University of Colorado, Colorado Springs MSW Program

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) runs its Master of Social Work program through the College of Public Service. This college, previously the School of Public Affairs, helps students who want to create positive change in the public sector. Students can choose from programs in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Social Work, along with the MSW.

UCCS’s MSW program teaches students to transform lives and communities through ethical, trauma-informed social work practice. Graduates become professional social workers who help create better social conditions for individuals, families, groups, and communities.

This program stands out because of its focus on trauma-informed social work practice. Students grow into clinicians, leaders and change agents who help clients and communities dealing with trauma. Students receive detailed education in several high-demand areas:

• Behavioral health and healthcare social work
• Military social work
• Child welfare
• School social work

Students move through the program together in a modified cohort model with a structured sequence. Traditional MSW students can only start in fall semester for both full-time and extended degree plans. Advanced Standing applicants begin their journey in summer.

Field education serves as the core of UCCS’s social work education. The Council on Social Work Education calls it the “signature pedagogy” for social work. Students must complete no less than 900 hours of practicum practice across generalist and specialized curriculum. This hands-on experience gives students ground application of classroom learning.

The department arranges its goals with the university’s values. They want to “transmit, develop, critically examine, and apply knowledge and practice skills to advance social work practice and social welfare policy to promote social, cultural and economic justice”. The program also promotes better quality of life for vulnerable populations through shared governance and community involvement.

UCCS brings all its programs together under the Public Services umbrella. Social Work’s addition helps the college provide quality education at both graduate and undergraduate levels. This arrangement positions these disciplines to create positive changes for resilient communities.

The Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation has given full accreditation to UCCS’s Master of Social Work program. This certification shows the program meets or exceeds quality standards.

Programs offered

UCCS gives you two ways to get your Master of Social Work degree. Each path fits different educational backgrounds and career goals.

The Traditional MSW Program needs 60 total credit hours and gives detailed training to students from various academic backgrounds. Students take 30 credit hours of generalist practice and then 30 credit hours of specialized practice. Your trip through this program includes 900 hours of practicum practice (internships) spread across four academic semesters.

The Advanced Standing Program (ASP) might be right if you have an undergraduate social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program. This faster track needs only 36 credit hours. ASP students start with two classes worth six credit hours in summer. After that, they take between nine and fifteen credit hours each semester.

Both programs specialize in trauma-informed social work practice. The lessons give you specialized knowledge and skills you need to work with clients and communities affected by trauma and violence. This trauma-informed approach merges with every part of your coursework.

Here’s how the Traditional Program breaks down:

• 27 credit hours of generalist practice courses
• 21 credit hours of specialized practice courses focused on trauma-informed work
• 12 credit hours of electives

The Advanced Standing Program has:

• 6 credit hours of advanced standing courses
• 21 credit hours of specialized practice courses
• 9 credit hours of electives

Field practice is a vital part of social work education – experts call it the “signature pedagogy.” Full-time and extended study students complete at least 400 hours during the generalist practice year and 500 hours in the specialized practice year.

Both programs let you choose electives that line up with your career goals. You can pick courses in areas like child welfare, healthcare, school social work, military social work, and community development. Some students can even take courses from other departments with the MSW Program director’s written approval.

Your graduation depends on keeping a grade point average of B (3.0) or better and earning at least a B- in all courses. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to help individuals, families, groups, and communities through ethical and skilled trauma-informed practice.

About the online program

The UCCS MSW online program puts flexibility first. The UCCS College of Public Service lets you switch between online and on-campus classes each semester. You can create a schedule that fits your life and work commitments with this mix-and-match approach.

Getting your masters in social work through UCCS Online is a smart way to boost your expertise and open new doors. You can keep working while you study – the program is built for it. This works great for social work professionals who want to grow their qualifications without giving up their job or experience.

Your course selection each semester comes with options that fit your schedule. Traditional education doesn’t work for everyone, especially if you’re juggling multiple responsibilities. The online platform makes your MSW available to you no matter where you are or what your schedule looks like.

UCCS’s online learning works for all kinds of educational backgrounds. The university has degree options that fit whether you’re just starting in higher education or you’re a pro looking to level up your career. Social work students can choose between Traditional or Advanced Standing programs – both offering the same quality as on-campus learning.

Here’s what makes UCCS’s online MSW special:

• Learn at set times or at your own pace
• Study with the same great faculty who teach on campus
• Follow a similar curriculum as the in-person program
• Get detailed student support tailored for online learners

While you study online, you’ll still do your field placement hours. This helps you build practical skills along with your classroom knowledge. The online format just gives you more control over your study schedule.

More importantly, the UCCS online MSW keeps its full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education. Your online degree carries the same weight as an on-campus one. Graduates step into their careers ready to help communities through ethical, competent trauma-informed social work practice.

The online program shows UCCS’s dedication to bringing quality graduate education to students whatever their location or schedule might be. It maintains the high standards that make University of Colorado social work programs stand out.

Accreditation

Quality and excellence are the foundations of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs MSW program. The program has earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation. This recognition shows that the program meets and exceeds quality education standards through a complete peer review process.

UCCS achieved a big milestone with this accreditation. The program went through a standard three-part process starting in 2020 and earned full accreditation valid for eight years. Students who joined the program from fall 2020 now get all the benefits of graduating from a CSWE-accredited social work program.

This accreditation brings several advantages to you as a future student. The program has proven resources to achieve its mission and goals. The Commission on Accreditation has confirmed the program’s alignment with all Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards—a complete set of quality markers for social work education.

The accreditation covers all program locations and teaching methods. Online and in-person students receive the same recognized qualification. This becomes especially valuable during job searches because many employers and licensing boards need a CSWE-accredited social work degree.

The path to accreditation demands thorough evaluation with detailed self-studies, site visits, and extensive reviews. Dean George Reed emphasized, “It is a mark of excellence that assures current and future students of a high level of quality”.

CSWE remains the only organization that accredits social work programs in the United States. It acts as a quality check while creating advanced standing opportunities for graduates. Students looking for a masters in social work in Colorado can trust this accreditation as proof of program quality and graduate competence.

CSWE-accredited programs track and report student learning based on nine social work competencies in the accreditation standards. Social workers must become skilled at these practice dimensions during their professional training. UCCS has set its competency standard at 80%.

This accreditation without doubt sets the University of Colorado social work programs apart from other options in the state.

Admission Requirements

The UCCS masters in social work Colorado programs have a clear application process. The University of Colorado Colorado Springs MSW program uses a modified cohort model. Traditional MSW students can only start in fall, while Advanced Standing students begin in summer.

You can apply during three phases: December 1 (early admissions), February 1 (financial aid priority), and April 15 (final deadline). The school reviews applications in batches after each deadline and releases decisions within 2-3 weeks.

Traditional MSW program requirements include:

• A four-year undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
• A GPA of 3.0 or higher is typical (Graduate School requires minimum 2.75)
• At least 18 social science credits from subjects like anthropology, economics, ethnic studies, geography, history, linguistics, political science, psychology, sociology, or related fields

Advanced Standing Program candidates need:

• A bachelor’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited program earned within the last 10 years
• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

Your application package should include:

• Online Graduate School Application with application fee ($60 for domestic, $100 for international students)
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Current resume showing education and experience with weekly hours
• Contact details for two professional references
• Three professional statements (500-1,000 words each) answering specific questions about social problems, personal challenges, and professional goals

The program doesn’t require GRE scores for admission. Advanced Standing applicants must also submit field placement evaluations or get an evaluation from their current field instructor if placement is ongoing.

The program accepts applications until the cohort fills up or until 30 days before classes start if spaces remain after final deadlines.

Tuition

Smart financial planning plays a key role when you invest in your education. UCCS’s MSW program tuition rates change based on where you live, how many courses you take, and how you take them.

Colorado residents who take 3 credit hours (one course) pay about $2,394 to $2,853 each semester. The tuition increases with more courses – two courses (6 credit hours) cost $4,283 to $5,201, while three courses (9 credit hours) run between $6,174 and $7,551. Resident students taking a full-time load of four courses (12 credit hours) typically pay $8,063 to $9,899 per semester.

Students from outside Colorado face higher tuition rates. A single course (3 credit hours) costs $4,479 to $4,749. The cost for two courses (6 credit hours) ranges from $8,453 to $8,993, and three courses (9 credit hours) cost $12,429 to $13,239. Full-time students taking 12 credit hours can expect to pay $16,403 to $17,483.

Students can reduce these costs in several ways. The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) lets eligible students from WICHE states pay in-state rates. WICHE states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States.

Online programs come with different pricing options. Non-resident students in fully online classes pay less than on-campus students – one course costs $2,363 to $2,960, two courses run $4,727 to $5,920, and three courses cost $7,090 to $8,880.

Note that these amounts cover base tuition without general fees or program charges. Each online course has an extra $100 fee. UCCS’s Bursar’s Website offers a bill calculator tool to get your specific cost estimate.

When looking at Colorado’s masters in social work programs, Colorado Mesa University has the lowest prices. However, UCCS’s prices stay competitive given its quality and specialized focus.

Additional Information

UCCS MSW graduates enjoy excellent job prospects, and Colorado social workers earn competitive salaries in all specialties. Child, family, and school social workers earn the highest average yearly income at $64,690. Healthcare social workers follow at $63,160, while mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $61,330. A different report shows Colorado’s average social worker salary at $75,600, with most professionals earning between $67,922 and $82,972.

UCCS holds an impressive position as the third-best social work program in Colorado and ranks 83rd out of 318 programs nationally. This makes it UCCS’s highest-ranked graduate program.

New graduates should look into loan forgiveness programs. Working in designated “Health Professional Shortage Areas” could qualify them for the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program. The Colorado Health Service Corps offers additional state-level options.

Recent changes to Colorado’s policies have removed the masters-level exam requirement for licensure. This change helps address the state’s growing shortage of mental health professionals, as the need grew by 152% from 2019 to 2022.

MSW programs at UCCS equip graduates to work in various communities. Brighton, Highlands Ranch, and Louisville provide the highest-paying social work positions in the state.