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:

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.

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:

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.

You must complete the entire online application.

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(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.

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. 

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.

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:

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.

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.

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:

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