Msw Students' Health And Wellness Focus At The University Of Denver

The University of Denver's Graduate School of Social Work offers a Master of Social Work (MSW) program with a Health and Wellness pathway. The pathway focuses on health and wellness from traditional and holistic perspectives, preparing students for careers in medical and integrated health settings. The curriculum covers topics such as health equity, social determinants of health, and culturally responsive practice skills. While the exact number of students enrolled in this pathway is not specified, the University of Denver's MSW program is ranked #12 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, indicating a competitive and well-regarded program that attracts students interested in health and wellness. The online MSW program also offers flexibility, allowing students to balance their personal and professional commitments while pursuing their master's degree.

The Health & Wellness pathway

The Health, Equity and Wellness pathway covers the history of health, health disparities, and culturally competent social work practice. It focuses on integrative approaches to healthcare and the mind-body connection, incorporating problem-solving and evidence-based modalities. Students will learn about health care trends, interdisciplinary collaboration, and social justice in health. The curriculum includes courses such as "Evolving Perspectives and Trends in Health and Wellness", "Social Work Practice in Health Care", "Methods for Evaluating Practice/Programs", and "Mental Health and Health Care Policy".

Students in this pathway will gain the knowledge and skills to incorporate problem-solving and integrative, strength-based approaches into their social work practice. They will be prepared to sit for the licensure exam to become social workers in medical and integrated health and wellness settings. The University of Denver's MSW program takes a progressive approach to social work education, preparing students to practice in traditional and non-traditional settings. The program is ranked #12 on U.S. News & World Report's list of best social work programs.

The Health, Equity and Wellness pathway is a great option for students who want to make a positive impact on individual and community health and well-being, while also addressing issues of equity and social justice. It provides a strong foundation for a career in social work, with a focus on health and wellness.

Field internships

The field placement process is designed to help students find internships that align with their interests and career goals. Students work closely with field placement specialists, who connect them to a vast network of opportunities across 50 states. During their internships, students receive support from field liaisons and field instructors, who ensure they are meeting curricular milestones and goals. Supervision is provided by experienced social work professionals, who offer feedback and help students develop their skills.

For students in the Online MSW program, the field placement process is tailored to their location, with internships sourced from their local communities. This allows students to make a difference in their own communities while gaining hands-on experience.

The foundation year internship focuses on building generalist social work practice skills, with students working across various client systems and populations. During the concentration year internship, students focus on developing advanced social work practice skills in their chosen concentration, such as mental health and trauma or health, equity, and wellness.

The University of Denver also offers the option of completing internships at a student's current workplace, provided that appropriate graduate-level learning and supervision are available. This allows students to integrate their internships with their existing professional roles.

In addition to traditional settings, the University of Denver supports internships in non-traditional community practice settings, such as Café Cultura and Friends of Enca Farm. This flexibility ensures that students can pursue their interests and gain diverse experiences during their field placements.

Career prospects

The University of Denver's Master of Social Work (MSW) program with a Health and Wellness pathway prepares students for a variety of career opportunities in the health and wellness industry. The program equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to work in dynamic settings, such as hospitals, integrated health clinics, comprehensive and specialized health care clinics, hospices, long-term care facilities, public health clinics, and wellness centres.

With a focus on health, equity, and wellness, the MSW program offers two distinct pathways: the Health, Equity, and Wellness pathway, and the Mental Health and Trauma pathway. The Health, Equity, and Wellness pathway covers the history of health, health disparities, and culturally competent social work practice. It prepares students for careers in hospitals, integrated health clinics, and other medical settings. The curriculum includes courses such as "Social Work Practice in Health", "Evolving Perspectives and Trends in Health and Wellness", and "Integrated Health Care: Models and Practice".

The MSW program with a Health and Wellness focus opens up a range of career paths, including:

• Health and wellness counsellor: Helping individuals and communities improve their health and quality of life.
• Public health educator: Educating communities about health topics and promoting wellness.
• Corporate wellness coordinator: Developing and implementing wellness programs and initiatives in corporate settings.
• Community health social worker: Working directly with communities to address health and social issues and improve health outcomes.
• Health services manager: Managing and coordinating health services within an organisation or community.
• Medical social worker: Providing social work services within medical settings, such as hospitals and dialysis centres.
• Integrated behavioural health provider/consultant: Working in integrated care teams that combine mental and physical health services.

The University of Denver's MSW program also offers the opportunity to pursue a dual degree with a Master of Public Health (MPH). This dual degree enhances career prospects in public health interventions, policy development, health education, and leadership roles in healthcare organisations.

The demand for professionals in the health and wellness industry is growing. According to the University of Denver, health care and medical social work positions are projected to grow by 20% through 2026. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 14% growth in healthcare social work jobs between 2019 and 2029. This growth is driven by the increasing urban population and the rise in mental health issues, highlighting the need for social workers in these areas.

Course structure

The University of Denver's Master of Social Work (MSW) program offers a Health, Equity and Wellness pathway that covers the history of health, health disparities, and culturally competent social work practice. The curriculum focuses on clinical skills, leadership, and advocacy in health and wellness administration, and policy practice. The program prepares students for careers in hospitals, hospices, outpatient clinics, school-based health clinics, and experiential treatment settings.

The Health, Equity, and Wellness pathway is designed to improve health and wellness for individuals and communities, advocate for policy reform across healthcare delivery systems, and promote well-being for the most marginalized individuals. The curriculum includes courses on social work practice in health, evolving perspectives, and trends in health and wellness, integrated health care, assessment of mental health across the lifespan, mental health and healthcare policy, methods for evaluating practice and programs, leadership and supervision skills, applied practice evaluation research, and integrated health care models and practice.

The University of Denver also offers a Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree in collaboration with the Colorado School of Public Health at the Anschutz Medical Campus. This program combines public health and social work, focusing on physical health trends, epidemiology, social and emotional wellness, and behavioral health. Career options with this dual degree include developing public health interventions, creating policies around substance use and behavioral health, providing health education, and advancing health equity.

The MSW program at the University of Denver offers both online and on-campus options. The online MSW program is designed for aspiring social workers who do not hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and are driven to pursue a career in social work. The online program includes two internships, one foundation internship and one concentration internship, completed under the guidance of a licensed social worker. The on-campus program is offered at three locations in Colorado, including the main campus in Denver, and provides a holistic understanding of social work principles, preparing students to advocate for social justice in various settings.

Application requirements

The University of Denver's MSW program is designed for aspiring social workers who want to advance equity across all communities. The program is ranked #12 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) takes a progressive approach to social work education, preparing students to practice social work in traditional and nontraditional settings.

The application requirements for the University of Denver's MSW program are as follows:

Bachelor's Degree

All applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission. The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits.

Master's Degree

An earned master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for a bachelor's degree.

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts from all institutions attended are required for the application process.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are optional for the MSW program. Applicants may submit up to two letters of recommendation, which will be considered by the Admission Committee as part of their holistic review and selection process.

Career Goals Statement

A Career Goals Statement is an essential part of the application. This statement should include the applicant's rationale for pursuing an MSW degree, their understanding of the social work profession and its core values, a description of any cultural, economic, or social challenges that have provided a unique perspective on social work issues, and a discussion of the relationship between their educational, employment, and volunteer experiences and how they equip the applicant for the social work profession. The average statement length is four to six pages, and submissions exceeding six pages are discouraged.

Application Fee

There is a nonrefundable $65 application fee for the online Master of Social Work program at the University of Denver. Waivers are offered for University of Denver alumni, current or former members of the U.S. military, those who submit their application before the priority deadline, or those who attend a webinar.

International Applicants

International applicants must submit all application materials at least 14 business days before the priority deadline. Transcripts and proof of degree documents for degrees earned outside the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator, and a non-refundable fee for this service is required. Official scores from English language tests, such as TOEFL or IELTS, are required for applicants whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language.

The University of Denver's MSW program has four convenient start dates throughout the year: January, March, June, and September. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions