Master's in Social Work
Earn your master's in Social Work from a top-ranked accredited M.S.W. program.
Make a meaningful impact in people’s lives and communities with UND’s CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (M.S.W.). The program prepares you for clinical, policy, and leadership roles through flexible online or on-campus formats, with two specialization tracks, and a Generalist Curriculum for students without a B.S.W.
- Program type:
- Master's Degree
- Format:
- On Campus or Online
- Est. time to complete:
- 1-3 years
- Credit hours:
- 36-60
Why choose UND’s master’s in Social Work?
Affordable M.S.W Degree
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Field placement possibilities in rural and tribal communities. All students complete a field placement (direct practice, clinical social work and macro social work opportunities).
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We offer financial support to qualified students who commit to working in an approved child welfare agency in North Dakota upon graduation.
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Get involved with our national award-winning Student Social Work Association or Phi Alpha, the social work honor society.
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UND is home to the Children & Family Services Training Center, providing training and research with a strong rural focus. The Center certifies all new child welfare workers and all North Dakota foster parents.
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Field placements are available in various agencies and settings. Placements often include learning opportunities related to the provision of social services in rural communities. We also offer substance use and addiction-focused placements in ND and MN.
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Participate in the web-based Leadership Academy for Supervisors (LAS) for experienced child welfare supervisors. Most participants live and work in rural areas with limited access to training.
Career Opportunities with a Master’s in Social Work
Courses You Can Take
How is the online master's in Social Work offered?
Live Online M.S.W. Classes
Synchronous classes are held in real-time. If you’re the kind of learner who likes active discussion and immediate feedback through live interaction, you’ll enjoy this online course format.
Every class is different, but generally, you’ll log into a virtual classroom at scheduled times to:
- Listen to a lecture
- Ask questions
- Participate in class discussions
- Conduct group activities
- Participate in video-sharing
- Have chat conversations
- Use interactive whiteboards
- Take live polls
You should prepare for your classes by finishing any assigned readings, compiling questions for your instructor and thinking about how to contribute to the next live class.
With many classes offered in the evening and other options, you are able to attend classes that fit in your schedule.
Local Social Work Field Placement
UND's commitment to serving diverse populations means we have a strong partnership for field education opportunities. Students who take the generalist curriculum will complete a 400-hour field placement. All students will complete 500-hour field placement as part of their specialization, whether they choose advanced generalist or clinical social work. The field placement may be completed in your local community, which includes rural and tribal communities. Background checks are required before entry into field placements.
A Top-Ranked, CSWE-Accredited M.S.W. Program
Why UND online?
FAQs
Yes. UND's Master of Social Work is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and has been since 1993.
After completing UND's CSWE-accredited M.S.W., you'll be eligible to sit for the national licensure exam and pursue social work licensure. Licensure requirements vary by state, so refer to individual state licensing laws and regulations for details.
Compare our online and on campus costs. You'll find we are one of the most affordable social work schools in the Midwest. Our online students pay the same affordable tuition rate regardless of their legal residency.
UND is committed to assisting students in funding their education, providing over $107 million in financial aid annually. A range of financial aid options offered by UND, including scholarships (merit-based), grants (need-based) and loans, help students alleviate college costs.
The online M.S.W. program coursework is completed remotely through digital platforms with synchronous learning, allowing for scheduling flexibility. On the other hand, the on campus M.S.W. program involves attending classes in person at the university campus, providing a more traditional experience and opportunities to have real interactions. Besides such small differences, the transcript and diploma offered by UND are the same for online and on campus students.
The duration for completing the UND’s M.S.W. degree ranges from 1 to 3 years based on enrollment. Full-time students can complete it in as few as three semesters, while the time it takes part-time students is longer.
Please be aware that there may be different application deadlines for international students.
Not necessarily. UND offers a 24-credit Generalist Curriculum for students who hold a bachelor's degree in a related field but do not have a B.S.W. or B.S.S.W. from a CSWE-accredited program.
After completing the Generalist Curriculum, you'll choose either the Advanced Generalist or Clinical Social Work specialization (36 credits).
If you already have a CSWE-accredited B.S.W. or B.S.S.W., you can enter directly into one of our specialization tracks.
Yes, international students are eligible for the online M.S.W. program provided by UND. To apply, they must complete the application, submit required documents, including transcripts and English proficiency scores, and fulfill immunization and TB screening requirements.
The difficulty of the M.S.W. program varies from student to student. While the coursework can be challenging, with hard work, dedication, and a genuine interest in the field, many students find the program manageable and even rewarding.
Leader in Social Work
As a combat medic, Austin knew he wanted to help people. Now social work offers him a chance to keep doing so in a meaningful way.