MSW Programs in North Dakota | No GRE/CSWE Accredited Masters

North Dakota, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, is one of the most sparsely populated states in the country. There are only 9.7 people per square mile in this state, compared to the national average of 87.4 people per square mile. This is evident when you look at North Dakota’s largest cities, Fargo and Bismarck. With populations of 109,000 and 64,000, they would be considered small cities or towns in almost any other state.

As a social worker, it is important to know that 5.5% of North Dakota residents are American Indians; this is almost five times the national average. It is important to understand the experiences and background of the people you work for, no matter what their ethnic background is.

North Dakota is home to two schools with MSW Programs, one in Fargo and one in Grand Forks. Both of these are in urban settings, so you have a greater variety of field sites to choose from. The average tuition cost in North Dakota is $7,244, with an average scholarship award of $2,661.

Both schools in North Dakota allow you to complete your program on a full-time or part-time basis. You can complete in two years as a full-time student or in four years as a part-time student. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in social work, the University of North Dakota may give you Advanced Standing. This gives you the chance to complete your degree in half the time.

There are several goals tackled by North Dakota MSW programs. They want you to graduate feeling comfortable working with a variety of patients, able to read and apply social work research, and willing to make positive changes in the field. After building a strong foundation of lower-level social work courses, you move onto higher-level courses that help you think about social work issues in a thoughtful, abstract manner.

One of the most essential parts of an MSW program is the practicum portion. You can plan on completing 250 to 300 practicum hours every semester. Typically, your practicum site changes each semester. If you choose a concentration your second year, your practicum hours will likely be centered around your concentration.

Upon graduating with your MSW degree, you are qualified to apply for a variety of entry-level social work jobs. Social workers may work in schools, government agencies, hospitals, military bases, prisons, and more, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some of the largest social work employers in North Dakota are Mercy Medical Center Williston, Noridian Healthcare Solutions, and Allied Medical.

Since North Dakota is so sparely populated, there are also opportunities for private practice. Many remote communities in the state have little access to mental health services, so you may be able to improve entire communities by taking this approach.

North Dakota requires that all social workers be licensed and registered with the North Dakota State Board of Social Work Examiners. You can submit your application to the Board and wait for a test date. You can then take the Master’s-level social work exam, and if you pass that, you get your Licensed Master Social Worker license.

To become a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, the Board requires you to earn 3,000 hours of supervised work experience under an LICSW. You must then pass the clinical exam to be able to practice independently.

In generally, social worker salaries in North Carolina are higher than national averages. Of course, your salary depends on your experience, what license you have, and what type of social work you do.

Healthcare, family, and mental health social workers can anticipate average salaries of $41,800 per year to $43,600 per year (O*Net, 2012). Social workers with clinical duties earn, on average, $44,600 per year to $45,700 per year as substance abuse counselors or family therapists (O*Net, 2012).

Much like the job outlook in the rest of the country, the outlook for social workers in North Dakota is good. Family, mental health, and substance abuse social workers can expect to see job growth of 13% to 22% through 2020 (O*Net, 2012). Substance abuse counselors and family therapists can anticipate job growth of 11% and 29%, respectively (O*Net, 2012).

Schools in North Dakota Offering Masters in Social Work Programs

North Dakota State University-Main Campus

(Fargo, ND)

  • Masters in Human Development and Family Studies
  • Masters in Social Work (MSW)
  • $6,135 Tuition Cost
  • $3,151 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
  • Urban Campus Setting

University of North Dakota

(Grand Forks, ND)

  • Masters in Public Policy Analysis
  • Masters in Social Work (MSW)
  • $5,938 Tuition Cost
  • $2,171 Scholarship and Financial Aid Awards
  • Urban Campus Setting
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