Application Requirements

Admission standards for MSW@Denver matches University of Denver’s high standards for excellence, and are the same as for on-campus programs. All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission.

The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree. An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for the baccalaureate.

In order to be considered for admission to MSW@Denver, you must submit the following:

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.

June 2024

DeadlineDate
Early Priority Deadline
February 16, 2024
Priority Deadline
March 15, 2024
Final Deadline
April 12, 2024
Classes Start
June 2024

COVID-19: How We Are Supporting Prospective Students

We are actively accepting applications, and our online courses are ongoing. We are here to support you as you work toward your goals, and we have made a change to our admissions requirements to help you keep your application on track:

We are now accepting transcripts electronically.

  • School-issued electronic transcripts: If your school issues official transcripts electronically, please have them send your encrypted transcripts to applicationservices@onlinemsw.du.edu.
  • Unofficial transcripts: We will continue to accept unofficial transcripts if you are unable to submit your official transcripts at this time. Order your unofficial transcripts to be sent to your home, and scan them or take a photo to send to applicationservices@onlinemsw.du.edu. We will still need your official transcripts once you matriculate.

If you are unable to submit your official transcripts electronically, you may have them mailed to our campus address:

University of Denver
Application Processing Center
MSW@Denver
P.O. Box 30096 022-003
College Station, TX 77842

Please note: To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.

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:

University of Denver
Application Processing Center
MSW@Denver
P.O. Box 30096 022-003
College Station, TX 77842

Please note: To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.

Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies.  Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor’s or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.

Letter of Recommendation

Letter(s) of recommendations are optional for all MSW@DEN applications. You may submit up to two optional letters of recommendation with your admission application. These optional letters will be considered by the Admission Committee as part of their holistic review and selection process if submitted by the appropriate application deadline.

However, if you choose not to submit letters of recommendation, you can address special talents, academic circumstances, unique perspectives, and other important biographical information in the optional section of the required Career Goals Statement.

The Admission Committee finds that they can build a full profile of your personal accomplishments, academic achievements, and potential for excellence as a professional social worker by reviewing your academic credentials, professional resume, and your Career Goal Statement.

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

Your Career Goals Statement is an essential part of your application. Your rationale for entering the social work profession, your self-awareness, creativity, critical thinking and writing skills are major factors committee members consider when reviewing your application.  

The average statement length is four to six pages; submissions exceeding six pages are discouraged. Please double-space your statement, use a font size of no less than 12 and put your name in the upper right corner of each page. Answer questions 1-5 below. Answering question 6 is optional. Prior to writing your essay, review the NASW Code of Ethics.

  1. Rationale: Identify significant factors that influenced your decision to pursue a master of social work (MSW) degree and how you intend to use it in the future. (1-2 paragraphs)
  2. Social Work Values and Ethics: Describe your understanding of the social work profession and its core values. Compare your own values with the professional social work values, any potential value based or ethical conflicts you might experience and how you plan to address or reconcile these conflicts (whether it be in the classroom, in field, in future practice or in any other areas). (1 page)
  3. Personal and Professional Attributes and Liabilities: Describe any cultural, economic or social challenges and/or opportunities that have provided you with a unique perspective about social work issues. What insights did you gain from these experiences about how to maintain professional judgment and performance during times of distress? (1 page)
  4. Employment and Volunteer History: Discuss the relationship between your educational, employment and volunteer experiences and what qualities equip you for the social work profession. Describe your experiences and feelings about working with populations different from your own. (1 page)
  5. Optional: Please address any special academic or other considerations that you would like GSSW to consider in the review of your application.

Application Fee

There is a nonrefundable $65 application fee for the online Master of Social Work from the University of Denver.

Waivers are offered if you are:

  • a University of Denver alumnus/a
  • a current or former member of the U.S. military

You may also receive a waiver if you submit your application before the priority deadline or attend a webinar.

For more information on application fee waivers, contact the MSW@Denver Admission team.

International Applicants

It is strongly encouraged that you submit all application materials at least 14 business days in advance of a priority deadline to allow enough time for your application to be evaluated by the Office of International Admission.

Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies.  Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor’s or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.

Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers

Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or C1 Advanced are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/CAE scores are valid for two years from the test date.

The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced test score requirements for this degree program are:

  • Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 95
  • Minimum IELTS Score: 7
  • Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 185
  • Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 125 (Accepting scores starting September 2023 and beyond)

Access Your Application

Create positive change as a social worker. Take the next step today.

Apply Now

Visit our main website to learn more about the application process for our on campus MSW programs in Denver, Durango and Glenwood Springs.