Montana – Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Explore and compare a list of accredited schools to enroll in your next program.
Montana social work programs will prepare you to work with many communities in the state but you do not need to have a social work degree or be licensed unless you are providing clinical services. There are two social work schools in Montana accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE): Salish Kootenai College offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and the University of Montana offers a BSW and a Master of Social Work (MSW). Continue reading to find out more about social work programs in Montana.
Quick Facts
- 3 schools offering social work programs in Montana are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in Montana, 1 offers associate’s degrees or certificates, 2 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
- No schools ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs4
- Across 2 schools, 3 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in Montana 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 Montana
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- University of Montana (#128 tie)
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- Salish Kootenai College
- University of Montana
Schools in Montana with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
Salish Kootenai College
Salish Kootenai College is a private institution in Pablo that provides post-secondary education grounded in Native American education and philosophy. SKC’s BSW program is accredited by the CSWE and teaches generalist social work skills relevant to contemporary social issues faced by Native American communities, including child welfare, addictions, and social justice advocacy. To be admitted to the program students must complete course prerequisites or have an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in a related subject. Candidates interested in child welfare may participate in the school’s Montana Child Welfare Training Program, offered in collaboration with the Montana Department of Health and Human Services to prepare students for social work employment with children and families public upon graduation.
University of Montana
The University of Montana is a public institution with almost 10,000 undergraduate students enrolled. UMT’s BSW program within the School of Social Work introduces students to the social work profession and the many theories and frameworks influencing practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. The program is accredited by the CSWE and prepares students to work with individuals, groups, and communities. In addition to the on-campus program offered in Missoula, students can complete a “2+2” program, with the first two years of the degree (including many of the liberal arts courses required by the university) completed on campus and the final two years of the program completed either online or through an online-hybrid curriculum. This may be beneficial for students from rural areas of the state or students who would like to complete a rural field education placement. Several special programs and complementary minors are offered to help specialize the degree, such as gerontology, child welfare, and international development.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
University of Montana
The University of Montana offers the state’s only CSWE-accredited MSW degree program. The program curriculum at UMT’s School of Social Work focuses on rural social work with several possible areas of emphasis: Interpersonal Practice; Community and Organizational Practice; or Social and Political Change. It is not necessary to choose an area of emphasis but it may be useful for candidates preparing for specific career tracks. The program takes two years of full-time study to complete, with a foundational year and a specialization year. Students complete 450 hours of field education in both years of the program. While working on the MSW, candidates may also wish to complete the Child Welfare Training Program or the Licensed Addiction Counselor program, both of which will give graduates additional career credentials and experience.
Accreditation Information for Montana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackfeet Community College | 11% | 8% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $11,376 |
| Salish Kootenai College | 59% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $10,564 |
| University of Montana | 48% | N/A | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #128 tie | $13,112 |
*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 Montana 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).
Blackfeet Community College
504 S E Boundary
Browning, MT 59417-0819
(406) 338-5441
http://www.bfcc.edu
Salish Kootenai College*
58138 US Highway 93
Pablo, MT 59855
(406) 275-4800
University of Montana*
32 Campus Dr
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243-0211
http://www.umt.edu
Student Review: “The University of Montana School of Social Work provided a wonderful learning environment with the opportunity to earn real-world experience in the field before graduation. The professors were very knowledgeable in their subject areas and very familiar with the agencies who would possibly be hiring social work graduates in the surrounding community. They worked with you to find a practicum placement in your area of interest and provided support and guidance throughout your practicum experience. I would highly recommend the School of Social Work at UM to anyone who may be interested.” – Student at the University of Montana
*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
