MSW Programs in Colorado | No GRE/CSWE Accredited Masters

From mountain biking to skiing, as well as horse-riding to canoeing, Colorado is known as the state for outdoor activities, beautiful landscapes, and wildlife.

It may be the perfect place for students who wish to complete a social work degree program. Colorado currently features six universities that offer social work degrees with a total of eight accredited programs in the state. These programs offer flexible options to students who may wish to pursue their bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or want to attend a degree program online or on-campus.

These accredited programs offer the opportunity for students to expand their career and income opportunities by learning new skills and entering or promoting within a rewarding and challenging career field.

Social workers are in demand for the future to come due to their skills and, and statistics show that this demand isn’t likely to slow. Earning a social work degree in Colorado may be beneficial for many students and professionals who want an interesting career.

Social Work Degree Programs in Colorado

Students looking to earn a Colorado social work license and/or degree have several high quality universities and programs from which to choose. Determining the best program for your individual needs may depend on factors such as the institution and program’s mission, culture, and certain specific educational opportunities.

Metropolitan State University of Denver

MSU Denver’s department of social work offers a bachelor’s of science in social work program as well as a master’s of social work program. Students have a flexible online option with either of these degree programs, or they can choose to attend the on-campus program if they prefer. The on-campus version of the program is delivered partially through a hybrid delivery method.

The BSW program has multiple course delivery options beyond online or on-campus delivery, allowing for day, night, and weekend attendance. This increases accessibility and flexibility for students with a variety of life circumstances. The BSW program allows students to complete the program either full-time or part-time.

The full-time program takes two years to complete, while the part-time program takes approximately three years to complete. Students will take courses such as human behavior, social justice, policy, statistics, social work practice, and more.

They will also apply what they have learned through professional field experience in their senior year, which will prepare them for their career or moving along to graduate school.

The MSW program at MSU Denver offers a regular and advanced standing program. The advanced standing program starts in the summer only, and is intended for students who have earned their bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited institution.

The regular program starts in the fall only. When a student applies, it will take about 7-9 weeks for MSU Denver to process and review the application after the deadline. Once a student is admitted, they will complete sixty credit hours of courses and fieldwork intended to prepare them for a career in social work or other social service careers.

Colorado State University

The social work program at Colorado State University offers a bachelor’s, master’s, and professional doctorate degree in social work program (BSW, MSW, and PhD).

The BSW program educates students on social systems, focusing on vulnerable populations. This degree is the first step towards a career in making a change for individuals and communities.

In this program at CSU, students will learn about how to combine research strategies alongside counseling, mediation, and advocacy to best serve their clients and help them effectively navigate complex systems. Students who take part in this program will be expected to complete a 450 hour internship in the field. This degree program prepares students to go on to earn their MSW degree, which many choose to do.

The CSU MSW program offers both an on-campus option and a partially online hybrid model. This program prepares students to go into a variety of career paths and to work with any number of groups, individuals, and organizations. Students are able to customize the program to fit their area of interest.

Students also have the option to complete a master’s in public health (MPH) degree along with the social work degree. The MSW program demonstrates the social work competencies outlined by the CSWE. This program also allows students the opportunity to complete their education abroad.

The PhD program of Social Work at CSU is designed to train the next generation of educators in the field of social work through an advanced generalist practice study.

The goals of the program are to educate those who participate in how to become professional scholars and practitioners how to conduct research that will promote health and well-being among their communities. Part-time and full-time options are both available to meet the needs of students.

University of Denver

The University of Denver offers a master of social work and PhD of social work degree program. The university focuses on building graduates who are focused on promoting social change through focusing on solutions and who are capable of responding to the needs of their community.

The needs that the university finds the most vital are housing, food security, mental health care, climate change, and more. Students graduate with the ability to transform the lives of those affected by these issues.

The MSW program at DU prepares students for countless career paths, whether one wants to work as a clinician, in the nonprofit space, in a school, or more. Students in this program have the option to participate in global courses or internships, which can broaden their view of the world and deepen their perspective.

The MSW program is also offered online in either a full-time or part-time format to meet the needs of students who need a more flexible option.

With the fieldwork requirement, the DU MSW program emphasizes a “learning by doing” approach, where students apply their coursework in their internship that they complete in their senior year.

The PhD program at DU trains students how to address the most essential and important needs in the community by becoming scholars, educators, and experts in policy and research.

PhD students will spend approximately 4-5 years completing the program. During this time, they learn how to professionally conduct research and analyze policy. Students will also complete a teaching practicum and dissertation prior to graduation.

CSWE Accredited Programs in Colorado

Choosing the right institution and program is an important decision that may impact your educational experience and possibly even your future career options. Attending a university that is accredited is a good way to ensure that you are receiving a high-quality education.

What is CSWE Accreditation?

The CSWE stands for the Council on Social Work Education. Founded in 1952, the CSWE is the sole accrediting agency for social work programs in the nation, and it consists of individuals who are passionate about innovating social work education now and in the future.

The CSWE is also home to over 800 social work programs. The organization works to establish and maintain quality standards for institutions that offer social work educational programs across the US.

CSWE Accredited Programs:

Why is CSWE Accreditation Important?

CSWE accreditation has proven its importance by ensuring consistent quality of social work education throughout its qualifying institutions in the United States. In order to become accredited, programs must prove that they meet the high standards set by the CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation (COA).

Accredited schools are qualified to prepare students for the national social work licensing exams, which help students become adequately educated for their future careers. This leads to a workforce that is ready to help address the needs of their community.

CSWE accreditation is important because it helps a student trust that the education they are receiving is high quality. Higher education is an investment, and accreditation is one way that a school proves that their programs are worthy to the students who choose to attend that institution.

Online Social Work Programs in Colorado

You may want to attend a social work degree program, but might need a more flexible option. That’s where online degrees come in. There are multiple benefits to attending an online degree program.

Colorado has several options for online social work degrees available, including:

Colorado State University: MSW
Metropolitan State University of Denver: BSW, MSW
University of Denver: MSW

What Are the Benefits of an Online Social Work Degree?

Earning a Colorado social work degree online can be very helpful to students with a variety of life circumstances. For example, many students choose to attend online programs because they are already working a full-time job and need coursework that is flexible and can be completed when the individual has free time.

An individual may also want to attend school but have other responsibilities, such as a family to care for. Even people who don’t have a full-time job or children can benefit from online social work programs, because many individuals may prefer to complete schoolwork in a private setting.

Online Social Work Degrees:

Social Work Licensure in Colorado

To become a licensed social worker in Colorado, you will need a masters degree in social work (MSW) from an accredited institution. Once you have completed all the required steps for licensure, your title will be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

While you are completing those steps, you will be considered a Licensed Social Worker (LSW). The LSW means that you can provide clinical social work services while being supervised by an LCSW to earn your clinical hours, which is a requirement of the process.

The entire process of LSW to LCSW is as follows:

Pass Colorado’s Mental Health Jurisprudence Examination. This exam tests for a student’s knowledge of laws regarding mental health treatment in Colorado. The exam is “open book”.
Pass the ASWB clinical exam. The fee for this exam was $260 as of 2020. The ASWB website provides helpful information on how to prepare for the exam.
Complete the Licensed Social Work application. This application has several requirements of what needs to be submitted, so be sure to follow the checklist carefully.
Receive your LSW license.

Once you have completed the above steps to become an LSW, you will then begin the process of becoming an LCSW. This process is:

Complete required experience hours. You will qualify to complete the required 3,360 hours of supervised clinical social work experience over 24 months. At least half of these hours should be with clients.
Pass the Mental Health Jurisprudence Exam. The board will determine if you must retake this exam if you have previously taken it for your LSW.
Take and pass the ASWB examination. If you have previously taken this exam to receive your LSW, you do not need to take it again.
Complete the LCSW application. The Colorado board provides a checklist of required information.
Receive your LCSW license.

Social Work Salary & Job Outlook in Colorado

The salary for a social worker in Colorado may depend on one’s location, years of experience in the field, what kind of organization they work for, their length of employment at that organization, and more.

Every social worker plays an important role in contributing towards reducing inequality in their community regardless of salary, however, social workers with a master’s degree and a license are likely to earn a higher salary than those with a bachelor’s degree.

Social Worker Salary in Colorado

According to the O*Net Online, the median salary for a social worker in Colorado is $61,190. Comparatively, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for social workers in the entire United States was $50,390 in 2021. Below, the average salary is broken down for social workers based on degree type.

Colorado BSW average salary: The average salary for a social worker with their bachelor’s degree is about $62,107, but it can range between $55,508 and $69,280.
Colorado MSW average salary: The average salary for a social worker with their master’s degree is about $68,959, but it can range between $62,295 and 76,064.
Colorado LCSW average salary: The average salary for a licensed clinical social worker in Colorado is about $76,680, but it can range between $70,734 and $85,208.
Colorado PhD average salary: Professionals with a PhD may have a wide range of salaries. Some may go on to become professors, in which case, their salary would be approximately $85,270-$149,413. Some graduates may choose to work as a leader in social services, such as a clinical director. That salary can fall between $86,841-$102,203.

Learn More: LCSW Salary Guide

Social Worker Job Outlook in Colorado

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for all social workers in the United States is projected to grow 12% over the next decade, which is faster than usual for most careers.

This equates to about 74,700 jobs opening up each year. In Colorado, about 115 percent growth or more over the next decade is projected, which is faster than average as well. This equates to about 19,700 job openings projected each year in the state.

Popular Social Work Careers in Colorado

Every state has their own unique needs that social workers can address, and Colorado is no different. As a result, there are some social work specializations and careers that are more in-demand and popular in the state, which include:

Case Manager

This role is broad, but very important. Case managers are responsible for taking on caseloads of individuals and families and managing their status within certain healthcare or social service systems.

They might play an advocate to the family, provide them with resources, give them advice, and more. In Colorado, many bilingual case managers are in demand.

Case managers work in a variety of different settings, and the job involves an ability to multi-task due to the importance of the work they are tasked with, such as helping their clients.

Average Salary: $40,500

Licensed Mental Health Therapisit

To become a mental health therapist as a social worker in Colorado, one must have a master’s degree and earn their clinical social work license.

Mental health therapists assess, diagnose, and treat individuals, couples, and families experiencing relationship struggles or a variety of mental health disorders that range from mild to serious and complex.

The help they give can improve relationships, prevent suicides, and sometimes even improve rates of homelessness or substance use within a community.

Average Salary: $71,034

What is the Typical Cost of a Social Work Program in Colorado

One important factor to consider when determining where you will attend your social work program may be the tuition and fees. Getting a general idea ahead of time of what to expect may provide some peace of mind as you begin to gather the information you need to apply to your schools of choice. Below is a summary of the average cost of social work programs in the state.

Bachelor’s of Social Work Programs: $36,944
Master’s of Social Work Programs: $26,991
Doctorate of Social Work Programs: This information is not often disclosed on the website of the institution. Contact the program directly for more information. However, there are frequently financial assistance programs available for doctoral students who remain in good standing.

Learn More: Social Work Financial Aid Opportunities

Social Work Scholarships

There are many social work scholarships and grants available online to help with funding your social work degree. Both of these forms of financial assistance do not need to be paid back.

A great place to start is by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application determines if you are eligible for any grants based on your income, plus some other factors, and will send the information to your chosen university. It is one of the biggest providers of financial aid for many college students.

Once you have chosen which university to attend, you can also try contacting them to see what financial resources may be available directly through the university.

Many institutions feature their own grants or scholarships within specific programs, such as social work. Asking the program advisor or financial aid office may be helpful, as well as searching the university website.

The internet also features websites online that compile various scholarships that are available to many different types of students, such as:

CSWE Scholarships and Fellowships – The Counsel for Social Work Education, the accrediting institution for social work programs in the US, provides scholarship and fellowship opportunities on their website. This list is updated as opportunities become available with information on how to apply.

Other scholarship opportunities online:

Key Social Work Areas in Colorado

While Colorado draws many people in due to the beautiful nature of the state, it still has some issues where social workers can be of assistance.

Colorado struggles particularly with their population of homeless individuals. Between 2007 and 2021, the population of people who were chronically living solely in shelters grew by 266%, which is higher than any other state. There are approximately 10,857 people without a home in the state on any given night in the state. One of the reasons for this is the lack of affordable housing, according to Colorado.gov.

Other reasons are due to wages that are too low, as many individuals are working and still homeless. Systemic inequities also play a part, with 57% of the state being BIPOC individuals. Additionally, 40% of the youth in the state are LGBTQIA+. Both of these populations are more likely to be homeless.

Social workers can address these issues on the ground level directly with individuals by helping them navigate complex social systems.

Some social workers can help by providing emotional support through therapeutic services. Still others at a higher level can work to advocate for systemic change at a policy level. There are many ways in which social workers can address these issues with their training and education.

MSW Programs in Colorado Tuition and Admission Information

With your Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, it’s time to choose a Master’s degree in social work at one of the five social work schools in Colorado. These schools have an average tuition cost of $13,435. However, if you attend a school that also offers Bachelor’s-level social work courses, you may be able to pay for your education with a teaching assistantship.

Some schools in Colorado, including the Metropolitan State University of Denver, give you the chance to earn Advanced Standing. This is open to students with a Bachelor’s degree in social work, and it allows you to complete your MSW in one year instead of two years.

What Will I Learn in an Colorado MSW Program?

The coursework involved in a graduate-level social work program is multi-faceted and challenging. In addition to learning about the laws, ethics, and basics of evidence-based practice, you learn about the sociological implications of social work. As a student, you’ll explore the root causes of social issues and discover how to help people overcome their circumstances.

Throughout the course of your social work program, it’s important to integrate classroom learning with real life social work care. Traditional students complete about 15 hours per week at a field site, while Advanced Standing students complete at least 20 hours per week.

In order to get a wide range of experience in the field, you may complete your field work at several different sites. This gives you experience in mental health, child welfare, substance abuse, and more.