The University of North Dakota’s Department of Social Work and Office of Extended Learning, based in Grand Forks, is currently the only institution in the state that offers an online MSW program. Instruction for the program is delivered through synchronous, real-time web sessions that students must attend during evenings and weekends. The program progresses in the traditional cohort model, with all of the students admitted during a given academic year advancing together through their classes. Beyond the online coursework, the program requires students to visit campus once (for advanced standing students) or twice (for traditional standing students) for on-campus intensives. In addition, students are required to complete their field education at a local health services agency.

Please note: All online MSW programs require students to complete field education at a local health services agency.

The University of North Dakota offers both traditional and advanced standing tracks, as well as an advanced generalist concentration. The traditional track is 60 credits and requires 950 hours of field education split between two internships. It is part time only, typically completed in three or more years. The advanced standing track is only 36 credits and requires 500 hours of field education. It is part time only as well and typically completed in two years.

In addition to the University of North Dakota, students residing in the state have several out-of-state online MSW options. There are many out-of-state universities with online MSW programs that accept students from North Dakota, and the majority of these programs are fully online, meaning they do not require students to visit campus while earning their degrees. There are some programs that necessitate a limited number of visits, and these may be the ideal medium for students looking for both the flexibility of an online program and the pleasure of meeting professors and classmates in person.

Several out-of-state online MSW programs also offer the same tuition rates to in-state and out-of-state students, so aspiring social workers in North Dakota should research as many of their options as possible. To learn more about a particular program below, click on the name of the school.

All online MSW programs require field education at a local health services agency. Programs that are 100% online do not require students to visit the campus during the program.

The North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners issues three different social work licenses: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Below are some common steps to become a social worker in North Dakota, which you should confirm with North Dakota’s board of social workers. Information regarding licensure in North Dakota was last retrieved in August 2020.

For more detailed information on becoming a social worker in North Dakota, visit the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners. You can also refer to our guides on general requirements for becoming a social worker and becoming an LCSW.

Last updated: September 2020