MSU Denver has two MSW program options: the Advanced Standing program, a 36-credit hour program for those with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program and the Regular program, a 60-credit hour program for those with a bachelor's degree in any field from a regionally accredited school. Students may earn their degree taking online, hybrid and/or on-campus courses. Students are taught by faculty who are experts in the field and have extensive practice, research, and leadership experience. Program graduates are eligible to take the state social work licensure exam.

The mission of the MSW program is to educate social work leaders committed to enhancing individual and community well-being and advancing social justice.  The program promotes the values and work of the profession, through teaching, service, research, and collaboration.

While in the program, students acquire knowledge and skills in working with diverse children, families, systems, and communities. Students gain an understanding of human development, cultural awareness and responsiveness, social policy, and methods and techniques for working with individuals and groups. Students undertake a yearlong field experience, offering them supervised, direct practice experience. 

Students may elect a School Social Work Pathway, in which they take several identified courses dedicated to prepare them to work effectively with and within private schools and the public school system. Students in the School Social Work Pathway are prepared to work with various at-risk children including those who have emotional and developmental challenges, abused and neglected youth, their families and caregivers, and support social service agencies. Students will learn about laws and regulations impacting students and schools, effective school-based programming, relationship-building with stakeholders, and skills for inclusive school social work practice. Students in the School Social Work Pathway will complete a yearlong field experience in a school (or related agency) and will develop a Capstone project connected to their work in the field.