South Dakota · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in South Dakota
Where Can You Earn an MSW in South Dakota, and How Do You Get Licensed?
2 schools in South Dakota offer 2 MSW programs we verified, including Augustana University and University of South Dakota. 2 can be taken online and 2 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $21,504 to $28,910 before fees.
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam ((board-prescribed exam; level not named in the rule))For the CSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursUsually about two years of post-MSW practice
- Earn the clinical licenseIndependent clinical practice
- programs in South Dakota
- 2
- schools
- 2
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 1
- offer advanced standing
- 2
- online programs
- 2
The South Dakota Social Work License Path
South Dakota Social Work Licenses
South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (Department of Social Services)Social Work Associate
- Degree
- Baccalaureate degree in a non-social-work field, or an associate of arts degree in human services from a board-approved program
- Exam
- ASWB (board-prescribed exam; level not named in the rule)
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Social Worker
- Degree
- Baccalaureate degree in a CSWE-accredited social work or social welfare program
- Exam
- ASWB (board-prescribed exam; level not named in the rule)
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Certified Social Worker
- Degree
- Doctorate or master's degree from a CSWE-accredited school of social work
- Exam
- ASWB (board-prescribed exam; level not named in the rule)
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Certified Social Worker in Private, Independent Practice
- Degree
- Licensed as a certified social worker (master's or doctorate from a CSWE-accredited school of social work)
- Exam
- ASWB (board-prescribed exam; level not named in the rule)
- Supervised experience
- Two years of experience under appropriate supervision in the field of specialization in which the applicant will practice, working at least 30 hours per week with at least four hours of individual supervision per month (group supervision up to half); part-time work of 18-29 hours per week requires four years with two supervision hours per month
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Compact Commission among jurisdictions that have passed the compact language (one of the first seven states, April 2024); the Commission's May 2026 FAQ says multistate licenses are not yet issued, with no definite date but likely within 9-12 months
From South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (Department of Social Services), 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.
South Dakota Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of South DakotaVermillion · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $21,504 |
| Augustana UniversitySioux Falls · Private nonprofit | 1 | Hybrid, Online | Candidacy | Yes | $28,910 |
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 South Dakota
2 programs in South Dakota
- FormatHybrid, OnlineCredits59Est. tuition$28,910$490/creditAccreditationCandidacy
- FormatOn campus, Online1,000 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$21,504$358/credit · 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 South Dakota
2 South Dakota programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $21,504 at University of South Dakota to $28,910 at Augustana University. The South Dakota median is $21,504, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Dakota: Social Work (MSW)Social Work (MSW) | 60 | $21,504 | $12,902 |
| Augustana University: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW) | 59 | $28,910 | $14,700 |
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.
Online MSW Options for South Dakota Residents
You aren't limited to schools in South Dakota: 259 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll South Dakota residents online and arrange your field placement in South 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 South Dakota
| Occupation | South Dakota median | U.S. median | Jobs in South Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $51,100 | $59,550 | 2,050 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $57,510 | $67,880 | 790 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $48,920 | $60,280 | 230 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $93,760 | $71,900 | 130 |
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 South Dakota Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in South Dakota?
We verified 2 MSW programs at 2 schools in South Dakota; 1 of those schools is listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does South Dakota Issue?
South Dakota's board (South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (Department of Social Services)) issues SWA, Social Worker, CSW and CSW-PIP.
Can South Dakota Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond South Dakota's own programs, 259 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll South Dakota residents and place you in a field practicum in South Dakota. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in South Dakota?
Estimated tuition for South Dakota programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $21,504 to $28,910 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 South Dakota schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (Department of Social Services)
- 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