Idaho social work programs prepare you for a professional career with many possibilities. To become a social worker in Idaho, you must have at least a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). If you want to continue your career in clinical or independent social work practice, it is important to consider that there are only two CSWE-accredited social work schools in Idaho offering a graduate-level social work degree; however, Boise State University does offer a fully-online Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
Quick Facts
- 7 schools offering social work programs in Idaho are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in Idaho, 2 offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 5 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 2 offer a master’s or advanced degree1
- No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- 1 school ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs4
- Across 5 schools, 7 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in Idaho are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)5
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Top-Ranked Schools with Social Work Programs in Idaho
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- Boise State University (#105 tie)
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs
- Boise State University
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- Boise State University
- Brigham Young University-Idaho
- Idaho State University
- Lewis-Clark State College
- Northwest Nazarene University
Schools in Idaho with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Brigham Young University (BYU) is a private Mormon institution with several campuses across the country. The Idaho location was tied for 13th place among regional colleges in the West by US News & World Report in 2016. In the BYU School of Social Work BSW program, students learn generalist social work skills grounded in religious and professional philosophies. Through coursework and field education, students will be prepared to become active social work professionals and engage with many different populations. Students hoping to major in social work must apply to the program in their sophomore year once they have completed the required liberal arts and introductory social work courses with a minimum C- GPA. Once admitted, students complete at least 500 hours of field education in two different settings and can take elective courses in related areas such as child development, languages, group work, and gerontology.
Lewis-Clark State College
Lewis-Clark State College is a public institution that was founded in the northern Idaho town of Lewiston in 1893. The Social Sciences Division of LCSC offers a BSW program that is accredited by the CSWE and is the only such program in Northern Idaho. The college has a general education core curriculum for all undergraduate students that includes English, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The required courses in the social work major teach students human behavior, social welfare, and generalist practice. In their senior year, students complete at least 200 hours of field education during both the fall and spring semesters. The social work department is committed to diversity in the student body and encourages applicants from rural areas, non-traditional circumstances, and low-income and diverse backgrounds to apply. The school was ranked #26 in the Regional Colleges (West) category in 2016 by US News & World Report.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
Boise State University
Boise State University is a large, research-oriented public university offering many programs. The School of Social Work at Boise State University offers a CSWE-accredited MSW degree with an advanced generalist curriculum. The program can be completed at the main campus in Boise or at regional university sites in Twin Falls, Lewiston, or Coeur d’Alene. The MSW is also available online. Candidates whose undergraduate degree was in social work may apply to the advanced standing program and complete the MSW in one year. Advanced standing students begin the program in the fall term and all other students begin the program in the summer term. A field education placement is required for all students and can be completed in each student’s local area. In 2016 the school was tied for 61st place among regional universities in the West by US News & World Report.
Northwest Nazarene University
Located in Nampa, close to the Oregon-Idaho border, Northwest Nazarene University is a private Christian institution. The school’s CSWE-accredited MSW program is designed for working professionals, offering evening and weekend classes. Students can choose from four clinically-oriented specializations in Addictions, Child Welfare, Healthcare, or Mental Health or complete a dual specialization by combining two of these areas. Students complete a capstone project and a field education placement related to their specialization. Candidates who choose one specialization will complete 600 hours of specialized field education; candidates who choose to complete a dual specialization must complete an additional 100 hours of field education (700 hours total). All students also must complete a course in macro practice. The degree takes two and a half years to complete with full-time study, or one and a half years for those who previously earned a CSWE-accredited BSW degree.
Accreditation Information for Idaho Social Work Schools
| School | Graduation Rate1 | Transfer-Out Rate1 | Associate’s SW Program | Bachelor’s SW Program | Graduate SW Program | CSWE Accredited5 | US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State University | 36% | 24% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #105 tie | $15,847 |
| Brigham Young University-Idaho | 56% | 21% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $7,968 |
| Idaho State University | 33% | 23% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $13,695 |
| Lewis-Clark State College | 27% | 30% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $12,400 |
| North Idaho College | 19% | 16% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $7,744 |
| Northwest Nazarene University | 52% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #187 | $20,857 |
*The net price is calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics by subtracting the average amount of aid (including grants and scholarships) from the total published cost of attendance for in-state/in-district students, which includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses. To gain a better understanding of how to interpret the statistics discussed in this table, see our list of important definitions.
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Directory of Idaho Social Work School Programs
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Boise State University*
1910 University Dr
Boise, ID 83725
(208) 426-1000
http://www.boisestate.edu
Brigham Young University-Idaho*
525 S Center St
Rexburg, ID 83460-1690
(208) 496-1411
http://www.byui.edu
Idaho State University*
921 S 8th Ave
Pocatello, ID 83209
(208) 282-2700
https://www.isu.edu
Student Review: “I really enjoyed my time at ISU, especially after I switched my major to social work. The department made me feel welcome, important, and like I was part of a team. The professors were well educated with practical experience in the field, and that transferred well to a classroom setting. Even the office staff in the department are efficient and helpful! ISU itself is a beautiful campus in a beautiful part of Idaho. I felt supported during my time there as a student and would consider going back for a masters degree!” – Student at Idaho State University
Student Review: “My experience in the social work program at Idaho State University in Pocatello Idaho was a positive one. The instructors provided the knowledge and experience I needed to successfully work in the field. Although the curriculum was difficult, it really represented the challenging I would be facing while working with others in the field. After completing the course the professor recommended me to a place a work in the field nearby, a job which I happily retain to this day. My only concern was the archaic textbooks and materials, some of which were in dire need of updating. But overall my experience was good, and I would highly recommend Idaho State University to anyone interested in entering the social work field.” – Student at Idaho State University
Lewis-Clark State College*
500 8th Ave
Lewiston, ID 83501-2698
(208) 792-5272
http://www.lcsc.edu
North Idaho College
1000 W Garden Ave
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814-2199
(208) 769-3300
http://www.nic.edu
Northwest Nazarene University*
623 S University Blvd
Nampa, ID 83686-5897
(208) 467-8011
http://www.nnu.edu
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
3. US News & World Report Social Work Best Grad Schools Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
4.
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs: /degrees/masters/online/
5. Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx