The Department of Social Work at Metropolitan State University of Denver offers both a Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree and a Master of Social Work degree.
MSW Program
www.msudenver.edu/socialwork/msw/
MSU Denver’s Master of Social Work program combines academic, research, and field experiences into an intense, demanding program that teaches: clinical assessment and intervention skills, evidence-based practice, ethical decision making, scientific inquiry, cultural sensitivity, global awareness, leadership, and teamwork, as well as personal reflection and self-correction.
The MSW program at MSU Denver offers the Regular (2 Year) program and the Advanced Standing program. If the student holds an undergraduate degree in any discipline other than social work, the student may apply to the Regular (2 Year) program. If the student holds an undergraduate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) within the last six years, the student may apply to the Advanced Standing program.
Mission Statement and Goals
The primary mission of the MSW program is to educate a diverse group of professional social workers to function as advanced clinical practitioners, community leaders, and administrators in a multicultural and global society. The program’s faculty, students and graduates are committed to helping those in need by recognizing the profession’s core values; applying knowledge gained through scientific inquiry; promoting human rights, as well as social and economic justice; and providing leadership in social, economic and political contexts for the betterment of humanity. The program will:
- Prepare students to conduct themselves as professional social workers who strive for continual professional development, who exercise core values and ethical decision making, and who practice personal reflection and self-correction.
- Prepare students for evidence-based, culturally sensitive, advanced, clinical, social work practice with vulnerable, diverse client systems and circumstances, using scientific inquiry, research-informed practice, and practice-informed research.
- Prepare students to be advanced, macro-level social workers who are competent, effective, and innovative program designers and developers; political, community and agency leaders; and advocates and researchers in service delivery systems that address the needs of vulnerable and diverse client systems and circumstances, using scientific inquiry, research-informed practice, and practice-informed research.
- Prepare students, as citizens of the world, to be effective change agents and leaders by recognizing the dynamic nature of social problems, policies, agency responses and opportunities for social change in the diverse context of an evolving ecological system.
Accreditation
The MSW program at Metropolitan State University of Denver was granted candidacy status by the Council on Social Work Education at the Commission on Accreditation (COA) meeting in February 2012. The Commission’s decision was based on the Commissioner’s Benchmark I Review Brief and the Program Response. Per CSWE policy, students who begin the program in fall 2013 may be grandparented into receiving a CSWE-accredited degree once program accreditation has been secured. Full program accreditation by the CSWE may be awarded as early as February 2015; although, MSU Denver and the Social Work program cannot assure or guarantee this outcome.
Life Experience Credit
The Master of Social Work program does not give credit for life experience for, or in substitution of, any part of the MSW program course requirements, including the prerequisite SWK 1010 Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, the foundation year coursework, or the concentration year required coursework and electives.
Testing Out Policy
The Master of Social Work program does not provide an option to test out of any social work coursework at the graduate or undergraduate level.
Sequential Coursework Policy
Departmental Policy: All MSW coursework, including electives, must be completed in the required sequential order, adhering to course prerequisites and co-requisites. Students who fall out of sequence will no longer be considered in good academic standing within the department and must immediately seek advising to continue in the program. During the advising session, a plan of completion will be determined, and the revised plan could delay graduation by a year or more. No grade of “C+” or below may count toward degree requirements; thus, a student who earns such a grade would fall out of sequence. Such status would initiate an automatic performance review.
Departmental Note: MSW students follow a specific plan that designates credit load. A full-time student takes 15 credits per semester, and a part-time student takes between 6 and 9 credits per semester. Students should default to the college policy to define full-time or part-time status for financial aid purposes.
Part-Time Option
A part-time option is available to Regular (2 Year) MSW students and Advanced Standing MSW students. In order to qualify for this option, students must be accepted into the part-time program at the time of admission to the MSW program.
All students must complete the MSW program in a specified sequence. See “Advising Snapshots” on the MSW website for examples.
Regular (2 Year) MSW Program
Students who have a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than social work from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program must apply for the Regular (2 Year) MSW program. Graduate students accepted into this program must complete 30 credit hours of graduate foundation coursework before starting 30 credit hours of graduate coursework specific to the area of concentration in which the student has been accepted (for a total of 60 credits). All students accepted into the Regular (2 Year) program must complete certain prerequisites prior to the fall semester in which they begin the program.
All students must complete the regular, two-year MSW program in a specified sequence. See “Advising Snapshots” on the MSW website for examples.
Regular (2 Year) MSW Program Admissions
If the student holds an undergraduate degree in any discipline other than social work, the student must complete the regular, two-year (60 semester hours) Master of Social Work program, including the undergraduate course prerequisites listed below. The regular MSW program only begins during the fall semester.
Application Deadlines
Please check the MSW website for current application deadlines.
Program Eligibility
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Have completed, or will complete, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university prior to the fall semester in which the student begins the MSW program.
- Undergraduate course prerequisites as indicated below.
- Completion of all regular, two-year program admissions forms and requirements as indicated below.
- International students must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 540 (or a score of 76 on the Internet version of the TOEFEL).
Undergraduate Course Prerequisites
Regular MSW program applicants must demonstrate a liberal arts base upon which the social work degree is built. Prerequisites include:
- At least 12 units of course work in the social sciences (sociology, psychology, economics, political science, etc.)
- One course must be centrally organized around American government
- One course must be centrally organized around multicultural or diversity issues
- At least six units of course work in the humanities (English, art, music, foreign language, etc.)
- At least six units in the sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.)
- At least three units in elementary (basic) statistics (not research)
Students must complete prerequisite course work with a grade of “C” or better.
Required Application Materials
The application materials for Regular (2 Year) program applicants consist of several components.
The following materials are due on or before the specified deadline. Any questions regarding the admissions process should be directed to the social work department. Application materials are available for download on the social work MSW website, msudenver.edu/socialwork/msw.
PART A | Required Materials | MSU Denver Office of Admissions
The following items should be sent directly to MSU Denver’s Office of Admissions rather than the social work department.
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 173362, Campus Box 44
Denver, CO 80217-3362
- Graduate application and application fee
- Transcripts: Request that official sealed transcripts from all institutions previously attended be sent to the Graduate Admissions (waived for MSU Denver graduates).
- Foreign transcripts must also have an official English translation done by a certified translator (if applicable), and a professional course-by-course evaluation showing equivalency to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree. World Education Services, wes.org, or Education Credential Evaluators, ece.org, are recommended professional transcript evaluation service providers.
Additional Application Requirements for International Applicants
International students must:
- complete all of the same requirements as domestic students, as well as a separate application form, which may be found on the Office of Admissions website, msudenver.edu/admissions/internationalstudents;
- have achieved a minimum TOEFL score of 540 (or a score of 76 on the Internet version of the TOEFEL);
- submit the required immigration documents for issuance of an I-20.
Please contact the international admissions counselor at 303-556-3058 for information on additional requirements.
PART B | Required Materials | Social Work Department
Applicants should submit the following application materials as one complete packet to the social work department.
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Social Work
P.O. Box 173362, Campus Box 70
Denver, CO 80217-3362
- Regular (2-year) Program Cover Sheet
- Resume: No standard format required. Submit a professional-looking resume.
- Personal Statement
- Three Letters of Recommendation: Ensure that the completed general letters of recommendation are sent to the Department of Social Work.
- Signature Page from the Standards of Professional and Ethical Behavior
Advanced Standing MSW Program
Graduate students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education-accredited program may apply to the Advanced Standing MSW program at MSU Denver. Graduate students accepted into the Advanced Standing program must complete 30 credit hours of graduate coursework specific to the area of concentration in which the student has been accepted and are not required to complete any foundation coursework.
All students must complete the Advanced Standing MSW program in a specified sequence. See “Advising Snapshots” on the MSW website for examples.
Advanced Standing MSW Program Admissions
If the student holds an undergraduate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the student may qualify for the advanced standing, one-year (30 semester hours) Master of Social Work program. The MSW Advanced Standing program only begins during the fall semester. Please check the MSW Web site for current application deadlines.
Program Eligibility
Advanced Standing eligibility is considered only for applicants who:
- Hold a degree from a baccalaureate, social work program accredited by CSWE, hold a degree recognized through CSWE’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service,* or hold a degree from a program that is covered under a memorandum of understanding with international social work accreditors.*
- Have a cumulative, undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Completion of all Advanced Standing program admissions forms and requirements, as indicated under the admissions section.
- International students must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 540 (or a score of 76 on the Internet version of the TOEFEL).
*Applicants who have received degrees from outside of the United States should contact the department to determine eligibility.
Additional Eligibility Requirements for International Applicants
Required Application Materials
The application materials for Advanced Standing program applicants consist of several components.
The following materials are due on or before the specified deadline. Any questions regarding the admissions process should be directed to the social work department. Application materials are available for download on the social work MSW website, www.msudenver.edu/socialwork/msw/.
PART A | Required Materials | MSU Denver Office of Admissions
The following items should be sent directly to MSU Denver’s Office of Admissions (not the social work department).
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 173362, Campus Box 44
Denver, CO 80217-3362
- Graduate application and application fee
- Transcripts: Request that official, sealed transcripts from all institutions previously attended be sent to the Graduate Admissions (waived for MSU Denver graduates).
- Foreign transcripts must also have an official English translation done by a certified translator (if applicable), and a professional course-by-course evaluation showing equivalency to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree. World Education Services, wes.org, or Education Credential Evaluators, ece.org, are recommended professional transcript evaluation service providers.
Additional Application Requirements for International Applicants
International students must:
- complete all of the same requirements as domestic students, as well as a separate application form, which may be found on the Office of Admissions website, www.msudenver.edu/admissions/internationalstudents;
- have achieved a minimum TOEFL score of 540 (or a score of 76 on the Internet version of the TOEFEL);
- submit the required immigration documents for issuance of an I-20.
Please contact the international admissions counselor at 303-556-3058 for information on additional requirements.
PART B | Required Materials | Social Work Department
Applicants should submit the following application materials as one complete packet to the social work department.
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Social Work
P.O. Box 173362, Campus Box 70
Denver, CO 80217-3362
- Advanced Standing Program Cover Sheet
- Resume: No standard format required. Submit a professional-looking resume.
- Personal Statement (as outlined on MSW website)
- Completion of Case Study
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Letter of Recommendation from BSW program (waived for MSU Denver BSW graduates)
- Copy of Final Field Evaluation from BSW program: complete with signatures OR submission of Letter of Intent for students who have not yet graduated. MSU Denver BSW graduates are not exempt. Students should not assume that the department will automatically pull the evaluation.
- Signature Page from the Standards of Professional and Ethical Behavior
Degree Seeking Admission Process
The MSW Admissions Committee, which is comprised of faculty members, will review complete applications only. Applicants who submit incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the admissions committee and will be denied from the program. After the MSW Admissions Committee receives and reviews the applications, the applicants will be notified in writing of their status. Applicants may be: “accepted,” “accepted with conditions,” “waitlisted,” or “denied admission.” In some cases, the Admissions Committee may require an interview with the applicant before an acceptance decision can be made. Students should check the MSW program website for admission timelines.
Accepted:
Students who are accepted into the program typically have no additional obligations to fulfill and will receive an acceptance packet from the social work department including: a welcome letter, information about the field placement process, and a personalized Plan of Completion. The Plan of Completion serves as a contract between the student and the department and cannot be altered without the approval of an advisor. The Admissions Committee will do their best to fit applicants into the concentration area of their choice. Students will be required to submit the Intent to Start form that confirms acceptance into the specified program and concentration.
Accepted with Conditions:
Students who are accepted with conditions into the program typically have additional obligations to fulfill. These obligations could include, but are not limited to: course completion, low MAT scores, low GPA, or other items that are not in compliance with program eligibility standards. A student who is admitted with conditions must complete specified criteria within the first 6 credit hours of enrollment or, in the case of course completion, before the applicant starts the MSW program. In some cases, the Admissions Committee may decide that an applicant is only eligible to take certain coursework during the first year of study under specific guidelines. These criteria, including timeline, will be outlined in the admissions packet. Students who do not fulfill the obligations of conditional acceptance will be dismissed from the MSW program.
Students will receive an acceptance packet from the social work department including: a welcome letter, specific information about the conditions that must be met, information about the field placement process, and a personalized Plan of Completion. The Plan of Completion serves as a contract between the student and the department and cannot be altered without the approval of an advisor. The Admissions Committee will do their best to fit applicants into the concentration area of their choice. Students will be required to submit the Intent to Start form that confirms acceptance into the specified program and concentration.
Waitlisted:
Students may be offered waitlist status.
Denied Admission:
The Admissions Committee reserves the right to deny acceptance to any applicant. Applicants who submit incomplete applications, including test scores, will not be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and will be denied from the program.
Non-Degree Admission Policies and Procedures
Non-Degree Admission: Students may be admitted to the program with a non-degree seeking status. Refer to the non-degree admissions policies and procedures for specific information.
Before applying for Non-Degree MSW admission, please read information below to ensure that you are qualified to apply. Please contact the Social Work department at 303-556-5332 if you have any questions concerning non-degree admission.
Enrollment as a non-degree seeking student is limited to the following categories:
- Individuals who have completed a baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited institution and whose cumulative undergraduate GPA, or whose GPA from the last 60 hours completed, is 3.0 or higher will be considered on a space available basis. Applicants need not have taken the MAT test.
- Individuals who are currently admitted to a graduate program at another regionally accredited Master of Social Work Program who wish to take a limited number of classes at Metropolitan State University of Denver will be considered on a space available basis.
- Individuals who have completed a baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited institution and who can demonstrate on-going professional activity in a helping profession who wish to take gradate social work courses for professional reasons will be considered on a space available basis.
Applicants in these categories must submit the following:
- Graduate application and application fee (check on-degree option),
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended,
- Current detailed resume,
- Submission of Statement of Intent (modified version of personal statement)
Important Information for Non-Degree Seeking Students
- Graduate tuition applies for all graduate courses taken as a non-degree student. Information about tuition rates and payment deadlines is available on MSU Denver’s web site.
- Students admitted as non-degree seeking are not eligible for graduate level financial aid.
- Students are held responsible, both academically and financially, for any class in which they enroll. Failure to withdraw from any class, regardless of attendance, results in a grade of “F.” Students remain liable for tuition and fees.
- All grading policies for degree-seeking students also apply to non-degree seeking students.
- Students who were previously enrolled in, or who have previously been denied admission to or dismissed from the graduate degree program in Social Work at MSU Denver are not eligible for non-degree status.
- Non-degree seeking students are limited to taking a maximum of 9 credit hours in total. Registration holds will be placed on non-degree seeking students’ accounts each term to facilitate monitoring of total credit hours. Due to the sequential nature of graduate social work courses, students accepted as non-degree seeking will have a limited amount of electives available. Students should contact the Social Work department at 303-556-5332 for advising.
- Non-degree seeking students can change their status by fully complying with the degree-seeking admission requirements.
Students can apply a maximum of 9 credit hours when changing from non-degree to the degree seeking status, but must still complete all requirements of the degree-seeking concentration/track into which the student is accepted (i.e., if the elective taken during non-degree status is not a requirement of the concentration/track into which student is accepted, it will not count toward the degree).
Non-Degree Enrollment Procedures
- The MSW Admissions and Advising Coordinator and MSW Director determine an applicant’s eligibility to take graduate courses once all application materials have been received. Incomplete or late applications are not processed.
- Students who wish to apply for non-degree seeking status to take graduate level social work classes should follow college application deadlines. Non-degree seeking applications are accepted each semester.
- Eligible applicants are admitted and allowed to register for specific elective courses on a space available basis. Students should obtain a list of eligible course work from the Social Work department by calling 303-556-5332.
Departmental Policies and Procedures
The information below is not a substitute for the current graduate catalog or current general Student Handbook of the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Students should be familiar with official University policies delineated in the University graduate catalog and general Student Handbook. The information below delineates program-specific policies and procedures and serves as a supplement to official University policies and procedures.
Credit for Life Experience
The Master of Social Work program does not give credit for life experience for, or in substitution of, any part of the MSW program course requirements, the foundation year coursework, or the concentration year required coursework and electives.
Testing Out Policy
The Master of Social Work program does not provide an option to test out of any social work coursework at the graduate or undergraduate level.
Academic Standing
University Policy: Students may enroll in no more than 15 master’s level credit hours per semester for fall and spring semesters. The same limit applies during the summer term.
University Policy: Students in master’s programs must complete the degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. No more than two grades of “C” will be counted toward degree requirements. No grade lower than “C” counts toward degree requirements. All grade records remain on the master’s transcript and count toward the GPA. A student who has received two grades of “C” will be placed on probation and required to meet with an advisor on a regular basis. A student who receives a third grade of “C” will be dismissed from the program.
Departmental Policy: MSW students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in any academic term. Any student falling below a 3.0 in any given term will be placed on academic probation and be required to develop a plan for raising the GPA above 3.0. Students who fail to raise their GPA over 3.0 after 15 units will be dismissed from the program. No grade lower than a “B-” counts toward degree completion. Students receiving a “C+” or below will be required to repeat the course. Students must be aware that the sequential coursework policy will often require students to take time off to repeat the course work. Students who do not successfully complete a social work course with a “B-” or better after the second attempt will be dismissed from the program.
University Policy: No course may count toward both the master’s degree and the bachelor’s degree.
Departmental Policy: Only students who are formally accepted into the MSW program may register for any graduate level, social work course.
University Policy: The University residency requirement for the master’s program is the total number of hours required for the program minus nine.
Sequential Coursework Policy
Departmental Policy: All MSW coursework, including electives, must be completed in the required sequential order, adhering to course prerequisites and co-requisites. Students who fall out of sequence will no longer be considered in good academic standing within the department and must immediately seek advising to continue in the program. During the advising session, a plan of completion will be determined, and the revised plan could delay graduation by a year or more. No grade of “C+” or below may count toward degree requirements; thus, a student who earns such a grade would fall out of sequence. Such status would initiate an automatic performance review.
Change of Program Criteria Policy
Departmental Policy: At the time of admission to the Master of Social Work program, the student will receive a Plan of Completion that indicates program criteria including: full-time or part-time status, start semester, concentration and track (if applicable), and a semester-by-semester course plan. Students may not change any program criteria without the formal, written approval of a social work advisor. Any change in program criteria could delay graduation or require the student to reapply to the MSW program. Readmission is not guaranteed. Students may obtain the Change of Program form at msudenver.edu/socialwork/msw.
Time Limit for Completing the Program
University Policy: Students must complete the master’s degree within six calendar years from the term they initially enroll. Students should check the program website and/or specific program section of the catalog to determine specific degree requirements.
Departmental Procedure: MSW students who experience unexpected, life-changing events may request a waiver of this policy in writing to the social work department. Approval will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Leave of Absence
University Policy: Students, who have not been in attendance for three consecutive semesters, including summer, need to submit a reapplication form. Students requesting readmission must be in good academic standing and must submit their application for readmission to the master’s program in which they have enrolled.
Departmental Procedure: Students who wish to return to the MSW program must fill out the MSW Program Readmission Form. Upon receipt of the form, the Admissions and Advising Coordinator will contact the student to determine a timeline and to develop a plan of completion. Students are not guaranteed readmission. Students are also not guaranteed reentry into their original concentration. The readmission form is due to the department at least eight weeks prior to the intended semester of reentry.
Transfer of Credits
University Policy: No more than 9 transfer hours (semester or equivalent) will be accepted for any program. These credit hours must have been completed no longer than six years prior to the admission term and must be from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or equivalent.
Programs have discretion over which courses are accepted. A minimum grade of “B” is required for transfer courses.
Departmental Transfer Procedure: Advanced Standing program applicants will automatically receive a block of 30 graduate credits once the program has verified affirmative Council on Social Work Education accreditation status at the time the student graduated with a BSW degree.
All graduate, transfer credit requests, with the exception of the block of 30 credits automatically transferred for BSW graduates, must be submitted in writing to the MSW program director with the course syllabi for each course attached. No undergraduate courses will be accepted as substitutions for graduate coursework. The MSW program does not guarantee the transfer of graduate-level social work courses from other schools.
MSW students who received their BSW degree more than six years ago, or are requesting the transfer of graduate, social work courses from more than six years ago, may be accepted conditionally on a case-by-case basis. This status is typically reserved for those who can document substantial and on-going professional experience in the field of social work.
Incomplete and Withdrawal (W) Notations
“W” Notation Departmental Policy: Students who request to withdraw from an MSW course should not do so prior to seeking advising. Due to the sequential nature of MSW courses, a “W” in a course could delay graduation by one year or more and in all cases will require a revised plan of completion. Failure to complete this step may result in violation of the Sequential Coursework Policy.
Incomplete Notation:
University Policy: The Incomplete (I) notation may be assigned when a student who was achieving satisfactory progress in a course and who had completed most class assignments is unable to take the final examination and/or does not complete all class assignments due to unusual circumstances, such as hospitalization or disability. Incomplete work denoted by the “I” notation must be completed within one calendar year or earlier, at the discretion of the faculty member. If the incomplete work is not completed within one year, the “I” notation will convert to an “F.” Students must have completed at least 75% of the course work to qualify for consideration for an Incomplete. The student must be passing the course in order to be granted an Incomplete. Please see the MSU Denver Graduate Catalog to read the entire policy.
Departmental Policy: MSW students are not allowed to have more than one outstanding “incomplete” at one time. This status will initiate an automatic performance review.
Departmental Procedure: MSW students who wish to request an Incomplete “I” notation in any MSW course must also complete the Incomplete Agreement of Completion Form. Due to the sequential nature of the MSW program, it cannot be assumed that a student will be allowed one year to complete the course.
Attendance Policy
University Policy: Attendance during the first week of class, which contributes greatly to teaching and learning, is required. Some departments determine a student’s enrollment in a course based upon attendance during the first week of class. Consult the department for more information about the attendance policy for the class that you are attending. Students who drop classes are financially responsible for those classes in accordance with the withdrawal/refund policies stated on the Web class schedule on ConnectU, connectu.msudenver.edu. Students are expected to attend all sessions of courses for which they are registered. Each instructor determines when a student’s absences have reached a point at which they jeopardize success in a course. When absences become excessive, the student may receive a failing grade for the course. If students anticipate a prolonged absence, they should contact their instructors. If they find that they cannot communicate with the instructor, they should contact the chair of that department, who will inform the instructor of the reasons for the anticipated absence. Whenever an instructor determines that a student’s absences are interfering with academic progress, the instructor may submit a letter to the department chair informing that office of the situation. Students at MSU Denver who, because of their sincerely held religious beliefs, are unable to attend classes, take examinations, participate in graded activities, or submit graded assignments on particular days shall, without penalty, be excused from such classes and be given a meaningful opportunity to make up such examinations and graded activities or assignments provided that proper notice and procedures are followed. The policies and procedures designed to excuse class attendance on religious holidays are covered in the MSU Denver Student Handbook.
Departmental Policy: See course syllabus.
Late Paper Policy
Papers/assignments should be turned in at the beginning of the class session for which they are due. Late papers will lose one grade (i.e., an “A” paper can only earn a “B,” a “B” paper will earn a “C,” etc.). Students are responsible for notifying the instructor if papers will be late. Papers that are more than one week late will not be accepted, unless a revised due date was previously negotiated with the instructor. Documented emergencies are exceptions to this policy. If there is a late paper policy on your syllabus, that policy takes precedence over this statement.
APA Policy
All written communication in the classroom environment (online and on campus) will be in American Psychological Association (APA) sixth edition format. See course syllabus for additional details.
Student Code of Conduct
The Metropolitan State University of Denver Student Code of Conduct applies to all MSU Denver students, regardless of level. Students may access the Code of Conduct through the Office of Academic and Student Affairs website.
Standards of Professional and Ethical Behavior
The Department of Social Work at Metropolitan State University of Denver is mandated by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to foster and evaluate professional, behavioral development for all students in the social work program. The Department of Social Work also bears a responsibility to the community-at-large to produce fully trained, professional social workers who consciously exhibit the competencies, values, and skills of the profession of social work. The values of the profession are codified in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, and the Council on Social Work Education has ten core educational competencies that social workers must master. Given this context, the social work department has identified behaviors for the social work student to exhibit in the classroom, the online classroom, field placement, in the social work office, through email/phone conversations, and any other interaction in a professional/academic setting. This document does not include the complete NASW Code of Ethics or the CSWE Educational Policies; however, it highlights particular ethics and competencies to serve as a framework of professional and ethical behaviors to abide by while a social work student at MSU Denver. Other aspects of the NASW Code of Ethics or the CSWE Educational Policies are evaluated academically throughout the program’s curriculum. Please read the Standards of Professional and Ethical Behavior. Please visit www.mscd.edu/socialwork/msw for a complete version of this policy.
Appeals and Problem Resolution
All students are admitted and retained in the Master of Social Work program on the assumption that they have the potential academic ability and personal suitability for completing the program. All students admitted to the Master of Social Work program at Metropolitan State University of Denver are expected to maintain the standards established by the social work department, the social work profession, and the University.
During the course of study, a student may not perform at the required level. When problematic situations are identified, the Performance Review Committee will conduct a review to determine whether it is appropriate for the student to continue in the Master of Social Work program, and if so, under what conditions. Such conditions could include a requirement to complete study skills or writing skills development, completion of psychological counseling or other treatment, or other appropriate activities to resolve academic or personal problems. Please visit www.msudenver.edu/socialwork/msw/ for the complete policy, including performance review request forms.
