Future Change Makers: Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and be the driving force behind social justice, empowerment, and become a catalyst for change? Step into the dynamic world of social work where we break barriers, amplify unheard voices, and create tangible impact. The MSW program is a journey where action speaks louder than words!
Join the MSW Program at Colorado Mesa University.
“The purpose of the social work profession is to promote human and community well-being. Guided by a person-in-environment framework, a global perspective, respect for human diversity, and knowledge based on scientific inquiry, the purpose of social work is actualized through its quest for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, the creation of conditions that facilitate the realization of human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of life for all persons, locally and globally.
To fully realize our commitment to social justice, social workers must engage in anti-racist, culturally responsive social work practice at the individual, family, group, organizational, community, research, and policy levels, informed by the theories and voices of those who have been marginalized. In an ever-shifting social and environmental context, social work is agile, responsive, and generative.
Social workers share a commitment to promoting social welfare, helping people of all backgrounds overcome their unique challenges, advocating for social and economic justice for all members of the community, and embodying a professional code of ethics” (CSWE, 2022).
Why earn your Master of Social Work degree from Colorado Mesa University?
The Master of Social Work degree program is a cohort model with small classroom sizes and professors who have expertise in the practice. Our program faculty have experience working in mental health, addictions, forensic social work, clinical practice, macro social work, research, and more.
MSW Foundation Program is a two year program with 74 credits. Students are required to complete 1050 hours of supervised training across practicum and internship experiences. Foundation is the required program for all students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Master of Social Work classes for fall/spring are held Tuesday and Thursday (approximately 8-4), Faculty Supervision (times vary between 7am and 5pm), and Summer classes are held Monday through Thursday (approximately 9-12). Classes are held in person on CMU's Main Campus in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Academic Requirements for Master of Social Work in Social Work: FoundationMSW Advanced Standing Program is a one year program with 44 credits. Students are required to complete 600 hours of supervised training in an internship experience. Advanced Standing Applicants must have earned a social work degree from a CSWE Accredited program within five years of admission. Advanced Standing Applicants must have successfully completed a minimum of 400 hours of practicum experience during their BSW program. Master of Social Work classes for fall/spring are held Tuesday and Thursday (approximately 8-4), Faculty Supervision (times vary between 7am and 5pm), and Summer classes are held Monday through Thursday (approximately 9-12). Classes are held in person on CMU's Main Campus in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Academic Requirements for Master of Social Work in Social Work: Advanced StandingProfessional social workers are found in a wide variety of setting including, schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, senior centers, elected office, private practices, prisons, military, corporations, and in numerous public and private agencies that serve individuals and families in need. They often specialize in one or more of the following practice areas:
- Alcohol and drug abuse, addictions, substance abuse treatment centers
- Child welfare (abuse and neglect; adoption, foster care)
- Clinical - Private Practice (therapist, mental health, addictions, family, divorce)
- Community Organizing
- Forensic Social Work (jails, prisons, courts, public defenders, district attorney, alternative defense, specialty courts)
- Geriatric facilities (nursing homes, home health, Alzheimer's units)
- Hospice & Palliative Care (end of life care)
- International Social Work (United Nations, WHO - global social work; economic stress; liberation, community organizing)
- Military & Veterans services (United States & International)
- Medical Social Work (inpatient and outpatient hospitals, health clinics, specialty clinics)
- Police Department (co-responder, crisis intervention, therapist)
- Psychiatric Social Work (mental health centers, medical hospitals, psychiatric hospitals)
- School Social Work (public or private schools K-12)
- Trauma and Violence (combat, sexual violence, human trafficking, refugee, natural disaster)
HLC Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission (HLC) granted accreditation to the Masters of Social Work Program in 2022.
Higher Learning Commission Review
CSWE Accreditation
The Master of Social Work program at CMU was granted Candidacy status March, 2024 by the Board of Accreditation, Council on Social Work Education.
http://www.cswe.org/accreditation/about/boa-decisions/February-2024/
Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program. The Candidacy process is typically a three-year process that includes Pre-Candidacy, Candidacy, and Initial Accreditation.
Students who enter a program in Candidacy in the academic year in which they begin their program of study will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE-accredited program once the program attains Initial Accreditation.
Projected Growth
Expected growth of profession from 2020-2030.
Core Mental Health Professions
As recognized by the National Institute of Health.
Clinically Trained Social Workers
The nation's largest group of mental health services providers. Most social workers will obtain an independent license (LCSW or LICSW).
Social workers decrease juvenile arrests by 68%
Promote alternative and fair sentencing, increase needed services, and provide treatment for our youth.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are Classes Held...and Where?
- Master of Social Work fall/spring classes are held Tuesday and Thursday (approximately 8am -4pm), Faculty Supervision (times vary between 7am and 5pm). In addition to MSW courses and Faculty supervision, you are required to complete 15 hours of practicum or 20 hours of internship each week.
- Master of Social Work summer classes are held Monday through Thursday (approximately 9am -12pm) and there are no additional practicum/internship hours or supervision requirements.
- Classes are held in person on CMU's Main Campus in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Important Dates/When Does the Semester Begin?
Please review the three year campus wide calender for upcoming semester dates CMU Calendar
Tuition and Fees?
Please review the tuition rates for Graduate Students at Graduate Tuition and Fees
Scholarship and Loan Repayment Options?
CMU MSW program currently has a full tuition grant from the Denver Foundation to increase cultural responsiveness and agility in rural communities (Western Slope) and up to a $30,000 student loan repayment program for those students interested in working in Grand Junction post graduation working towards obtaining their LCSW. Applications for scholarship and loans are offered post acceptance into the program.
Social Work State Licensing Requirements?
Please review licensing requirements across all states - State Licensing for Master of Social Work.
Scheduling an Exam- candidates can check local sites and appointment availability: ASWB Exam
Who to contact about the MSW program?
Graduate Admissions Coordinator and Application Support
[email protected]
Dr. Michelle Sunkel, DSW, LICSW, LCSW, LAC, MBE
Associate Professor Social Work
Master Social Work Program Director
Houston Hall 222C
[email protected]
970.248.2004