Online Social Work Programs in North Dakota

Social workers help North Dakota residents overcome problems related to abuse, addiction, disabilities, educational difficulties, mental illness, poverty, and unemployment. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the number of overdose deaths from fentanyl in North Dakota increased in 2017. This means that social work jobs in North Dakota often focus on addiction.

As of May 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the highest number of social worker jobs in North Dakota (750) were in child, family, and school social work; these professionals earn a mean annual salary of $54,870. In 2018, the state’s healthcare social worker positions totaled 440 with a mean annual salary of $53,300. There were 210 mental health and substance abuse social worker jobs, and these professionals earned a mean annual salary of $53,760.

Social Work Programs by Degree Level

Education and Licensure Requirements for Social Workers in North Dakota

The North Dakota Board of Social Worker Examiners licenses social workers in the state. There are three types of licenses: licensed social worker (LSW), licensed certified social worker (LCSW), and licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW). The following section describes educational requirements and application processes associated with each type of license needed to fill social work jobs in North Dakota.

Education Requirements

LSW applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in social work from a program with accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education. Candidates must also pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor’s exam.

LCSW candidates need a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and must pass the ASWB master’s exam.

The LICSW requires a master’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, a passing score on the ASWB clinical exam, and at least 3,000 hours of supervised postgraduate practice.

Exam Application Process and Requirements

All candidates for licensure must complete an application online or by mail and must pay a $25 application fee and $75 license fee. Applicants must also submit to a criminal history check — which costs $40 — and a child abuse information index check. After their applications receive approval, candidates take the appropriate ASWB exam.

LSW candidates must provide three professional references and academic transcripts. The bachelor’s exam costs $230. Licensed LSWs can provide general services, but not clinical social work services.

LCSW applicants must submit three professional references, academic transcripts, and a $230 exam fee. LSCWs are qualified to provide general services and supervised clinical services.

After completing 3,000 supervised clinical hours, LICSW candidates submit documentation from their supervisors along with academic transcripts. The clinical exam costs $260. LICSWs can provide clinical services and work independently in private practice.

Continuing Education and Licensure Renewal

Social worker licenses expire on December 31 of each odd-numbered year. Professionals with active licenses must renew online or by mail no later than November 15. Renewal costs $75 for all license levels.

Licensed social workers must complete 30 continuing education hours during each two-year cycle. Professionals can fulfill up to 10 hours through self-study or online coursework but must complete remaining hours in person. At least 20 hours must cover social work ethics topics.

The licensing board provides a list of approved continuing education providers.

Featured Online Programs

Why Choose an Online Social Work Program in North Dakota?

The University of North Dakota (UND) offers online bachelor’s and master’s of social work programs that are ideal for learners who are unable to attend classes on campus. UND’s online programs include synchronous evening classes along with field placements and required campus visits. Online students at UND pay a flat, affordable tuition rate regardless of residency status.

According to the BLS, child, family, and school social workers in North Dakota earn an average salary of $54,870 per year. The BLS also projects a 15.4% increase in the number of mental health and substance abuse social work jobs in North Dakota from 2016-2026, making it a good career to pursue.

Ranking Methodology

Here is our list of online social work degree programs in North Dakota as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics. We cover online bachelor’s in social work, online master’s in social work, and online doctorate in social work programs. All programs are regionally and CSWE accredited, and all are available entirely online.

Online Social Work Programs in North Dakota

University of North Dakota

Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, UND prepares competent, responsive, and ethical social workers to serve diverse populations and promote social justice. The department offers an online bachelor of science in social work and a master of social work, both accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The Department of Social Work attracts a large percentage of the university’s learners, enrolling 25% of UND’s total student population in undergraduate programs and 15% in graduate programs. The department’s Children and Family Services Training Center is the primary training agency for child welfare services in the state.

UND’s Online Bachelor of Science in Social Work

• Credits and Courses: The program requires 120 credits for completion. Distance learners complete synchronous courses two nights per week.
• Completion Time: 2-4 years for full-time students. The program takes longer for part-time learners. Transfer students with a bachelor’s degree in a related field can complete this program in only one year.
• Field Education:450-hour field placement, which learners can complete part time over two semesters.
• Other Requirements: Distance learners must complete a four-day campus visit during the summer. Learners must pay room and board for the visit.
• Transfer Policies:24 transferable credits and a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• Online Student Support: UND provides distance learners with tech support and 24-hour online tutoring.
• Cost:$404/credit regardless of residency.
• Admission Requirements: Candidates must hold a minimum 2.75 GPA, including transfer courses, and 45 semester hours of coursework at the time of application. Learners must also adhere to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and the UND Code of Student Life.

UND’s Online Master of Social Work

• Concentrations: The online program offers an option for students with advanced standing and one for those without advanced standing. Students who hold a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program can enroll in the concentration option. Distance learners with a bachelor’s degree in a related field qualify for the foundation option.
• Credits and Courses: The distance concentration requires 36 credits for completion, while the distance foundation requires 60 credits.
• Completion Time: Students enrolled in the distance concentration can graduate in one or two years, while learners in the distance foundation option can complete the program in three years.
• Field Education: The program requires 10-12 credits of field internship placement in a human service organization.
• Other Requirements: Learners must complete a research capstone project, independent study, or thesis.
• Transfer Policies: To graduate, students must complete at least 30 semester credits from UND coursework. UND’s academics departments determine which credits can transfer in towards degree completion.
• Online Student Support: Degree candidates receive tech support and 24-hour online tutoring.
• Cost:$601/credit regardless of residency.
• Admission Requirements: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or a bachelor of social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program, an undergraduate 3.0 GPA, a grade of C or higher in a statistics course, and satisfy English language proficiency requirements. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree in social work should have at least 30 credit hours in liberal arts courses. Candidates must also submit a personal statement and resume.

The University of North Dakota is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The University of North Dakota’s online social work programs are CSWE-accredited.

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