Colorado State University Master’s of Social Work Distance Education Program Now Offered in Brighton
The School of Social Work at Colorado State University will now offer its Master’s of Social Work distance education program in Brighton to meet the growing labor market demand for trained social workers. The program, offered through the Division of Continuing Education, will be held at their Brighton Learning Center at the Brighton Learning and Resource Campus at 1850 Egbert St.
Colorado State’s nationally-ranked program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and also is currently offered on-campus and through the Division of Continuing Education in Colorado Springs. The degree program is designed for professionals who are looking for a part-time program that allows them to continue working while they earn an advanced degree.
Students interested in earning their master’s of social work in Brighton may apply for one of two program options: a three-year full program or a two-year advanced standing program, for those with a bachelor’s of social work degree. The regular, three-year degree program begins in Jan. 2010 and applications are due by Oct. 1.
Students in Brighton will have access to the on-campus faculty and receive the same accredited degree that is earned by students in the on-campus program.
“Students with a commitment to social justice, human rights and to improving the quality of life for individuals, groups and families are encouraged to apply,” said Deborah Valentine, director of the School of Social Work at Colorado State.
The expansion of program to Brighton demonstrates Colorado State’s efforts to meet the local need for social workers with an advanced degree.
“According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is expected to increase 22 percent during the 2006-2016 decade,” said Nancy Banman, director of CSU School of Social Work Center for Life-long Learning and Outreach Education.
The launch of the program in Brighton also reflects Colorado State’s outreach initiatives to meet the educational needs of residents throughout the state.
“We are expanding our part-time weekend program to meet the growing demand of those who want or need to continue working while completing their master’s degree, which has become a standard for many positions,” said Banman. “The interest in our distance program has grown considerably because we offer a unique model of monthly weekend classes taught primarily by the core faculty of Colorado State’s School of Social Work.”
Classes are held four weekends per semester, three weekends in Brighton and one weekend in Fort Collins. Additional instructional hours are delivered online and through various distance education formats. Colorado State faculty travel to Brighton for classes, maintain regular contact with students online and by phone, and teach an advanced generalist curriculum. Courses include advanced content on individual, group and family practice, community practice, organizational practice, social welfare policy and program evaluation research.
The Division of Continuing Education at Colorado State University develops and delivers quality programs and educational opportunities in support of the University’s land grant mission with fully online and face-to-face graduate and undergraduate degrees; professional development training; certificate programs; online credit and noncredit courses; and industry specific training in Loveland, Brighton, Denver and wherever students are located through online and distance delivery modes.
For more information, visit www.learn.colostate.edu/degrees or call (970) 491-5288 or (877) 491-4336.
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