Master of Social Work

$600
Per Credit Hour

3 Years
Duration

60
Credits

No GRE/GMAT Required to Apply

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Earn Your MSW Degree Online

Succeed in creating change at interpersonal, community and policy levels amidst populations with high rates of diversity, poverty, addiction and suicide.

Throughout our MSW program, you’ll discover how to support the needs and dignity of all people while you study when and where it’s best for you.

Our MSW degree is structured toward integrated practice. You’ll learn how to create and deliver successful, innovative programs when you lack standard resources and available services.

You’ll graduate with your MSW degree as an ethical, collaborative practitioner, community leader and researcher who’s ready to promote the rights of all people.

Support the needs and dignity of all people. Become an ethical, collaborative practitioner, community leader and researcher who uses critical thinking skills, engages in multi-level practice and understands diversity.

In your first year of study, you’ll study values, ethics, diversity, at-risk populations, social and economic justice, individual, family and group counseling, human behavior, welfare policy and research and gain experience in a practicum.

In your second year of our MSW program, you’ll deepen your experience in direct practice, social policy analysis, program evaluation and organizational leadership in another practicum while you work with a faculty advisor to develop a professional portfolio.

Learn how you can successfully create change at the interpersonal, community and policy levels amidst a shifting economic and socio-political base that includes diverse and at-risk populations.

Prepare to create new or better programs and resources for clients and communities. You’ll learn how to develop and analyze policy and become a research practitioner so you can develop successful evidence-based practices.

Sometimes, the resources and services you need to connect clients to don’t exist, especially in more rural communities. You’ll learn how to create and deliver successful, innovative programs while understanding a rural community’s culture and politics.

Graduate with your MSW degree ready to respond to the complex social, political, cultural, and economic contexts of social work in a region that encompasses both rural communities and urban areas to promote people’s rights and create a more humane society.

GRE scores are not required, but you will need:

  • Transcripts from all schools
  • Two essay questions related to the social justice mission
  • Two years relevant experience
  • 3.0 GPA

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We accept up to 30 credits from MSW or graduate credits in another discipline, as relevant.

Career Focus: Become a Clinical Social Worker With an Integrated Approach

As a graduate of the MSW program, you’re prepared to use research, policy analysis and advocacy in your new role to ensure your clients are given every advantage possible in treatment.

Clinical Social Worker: 13% Growth

As a clinical social worker, you’ll work directly with clients to assess their needs and design and manage their treatment plans to help them achieve optimal mental health. The role of a clinical social worker is expected to see high job growth — 13% from 2019 to 2029 — and has an average salary of $50,470.*

Substance Abuse Counselor: 25% Growth

Specialize your focus to help those who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction or other mental or behavioral issues. The role of a substance abuse counselor is expected to see high job growth — 25% from 2019 to 2029 — and has an average salary of $46,240.*

MSW Degree Curriculum

Complete a total of 60 credits between foundational and concentrated study to earn your MSW degree in our CSWE-accredited online MSW program.

  • Human Behavior and Social Environment I
  • Practice With Individuals and Families in a Community Context
  • Indian Child Welfare Act
  • Human Behavior and Social Environment II: Difference, Diversity and Oppression
  • Social Work Research Methods
  • Practice With Groups and Communities
  • Practicum
  • Advanced Research and Program Evaluation
  • Advanced Integrated Practice
  • Methods of Social Policy Analysis
  • Practice of Organizational Leadership
  • Portfolio and Practicum

Graduate prepared to improve the human condition as an integrated practitioner and ready to take the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exams and the Montana Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) exams.

Online MSW Degree Tuition

Tuition for our online Master of Social Work program is competitive at just $600 per credit hour.

Financial Aid

At the University of Montana, we strive to keep our programs affordable and encourage you to explore all of your financial aid options, including federal aid and military benefits. Please fill out the form below so we can help connect you to the possibilities.

Your Online Experience

Studying the Master of Social Work program online gives you the flexibility you need to continue to work full-time and attend to your current responsibilities. You’ll learn in a high-quality, CSWE-accredited program from faculty members who want to see you succeed.

FAQs for the Online MSW Degree

You can earn the online MSW degree in about 3 years.

The cost for our online Master of Social Work program is $600 per credit. You’ll complete the degree with 60 credits, meaning that the cost is $39,900.

Additional fees include:

Application fee: $70

Student Support Fee: $10 per credit hour

Technology Fee: $7 per credit hour

Online Learning Fee: $48 per credit hour

You’ll complete 900 clinical hours while in the MSW program to earn the online MSW degree. You’ll be fully supported by our field education team at all stages. Before your practicum, you’ll attend a field orientation to familiarize yourself with the process. Additionally, you’ll be part of a small (9-10 person) group led by a dedicated field liaison who guides you through the field experience and leads seminar sessions. Other support elements include a virtual field fair, practicum panels (learn about practicum experiences from more senior students), lunch and learn sessions and more.

Yes, you’ll graduate prepared to take the Montana Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) exam as well as the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam.

Now accepting applications for Summer 2024.

University of Montana Campus

About the University of Montana

Think critically. Live ethically. Explore creatively. Communicate effectively. These are the ideals to which our students, faculty, researchers and staff aspire. We set a high bar for academic studies, creative accomplishments and scientific exploration, which benefit our students, our community and the world.

Our MSW program educates you on these ideals as they apply to social work. By graduation, you can use your knowledge of research, policy and advocacy to work in diverse social work arenas.

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Sources

* BLS.gov