Idaho · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Idaho
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Idaho, and How Do You Get Licensed?
3 schools in Idaho offer 5 MSW programs we verified, including Boise State University, Idaho State University and Northwest Nazarene University. 4 can be taken online and 5 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $22,372 to $40,005 before fees. After the MSW, Idaho's clinical license is the Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam ((applicable exam for the license type))For the LMSW
- Log supervised clinical hours3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work experience over no fewe…
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Idaho
- 5
- schools
- 3
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 3
- offer advanced standing
- 5
- online programs
- 4
The Idaho Social Work License Path
Idaho Social Work Licenses
Idaho State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses)Bachelor Social Worker
- Degree
- Baccalaureate degree in social work from a college or university approved by the board
- Exam
- ASWB (applicable exam for the license type)
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree or doctorate in social work from a college or university approved by the board
- Exam
- ASWB (applicable exam for the license type)
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree or doctorate in social work
- Exam
- ASWB (applicable exam for the license type)
- Supervised experience
- 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work experience over no fewer than 2 and no more than 5 years, including 1,750 hours of direct client contact involving treatment and 1,250 hours of assessment, diagnosis and other clinical work, and at least 100 hours of face-to-face supervisor contact (no more than 50 in group); at least 50% of supervision by an LCSW.
- Independent practice
- Yes
From Idaho State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses), reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
Idaho Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State UniversityBoise · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $22,372 |
| Northwest Nazarene UniversityNampa · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $37,800 |
| Idaho State UniversityPocatello · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in Idaho
5 programs in Idaho
- FormatOn campusCredits61Est. tuition$22,372published total · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits61Est. tuition$34,465$565/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (in Person in Nampa, Idaho Falls Satellite Campus, or Live Online) at Northwest Nazarene University
Northwest Nazarene University · NampaFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits63Est. tuition$37,800$600/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Fully Online, Asynchronous) at Northwest Nazarene University
Northwest Nazarene University · NampaFormatOnlineCredits63Est. tuition$40,005$635/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Pocatello Evening Classes or Online via Zoom) at Idaho State University
Idaho State University · PocatelloFormatOn campus, OnlineCredits63Est. tuition$613per credit · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in Idaho
4 Idaho programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $22,372 at Boise State University to $40,005 at Northwest Nazarene University. The Idaho median is $34,465, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State University: Master of Social Work - Boise CampusMaster of Social Work - Boise Campus | 61 | $22,372 | |
| Boise State University: Master of Social Work OnlineMaster of Social Work Online | 61 | $34,465 | |
| Northwest Nazarene University: Master of Social Work (in person in Nampa, Idaho Falls satellite campus, or live online)Master of Social Work (in person in Nampa, Idaho Falls satellite campus, or live online) | 63 | $37,800 | |
| Northwest Nazarene University: Master of Social Work (fully online, asynchronous)Master of Social Work (fully online, asynchronous) | 63 | $40,005 |
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in Idaho
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Boise State University has Idaho's largest program, followed by Northwest Nazarene University and Idaho State University. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| Boise State University | 255 |
| Northwest Nazarene University | 36 |
| Idaho State University | 34 |
Online MSW Options for Idaho Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Idaho: 257 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Idaho residents online and arrange your field placement in Idaho.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in Idaho
| Occupation | Idaho median | U.S. median | Jobs in Idaho |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,840 | $59,550 | 810 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $74,500 | $67,880 | 750 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $52,520 | $60,280 | 510 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $88,610 | $71,900 | 210 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
MSW Programs Near Idaho Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Idaho?
We verified 5 MSW programs at 3 schools in Idaho; 3 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Idaho Issue?
Idaho's board (Idaho State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses)) issues LSW, LMSW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work experience over no fewer than 2 and no more than 5 years, including 1,750 hours of direct client contact involving treatment and 1,250 hours of assessment, diagnosis and other clinical work, and at least 100 hours of face-to-face supervisor contact (no more than 50 in group); at least 50% of supervision by an LCSW.
Can Idaho Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Idaho's own programs, 257 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Idaho residents and place you in a field practicum in Idaho. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Idaho?
Estimated tuition for Idaho programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $22,372 to $40,005 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 3 Idaho schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Idaho State Board of Social Work Examiners (Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025