and become powerful social change makers in their communities. We seek candidates with diverse backgrounds and educational experiences, and we encourage those with and without backgrounds in human services to apply. If you’re ready to begin your social work journey, start the application process today.
Start Dates and Deadlines
You can start the MSW@Denver program at four convenient times throughout the year: January, March, June or September. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.
January 2018 Cohort
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Priority deadline | October 9, 2017 |
| Final deadline | November 6, 2017 |
| Classes start | January 3, 2018 |
Admission Criteria
In order to be considered for admission to MSW@Denver, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university other than a bachelor of social work (BSW).
- Those with a BSW are only eligible to enroll in the advanced standing program. At this time, our advanced standing MSW program is not offered online. We do offer the advanced standing program for students with a BSW at three campus locations: Denver, Durango and Glenwood Springs. Learn more.
- Have an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. (A 3.0 GPA is preferred, however, if your GPA is lower than 3.0, the admission committee is likely to look at your last 60 or 90 undergraduate credits.)
Application Requirements
In order to be considered for admission to MSW@Denver, you must submit the following:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Letters of Recommendation
- Resume
- Career Goals Statement
- Application Fee
Online application: You must complete the entire online application.
Transcripts: You may submit unofficial transcripts for an initial review of your application. If admitted, you must provide official transcripts from all institutions attended.
Many schools issue transcripts electronically, either through their own web services or through vendors. If this option is available through the institutions you attended, specify that your transcript(s) be sent to applicationservices@onlinemsw.du.edu.
If your transcripts are being sent by mail, use the following address:
Application Processing Services
MSW@Denver
Suite 501
7900 Harkins Road
Lanham, MD 20706
Recommendations: You are required to submit two letters of recommendation — one academic and one professional. In the application, you will be prompted to provide contact information for two references. Your recommenders should know you well and be able to speak about your background, your passion for social work and your ability to succeed in a graduate program. The admission committee reviews all letters of recommendation and considers them integral to understanding how your background will strengthen your potential to become a social worker.
Resume: You will be asked to upload a current resume to your online application. Your resume should include information about your educational and professional experiences as they relate to social work. Be sure to include any volunteer or internship experience that has helped prepare you for a career as a social worker.
Career Goals Statement: The admission committee considers your Career Goals Statement to be an essential part of your application. The statement allows us to learn more about you and your passion for the social work profession. Take the time to articulate your perspective, be creative and think critically.
The average statement length is approximately five pages; submissions exceeding seven pages are discouraged. Statements should be double-spaced with a font size of no less than 10.
Your statement should address each of the following prompts:
- Rationale
Discuss the primary reasons for your desire to pursue your Master of Social Work (MSW). - Attributes and Liabilities
Identify your strengths and briefly discuss any knowledge and/or skills that you might need to improve in order to successfully complete the requirements of the Graduate School of Social Work’s MSW program. - Employment and Volunteer Experience
Identify and briefly discuss the relationship between your previous employment and/or volunteer experiences and your decision to pursue an MSW. - Education
Discuss the relationship between your undergraduate education and your preparedness to complete GSSW’s MSW program. - Life Experiences
Discuss how your personal experiences have led you to a career in social work. Many people enter this field because their life experiences have resulted in a desire to help others. Often these experiences can be transformed into passions and strengths that fuel one’s career or can impede one’s ability to develop professionally. Include any relevant life experiences and the way in which you have dealt with them. Be advised that we are a strengths-based profession, and our interest is in seeing how these life experiences have influenced your decision to become a professional social worker. - Social Work Values and Ethics
Discuss how your personal values and experiences have prepared you to meet the ethical obligation of social workers to practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge and skills related to clients’ age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation. How do your personal values relate to this ethical obligation? What are some experiences that you have had that demonstrate your willingness to fulfill this ethical obligation?
Application fee: You can submit your $65 nonrefundable application fee in the online application. The fee can be paid using any major credit card.
Get Started Today
To learn more about MSW@Denver, request information and an admission counselor will contact you.
Visit our main website to learn more about the application process for our on campus MSW programs in Denver, Durango and Glenwood Springs.