Montana · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Montana
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Montana, and How Do You Get Licensed?
2 schools in Montana offer 4 MSW programs we verified, including Carroll College and The University of Montana. 3 can be taken online and 2 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $43,800 to $45,000 before fees. After the MSW, Montana's clinical license is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker Candidate (SWLC).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB examFor the SWLM
- Log supervised clinical hoursUsually about two years of post-MSW practice
- Earn the clinical license (SWLC)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Montana
- 4
- schools
- 2
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 2
- offer advanced standing
- 2
- online programs
- 3
The Montana Social Work License Path
Montana Social Work Licenses
Montana Board of Behavioral Health, Department of Labor & IndustryLicensed Baccalaureate Social Worker Candidate
- Degree
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Supervised experience
- Minimum of 500 hours of post-degree supervised work experience over no less than 18 months, including at least 50 hours of individual or group supervision; at least two hours of supervision per 160 hours of social work; hours earned within five years of application for applicants not actively licensed elsewhere
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master's Social Worker Candidate
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master's Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Supervised experience
- Minimum of 1,500 hours of post-degree supervised work experience over no less than 18 months, including at least 75 hours of individual or group supervision; at least two hours of supervision per 160 hours of social work; hours earned within five years of application for applicants not actively licensed elsewhere
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Candidate
- Degree
- Master's degree or higher in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree or higher in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- Minimum of 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised work experience over no less than 24 months (for applicants licensed after August 22, 2026), including at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact and at least 100 hours of individual or group supervision, of which at least 50 hours are individual face-to-face supervision by an LCSW and at least 10 include direct observation of service delivery
- Independent practice
- Yes
From Montana Board of Behavioral Health, Department of Labor & Industry, 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.
Montana Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of MontanaMissoula · Public | 3 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $43,800 |
| Carroll CollegeHelena · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $45,000 |
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 Montana
4 programs in Montana
- FormatOn campus450 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$6,398per year · general rate · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Online, Asynchronous) at the University of Montana
The University of Montana · MissoulaFormatOnline450 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$43,800$730/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work - Advanced Standing at the University of Montana
The University of Montana · MissoulaFormatOnline600 field hoursCredits37Est. tuition$21,710per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$45,000published totalAccreditationCSWE
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 Montana
2 Montana programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $43,800 at The University of Montana to $45,000 at Carroll College. The Montana median is $43,800, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Montana: Master of Social Work (online, asynchronous)Master of Social Work (online, asynchronous) | 60 | $43,800 | |
| Carroll College: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) | 60 | $45,000 |
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 Montana
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), The University of Montana has Montana's largest program, followed by Carroll College. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| The University of Montana | 34 |
| Carroll College | 20 |
Online MSW Options for Montana Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Montana: 258 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Montana residents online and arrange your field placement in Montana.
| 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 Montana
| Occupation | Montana median | U.S. median | Jobs in Montana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,780 | $59,550 | 1,250 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $57,090 | $67,880 | 840 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $45,160 | $60,280 | 740 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $51,650 | $71,900 | 540 |
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 Montana Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Montana?
We verified 4 MSW programs at 2 schools in Montana; 2 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Montana Issue?
Montana's board (Montana Board of Behavioral Health, Department of Labor & Industry) issues SWLB, LBSW, SWLM, LMSW, SWLC and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker Candidate (SWLC).
Can Montana Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Montana's own programs, 258 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Montana residents and place you in a field practicum in Montana. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Montana?
Estimated tuition for Montana programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $43,800 to $45,000 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 2 Montana schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Montana Board of Behavioral Health, Department of Labor & Industry
- 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