There are several social work schools in North Dakota offering undergraduate and graduate programs in social work, including programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). You must first earn an accredited degree (a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) or a master’s in social work (MSW)) to be eligible for social work licensure, which will allow you to practice in North Dakota. North Dakota social work programs typically offer classes on campus, but the University of North Dakota offers an online MSW that may appeal to prospective students living in rural areas of the state.
Quick Facts
- 5 schools offering social work programs in North Dakota are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in North Dakota, 2 offer associate’s degrees or certificates, 3 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 1 offers 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 3 schools, 4 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in North Dakota 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 North Dakota
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- University of North Dakota (#147 tie)
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs
- University of North Dakota
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- Minot State University
- University of Mary
- University of North Dakota
Schools in North Dakota with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
Minot State University
Minot State University’s Department of Addiction Studies, Psychology, and Social Work offers a BSW program with a liberal arts foundation; students must take classes in English, biology, economics, and politics before applying to the social work program in the second semester of their sophomore year. Once admitted to the program, required core social work courses help students learn about social work practice with different populations, such as children, families, adolescents, and adults. In order to make social work education available to students in the Fargo area, the university offers a collaborative degree with North Dakota State University (NDSU) that allows students to earn both the BSW degree from Minot State and a Human Development and Family Studies degree from NDSU in four years. US News & World Report ranked the school in a tie for 112th place among regional universities in the Midwest in 2016.
University of Mary
Located in the state capital of Bismarck, the University of Mary is a private Catholic school with over 2,000 undergraduate students. The university prides itself on offering small class sizes and many opportunities for student-faculty interaction. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) program is CSWE-accredited and prepares students for generalist practice in midwest communities through social work classes and field education placements. The program takes four years to complete with full-time study and combines the university’s religious foundations with the professional philosophies and ethics of social work. Students take many liberal arts courses including philosophy, psychology, politics, and biology, in addition to social work courses that teach students about social welfare, policy, and research. Social work students may also join the university-wide Emerging Leaders Academy, which offers leadership development opportunities during each of their four years of study. The university also offers various scholarships that may help students pursue their studies with less financial burden.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
University of North Dakota
Offering both CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW degree programs, the University of North Dakota is a large research university located in Grand Forks. US News & World Report ranked the university in a tie for 180th place among all national universities in 2016. The UND Department of Social Work MSW is an advanced generalist degree offered on campus and online. The online program is available to students either with or without a CSWE-accredited BSW degree and is open to students in any state. Candidates who do not have a BSW degree can complete the MSW in two years, which includes a foundation year and a concentration year. Candidates who do have a BSW degree are eligible for advanced standing and may only need to complete the concentration year. The traditional on-campus MSW program is only offered to advanced standing students. Students interested in social work research may be able to complete a graduate thesis in their concentration year.
Accreditation Information for North Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck State College | 42% | N/A | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $8,338 |
| Minot State University | 40% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Ranked | $11,047 |
| University of Mary | 46% | 27% | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $15,281 |
| University of North Dakota | 55% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #147 tie | $16,238 |
*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 North Dakota 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).
Bismarck State College
1603 Edwards Ave
Bismarck, ND 58506-5587
(701) 224-5400
http://www.bismarckstate.edu
Minot State University*
500 University Ave W
Minot, ND 58707
(701) 858-3000
http://www.minotstateu.edu
University of Mary*
7500 University Dr
Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 255-7500
http://www.umary.edu
University of North Dakota*
264 Centennial Dr
Grand Forks, ND 58202-8193
(800) 225-5863
http://www.und.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