MSW Programs in Montana
Montana’s expansive rural landscape and tight-knit communities create distinctive opportunities for social workers to make meaningful impacts, yet aspiring practitioners face limited local MSW program options. While the University of Montana remains the state’s primary CSWE-accredited MSW provider, offering both traditional campus-based and flexible online pathways, Montana residents can also turn to nationally recognized online programs from out-of-state institutions to access broader specialization options and scheduling flexibility that accommodates the demands of working professionals across the state’s vast geography.
The foundation of Montana’s social work education centers on comprehensive CSWE accreditation standards, ensuring graduates receive rigorous preparation in evidence-based practice, cultural competency, and the person-in-environment perspective that proves particularly relevant in Montana’s diverse rural and tribal communities. In the 2019 Montana legislative session, the NASW Montana chapter played a key role in introducing and supporting multi-tiered licensure in Montana, expanding career pathways beyond the traditional Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) route. Modern MSW curricula emphasize field education experiences that often span across Montana’s unique settings—from reservation communities to frontier healthcare facilities—providing graduates with hands-on experience addressing substance abuse, mental health services, and family support systems in underserved populations. Whether pursuing generalist practice or clinical specialization, MSW programs prepare students for licensure requirements that include 3,000 supervised hours in the field under the supervision of a LCSW, positioning graduates to address Montana’s critical shortage of mental health professionals while serving communities where social workers often wear multiple hats and develop deep, lasting relationships with the families and individuals they support.
2026 Best Montana MSW Programs Online
Carroll College
Helena, MT - Private 4-year - carroll.edu
Master's - Master of Social Work
Online Learning - Visit Website
Carroll College's fully online Master of Social Work offers a comprehensive program preparing compassionate professionals for clinical licensure. Designed to address mental health provider shortages, the curriculum emphasizes trauma-informed, evidence-based practices. Students benefit from flexible full- and part-time pathways, virtual and in-person intensives, and nationwide internship opportunities. The CSWE-accredited program focuses on interdisciplinary care, developing critical thinking skills and positioning graduates to effectively collaborate in team-based healthcare environments. With potential nine-month completion and experienced practitioner faculty, students gain advanced skills to serve individuals, families, and communities.
- Online Master of Social Work
- CSWE Accredited Program
- Full and part-time options
- Potential 9-month completion
- Trauma-informed curriculum
- Virtual and in-person intensives
- Nationwide internship opportunities
- Employer tuition assistance possible
- Clinical licensure preparation
- Experienced practitioner faculty
Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: Traditional Track - Online Learning - Visit Website
Carroll College's online Master of Social Work Traditional Track provides an innovative pathway for aspiring social work professionals. This CSWE-accredited program offers flexible learning formats with full and part-time options, including an accelerated track for BSW holders. Students engage in a trauma-informed curriculum that emphasizes evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary care. The program features virtual and in-person learning intensives, comprehensive internship opportunities, and career-oriented skill development. Graduates are prepared to serve vulnerable populations effectively, with potential for independent clinical licensure and meaningful careers in social services and healthcare settings.
- Online flexible learning format
- CSWE accredited program
- Full and part-time pathways
- Accelerated option for BSW holders
- Nine-month potential completion
- Trauma-informed curriculum focus
- Career-oriented skill development
- Virtual and in-person intensives
- Practicum in community organizations
- Potential employer tuition assistance
Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: Advanced-Standing Track - Online Learning - Visit Website
Carroll College's online Advanced-Standing Track Master of Social Work is tailored for BSW graduates seeking advanced clinical preparation. This CSWE-accredited program offers a flexible, accelerated pathway with full and part-time learning options. Students participate in five weekend intensive sessions, gaining advanced clinical skills through innovative coursework and hands-on internships. The trauma-informed curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practices, preparing graduates for independent licensure in social services, healthcare, and behavioral health. With flexible synchronous/asynchronous learning and nationwide internship opportunities, students develop comprehensive skills to address critical mental health challenges across diverse community settings.
- Fully online program
- CSWE accredited degree
- Clinical licensure preparation
- Full and part-time options
- Accelerated pathway for BSW holders
- Five weekend intensive sessions
- Trauma-informed curriculum focus
- Flexible synchronous/asynchronous learning
- Nationwide internship opportunities
- Experienced practitioner faculty
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT - Public 4-Year - umt.edu
Master's - Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Montana's online Master of Social Work (MSW) program delivers comprehensive training for social work professionals seeking transformative community impact. With flexible full-time and advanced standing pathways, students can specialize in micro or macro practice tracks. The 51-credit program emphasizes research methods, social policy analysis, and specialized practicum experiences. Graduates are prepared for diverse roles in mental health, child welfare, community organizing, and social advocacy. The program maintains a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement and offers optional electives in specialized areas. Designed for military-friendly learners, the synchronous online format accommodates working professionals seeking advanced social work credentials.
- Full-time and advanced standing options
- Micro and macro practice emphases
- 51 total credit hours
- Online synchronous advanced standing track
- Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
- Practicum in clinical/community settings
- Optional electives in specialized areas
Master's - Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Concentration: Micro Practice - Online Learning - Visit Website
Focusing specifically on Micro Practice, the University of Montana's online MSW program equips students with advanced clinical skills for individual and family interventions. This specialized track emphasizes evidence-based therapeutic approaches, professional portfolio development, and hands-on clinical practicum experiences. The 51-credit curriculum integrates advanced research methodology, policy analysis, and targeted coursework addressing complex social challenges. With an online advanced standing option for BSW graduates, students can pursue comprehensive training in clinical social work. The program's community-focused approach prepares graduates for nuanced, compassionate practice in mental health, counseling, and direct client services.
- 51-credit comprehensive MSW program
- Online advanced standing track
- Micro and macro practice options
- Practicum in clinical settings
- Advanced research methodology
- Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
- Two practice concentration paths
- Professional portfolio development
- Optional specialized electives
- Community-focused curriculum
List of Montana Online MSW Programs
Helena, MT
Carroll College
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Online Learning - Website
- Online Master of Social Work
- CSWE Accredited Program
- Full and part-time options
- Potential 9-month completion
- Trauma-informed curriculum
- Virtual and in-person intensives
- Nationwide internship opportunities
- Employer tuition assistance possible
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: Advanced-Standing Track - Online Learning - Website
- Fully online program
- CSWE accredited degree
- Clinical licensure preparation
- Full and part-time options
- Accelerated pathway for BSW holders
- Five weekend intensive sessions
- Trauma-informed curriculum focus
- Flexible synchronous/asynchronous learning
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Concentration: Traditional Track - Online Learning - Website
- Online flexible learning format
- CSWE accredited program
- Full and part-time pathways
- Accelerated option for BSW holders
- Nine-month potential completion
- Trauma-informed curriculum focus
- Career-oriented skill development
- Virtual and in-person intensives
Missoula, MT
The University of Montana
- Master's - Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Online Learning - Website
- Full-time and advanced standing options
- Micro and macro practice emphases
- 51 total credit hours
- Online synchronous advanced standing track
- Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
- Practicum in clinical/community settings
- Optional electives in specialized areas
- Master's - Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Concentration: Micro Practice - Online Learning - Website
- 51-credit comprehensive MSW program
- Online advanced standing track
- Micro and macro practice options
- Practicum in clinical settings
- Advanced research methodology
- Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
- Two practice concentration paths
- Professional portfolio development
2026 Affordable Online Montana MSW Program Options
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| The University of Montana |
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List of Montana Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs
Advanced standing MSW programs in Montana provide an accelerated degree option for students holding a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited institution, allowing them to complete their master’s education on a fast-track timeline. These programs emphasize rural and frontier social work practice, Native American cultural competency, and resource coordination strategies to address the distinct needs of Montana’s vast geographic territories, tribal communities, and sparsely populated regions.
Helena, MT
Carroll College
- Master's - Master of Social Work
Online Learning - Website
- Online program flexibility
- No campus visits required
- Accredited by CSWE
- Advanced standing option
- 9-month completion possible
- Focus on social justice
- Diverse career pathways
- Experienced faculty
2026 Affordable Online Montana Advanced Standing MSW Programs
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