Is a Distance Master of Social Work right for you?
As a distance Master of Social Work student at CSU, you will have access to a graduate degree with the same challenging curriculum as our on-campus program, while balancing work and life demands.
Our hybrid cohort model combines online learning with in-person learning weekends, so our students have the best of both worlds. You will receive exemplary instruction from experienced faculty while enjoying the benefits of peer support and connection with your fellow MSW students. You will also receive first-hand knowledge of how social work research informs professional practice through a capstone project in collaboration with a field agency or community organization, or completed in alignment with a specific School of Social Work faculty researcher. With nine elective credits built-in, you can complete a Graduate Certificate at the same time.
Our distance MSW program also offers an Advanced Standing option, for students holding a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within the past seven years.
In-person learning weekend locations vary by cohort, and have been held in Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins.
Academic Schedule:
- You will attend CSU online with 1 virtual synchronous weekend per semester and 1 in person weekend per semester, over 3 years.
- Advanced Standing students will attend CSU online, with three intensive learning weekends + the capstone project presentation, for two years.
- The distance hybrid programs start each Spring term in January.
- We accept applications from March through June.
Our program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Browse courses in the CSU Catalog.
I would recommend the distance program for anyone wanting to maintain their current connections and life, and who wants a more intimate setting than just another online program can offer.
Distance MSW Program Options
Regular Distance MSW Degree 3-Year Program of Study
The schedule outlines the program of study for the next regular Distance MSW cohort beginning January of 2023 in the Denver area.
| TERM | COURSE DESCRIPTION | COURSE NUMBER | CREDITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| YEAR 1 SPRING | Principles and Philosophy of Social Work | SOWK 500 | 3 |
| YEAR 1 SPRING | Theoretical Foundations for Social Work | SOWK 515 | 3 |
| YEAR 1 SUMMER | Small Systems Practice Skills | SOWK 511 | 3 |
| YEAR 1 SUMMER | Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice | SOWK 530 | 3 |
| YEAR 1 FALL | Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy | SOWK 520 | 3 |
| YEAR 1 FALL | Foundation Field Placement | SOWK 588 | 3 |
| YEAR 1 FALL | Integrative Foundation Field Seminar | SOWK 592 | 1 |
| YEAR 2 SPRING | Advanced Generalist Social Work: Communities | SOWK 631 | 3 |
| YEAR 2 SPRING | Foundation Field Placement | SOWK 588 | 3 |
| YEAR 2 SUMMER | Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals | SOWK 630 | 3 |
| YEAR 2 SUMMER | Elective | 3 | |
| YEAR 2 FALL | Contemporary Issues in Social Welfare Policy | SOWK 633 | 3 |
| YEAR 2 FALL | Concentration Field Placement | SOWK 688 | Varies |
| YEAR 2 FALL | Elective | 3 | |
| YEAR 3 SPRING | Advanced Practice with Families & Groups | SOWK 634 | 3 |
| YEAR 2 SPRING | Concentration Field Placement | SOWK 688 | Varies |
| YEAR 2 SPRING | Elective | 3 | |
| YEAR 3 SUMMER | Research Methods | SOWK 600 | 3 |
| YEAR 3 SUMMER | Concentration Field Placement | SOWK 688 | Varies |
| YEAR 3 FALL | Advanced Research and Social Work Capstone | SOWK 698 | 3 |
| YEAR 3 FALL | Concentration Field Placement | SOWK 688 | Varies |
Regular Distance MSW Degree 3-Year Program of Study - IMPORTANT DATES
You will attend CSU Online, and participate in 3 intensive synchronous (virtual) weekends per year as well as 3 intensive in-person learning weekends per year.
| Semester/Year | Course | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2023 | Orientation | January 28, 2023 | half day in-person orientation |
| Spring 2023 | SOWK 500 | January 28, 2023 | half day in-person class |
| Spring 2023 | SOWK 500 | March 25, 2023 | full day synchronous (virtual) |
| Spring 2023 | SOWK 515 | January 29, 2023 | full day in-person |
| Spring 2023 | SOWK 515 | March 26, 2023 | full day synchronous (virtual) |
| Summer 2023 | SOWK 511 | May 20, 2023 | full day synchronous (virtual) |
| Summer 2023 | SOWK 511 | June 17, 2023 | full day in-person |
| Summer 2023 | SOWK 530 | May 21, 2023 | full day synchronous (virtual) |
| Summer 2023 | SOWK 530 | June 18, 2023 | full day in-person |
| Fall 2023 | SOWK 520 | August 26, 2023 | full day in-person |
| Fall 2023 | SOWK 520 | October 21, 2023 | full day synchronous (virtual) |
| Fall 2023 | SOWK 592 | August 27, 2023 | half day in-person |
| Fall 2023 | SOWK 592 | October 22, 2023 | half day synchronous (virtual) |
| Spring 2024 | SOWK 631 | January 27, 2024 | full day in-person |
| Spring 2024 | SOWK 631 | March 23, 2024 | full day synchronous (virtual) |
| Summer 2024 | SOWK 630 | May 18, 2024 | full day synchronous (virtual) |
| Summer 2024 | SOWK 630 | June 22, 2024 | full day in-person |
| Fall 2024 | SOWK 633 | August 24, 2024 | full day in-person |
| Fall 2024 | SOWK 633 | October 19, 2024 | full day synchronous (virtual) |
| Spring 2025 | SOWK 634 | February 1, 2025 | full day in-person |
| Spring 2025 | SOWK 634 | March 29, 2025 | full day synchronous (virtual) |
| Summer 2025 | SOWK 600 | May 31, 2025 | full day synchronous (virtual) |
| Summer 2025 | SOWK 600 | June 28, 2025 | full day in-person |
| Fall 2025 | SOWK 698 | September 6, 2025 | full day in-person |
| Fall 2025 | SOWK 698 | November 1, 2025 | full day synchronous (virtual) |
Advanced Standing MSW Degree 2-Year Program of Study
The schedule outlines the program of study for the next Advanced Standing cohort beginning January 2023 in Fort Collins.
| TERM | COURSE DESCRIPTION | COURSE NUMBER | CREDITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| YEAR 1 SPRING | Required Orientation | ||
| YEAR 1 SPRING | Advanced Generalist Social Work: Communities | SOWK 631 | 3 |
| YEAR 1 SPRING | Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice | SOWK 530 | 3 |
| YEAR 1 SUMMER | Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals | SOWK 630 | 3 |
| YEAR 1 SUMMER | Required Elective | 3 | |
| YEAR 1 FALL | Contemporary Issues in Social Welfare Policy | SOWK 633 | 3 |
| YEAR 1 FALL | Concentration Field Placement | SOWK 688 | Varied Credits |
| YEAR 1 FALL | Optional Elective | 3 | |
| YEAR 2 SPRING | Advanced Practice with Families and Groups | SOWK 634 | 3 |
| YEAR 2 SPRING | Concentration Field Placement | SOWK 688 | Varied Credits |
| YEAR 2 SPRING | Optional Elective | 3 | |
| YEAR 2 SUMMER | Research Methods | SOWK 600 | 3 |
| YEAR 2 SUMMER | Concentration Field Placement | SOWK 688 | Varied Credits |
| YEAR 2 FALL | Advanced Research and Social Work Capstone | SOWK 698 | 3 |
| YEAR 2 FALL | Concentration Field Placement | SOWK 688 | Varied Credits |
Advanced Standing MSW Degree 2-Year Program of Study - IMPORTANT DATES
You will attend CSU online, and participate in three intensive learning weekends, plus two synchronous online dates.
Intensive Learning Weekends:
- April 22, 2023 and April 23, 2023 – full day
- July 15, 2023 and July 16, 2023 – full day
- April 20, 2024 and April 21, 2024 – full day
Synchronous Online dates:
- February 4, 2023 – full day
- April 8, 2023 – full day
