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 five intensive learning weekends + the capstone project presentation, over three 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.
| 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 2 SPRING | Advanced Generalist Social Work: Communities | SOWK 631 | 3 |
| YEAR 2 SPRING | Integrative Foundation Field Seminar | SOWK 592 | 1 |
| 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 |
| TERM | COURSE DESCRIPTION | COURSE NUMBER | CREDITS | COURSE DATES | IN-PERSON DATES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPRING 2021 | Required Orientation | 1/17/21 | |||
| SPRING 2021 | Advanced Generalist Social Work: Communities | SOWK 631 | 3 | 1/19/21-5/14/21 | 2/6/21 & 4/24/21 |
| SPRING 2021 | Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice | SOWK 530 | 3 | 1/19/21-5/14/21 | 2/7/21 & 4/25/21 |
| SUMMER 2021 | Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals | SOWK 630 | 3 | 5/17/21-8/6/21 | 7/17/21 & 7/18/21 |
| SUMMER 2021 | Required Elective | 3 | 5/18/20-8/7/20 | ||
| FALL 2021 | Contemporary Issues in Social Welfare Policy | SOWK 633 | 3 | 8/23/21-12/17/21 | 9/25/21 & 12/4/21 |
| FALL 2021 | Concentration Field Placement | SOWK 688 | Varied Credits | 8/23/21-12/17/21 | |
| FALL 2021 | Optional Elective | 3 | 8/23/21-12/17/21 | ||
| SPRING 2022 | Advanced Practice with Families and Groups | SOWK 634 | 3 | 1/18/22-5/13/22 | 2/5/22 & 4/23/22 |
| SPRING 2022 | Concentration Field Placement | SOWK 688 | Varied Credits | 1/18/22-5/13/22 | |
| SPRING 2022 | Optional Elective | 3 | 1/18/22-5/13/22 | ||
| SUMMER 2022 | Research Methods | SOWK 600 | 3 | 5/16/22-8/5/22 | 6/4/22 & 7/23/22 |
| SUMMER 2022 | Concentration Field Placement | SOWK 688 | Varied Credits | 5/16/22-8/5/22 | |
| FALL 2022 | Advanced Research and Social Work Capstone | SOWK 698 | 3 | 8/22/22-12/16/22 | 9/10/22 & 11/5/22 |
| FALL 2022 | SOWK 698 Capstone Project Presentations | 12/2/22 @ CSU | |||
| FALL 2022 | Concentration Field Placement | SOWK 688 | Varied Credits | 8/22/22-12/16/22 |
