3 North Dakota BSW Programs: Complete Degree Requirements for 2026

Looking to build a rewarding career with a BSW degree in North Dakota? The state has all but one of these CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs. Your choices might be limited, but each option leads to promising career paths.

North Dakota’s social work field brings its own advantages. The state’s mix of rural communities and Native American populations creates great opportunities for social workers who understand these cultural dynamics. Each program has its own admission criteria while preparing you for the same fulfilling career paths.

The numbers make this career path worth your investment. Latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows social workers in North Dakota earn solid salaries. New graduates start at $38,940, mid-career professionals make $54,880, and experienced social workers can earn up to $79,620 yearly. Healthcare social workers typically earn $58,320, while child and family social workers make about $48,690. Mental health social workers’ salaries hover around $52,470.

This guide gets into the three top BSW programs in North Dakota. You’ll find complete details about each school’s requirements, curriculum layout, field work options, and costs to help you make the right choice for your 2025 academic plans.

1. University of North Dakota BSW Program

The University of North Dakota stands as the state’s oldest and largest institution of higher education. Its Bachelor of Science in Social Work (B.S.S.W.) program dates back to 1939, and formal social work courses started in 1905. This rich history creates a strong foundation for students who want to meet bsw degree requirements in North Dakota. Let’s see what makes UND’s program a great choice for future social workers.

Program overview

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has accredited UND’s Bachelor of Social Work program since 1974, when undergraduate accreditation began. This long-running recognition shows the program’s dedication to high educational standards in training competent social work practitioners.

The program’s mission shows its commitment to social justice and community well-being: “Through its teaching, scholarship and service, the University of North Dakota Social Work Department advances social, economic and environmental justice, and boosts human well-being and quality of life within the state, region, and beyond”. This mission shapes a curriculum that serves vulnerable populations, with special focus on rural and underserved communities.

UND’s BSSW program stands out because of its flexibility. Students can earn their degree on-campus or online, which helps working professionals and distance learners get quality education. The program offers two paths:

1. Traditional 4-year degree for freshmen or transfer students
2. Accelerated option for students with a bachelor’s degree in a related field, completed in as little as one year

The BSSW program at UND prepares generalist practitioners who can work with clients of all sizes—from individuals to entire communities. Students develop leadership skills through scientific inquiry, liberal arts foundation, person-in-environment framework, and strengths point of view.

Admission requirements

UND’s BSSW program has specific admission criteria to ensure students are ready for professional social work education. You must first get into the University of North Dakota as a freshman or transfer student. After that, you can apply to the BSSW program once you meet these requirements:

• C or higher in SWK 255 (Introduction to Social Work) and SWK 257 (Human Behavior and the Social Environment I)
• 75 or higher overall GPA (includes all transfer work)
• Agreement to follow the NASW Code of Ethics and UND Code of Student Life
• 45 semester hours of coursework completed by the end of application term

The program accepts students based on grades, written materials, and relevant experience. You can apply three times a year:

• Fall semester: March 15 (priority deadline) and June 15
• Spring semester: October 15

Your application needs several items that show you’re ready for the profession:

1. Essay responses about:
   • Personal experiences that led you to social work
   • Cultural competency’s importance in social work
   • Your values and social work core values
   • Career goals after graduation
   • Your strengths for social work
   • Challenges you expect and your support systems
2. Resume showing:
   • Educational background
   • Work experience
   • Volunteer activities
   • Club or organization memberships
3. Interview video (3-5 minutes) discussing:
   • How you handle conflicts
   • Your passion for social justice
   • Your teamwork experience

Online students follow the same application process as on-campus students. This simplified approach makes it easy to apply from anywhere.

Curriculum highlights

The BSSW program at UND requires completion of 120 credits, 36 of which must be numbered 300 or above, with 30 credits earned from UND. The curriculum balances general education requirements with specialized social work coursework designed to develop professional competence.

Core social work courses include:

• SWK 255: Introduction to Social Work (4 credits)
• SWK 257: Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3 credits)
• SWK 317: Social Work Research (3 credits)
• SWK 357: Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3 credits)
• SWK 424: Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3 credits)
• SWK 434: Generalist Social Work Practice with Task and Treatment Groups (3 credits)
• SWK 442: Social Policy (3 credits)
• SWK 454: Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations (3 credits)
• Field Education courses (12 credits total)

Beyond social work-specific courses, the curriculum includes liberal arts requirements such as:

• PSYC 111: Introduction to Psychology
• SOC 110: Introduction to Sociology
• POLS 115: American Government I
• SOC 326 or equivalent: Sociological Statistics
• Advanced social sciences courses (15 credits)
• Diversity courses (6 credits)

The curriculum follows a progressive structure, building foundational knowledge before advancing to practice skills and culminating in field experience. This approach ensures students develop competence across multiple dimensions of social work practice: micro (individuals), mezzo (families and groups), and macro (organizations and communities).

For students seeking specialized knowledge, UND offers additional options to enhance their degree:

• Gerontology Minor: Prepares students to work effectively with older populations
• Substance Use and Addictions Minor: Develops expertise in substance abuse treatment and prevention

These curriculum components align with the program’s goals of preparing ethical, culturally responsive practitioners ready to serve diverse communities with particular attention to rural settings.

Field education opportunities

Field education represents the capstone experience of the BSSW program, often described as the “signature pedagogy” of social work education. At UND, this critical component requires students to complete 450 hours of supervised practice in an approved agency setting.

The field internship occurs after completion of all required classroom courses and typically follows one of two formats:

1. Full-time block internship: 450 hours completed in one semester
2. Part-time internship: 225 hours per semester completed across two semesters

During this experience, students enroll in corresponding courses:

• SWK 481 and 483: Field Education I and II (10 credits total)
• SWK 482 and 484: Field Education Seminar I and II (2 credits total)

UND partners with numerous regional field agency sites, providing diverse opportunities for practical experience. One example is the Heart River Correctional Center in Mandan, ND, where BSSW graduate Kole Glass completed her fieldwork with women serving prison sentences, many dealing with substance use issues.

The field experience is designed to integrate classroom learning with real-world practice, developing competence across all levels of intervention: individual, family, group, organization, and community. Students must pass a background check administered through Verified Credentials six months prior to placement.

UND’s field education program emphasizes learning opportunities that develop a generalist social work perspective. Although the balance of time spent at various practice levels may vary depending on agency placement, students can expect meaningful assignments across all areas of social work practice.

Tuition and financial aid

For the 2025/2026 academic year, tuition and fees for North Dakota residents in the on-campus BSSW program are as follows:

Online students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency, with costs calculated based on the number of credits taken. However, it’s important to note that pre-Social Work students are charged the base tuition rate until formally admitted to the Social Work program.

UND provides excellent value, with 77% of undergraduate students receiving financial aid averaging $13,500 annually. This substantial assistance helps make education more affordable. Beyond financial aid, UND graduates enjoy strong return on investment, earning $11,000 more per year than graduates from other four-year institutions 10 years after starting college, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Several scholarship opportunities exist for eligible students:

Freshman Scholarships (up to $14,000):

• 90+ GPA or 30+ ACT with 3.00+ GPA: $14,000 ($3,500/year for 4 years)
• 70-3.89 GPA: $11,000 ($2,750/year for 4 years)
• 50-3.69 GPA: $1,500 (non-renewable)

Transfer Student Scholarships (up to $2,000):

• 90-4.00 GPA: $2,000 ($1,000/semester)
• 50-3.89 GPA: $1,000 ($500/semester)

Military-affiliated students receive additional benefits, including North Dakota resident tuition rates regardless of state of residence, and active-duty undergraduate students using Federal Tuition Assistance qualify for a reduced rate of $250 per credit.

The total cost of attendance should also factor in living expenses. For on-campus students, room and meal plans average $11,758 per year, with books and supplies estimated at $800 annually. Nevertheless, UND notes that living on campus saves approximately $160 per month compared to off-campus housing.

For a comprehensive understanding of actual costs after financial aid, prospective students should use UND’s Net Price Calculator, which provides personalized estimates based on individual circumstances.

Career preparation

UND’s BSSW program emphasizes practical career preparation, ensuring graduates are ready to enter the workforce or pursue advanced education. Upon completion, graduates possess a significant portion of the requirements needed to sit for social work licensing exams in many states that license at the BSSW level.

The job outlook for social workers remains positive, with a projected growth rate of 6% through 2034—faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth, coupled with the program’s strong reputation, contributes to favorable employment prospects. UND reports an average starting salary of $60,000 for its graduates, based on data from UND Career Services.

Career opportunities for UND social work graduates span numerous areas, including:

• Addiction/Chemical Dependency
• Adoption and Foster Care
• Child Welfare Services
• Crisis Intervention
• Developmental Disabilities
• Gerontology
• Hospital Social Work
• Mental Health Clinics
• School Social Work
• Military Social Work

What sets social work apart from other social science degrees is that most states, including North Dakota, license social workers at the bachelor’s level, and only those with formal social work degrees can use the professional title “social worker”.

Beyond core coursework and field experience, UND enhances career preparation through:

• Participation in nationally-recognized student clubs like the Student Social Work Association
• Membership opportunities in Phi Alpha, the social work honor society
• Financial support for qualified students who commit to working in approved North Dakota child welfare agencies after graduation
• Connection with the Children & Family Services Training Center, which provides research and training with a strong rural focus

The program’s emphasis on rural and underserved populations particularly prepares graduates to meet critical needs in North Dakota communities. Moreover, the flexibility of UND’s program allows students to continue working while pursuing their degree, with options for online or on-campus study and the ability to switch between these formats as needed.

For those interested in advanced education, UND BSSW graduates are eligible to apply to Master of Social Work programs nationwide, creating pathways for career advancement into clinical and specialized practice areas.

2. Minot State University BSW Program

Minot State University runs an outstanding Bachelor of Social Work program that prepares students for generalist social work practice with strong ethical standards and competent service. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits this program, which readies graduates for licensure and entry-level positions in social service settings of all types. Let’s get into everything in this complete program that combines academic excellence with hands-on experience.

Program overview

The Social Work Program at Minot State uses a person-in-environment framework and strengths-based approach to bring together core social work values, knowledge, and skills. This 40-year-old program prepares caring and skilled generalist social workers. It maintains CSWE accreditation at the bachelor’s level and leads to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree.

The program’s mission aims to strengthen students to promote human and community well-being. This includes standing up for human rights and working toward social, racial, economic, and environmental justice locally and globally. Students can see this mission in action through four program options across rural North Dakota, where they work with professional values through both implicit and explicit curriculum.

Minot State stands out because it promotes scientific inquiry, service, social justice, human dignity, and human relationships. The program puts great emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Faculty and students commit to anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices that tackle poverty, protect human rights, and embrace diversity.

The generalist practice model teaches you to use varied knowledge, professional social work values and ethics, and culturally competent skills. You’ll learn to work with individuals, groups, and organizations using ecological and strengths-based points of view. This solid foundation helps graduates serve effectively in many social work settings.

Admission requirements

Getting into Minot State’s Social Work program takes more than just university admission. You’ll need to submit a separate application after meeting several prerequisites.

Here’s what you need for program admission:

• A combined 3.00 GPA or higher in two foundation courses (SWK 256 Development of Social Welfare and SWK 250 Interpersonal Skills)
• A cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher
• Completed prerequisite courses: ENGL 110, ENGL 120, COMM 110, SOC 110, PSY 111, POLS 115, PHIL 210, and either MATH 210 or PSY 241
• 25 hours of volunteer work in human services while taking SWK 250
• Second semester sophomore standing with at least 32 completed credits
• A criminal background check (BCI for North Dakota residents, Castlebranch for out-of-state applicants)
• IPT Software registration for admission documents
• Agreement to follow the NASW Code of Ethics and MSU Student Code of Conduct
• A typed personal statement
• Unofficial transcripts from all colleges/universities you’ve attended

Some students might need to provide references or talk with program faculty if they need more information. You must submit everything during the SWK 250 course or before starting any SWK methods course.

After admission, you’ll need to keep a 3.0 Social Work GPA and earn at least a “C” in all SWK courses. You can retake a Social Work course once if you get below a “C”.

Minot State University curriculum highlights

The BSW program needs 120 credit hours to graduate. This combines general education with specialized social work classes. The curriculum brings together foundation courses from Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, and Economics along with Social Work-specific courses.

Social Work majors must take these general education courses: COMM 110, ENGL 110, ENGL 120, PSY 111, and SOC 110. The Social Work major’s core courses are:

• SWK 250 Interpersonal Skills
• SWK 256 Development of Social Welfare
• SWK 330 Human Behavior and the Social Environment
• SWK 331 Family Dynamics
• SWK 335 Social Work Methods I
• SWK 340 Social Welfare Policy
• SWK 426 Social Work Methods II
• SWK 427 Social Work Methods III
• SWK 430 Diversity, Oppression, and Social Change
• SWK 490 Field Education
• SWK 491 Senior Seminar

You can’t take SWK 335, SWK 426, SWK 427, SWK 490, or SWK 491 until the program accepts you. This makes careful planning of your trip through the program crucial for graduating on time.

The curriculum lines up with the Council on Social Work Education’s 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Students learn ethical behavior, human rights advocacy, anti-racism practices, research-based work, policy involvement, and skills to help individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Field education opportunities

Field education caps off Minot State’s BSW program. SWK 490: Field Education gives you 12 credits for supervised practice in a social or human service agency. You’ll complete 400 hours of supervised work—a requirement set by the Council on Social Work Education.

Students, Field Instructors, and Field Liaisons work together in the field education program. This is a chance to combine and use competency-based social work knowledge, skills, and behaviors learned in class. Field education builds professional identity through social work values and ethics by holding students to the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics.

Students usually work Monday through Thursday during agency hours, which might include evenings and some weekends. Friday mornings are for SWK 491: Senior Seminar. You must stay at your field agency for the full 15-16 week semester—finishing hours early doesn’t mean early completion.

The program keeps a list of field placement options, but you can suggest other places with your field liaison’s approval. You can even do field education at your current workplace if your internship duties differ from your regular job.

Tuition and financial aid

Minot State University keeps tuition affordable for 2025-2026. Full-time students taking 12 or more credits pay flat tuition of $7,598 plus $1,594 in fees, totaling $9,192 in direct costs. This rate applies to everyone—out-of-state students pay the same as in-state students.

Total costs change based on where you live:

Direct costs cover tuition, fees, and campus housing and food (for on-campus students). Indirect costs include books and materials ($1,000 estimate), loan fees, transportation, and personal expenses.

Minot State helps students with financial aid through loans, grants, scholarships, student jobs, or aid combinations. To get federal financial aid, you must:

1. Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
2. Get accepted into a degree program
3. Keep good academic standing
4. Have no defaults on Federal Student Loans
5. Not owe money on previous grants

Submit your FAFSA results and admission application by April 15 for priority consideration. File your FAFSA online by April 8 to meet this deadline.

Career preparation

Minot State’s BSW graduates start their careers ready for professional work. CSWE accreditation lets graduates take the ASWB licensure exam and might qualify them for advanced standing in MSW programs. This gives graduates an edge in job hunting.

Social workers from Minot State work in many places: public agencies, private organizations, hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, prisons, and other settings. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports social workers earn a median salary of $61,000 yearly, showing bright career prospects.

Minot State awarded 45 bachelor’s degrees in social work during 2021-2022. Women made up 93% of graduates and men 7%, with 84% identifying as white. These numbers show the program’s ongoing work to bring more diversity to the field.

MSU’s social work graduates with bachelor’s degrees earn a median salary of $44,731—higher than the $37,334 national average for social work graduates. This shows how well the program prepares students for financial success.

The program’s 96% job/graduate school placement rate proves its strong career preparation. BSW graduates can choose many career paths, including social work, mental health counseling, correctional treatment, marriage and family therapy, and social service assistance.

3. Sitting Bull College BSW Program

Sitting Bull College runs a Bachelor of Social Work program that brings together Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Seven Council Fires) values with professional social work education. The program operates from Fort Yates, North Dakota, and stands out because it prepares Indigenous social work leaders to serve tribal communities with culturally responsive skills.

Program overview

The Bachelor of Social Work program prepares students to become Generalist Social Work Practitioners who lead the profession throughout their careers. Students learn to support social, economic, and environmental justice, especially when you have vulnerable populations in a variety of communities.

The program’s strength lies in how it combines Očhéthi Šakówiŋ values with social work professional values. Students connect these values in their coursework and develop an approach that honors both professional standards and Indigenous cultures.

Students who graduate can take up entry-level positions in human service and social work settings. The program opens doors to specializations like mental health, substance abuse treatment, school social work, child welfare, healthcare, forensic social work, community organization, and work with developmental disabilities.

Admission requirements

Students must meet several requirements to join the BSW program at Sitting Bull College. They need an associate degree in Humanities or Social & Behavioral Science. The program also requires:

• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.00
• Grades of ‘C’ or higher in SWK 255 (Social Work in Modern Society) and SWK 257 (Human Behavior and Social Environment I)
• A detailed application package with:
  • Student Handbook acknowledgment
  • Demographic Information Form
  • Two Reference Forms
  • Personal Statement/Essay
  • Background Check/Disclosure Form ($100 fee)
  • Student Responsibility Statement of Commitment
  • NASW Code of Ethics Statement of Commitment

Each student goes through a background check of federal, state, and tribal records. The process concludes with a program interview, after which the Social Work Program Review Committee decides on final acceptance.

Curriculum highlights

Students need 120 credits to earn their BSW degree. The curriculum builds skills across many areas of social work practice while emphasizing Indigenous perspectives.

Core professional courses include:

SWK 335: Social Work Methods I (work with individuals and families) SWK 435: Social Work Methods II (group work) SWK 436: Social Work Methods III (work with organizations and communities) SWK 442: Research Methods in Social Work SWK 445: Decolonizing Social Work with Indigenous Communities

SWK 445 is a unique course that explores how social work can honor Indigenous ways, traditions, and practices. It promotes healing while acknowledging Indigenous rights, identity, and self-determination. This course shows the program’s dedication to culturally responsive practice.

The program went through major improvements to create a more culturally-based Indigenous Social Work program that helps tribal communities.

Field education opportunities

Field education is the final step for BSW students at Sitting Bull College. Students complete 450 hours of direct field learning experience in approved social or human services agencies. They split these hours between two courses—SWK 490A and 490B—with 225 hours in each.

Students also take field seminar courses (SWK 491A and 491B) that connect classroom learning with hands-on experience. These seminars let students reflect, learn documentation, and discuss real-world challenges.

Students apply for field placement separately from program admission. They go through another application and interview process to meet Council on Social Work Education standards.

Tuition and financial aid

Sitting Bull College’s tuition rates are budget-friendly. Full-time students (12-18 credits) pay $2,250 per semester for the 2025-2026 academic year. Other costs include:

Almost all SBC students (99%) get financial aid through scholarships, grants, or work-study opportunities. New high school graduates or GED recipients might qualify for the ‘Build Your Brighter Future Scholarship,’ which waives one year of tuition.

Students need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to check their aid eligibility. SBC’s financial aid team helps each student create a financial plan to graduate without debt.

Career preparation

The BSW program gets students ready for work in many settings. A newer study, published in 2019 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, shows an 11% job growth for social workers by 2028, with median annual earnings of $50,470.

Graduates work in public agencies, private organizations, healthcare facilities, schools, and tribal social services. The program expects two graduates in the 2023-24 academic year.

Students can use career services like academic counseling, career guidance, and job-seeking skills development. The Counseling Department teaches professional development through mock interviews and job application processes.

The program’s focus on Indigenous perspectives helps graduates work better in tribal communities and tackle critical health and social welfare issues affecting Indigenous populations.

Take the Next Step

You need to think about several factors that line up with your career goals and personal circumstances when choosing the right BSW program. This piece explores three CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs in North Dakota. Each program offers a unique path to professional social work practice.

The University of North Dakota shines with its rich history, flexible learning options, and deep focus on rural communities. Minot State University brings exceptional value through its flat-rate tuition policy and high job placement rates. Sitting Bull College takes a unique approach by blending Očhéthi Šakówiŋ values with professional social work education. This makes it ideal if you want to serve Indigenous communities.

These programs have their distinct features, yet they share core elements: challenging coursework, field education opportunities, and licensure preparation. Without doubt, each program gives graduates the knowledge and skills to tackle complex social challenges and advocate for vulnerable populations.

Money matters should play a key role in your choice. Good news – all programs offer financial help. Tuition ranges from an affordable $2,250 per semester at Sitting Bull College to competitive rates at UND. Most students get substantial aid and can graduate with minimal debt while entering a field with promising income potential.

Social work graduates enjoy strong career prospects with competitive salaries and job opportunities in healthcare, mental health, child welfare, and other specialized areas. A BSW degree from any of these North Dakota schools will set you up for immediate employment or graduate studies.

Note that admission requirements differ between programs, though they all value academic preparation and dedication to social work principles. Early planning of your educational path helps ensure you complete prerequisites on time and move smoothly into your chosen program.

The BSW program you pick will shape you into a skilled professional ready to create meaningful change in people’s lives, families, and communities across North Dakota and beyond.