Partnership will offer masters in social work

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 4, 2005 by BRIAN NEWSOME THE GAZETTE

A Kansas-based Catholic university will bring a fully accredited master's program in social work to Colorado Springs this summer, one of only three such programs offered in the state.

Newman University, a 2,200-student campus in Wichita, worked with Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs to start the program, which begins in August. Classes will be evenings and weekends at The Mercy Center, 520 W. Buena Ventura St. The program will have two full- time faculty members.

The University of Denver and Colorado State University at Fort Collins are the only two programs in Colorado to offer fully accredited masters programs in the field, according to the Council on Social Work Education's Web site.

The degree will be tailored for social work with families, said Kasey Baker, director of communications for Newman University. It's the first step in a plan to make the university more of a regional institution, she said, and the first secular degree offered outside Kansas.

Prospective students must meet Newman's admissions standards. Baker did not know how much tuition would be, and other school officials were not available for comment Friday afternoon.

For information, go to http://newmanu.edu/msw/cs.html or call John Moragues at 322-7343.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0198 or bnewsome@gazette.com