Graduate School of Social Work
Formal Dual Degree Programs
A formal dual degree program links two master’s degrees or a master’s program with a JD program and leads to two degrees. The Graduate Council and the Senior Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Education must approve all proposals for formal dual degree programs.
There are two types of formal dual degree programs. Type one incorporates two distinct disciplines where students complete two separate sets of core courses and reduce electives. Type two incorporates two areas of study within one discipline where students can cross-count a common set of core courses and take separate sets of electives.
Dual degrees must be pursued concurrently, not consecutively. In order to meet this requirement, students interested in pursuing a dual degree must be matriculated in both programs for one full academic year (three quarters or two semesters). Students in a one year program must matriculate into the second program no later than the first admission term following fifty percent (50%) coursework completion of the first program.
Students are required to complete both degree programs within five years of matriculation in to the first program. Students must apply for graduation for both programs and both degrees will be awarded at the same time.
With fully developed and approved curricula, these programs are available to graduate students who are admitted to both schools and submit the Graduate Formal Dual Degree Verification Form (found on the Office of Graduate Education's website) during the program's first term. For program details, please contact the school, college or department.
Non-Course Requirements
All non-course requirements must be fulfilled for both programs. If one of the non-course requirements of both intended programs is the writing and defense of a thesis, then (with prior approval from both departments) a combined thesis may be written as long as both departments are equally represented (from original proposal to completion) and so long as the most rigorous requirements are adhered to for completion and oral defense.
Students who decide to only complete one degree must inform the units, program advisors and the Office of Graduate Education in writing of their intention to nullify the formal dual degree. Students must complete all the original requirements for the remaining degree in order to graduate.
Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor
- JD credits required with dual degree: 80 semester credits
- JD credit reduction with dual degree: 10 semester credits from the original 90 required for the JD
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66 quarter credits
- MSW credit reduction: 15 quarter credits from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39 quarter credits
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction: 15 quarter credits from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 146 (80 semester credits and 66 quarter credits) with the MSW or 119 (80 semester credits and 39 quarter credits) with the MSW-Advanced Standing
Juris Doctor
Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work and Master of Legal Studies
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66 quarter credits
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 quarter credits from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39 quarter credits
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 quarter credits from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MLS credits required with dual degree: 20 semester credits
- MLS credit reduction: 10 semester credits from the original 30 required for the MLS
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 86 (66 quarter credits and 20 semester credits) with the MSW or 59 (39 quarter credits and 20 semester credits) with the MSW-Advanced Standing
Master of Social Work
Master of Legal Studies
Master of Social Work and Master of Arts in International Development
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MA credits required with dual degree: 44
- MA credit reduction: 16 credits from the original 60 required for the MA
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 110 with the MSW or 83 with the MSW-Advanced Standing
Master of Social Work
Master of Arts in International Development
Master of Social Work and Master of Arts in International Human Rights
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MA credits required with dual degree: 44
- MA credit reduction: 16 credits from the original 60 required for the MA
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 110 with the MSW or 83 with the MSW-Advanced Standing
Master of Social Work
Master of Arts in International Human Rights
Master of Social Work and Master of Arts in International Studies
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MA credits required with dual degree: 44
- MA credit reduction: 16 credits from the original 60 required for the MA
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 110 with the MSW or 83 with the MSW-Advanced Standing
Master of Social Work
Master of Arts in International Studies
Master of Social Work and Master of Public Policy
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MPP credits required with dual degree: 48
- MPP credit reduction: 12 credits from the original 60 required for the MPP
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 114 with the MSW or 87 with the MSW-Advanced Standing
Master of Social Work
Master of Public Policy
Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66 quarter credits completed at the University of Denver
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39 quarter credits completed at the University of Denver
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MPH (completed at University of Colorado Anschutz) credits required with dual degree: 33 semester credits
- MPH (completed at University of Colorado Anschutz) credit reduction: 9 credits from the original 42 required for the MPH
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 66 quarter credits for the MSW or 39 quarter credits for the MSW-Advanced Standing completed at the University of Denver, 33 semester credits completed at Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz
A student must apply for the MSW and MPH separately and be accepted into each program. Additionally, verification of enrollment in the MPH degree program at the University of Colorado Anschutz is required in order to qualify for the dual degree.
Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work and Master of Divinity
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66 quarter credits completed at the University of Denver
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39 quarter credits completed at the University of Denver
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MDiv (completed at Iliff School of Theology) credits required with dual degree: 100 quarter credits
- MDiv (completed at Iliff School of Theology) credit reduction: 20 credits from the original 120 required for the MDiv
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 66 quarter credits for the MSW or 39 quarter credits for the MSW-Advanced Standing completed at the University of Denver, 100 quarter credits completed at Iliff School of Theology
A student must apply for the MSW and MDiv separately and be accepted into each program. Additionally, verification of enrollment in the MDiv degree program at the Iliff School of Theology is required in order to qualify for the dual degree.
Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work and Master of Arts in Pastoral and Spiritual Care
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66 quarter credits completed at the University of Denver
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39 quarter credits completed at the University of Denver
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MAPSC (completed at Iliff School of Theology) credits required with dual degree: 68 quarter credits
- MAPSC (completed at Iliff School of Theology) credit reduction: 12 credits from the original 80 required for the MAPSC
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 66 quarter credits for the MSW or 39 quarter credits for the MSW-Advanced Standing completed at the University of Denver, 68 quarter credits completed at Iliff School of Theology
A student must apply for the MSW and MAPSC separately and be accepted into each program. Additionally, verification of enrollment in the MAPSC degree program at the Iliff School of Theology is required in order to qualify for the dual degree.
Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work and Master in Social Justice and Ethics
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66 quarter credits completed at the University of Denver
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39 quarter credits completed at the University of Denver
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MSJE (completed at Iliff School of Theology) credits required with dual degree: 68 quarter credits
- MSJE (completed at Iliff School of Theology) credit reduction: 12 credits from the original 80 required for the MSJE
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 66 quarter credits for the MSW or 39 quarter credits for the MSW-Advanced Standing completed at the University of Denver, 68 quarter credits completed at Iliff School of Theology
A student must apply for the MSW and MSJE separately and be accepted into each program. Additionally, verification of enrollment in the MSJE degree program at the Iliff School of Theology is required in order to qualify for the dual degree.
Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work and Master of Theological Studies
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66 quarter credits completed at the University of Denver
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39 quarter credits completed at the University of Denver
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MTS (completed at Iliff School of Theology) credits required with dual degree: 60 quarter credits
- MTS (completed at Iliff School of Theology) credit reduction: 12 credits from the original 72 required for the MTS
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 66 quarter credits for the MSW or 39 quarter credits for the MSW-Advanced Standing completed at the University of Denver, 60 quarter credits completed at Iliff School of Theology
A student must apply for the MSW and MTS separately and be accepted into each program. Additionally, verification of enrollment in the MTS degree program at the Iliff School of Theology is required in order to qualify for the dual degree.
Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work and Master of Business Administration: The Professional MBA Program
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MBA credits required with dual degree: 40
- MBA credit reduction: 20 credits from the original 60 required for the MBA
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 106 with the MSW or 79 with the MSW-Advanced Standing
Master of Social Work
Master of Business Administration: The Professional MBA Program
Master of Social Work: MSW@Denver and Master of Business Administration: Online MBA
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MBA credits required with dual degree: 40
- MBA credit reduction: 20 credits from the original 60 required for the MBA
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 106 with the MSW or 79 with the MSW-Advanced Standing
Master of Social Work: MSW@Denver
Master of Business Administration: Online MBA
Master of Social Work and Master of Business Administration: The Denver MBA
- MSW credits required with dual degree: 66
- MSW credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 81 required for the MSW
- MSW-Advanced Standing credits required with dual degree: 39
- MSW-Advanced Standing credit reduction with dual degree: 15 credits from the original 54 required for the MSW-Advanced Standing
- MBA credits required with dual degree: 52
- MBA credit reduction: 28 credits from the original 80 required for the MBA
- Minimum number of credits required with dual degree: 118 with the MSW or 91 with the MSW-Advanced Standing