Social Work M.S.W. (Hybrid)

Earn Your Master of Social Work and Become a Changemaker

Colorado State University's program features a nationally recognized advanced generalist approach, ensuring you develop a robust skill set during your master's in social work. Why choose an advanced generalist degree? Advanced generalist practitioners are equipped to work across a multitude of practice settings. As a graduate of our advanced generalist program, you will have the skills to be more holistic in service of your clients, work in policy, and beyond. It also affords you the flexibility to change careers, or better develop a new skill set after you graduate.

With one degree, you’ll be equipped for many career paths. You’ll gain skills to effectively practice with individuals, groups, organizations, and communities. You’ll be a leader, an ally, a communicator, and a strategist.

Customize your program of study

In addition to the core curriculum, the MSW degree includes built-in electives. With these electives, you can take courses that align with your interests, which includes interdisciplinary electives and graduate certificate courses. You can also gain specialized knowledge by pursuing one of the following graduate certificates:

• Advanced Clinical Behavioral Health
• Conflict Resolution and Mediation
• Nonprofit Administration
• PreK-12 School Social Worker
• Social Aspects of Human-Animal Interactions

Gain applicable social work skills and internship experience

The master's in social work prepares you for diverse career opportunities. With intertwined coursework and internship experience, you’ll have the opportunity to complete over 600 hours of direct social work practice. There you will apply the knowledge, values, and skills you learn throughout the program in a social work agency setting.

Exceptional instruction from experienced faculty

Learn from knowledgeable and respected Colorado State University instructors through a combination of classroom and online coursework. In 2014, the school of social work celebrated two important milestones. The bachelor's program commemorated 40 years of accreditation and the master's program reached the 20-year mark. During this time, CSU's social work faculty have become national leaders in researching and elaborating the concept of “generalist” practice. All faculty bring their practice-based knowledge and diverse areas of expertise to the online classroom experience.

A degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education

CSU's MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, which enables you to pursue professional licensure upon program completion. Additionally, the Master of Social Work is approved by the Colorado Department of Education for school social work licensure, if you elect to complete the additional course requirement (SOWK 560) or seek our graduate certificate in PreK-12 School Social Work.

Health and Human Science Matters Podcast

Find out how CSU’s research is making an impact by tuning into the Health and Human Science Matters Podcast, a collection of lively, engaging conversations with members of the college community.

Graduates of the social work master’s program are equipped for direct and indirect interventions that are client-centered, solution-oriented, and research-based. The curriculum prepares students for roles as administrators, clinicians, supervisors, policy analysts, social planners, and more. Social workers engage with a wide range of clientele, from micro to macro level practice, including working with individuals, families, organizations, and communities. The advanced generalist curriculum allows you to work in countless areas of the social work profession, including positions in the areas of:

Colorado State University teaches a nationally-recognized advanced generalist curriculum which consists of foundation courses that follow the core areas of:

• Direct social work practice and clinical skills
• Human behavior and theories for practice
• Social welfare policy and services
• Social science research
• Anti-oppressive practice approaches

The foundation courses also feature a field placement in a human service agency, and coursework on social work values and ethics, populations at risk, diversity, and social and economic justice.

Concentration courses build on the foundation courses to include advanced content on:

• Individual practice
• Group and family practice
• Community practice
• Organizational practice
• Social welfare policy
• Organizational research

The concentration courses also include a field placement, which will be secured for you in the community in which you reside.

Curriculum

Year 1

• SOWK 500 – Principles and Philosophy of Social Work (3 cr.)
• SOWK 511 – Generalist Practice - Small Client Systems (3 cr.)
• SOWK 515 – Theoretical Foundations for Social Work (3 cr.)
• SOWK 520 – Social Welfare Policy Analysis (3 cr.)
• SOWK 530 – Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice (3 cr.)
• SOWK 588 – Foundation Field Placement (3 cr.)

Year 2

Traditional (3yr) students only
• SOWK 588 – Foundation Field Placement (3 cr.)
• SOWK 592 – Field Placement Seminar (1 cr.)

Advanced Standing (2yr) students only
• SOWK 530 – Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice (3 cr.)

All students
• SOWK 630 – Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals (3 cr.)
• SOWK 631 – Advanced Community Practice (3 cr.)
• SOWK 633 – Advanced Practice: Social Welfare Policy (3 cr.)
• SOWK 688 – Advanced Field Placement (varied)
• Elective** (6 cr.)



Year 3

• SOWK 600 – Research Methods (3 cr.)
• SOWK 634 – Advanced Practice with Families and Groups (3 cr.)
• SOWK 688 – Concentration Field Placement (varied)
• SOWK 698 – Advanced Research and Social Work Capstone (3 cr.)
• Elective** (3 cr.)

**Elective can be any SOWK course offered through CSU Online. Other electives outside the School of Social Work are possible but should be discussed and approved by School of Social Work advisor. Three-year students are required to complete three elective courses, Advanced Standing Students are required to complete one elective course

Chris French, MSW ‘22

“One of my biggest motivators is the desire to better my community and create systemic change for the children, youth, and families of Colorado. Social workers have a lot to offer, and I am confident my Master of Social Work from Colorado State University will equip me with the knowledge and skills to better serve my community and create more positive outcomes for children, youth, and families in the Child Protection System.”

Hear more about the work Chris is doing on CSU Source

Megan Wykhuis, MSW ‘19

"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.”

Allie Miller, MSW ‘21

"I was thrilled when I was accepted into the MSW distance program. I work full time and I have two kids and a husband, so I needed to find a program that would fit into my lifestyle. I love the fact that this program can be completed online, but also has the opportunity to connect with peers and professors face to face.”

Read more about how Allie planned for succes on CSU Source

Amy Martonis

She/Her/Hers
Assistant Director and MSW Program Director, Senior Instructor
Social Work

Amy Martonis discovered her passion for higher education after more than a decade of direct social work practice, domestically and abroad, in child welfare and nonprofit settings. In 2011, Amy was invited to join the faculty team at Southern University, New Orleans, where she also served the Director of the Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program. Since joining CSU in 2014, Amy has been dedicated to student success as well as program development, evaluation, and expansion. Amy currently serves as the Assistant Director for the School of Social Work and also as the Master of Social Work Program Director.

Carolyn Tredinnick

She/Her/Hers
MSW Field Education Coordinator
Social Work

Carolyn Tredinnick is an MSW Field Education Coordinator in the School of Social Work at Colorado State University. Tredinnick received her bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in Sociology and History in 2003. After graduation, she worked in emergency services for the city of Fort Collins before enrolling in CSU's Distance MSW program. Tredinnick then worked for a year in community mental health on the Eastern Plains of Colorado before transitioning to medical social work and working for non-profit hospitals in Weld and Larimer counties for 6 years. During that time, she also served as a Field Instructor for many CSU MSW students.

Charlotte Bright

She/Her/Hers
Director and Professor
Social Work

Charlotte Bright serves as director and professor of Colorado State University's School of Social Work. Her research interests include gender and juvenile justice, child maltreatment, interpersonal trauma, adolescent and young adult development, service implementation, and quantitative and qualitative methodology. Bright's scholarship has been focused on areas such as juvenile justice services and how they are implemented in communities, gender differences, and the impacts of trauma. Prior to joining CSU, Bright served as associate dean for doctoral and post-doctoral education at the University of Maryland School of Social Work in Baltimore. Bright is editor-in-chief of the journal Social Work Research, is a Society for Social Work and Research Fellow, and has held leadership roles with the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work.

Cheryl Distaso

She/Her/Hers
Instructor
Social Work

Cheryl Distaso, MSW, has more than 25 years experience as a community organizer in Fort Collins. She joyfully teaches concentration year policy and community practice classes in the School of Social Work. Cheryl’s interests include social justice, liberatory practice, Critical Race Theory (CRT), Theater of the Oppressed and Paulo Freirean based praxis. She has presented at various conferences, primarily focusing on white privilege and social justice. In the community, she works on decriminalization of homelessness, immigrant rights, community empowerment, disability rights and increased public transportation. She is committed to the praxis of her community work by utilizing CRT as a theoretical lens; she is equally committed to keeping her social work classes relevant by bringing her real-time experiences to students for inquiry and critique.

Holly Panetta

She/Her/Hers
Instructor
Social Work, Human Development and Family Studies

Holly Panetta is an attorney, mediator, and educator at Peak Empowerment LLC, providing mediation services and conflict resolution training. She also serves as a Child & Family Investigator and Parenting Coordinator/Decision Maker. Holly is a former Director of the State of Colorado Office of Dispute Resolution. She served as the Court Programs Manager for the State Court Administrator's Office overseeing the administration of probate, mediation, restorative justice, diversion and problem-solving court programs. She is an adjunct faculty member at Colorado State University teaching courses related to mediation, conflict resolution, family law and social welfare policy. Holly’s prior professional experience includes working as a litigation associate for Henderson, Taylor & Rapp, a law firm in Greeley specializing in family and criminal law. She also served as a Family Court Facilitator in the 19th Judicial District. Holly enjoys spending time with her two young adult children, hiking with her dog, and attending yoga and live music events.

Jordan Brooks

He/Him/His
Instructor
Social Work

Jordan Brooks holds a Bachelor of Arts from Eckerd College and a Master of Social Work from University of South Florida. His research areas of interests include: conceptualizations of mental health, social justice, queer affirmative social work, and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Kristin Mooney

She/Her/Hers
Instructor
Social Work

Kristin Mooney holds an MSW from The University of Denver, Mental Health Concentration / Substance Abuse Certificate Program and a B.A. in Psychology from Stanford University with a Specialization in Hu-man Health and Development. Her research areas of interest include: family therapy, substance use, men-tal health, delinquency, children and youth.

Marie Villescas Zamzow

She/Her/Hers
Senior Instructor
Social Work

Marie holds an MSW from Smith College School for Social Work, a B.S.in Psychology from Colorado State University, and a B.A. in Social Work from Colorado State University. Her Research areas of interest in-clude: mental health, child welfare, diversity, work with families and children, and creating social action. Marie received a Best Teacher Award in 2017 from the Colorado State University Alumni Association.

Mindy Van Kalsbeek

She/Her/Hers
MSW Associate Director for Distance Programs
Social Work

Mindy Van Kalsbeek holds an MSW from Colorado State University School of Social Work and a BSW from Dordt College. Her Research areas of interest include: intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health, and organizational and nonprofit management.

Sarah Rudisill

She/Her/Hers
MSW Academic Advisor
Social Work

Sarah holds a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from CSU. She started her career as a counselor at a Residential Treatment Facility in 2007. After two years in that role, Sarah received her M.S. in HDFS, focusing on studying intervention and prevention programs for high-risk youth. During the program, Sarah worked as a mentor coach and instructor for CSU’s Campus Corps (currently Campus Connections). After finishing her M.S., Sarah entered the field of social work as a child protection caseworker for Larimer County Dept. of Human Services. After two years as an intake worker, she transitioned to the Family Partnerships Unit, which was designed to help prevent adolescents who are in-volved in the delinquency system from being placed out of their homes. Sarah has a strong interest in raising community awareness of the reality and presence of Human Trafficking in local areas.

Shannon Hughes

She/Her/Hers
Associate Professor
Social Work

Dr. Hughes teaches, writes, and conducts research about the medicalization of human distress and the role of psychotropic drugs in managing our mental and emotional lives. She has developed and delivered education for professional social workers, counselors, and researchers on the topics of safety and efficacy of psychoactive substances used in mental health care. Hughes is actively engaged in community education and leadership in the emerging field of psychedelic medicine in Colorado. Hughes currently holds positions as Associate Professor in Social Work at CSU and in the Dept. of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health. She is a member of the Larimer County Behavioral Health Technical Advisory Committee and sits on the Board of two non-profit organizations.

Shivani Kaushik

She/Her/Hers
Ph.D. Candidate, GTA, GRA
Social Work

Shivani Kaushik is a doctoral student in the School of Social Work and the Graduate Research Assistant to Dr. Jennifer Currin-McCulloch. With over ten years of experience in the social services field and an exemplary record of academic achievement, having achieved a B.A., B.S.W., and M.S.S.W., Shivani maintains her great enthusiasm for education as she pursues a Ph.D. at CSU, in addition to serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Shivani has significant clinical experience as a medical social worker, with a special interest in end-of-life care and supporting diverse, vulnerable populations. Shivani also possesses a great interest and vast knowledge in working with and supporting individuals who have experienced loss and/or anticipatory grief. Moreover, Shivani has extensive practice experience in end-of-life and palliative care practices, with a specific interest in end-of-life interventions in correctional settings.

Sofia Webb

She/Her/Hers
Instructor
Social Work

Sofia Webb received a B.A. in Sociology from the State University of New York at Geneseo and earned her MSW degree from LSU's distance learning program while living in Hawaii. After graduating, Sofia spent time working as a school social worker within an alternative high school of Aurora, CO serving primarily immigrant, refugee and asylee students. During that time, Sofia prioritized improving mental health support and creating programs to address increasing rates of teen pregnancy and substance use among marginalized youth. After this position, Sofia further specialized in trauma treatment and trauma-informed care. She currently provides trauma-focused psychotherapy to adolescents and adults in the state of Colorado. In addition to her work in private practice, Sofia volunteers in Spark the Change Colorado's mental wellness program. Sofia also serves as a member of Violet's Clinical Review Board.

Timothy Frank

They/Them/Theirs
Graduate Programs Coordinator
Social Work

Frank currently serves as a Graduate Programs Coordinator for the MSW program. Frank holds a Graduate Certificate in IT Project Management from Colorado State University and a Graduate Certificate in Business Intelligence, also from CSU.

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What type of bachelor's degree is required for admission?

• For the traditional three year program:
  A four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university is required for our program, though there is no specific major required.
• For the Advanced Standing two year program:
  A four year undergraduate degree with a major in Social Work from an accredited college earned within the past 7 years is required.

Which option do I quality for: Traditional MSW or Advanced Standing MSW?

"Advanced Standing" refers to the level of experience of a student applying to the program. Students who have a bachelor's in social work may be able to start the program with Advanced Standing status.

To qualify for the Advanced Standing program, you must have earned a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) no more than seven years ago. Advanced Standing students skip the first year in the program and join their cohort starting in year two. Additionally, the credit requirement is lower, as is the number of service hours required.

What does "advanced generalist" mean? What is the advanced generalist approach?

The advanced generalist model in our MSW program places emphasis on the knowledge and skills needed for interventions at multiple levels of practice, including individuals, families, groups, and communities. Other central themes are direct services, community and organizational practice, social policy analysis, and social work research.

The advanced generalist model in CSU’s MSW program provides students with an increased ability to demonstrate advanced generalist competencies; integrate research into practice; analyze value and ethical dilemmas; add greater depth to the provision of service; and provide the skills to function as more independent social work practitioners. Additionally, this advanced skill level allows graduates to engage in interdisciplinary, collaborative public and private partnerships for advocacy, policy, practice, and advancing social justice.

Generalist social work is regarded both as a perspective and a practice approach because the social worker is taught to recognize the impact, influence, and potential resources available from the context where practice occurs.

How long is the program?

The Traditional MSW program is three-years and the Advanced Standing program is two-years. Both are part-time cohorts that include in classroom experience two weekends per semester and online instruction.

Can I get financial aid?

Yes, once you have submitted your CSU Graduate School Application (a short form and an application fee) you will be assigned an ID number. At that point you can begin working with CSU Office of Financial Aid to obtain financial aid. Eileen Griego, in that office, works directly with our distance MSW students.

What type of scholarships are available to social work graduate students?

A comprehensive scholarship search tool is available on the College of Health and Human Sciences website.

Can I transfer courses?

Due to our accreditation by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), only courses from a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program have the potential to be transferred. Contact Timothy Frank for more information about transferring into the program.

What is the GPA requirement for admission?

3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale is required. Occasional exceptions may be made if the applicant demonstrates the ability to be successful in a graduate program.

What if I am absent from a class?

Attendance is critical as each time the class meets face-to-face represents a significant part of that semester's class time and learning activities. Each instructor has the right to set their own individual attendance requirements for the class they are teaching. These requirements typically include deducting points for classes missed, additional assignments for missed classes, and, in extreme cases, a grade of F that would require the student to retake the course.

Are there prerequisite courses for the MSW program?

Yes, prerequisite requirements include a minimum of 18 credits (6 standard college-level courses) of interdisciplinary liberal arts coursework, spanning social, behavioral, and biological sciences.

• Applicants must have completed at least one course in physical and biological sciences and mathematics (examples: biology, calculus, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, or statistics).
• Applicants must have completed at least three courses in social sciences (examples: anthropology, economics, education, ethnic studies, gender studies, human development, international relations, political science, psychology, social work, or sociology).
• Applicants must have completed at least two additional courses in liberal arts (examples: all of the above plus literature, English, a language other than English, fine arts, philosophy)

These courses must be completed and transcripts received by the first day of classes.

Boulder Cohort Application Deadlines

Denver Cohort Application Deadlines

Note: All applications received by the priority deadline are reviewed early for admission decisions, before applications submitted by the final deadline are considered. Our cohort enrollment is capped to facilitate a learning community structured for connection. Once our cohort is full, additional applicants are referred to other MSW program options or the next distance cohort.