Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver

The Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver (GSSW), is the oldest graduate school of social work in the Rocky Mountain Region. Founded in 1931, GSSW enrolls approximately 425 students in the Master of Social Work degree program and approximately 30 students in its doctor of social work program. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation. The accreditation has been continuous since 1933.

History The school was founded in 1931 as a joint effort between The University of Denver's Department of Allied Social Services and community agencies such as Community Chest and the Denver chapter of the American Association of Social Workers (which later became National Association of Social Workers). Continuously accredited by the American Association of Professional Schools of Social Work since 1933, the program became known as the Graduate School of Social Work in 1942. In 1968, the school established one of the first doctoral programs in social work. In 2006, the Institute for Human Animal Connection was founded, the first institute of its type housed within a school of social work.

Deans of the School

(Grace) Eleanor Kimble - 1931-1934 - Founding Director Florence Hustinpiller - 1934 - 1947 Emil M. Sunley ("Sun") - 1947 - 1971 - 1st Dean/3rd Director Kenneth W. Kindelsperger - 1971-1978 Everne McCummings - 1978 - 1985 - 1st person of color to serve as GSSW Dean, 1st African American to serve as dean at the University of Denver Katherine "Kay" Vail - 1985-1987 - Acting Dean John "Jack" F. Jones- 1987-1996 Catherine Foster Alter - 1996-2006 James Herbert Williams - 2010 - 2016 Amanda Moore McBride - 2016—2023 Kim Bender - 2023 - Acting Dean Lisa Reyes Mason - 2023-2024 - Interim Dean Henrika McCoy - effective June 15, 2024

Rankings and reputation As of 2024, it is ranked tied for 12th out of 319 schools for social work in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.

See also List of social work schools

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