Bachelor of Science in Social Work Program

Social Work is an exciting academic major, preparing students for professional entry-level work in the social and human services. Students in the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) Program engage in the exploration of ways to ameliorate personal, interpersonal, and societal problems and learn skills and techniques in order to create change and make a difference in people’s lives. Social Work is a valuable degree as many employers recognize it as preparing graduates to utilize a variety of tools to work with diverse populations on multiple issues and goals.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) defines social work as “a profession devoted to helping people function the best they can in their environment” and defines social workers as “people who care about people, who want to make things better, who want to relieve suffering, who want their work to make a difference“.

Employment of social workers is expected to grow by 13% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations (Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2021). Bachelor-level social workers are employed in a variety of settings, including schools, prisons, non-profit and for-profit private agencies, and governmental agencies. They work with individuals, families, groups, and communities as intake staff, resource and referral specialists, case workers, case managers, program coordinators, project directors, community organizers, and more. All 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
• Embodying a professional code of ethics

At MSU Denver, students get a high level of instruction at an affordable price. Our BSSW program offers:

• Multiple course delivery and enrollment options (including online, hybrid, and on-campus day, night and weekend course offerings) that allow flexibility for our students and increase accessibility no matter their life circumstance.
• Small class sizes, which means you get more direct contact with your faculty and advisors.
• Classroom and field experiences that prepare you for an intense professional environment.
• Diverse and experience professors who are dedicated to helping students learn and succeed.
• A unique Office of Social Work Student Services, providing dedicated student support from admission through graduation and beyond.
• A dedicated Office of Field Education, working one-on-one with students to secure field placements while maintaining relationships with over 700 agencies throughout the state.

As a graduate of MSU Denver’s BSSW Program you will be prepared for entry-level, direct-service positions such as caseworker or mental health assistant. Among the organizations and agencies who hire social workers are:

• Mental health clinics
• Schools
• Child welfare and human service agencies
• Hospitals
• Community development corporations
• Senior citizen centers
• Youth organizations
• Private practices

On average, our BSSW graduates earn $30,000 to $60,000 annually with 75% of graduates finding a job in the field within 2 months of graduation. BSSW Program graduates are also eligible for Advanced Standing in many Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs across the nation (including the MSU Denver MSW Program). This allows students to complete their MSW degree in just one year!

Our BSSW Program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education – the sole accrediting body for social work education in the United States. Accreditation assures that professional standards are met in curriculum content and delivery. Accredited programs periodically undergo rigorous review by CSWE in order to ensure compliance with educational standards.

The Department of Social Work at MSU Denver values the assessment process as it leads to instrumental data that informs program improvement on multiple levels. Our assessment methods have improved over the years, and our most recent improvement involves the sharing of assessment data with our stakeholders (students, field instructors, and other community partners). We invite you to view our recent assessment findings.