North Dakota · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in North Dakota
Where Can You Earn an MSW in North Dakota, and How Do You Get Licensed?
2 schools in North Dakota offer 3 MSW programs we verified, including University of Mary and University of North Dakota. 2 can be taken online and 3 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $20,403 to $45,331 before fees. After the MSW, North Dakota's clinical license is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the LMSW
- Log supervised clinical hours3,000 hours of supervised post-master's clinical social work practice …
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in North Dakota
- 3
- schools
- 2
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 1
- offer advanced standing
- 3
- online programs
- 2
The North Dakota Social Work License Path
North Dakota Social Work Licenses
North Dakota Board of Social Work ExaminersLicensed Baccalaureate Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited college or university (or a Canadian program accredited by CASWE); no other degree accepted
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited college or university (or a Canadian program accredited by CASWE); no other degree accepted
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's or higher degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited college or university (or a Canadian program accredited by CASWE)
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- 3,000 hours of supervised post-master's clinical social work practice under an LCSW supervisor, completed within a 4-year period under a board-approved supervision plan, including at least 150 hours of face-to-face supervision (no more than 50 in group supervision)
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Compact Commission among jurisdictions that have passed the compact language; the Commission's May 2026 FAQ says multistate licenses are not yet issued, with no definite date but likely within 9-12 months
From North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners, 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.
North Dakota Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North DakotaGrand Forks · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $20,403 |
| University of MaryBismarck · Private nonprofit | 1 | Online | Candidacy | Yes | $38,700 |
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 North Dakota
3 programs in North Dakota
Master of Social Work, Advanced Generalist Specialization (on Campus) at University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota · Grand ForksFormatOn campusCredits36Est. tuition$20,403$567/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Online) at University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota · Grand ForksFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$45,331$756/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$38,700$645/creditAccreditationCandidacy
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 North Dakota
3 North Dakota programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $20,403 at University of North Dakota to $45,331 at University of North Dakota. The North Dakota median is $38,700, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Dakota: Master of Social Work, Advanced Generalist Specialization (on campus)Master of Social Work, Advanced Generalist Specialization (on campus) | 36 | $20,403 | $20,403 |
| University of Mary: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) | 60 | $38,700 | $19,350 |
| University of North Dakota: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) | 60 | $45,331 | $27,199 |
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 North Dakota
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), University of North Dakota has North Dakota's largest program. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| University of North Dakota | 69 |
Online MSW Options for North Dakota Residents
You aren't limited to schools in North Dakota: 259 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll North Dakota residents online and arrange your field placement in North Dakota.
| 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 North Dakota
| Occupation | North Dakota median | U.S. median | Jobs in North Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $64,560 | $59,550 | 870 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $62,860 | $67,880 | 330 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $60,980 | $60,280 | 240 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $81,330 | $71,900 | 110 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in North Dakota?
We verified 3 MSW programs at 2 schools in North Dakota; 1 of those schools is listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does North Dakota Issue?
North Dakota's board (North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners) issues LBSW, LMSW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after 3,000 hours of supervised post-master's clinical social work practice under an LCSW supervisor, completed within a 4-year period under a board-approved supervision plan, including at least 150 hours of face-to-face supervision (no more than 50 in group supervision).
Can North Dakota Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond North Dakota's own programs, 259 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll North Dakota residents and place you in a field practicum in North Dakota. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in North Dakota?
Estimated tuition for North Dakota programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $20,403 to $45,331 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 North Dakota schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners
- 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