2 MSW Programs in North Dakota
Want to pursue an MSW in North Dakota? The Peace Garden State ranks as the 19th largest in the US. Yet it’s the third least populated state with just 9.7 people per square mile compared to the national average of 87.4.
The state’s small population doesn’t limit your chances. North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate nationwide at 2.6%. Social workers can expect job growth between 13% and 22% through 2020. The state’s healthcare, family, and mental health social workers earn between $41,800 and $43,600 per year.
UND MSW and other online MSW programs give you flexible options to complete your degree. You can finish full-time in two years or take a part-time track over four years. Programs are available from Fargo to Bismarck. Students pay average tuition of $7,244, with typical scholarships around $2,661.
The state’s population grows at 7.6% compared to the national 2.4%. North Dakota’s Native American population stands at 5.5% versus 1.2% nationally. These two MSW programs are worth looking into if you want to serve these growing, diverse communities.
University of North Dakota MSW Program
The University of North Dakota has one of just two MSW programs in the state. The program offers quality graduate education that prepares ethical, advanced-generalist social work professionals. This 34-year-old program has been fully accredited since 1993 and continues to grow to meet student needs across North Dakota and beyond.
Program overview
The UND MSW program is a respected choice with roots going back to 1989. The program has managed to keep continuous reaccreditation since getting full accreditation in 1993, with the latest extending through 2030. The Department of Social Work, part of the university’s College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines, gives you detailed training in both clinical and macro practice social work through its advanced generalist MSW program.
UND’s MSW curriculum prepares you to work competently in settings of all types and practice levels. The program aims to deliver quality, available, and economical graduate education. Students become ethical, advanced-generalist social work professionals who lead change in their communities across North Dakota, the region, and beyond.
After finishing your degree, you’ll be ready to:
- Connect deeply with social work and embrace being a change agent
- Build cultural competence and respect for human diversity
- Understand oppression and promote social and economic justice
- Use advanced knowledge and skills across practice levels
- Lead in multi-disciplinary roles
- Stay passionate about critical inquiry and lifelong learning
This dedication to excellence makes UND a top-ranked accredited MSW program that ranks among the best online master’s in Social Work degrees. The program gives North Dakota’s aspiring social workers a chance to gain key skills while balancing education with life commitments.
Program specializations
UND takes a different approach from many MSW programs that offer multiple concentrations. The program focuses solely on an advanced generalist approach. This specialization teaches a wider range of skills than clinical-only programs, preparing you for both direct practice and administrative roles.
UND’s advanced generalist curriculum helps you master:
- Clinical Social Work Practice: Training for direct client services including assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions with individuals, families, and groups.
- Macro Practice: Skills for community organization, policy analysis, program development, and administrative leadership.
This dual focus makes UND graduates especially valuable in rural areas where social workers often handle multiple roles. The program’s design fits North Dakota’s rural landscape and workforce needs perfectly.
The advanced generalist specialization curriculum has courses in:
- Advanced Generalist Human Behavior and the Social Environment
- Advanced Generalist Research Methods and Analysis
- Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals
- Advanced Generalist Practice with Families
- Advanced Generalist Practice with Treatment Groups
- Advanced Generalist Practice with Communities
- Advanced Generalist Practice with Organizations
- Advanced Generalist Tools for Policy
The program also offers special training through the Children & Family Services Training Center, which focuses on rural research and training. This center certifies all new child welfare workers and North Dakota foster parents, creating valuable connections for students interested in child welfare careers.
Students who commit to working in approved North Dakota child welfare agencies after graduation can get financial support, deepening their commitment to helping vulnerable populations across the state.
UND MSW Tuition and Costs
The tuition for the UND MSW program is competitive, designed to provide accessible education for aspiring social workers. Financial aid options, including scholarships and grants, are available to help alleviate the financial burden on students. Additionally, the program offers flexible payment plans to accommodate various financial situations, ensuring that students can focus on their studies and future careers.
- North Dakota Residents: $535.93/credit hour
- Non-Residents: $803.90/credit hour
- Minnesota Residents: $680.64/credit hour
- International: $1,071.88/credit hour
University of Mary MSW Program
The University of Mary brings a second MSW education option to North Dakota with its graduate social work program launch in fall 2024. This new addition to the state’s social work education landscape has distinctive features that blend Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine wisdom to address critical workforce gaps in behavioral health services.
Program overview
The University of Mary’s Master of Social Work program started in fall 2024. It responds to the growing behavioral health needs across North Dakota and surrounding areas. The program came after thorough research and surveys that showed how an MSW program could help tackle behavioral health and substance abuse issues. These problems stem from too few social, behavioral health, and addiction care providers in the region.
A 2018 study commissioned by the North Dakota Legislature backs this up. The research pointed out critical needs in behavioral health services, particularly outpatient care, crisis response, youth services, and substance use treatment. These needs existed before COVID-19, which made the demand for such services even greater.
The school’s commitment to social work education runs deep. Their undergraduate social work degree dates to 1964, making it one of the first programs when Mary College opened in 1959. This 60-year old dedication to social work education evolved into today’s graduate program that tackles modern challenges.
The program takes a values-centered approach to social work education. Its curriculum blends Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine wisdom with a complete overview of clinical or macro social work practice. This unique philosophical foundation makes the University of Mary’s program stand out among regional MSW options. Students get an education that combines professional skills with spiritual and ethical values.
The program aims to teach students diverse social work methods that boost global society’s well-being. Beyond technical skills, the University of Mary creates social workers who understand professional values and ethics. These graduates are ready for leadership roles and successful careers.
Program specializations
The University of Mary’s MSW program stands out with its dual-track specialization model. Students can pick between two career paths: clinical social work or macro practice and leadership.
Clinical ConcentrationThe clinical concentration helps professionals boost their skills in therapeutic work and direct service. Students in this track develop advanced abilities in:
- Assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions
- Therapeutic interventions with individuals, families, and groups
- Treatment planning and implementation
- Crisis intervention strategies
- Clinical documentation and ethical practice
Mental health professionals are in high demand nationwide. Before the pandemic, economists predicted a shortage of 195,000 social workers in the U.S. by 2030. An aging population, social isolation, homelessness, incarceration, and the opioid crisis have pushed this demand even higher.
Macro Practice and Leadership ConcentrationThe macro practice and leadership track prepares students for administrative and system-level roles in social services. This concentration builds skills in:
- Program development and evaluation
- Policy analysis and advocacy
- Community organization and development
- Administrative leadership in social service agencies
- Research and data-informed practice
Graduates often work as administrators, supervisors, policy developers, planners, researchers, and lobbyists. This track meets the need for skilled leaders who can build resilient behavioral health and substance abuse service systems across North Dakota and beyond.
Both tracks share basic courses before moving into specialized work. Whatever track students choose, the program weaves Christian and Benedictine principles into social work practice. This approach creates leaders who can innovate in various settings.
Job prospects look bright for graduates from either concentration. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 7% growth in social work jobs by 2032, with over 63,000 openings yearly. North Dakota social workers earn between $65,000 and $75,000 annually.
Program format and flexibility
The University of Mary’s MSW program gives working professionals great flexibility through online learning. Students can choose between live online sessions and self-paced study options. This setup helps them balance school with work and personal life.
The program offers two paths based on your background:
Advanced Standing Option (30 credits)
- Perfect for students with a CSWE-accredited BSW
- 30 credit hours total
- Flexible completion timeline
- Complete overview of clinical or macro social work
Traditional Option (60 credits)
- Made for students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields
- 60 credit hours total
- Teaches social work basics before specialized tracks
- Great for career-changers entering social work
All courses run online in two formats:
- Synchronous online classes – Live participation with camera and microphone
- Asynchronous components – Self-paced course elements
Students attend one or two weeklong summer institutes, depending on their track. These in-person sessions provide hands-on learning and networking chances.
The university’s expertise in online education extends beyond the MSW program. They offer more than 30 master’s and doctoral programs online or in evening formats. Students can complete degrees fully online or take classes at seven physical locations. This shows their strong commitment to flexible education.
Working social service professionals find this flexibility valuable. Students can keep their jobs while advancing their education and use new skills right away at work. Jean Naser exemplifies this benefit—she worked as a licensed social worker for nearly seven years before starting her MSW at the University of Mary.
Tuition and financial aid
The University of Mary offers its MSW program as an affordable option for bachelor’s-level social workers moving into clinical or macro practice. This matches the school’s broader approach—they price competitively against regional universities and rank among America’s most affordable private schools.
Current MSW tuition costs $620 per credit. Total program costs are:
- Advanced Standing (30 credits): $18,600
- Traditional Program (60 credits): $37,200
This pricing stays the same for all students, regardless of where they live. The per-credit rate applies equally to in-state and out-of-state students.
The University of Mary emphasizes overall value in education. With scholarships and financial aid, students often pay less and graduate with lower debt than those at prominent universities nationwide, both public and private. This matters since North Dakota social workers typically earn $65,000 to $75,000 yearly.
While specific MSW scholarship details are limited, graduate students have several financial aid options. Students should contact the financial aid office about:
- Merit-based scholarships
- Need-based grants
- Federal loan programs
- Work-study opportunities
- Employer tuition reimbursement programs
The investment makes sense given the career outlook. With 63,800 social worker openings expected yearly in the coming decade, graduates can look forward to strong job prospects.
Program accreditation and licensure prep
The University of Mary’s MSW program now holds pre-candidacy accreditation status with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This marks the first step in getting new programs accredited. Since its Fall 2024 launch, the university works toward full CSWE accreditation, the highest standard for U.S. social work education.
The accreditation timeline matters to future students. Pre-candidacy means the program submitted its eligibility application and moves through the evaluation process. The program will advance toward full accreditation as it develops and graduates its first classes.
The MSW curriculum prepares students for professional licensing exams. Both clinical and macro practice tracks build knowledge and skills needed for career-specific licensure.
Clinical track graduates can become licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). This path requires:
- An accredited MSW degree
- Supervised clinical practice hours after graduation
- Passing the clinical licensing exam
- Ongoing professional development
Licensed clinical social workers often work as therapists, healthcare and school social workers, clinical supervisors, child and family services providers, and case managers.
Macro practice graduates face different licensing requirements based on their goals. Some administrative and policy jobs need standard social work licenses, while others follow different professional paths. These graduates typically become administrators, supervisors, policy developers, planners, researchers, and lobbyists.
Licensing rules change by state. The program meets North Dakota’s requirements, but students planning to work elsewhere should check their state’s rules. The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) provides details about licensing across different states.
The program’s newness brings an advantage—its curriculum reflects current licensing requirements and latest CSWE standards. This modern approach ensures graduates are ready for today’s licensing exams and professional demands.
Future students should:
- Check the current accreditation status before enrolling
- Research licensing requirements where they plan to work
- Talk with program advisors about career goals and course selection
- Plan for supervised practice after graduation
The University of Mary’s MSW program may be new, but its focused curriculum, dual specializations, and commitment to professional standards make it a solid choice for graduate social work education in North Dakota.
Start The Journey Today
Your search for MSW programs in North Dakota reveals two distinct educational paths. The state’s sparse population hasn’t stopped it from offering quality master’s degrees in social work, each with its own benefits.
The University of North Dakota emerges as a decades-old choice with full CSWE accreditation through 2030. The University of Mary brings a fresh perspective with its Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine foundation. Mary’s program currently moves through the CSWE accreditation process.
These schools understand working professionals need flexibility. UND lets you study on-campus or online with part-time options. The University of Mary delivers its program completely online through both live and self-paced components. You can balance your education with life and work easily.
UND’s program focuses on the advanced generalist approach to prepare you for clinical and macro practice roles. The University of Mary takes a different path. It lets you choose between clinical social work or macro practice and leadership tracks that align with your career goals.
MSW graduates face bright career prospects in North Dakota. The state boasts a 2.6% unemployment rate. Social work jobs should grow between 13% and 22%. Annual salaries range from $41,800 to $75,000, making these programs a smart investment.
Both universities charge competitive tuition rates compared to national averages. Financial aid options help manage your expenses. UND gives special attention to military-affiliated students. The University of Mary ranks among the most affordable private universities nationwide.
Without doubt, your choice between these programs will depend on your career goals and values. Both options lead to rewarding careers. UND offers its established, fully-accredited program while Mary provides its values-centered approach. Either way, you’ll be ready to serve communities throughout North Dakota and beyond.