1. New Student Advising Guide Fall 2019

2. Contents Dates to Remember Academic Advising Contact
Additional Campus Contacts
Field Placement Information and Process
Field Resources
General Academic Services Resources
Fall Registration and Advising
Planning your Work-Life Balance
Typical Foundation Schedules
Choosing Foundation Courses
Key Points about Foundation Requirements
Fall Quarter Required Classes
Full Foundation Year View
Part-Time Planning
Concentration Choices (declare in May)
Concentration Curricula Content Areas
MSW Curriculum Resources
Certificates at GSSW: SW with Latinx
Certificates at GSSW: Animal Assisted SW
Certificates at GSSW: School Social Work
International Experiences
Cooperative and Dual Degree Programs
Dual Degree Programs Available
Student and Career Resources

3. Dates to Remember Virtual Group Advising Registration for Fall Quarter
April 23  2-3 pm MST
April 30  4-5 pm MST
May 3  9-10 am MST
May 9  11:30 am -12:30 pm MST
May 15  5-6 PM MST
Additional info and meeting link available on GSSW Student Resources Site
Registration for Fall Quarter
July 17
Orientation
GSSW Orientation: 9/5 and 9/6 (times TBD)
DU Graduate Orientation: 9/6 (times TBD)
Fall Quarter Begins
September 9
Field Orientation
TBD
Field Begins

4. Academic Advising Contact
Kate Ross
Associate Professor of the Practice of Social Work Foundation and Advanced Standing Coordinator
Craig Hall
Click here to learn about Kate’s specializations
Students work with Kate as a temporary advisor before arriving in the fall
Official advisors are assigned at orientation

5. Additional Campus Contacts
Click on the links below to reach departmental websites.
GSSW Registrar
Bursar
Disability Services
Financial Aid
Health and Counseling
IT (tech resources)
Parking Services
Ritchie Fitness Center

6. Field Placement Information and Process
Students begin their Field Placements in September
Field placements must match your concentration area (see concentration slide)
Placements often correlate naturally with your concentration if you follow your interests
Field Placement Process
Depositing initiates this process
Attend Field Information Session via Zoom (Additional info and meeting link available on GSSW Student Resources Site)
Complete the Internship Search Form (ISF) (delivered via )
Sign up for Field Advising Appointment (link in field advising )
Review choices for placement and outreach to agencies
Schedule interviews with agencies
If you need further assistance or more options for placement contact your Field Advisor
Decide which internship offer you would like to accept
Submit the Field Confirmation Form (FCF)
Academic Services registers all students for field internally.
Contact your Field Advisor with questions or concerns, or

7. Field Resources
The “Field Education” tab is an important resource for field information, including:
Materials for incoming students
Forms and calendars
Field Handbook
Access via the GSSW tab in PioneerWeb or at portfolio.du.edu/gsswstudentresources
Note: login with DU ID/password required

8. General Academic Services Resources
The “Academic Services” tab is an important resource for information, including:
Forms and calendars
Student Handbook
Registration Toolkit
Access via the GSSW tab in PioneerWeb or at portfolio.du.edu/gsswstudentresources
Note: login with DU ID/password required

9. Fall Registration and Advising
Fall Registration: July 17
Registration information delivered via by early July (deposited students)
Registration information also available in the Student Resource Portfolio under the Academic Services tab (Registration Toolkit)
Advising: available online via Zoom
See Student Resource Portfolio for days and times

10. Planning Your Work-Life Balance
Considerations for Coursework
DU quarter system moves swiftly; coursework deadlines arrive quickly
Graduate work requires more time than undergraduate work
For every hour of class time, expect an average of 1.5 hours of homework
Prepare yourself for the middle and end of each quarter
Several larger projects are often due at these times
Considerations for Finding a Good “Fit” in Field
Where you will be living
Transportation times and modes
Dress code requirements
Schedule time for both homework and self-care!

11. Typical Foundation Schedules
Foundation Field
Monday, Tuesday, and/or Wednesday
Standard internships require 16 hours a week
Some placements are pre-approved for 20 hours
Foundation Coursework
Meeting Days
Most classes offered Thursday and Friday
Limited Wednesday, Saturday and online options
Note that there are more evening/weekend options in the Foundation year; students should expect to take courses in-person and during weekdays in the concentration year
Meeting Times
Most classes run 8-10:50 am, 12-2:50 pm, 3-5:50 pm, 6-8:50 pm
Professional Development Seminar falls in off times (such as 10-10:50 am)

12. Choosing Foundation Courses
Full time foundation students register for a preset schedule of required courses in Fall and Winter
There are enough sections of each course to accommodate all GSSW students
Students get to choose course meeting times and days
Students should have secondary
We do not recommend taking all of your classes in one day
Keep in mind, classes are long and saturation can make it hard to absorb new information

13. Key Points About Foundation Requirements
Foundation curriculum: 27 course credits + 12 field credits = 39 total
Foundation course work completed prior to concentration course work (fall/winter quarters)
Concentration coursework begins in Spring
Foundation field will continue the whole year
Foundation courses are the groundwork for a well-rounded, adaptable social work identity
This series of courses provides the understructure (and prerequisites) for future learning
Focus on building your foundation prior to making definite decisions about your concentration

14. Fall Quarter Required Classes
All full time students are required to take 5 classes in Fall:
SOWK 4000 Professional Development Seminar (1 credit)
SOWK 4001 Clinical Social Work Skills (3 credits)
SOWK 4006 Human Behavior & the Social Environment (3 credits)
SOWK 4020 Integrated Social Work Practice for Social Justice (4 credits)
SOWK 4132 Power, Privilege & Oppression (3 credits)
SOWK 4950 Foundation Field Practicum (4 credits)
Contact Field Office if you select a pre-approved 20 hour placements to discuss credits

15. Full Foundation Year View
FALL QUARTER
WINTER QUARTER
SPRING QUARTER
SOWK 4000 Professional Development Seminar (1 credit)
SOWK 4003 Clinical Social Work Theory & Practice (3 credits)
Choose classes to meet elective and/or concentration requirements
SOWK 4001 Clinical Social Work Skills (3 credits)
SOWK 4007 Community & Macro Social Work Theory & Practice (4 credits)
SOWK 4006 Human Behavior & the Social Environment (3 credits)
SOWK 4120 Social Policy Analysis, Advocacy, & Practice (3 credits)
SOWK 4020 Integrated Social Work Practice for Social Justice (4 credits)
SOWK 4201 Evidence for Practice (3 credits)
SOWK 4132 Power, Privilege & Oppression (3 credits)
SOWK 4950 Foundation Field (4 credits)
TOTAL CREDITS FALL: 18
TOTAL CREDITS WINTER: 17
TOTAL CREDITS SPRING: Variable

16. Part-Time Planning
If you are planning to work more than 25 hours a week in addition to your course AND field-work, considering a reduced load may be a good idea.
Please reach out to Kate Ross for an individual advising appointment to discuss your options, including:
Taking a full course load & delaying field
Taking reduced course load & delaying field
Contact Kate at

17. Concentration Choices (declare in May)
Concentrations on the Denver Campus
Aging Services & Policy
Children and Youth
Child Welfare & Child Maltreatment
Family Systems Practice
Health & Wellness
Mental Health
Organizational Leadership & Policy Practice
Sustainable Development & Global Practice
You have plenty of time to pick your Concentration
Advising is available in both fall & winter quarters for guidance
Visit GSSW’s Denver Campus MSW webpage to learn more about:
Career options
Featured courses
Field Education locations
Key faculty

18. Concentration Curricula Content Areas
The concentration curricula include the following types of courses:
Content Area
Theory For practice
Methods/Skills
Policy & Program Advocacy
Research
Values for Practice
Internship
Capstone
Electives
Credits 3 9 6 15 12
Field Work
20 hrs/week = 15 credits
24 hrs/week = 18 credits
Students in 24 hour placements can take one less elective or graduate with additional credits
Elective Courses
Certificates utilize some elective credits

19. MSW Curriculum Resources
The “MSW Curriculum” tab is where you will find:
Course Planning tools
Foundation and Concentration curricula
Dual Degree information
Access via the GSSW tab in PioneerWeb or at portfolio.du.edu/gsswstudentresources
Note: login with DU ID/password required

20. Certificates at GSSW: Social Work with Latinx
Applications: TBD
Coursework:
SOWK 4753 Social Development in Latin America
SOWK 4750 Critical Perspectives on the Latinx Context
SOWK 4749 Culturally Responsive Practice with Latinx
Approved Field Placement
Visit the Certificate in Latinx Social Work webpage to learn about:
Career Options
Learning outcomes
Certificate Coordinator
Lorena Gaibor Clinical Assistant Professor
Click here to learn about Lorena’s specializations

21. Certificates at GSSW: Animal Assisted SW
Applications: NA
Coursework:
SOWK 4795 Integration of Animals into Therapeutic Settings
SOWK 4796 Animal Assisted Social Work Practice
SOWK 4797 Issues for Evidence-Supported Animal Assisted Social Work
Approved Field Placement
Visit the Certificate in Animal Assisted SW webpage to learn about:
Career Options
Learning outcomes
Certificate Coordinator
Phil Tedeschi Clinical Professor Executive Director – Institute for Human-Animal Connection
Click here to learn about Phil’s specializations

22. Certificates at GSSW: School Social Work
Applications: TBD
Coursework:
SOWK 4712 Social Work and the Law
SOWK 4715 School Social Work Interventions
SOWK 4718 Social Work Assessment and Realities
Approved Field Placement
Certificate Coordinator
Julie Anne Laser-Maira Associate Professor
Julie Laser-Maira
Click here to learn about Julie’s specializations

23. International Experiences
Prior opportunities include:
Global Relations and Poverty in Mexico
Social Work in Kenya
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Social Justice and Global Learning in South Africa
Visit GSSW’s International Social Work webpage to learn more
Additional information also available on the Student Resources Portfolio
Note: these courses are subject to change due to a variety of factors.

24. Cooperative and Dual Degree Programs
GSSW collaborates with other schools to give Denver Campus two-year and advanced- standing students the opportunity to pursue multiple educational and professional interests simultaneously through our master of social work (MSW) dual-degree programs.
There are 13 formal dual degrees available as well as a Flexible Dual option
Visit GSSW’s International Social Work webpage to learn more.
Dual Degree Coordinator
Karen Bensen Associate Professor
Click here to learn about Karen’s specializations

25. Dual Degree Programs Available
Cooperative Programs
Dual Degrees
Iliff School of Theology
Master of Divinity
Master of Theological Studies
Master of Social Justice and Ethics
Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care
University of Colorado School of Public Health
Masters in Public Health
Korbel School of International Studies
Masters International Studies
Masters in International Development
Masters in International Human Rights
Masters in Public Policy
Daniels College of Business
Denver MBA
Professional MBA
Sturm College of Law
Juris Doctor
Master of Legal Studies
Flexible Duals
Students can design a custom degree

26. Student and Career Resources
The “Student Life” and “Career Development” tab is an important resource for information, including:
Student and GSSW resources
Campus happenings
Career resources
Job and volunteer opportunities
Access via the GSSW tab in PioneerWeb or at portfolio.du.edu/gsswstudentresources
Note: login with DU ID/password required

27. We Will See You Soon! Please let us know how we can support you!
If you have questions, concerns please feel free to contact us!
(field)
(academics)