Last updated: February 25, 2026

Best MSW Programs in Montana (2026)

Every CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program in Montana for 2026, with tuition, LCSW licensure requirements, salary data, and field placement details.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington — Seattle

Key Takeaways

  • Montana has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs: the University of Montana in Missoula (on-campus and online) and Carroll College in Helena (fully online).
  • In-state tuition at UM runs roughly $19,132/year for the on-campus program, while Carroll College charges approximately $822/credit ($49,360 total for 60 credits). UM's online MSW is $41,500 total for all students regardless of residency.
  • Montana social workers earn below national medians across all specialties, but the state's low cost of living and extensive rural shortage areas create strong demand and job security for licensed social workers.
  • The LCSW requires 3,000 supervised hours (including 1,500 direct client contact hours) over at least 2 years after your MSW, plus the ASWB Clinical exam.
  • Montana has significant mental health workforce shortages across most rural counties. The Montana State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) offers up to $50,000 for clinicians who serve in shortage areas.
Accredited Programs
2
Ranked in this guide
Montana Median
$48,800
vs national $58,570 (-16.7%)
Independent License
LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Supervised Hours
3,000
over 2 years min.

Montana offers two CSWE-accredited MSW programs, giving prospective social workers a choice between the University of Montana's established program in Missoula and Carroll College's newer fully online program based in Helena. Both programs prepare graduates for licensure at every level in Montana's three-tier system: LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW.

The University of Montana has offered its MSW since the 1980s and provides on-campus, online, and advanced standing options with concentrations in micro (clinical) and macro (community/organizational) practice. Carroll College launched its clinically focused online MSW in 2021 and earned full CSWE accreditation in 2023, making it one of the few programs nationally to achieve initial accreditation without additional findings.

Montana expanded from an LCSW-only licensing structure to a three-tiered system (LBSW, LMSW, LCSW) in 2019, opening up practice opportunities for social workers at every degree level. The state's vast rural landscape and persistent mental health workforce shortages mean MSW graduates are in high demand, particularly in community mental health, child welfare, and healthcare settings across the state.

CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Montana

All 2 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.

# School In-State Tuition Format
1 University of Montana $19,132/year (~$553/credit including program fee) On-campus
2 Carroll College $822/credit (~$49,360 total for 60 credits) Fully online with in-person training institutes
1

University of Montana

Missoula, MT On-campus CSWE-accredited

In-State

$19,132/year (~$553/credit including program fee)

Out-of-State

$46,704/year (~$1,681/credit including program fee)

Length

2 years (60 credits)

Field Hours

900 (450 generalist + 450 specialization); 600 for advanced standing

Concentrations

Micro Practice (Clinical)Macro Practice (Community/Organizational)
  • Longest-established MSW program in Montana, accredited since the 1980s
  • Fully asynchronous online option at $41,500 total (same rate for all students)
  • Two distinct concentrations: clinical micro practice and community/organizational macro practice
  • Advanced standing available for BSW graduates (1-year accelerated track)
  • Field placements coordinated across Montana and surrounding states
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.0 (3.25 preferred for advanced standing)
Visit Program
2

Carroll College

Helena, MT Fully online with in-person training institutes CSWE-accredited

In-State

$822/credit (~$49,360 total for 60 credits)

Out-of-State

$822/credit (~$49,360 total for 60 credits)

Length

21 months (60 credits)

Field Hours

900 (generalist + specialization combined)

Concentrations

Clinical Social Work (trauma-informed/resilience-focused)
  • Achieved full CSWE accreditation in 2023 without additional findings (top 30% of new programs)
  • Fully online format accessible from anywhere in Montana or nationwide
  • Clinically focused curriculum emphasizing trauma-informed and resilience-focused care
  • 14% tuition reduction available through Tuition Assistance Partnership Program for employees of participating organizations
  • Advanced standing track completable in just 9 months for BSW graduates
GRE: Not required | Min GPA: 3.0 (conditional admission considered below 3.0)
Visit Program

Social Work Licensure Requirements in Montana

The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.

Licensing Board

Montana Board of Behavioral Health (BBH)

406-841-2300

Board Website Verify a License

Montana operates a three-tier social work licensing system under the Board of Behavioral Health (BBH), which was expanded in 2019 from an LCSW-only structure. The three license types are LBSW (bachelor's level), LMSW (master's level), and LCSW (clinical). Montana also offers an SWLC (Social Worker Licensed Candidate) credential for MSW graduates accumulating supervised hours toward the LCSW.

The LCSW is the credential most MSW graduates work toward. It authorizes independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, diagnosis of mental health conditions, and the ability to open a private practice. The LMSW allows generalist social work practice and requires supervised experience but not at the clinical level.

LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, private practice

Hours

3,000

Duration

2 years

Exam: ASWB Clinical

SWLC

Social Worker Licensed Candidate (LCSW Candidate)

Practice under supervision while accumulating hours toward LCSW

Hours

N/A

Duration

Associate

Exam: None (must have approved supervisor and supervision plan)

LMSW

Licensed Master Social Worker

Generalist social work practice at the master's level, non-clinical settings

Hours

2,000

Duration

18 months

Exam: ASWB Masters

LBSW

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker

Entry-level social work practice under supervision

Hours

2,000

Duration

18 months

Exam: ASWB Bachelors

Reciprocity & out-of-state licensing

Montana does not have blanket reciprocity but will consider applicants licensed in other states. Out-of-state LCSW holders must submit proof of current licensure in good standing, official transcripts, and documentation of supervised experience that meets Montana's requirements (3,000 hours including 1,500 direct client contact over at least 2 years). Applicants must also pass or have passed the ASWB Clinical exam and submit fingerprints for a Montana background check. The BBH reviews each application individually to determine equivalency.

Social Worker Salary in Montana

BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.

Montana social workers earn below national medians across all specialties, reflecting the state's lower overall cost of living. However, Montana's cost of living is significantly below the national average, and the state's persistent workforce shortages mean strong job availability and security for licensed social workers. All salary data below is from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

$48,800 -16.7%
State
U.S.

National median: $58,570

Top metro: $51,890 (Missoula)

Healthcare Social Workers

$60,040 -11.8%
State
U.S.

National median: $68,090

Top metro: $63,210 (Billings)

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

$47,120 -21.5%
State
U.S.

National median: $60,060

Top metro: $50,340 (Missoula)

Montana Social Work Job Market and Workforce

Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.

Montana faces significant mental health workforce shortages across the majority of its 56 counties. As a large, predominantly rural state with just over 1.1 million residents spread across 147,000 square miles, many communities have limited or no access to mental health services. The HRSA designation data shows that most of Montana's rural counties qualify as Mental Health Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

The 2019 expansion from an LCSW-only licensing system to a three-tier structure (LBSW, LMSW, LCSW) has opened new practice opportunities and helped address workforce gaps. Major employers of social workers in Montana include the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Billings Clinic, Providence Health & Services, St. Patrick Hospital (Missoula), Community Health Centers, tribal health programs, VA health care facilities, and the Montana Children's Trust Fund. The state's growing behavioral health integration efforts in primary care settings are also creating new roles for MSW-level practitioners.

Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs

Montana State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) — Up to $50,000 in loan repayment for primary care and behavioral health providers (including LCSWs) who serve at approved NHSC or Montana SLRP sites in HPSAs for a 2-year full-time commitment. Recipients may apply for subsequent awards up to 4 years total.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment — Up to $55,000 for licensed behavioral health providers (including LCSWs) serving full-time at approved sites in mental health HPSAs for 2 years, with options to extend.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers employed at DPHHS, tribal health programs, community health centers, VA facilities, and other qualifying nonprofit or government employers are eligible for federal PSLF after 120 qualifying payments (10 years).

Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment — Social workers serving in tribal health programs or IHS facilities in Montana may qualify for up to $40,000 in loan repayment for a 2-year service commitment, particularly relevant given Montana's 7 tribal reservations.

How to Choose an MSW Program in Montana

Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.

With only 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs in Montana, your decision comes down to a few key factors: whether you want an on-campus or online experience, your concentration preference (clinical vs. macro), and your budget.

If you want on-campus classes and a traditional experience: The University of Montana in Missoula is your only option for in-person MSW education in Montana. The campus program offers both micro (clinical) and macro (community/organizational) concentrations.

If you need a fully online program: Both UM and Carroll College offer online MSW options. UM's online program is asynchronous and costs $41,500 total regardless of residency. Carroll's online program runs about $49,360 for 60 credits but offers a 14% tuition reduction through employer partnerships.

If macro/community practice interests you: Only the University of Montana offers a macro practice concentration. Carroll College is exclusively clinical.

If you're a Montana resident on a budget: UM's on-campus program at roughly $19,132/year for in-state students is the most affordable option, significantly less than Carroll's flat rate. UM's online program at $41,500 total is also competitive.

If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: Carroll College's advanced standing track takes just 9 months (30 credits), while UM's advanced standing is 1 year (37 credits). Both require a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program.

If clinical trauma-informed practice is your focus: Carroll College built its entire curriculum around trauma-informed, resilience-focused clinical practice. UM's micro concentration also covers clinical practice but with a broader scope.

Related Pages

Best Online MSW Programs

National ranking of the top online MSW programs

Best Online BSW Programs

Undergraduate social work programs

Best Online DSW Programs

Doctoral programs for experienced social workers

Clinical Social Worker Career Guide

What LCSWs actually do day-to-day

Clinical Social Worker Salary

Salary data by state and experience level

MSW Programs by State

Compare MSW programs across all 50 states

Frequently Asked Questions

Montana has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs: the University of Montana in Missoula (offering on-campus and fully online options since the 1980s) and Carroll College in Helena (fully online, accredited since 2023). Both programs prepare graduates for all three levels of Montana social work licensure (LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW). Additionally, Walla Walla University, based in Washington state, operates satellite campuses in Billings and Missoula that offer MSW coursework.
To become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Montana, you need: (1) an MSW or higher from a CSWE-accredited program, (2) 3,000 hours of post-master's supervised clinical experience including at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact, completed over a minimum of 2 years, (3) at least 100 hours of supervision with at least 50 hours of face-to-face individual supervision with a qualified supervisor, (4) a passing score on the ASWB Clinical exam, and (5) fingerprints and a background check. You can practice under supervision with an SWLC (Social Worker Licensed Candidate) credential while accumulating hours.
Yes, both Montana MSW programs offer online options. The University of Montana provides a fully asynchronous online MSW that costs $41,500 total regardless of residency, completable in 2-3 years. Carroll College offers a fully online, clinically focused MSW at approximately $822/credit ($49,360 total for 60 credits) with in-person training institutes. Both programs require supervised field placements completed in person at approved sites near you, typically totaling 900 hours for regular-track students.
For Montana residents, the University of Montana's on-campus MSW is the most affordable option at approximately $19,132 per year in-state (roughly $38,264 total for the 2-year program). UM's online MSW is $41,500 total regardless of residency. Carroll College's fully online MSW costs approximately $49,360 total for the 60-credit traditional track, with a 14% tuition reduction available through its Tuition Assistance Partnership Program for employees of participating organizations.
Montana social workers earn below national medians but benefit from a lower cost of living. According to BLS May 2024 data: child, family, and school social workers earn a median of $48,800 (national: $58,570), healthcare social workers earn $60,040 (national: $68,090), and mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $47,120 (national: $60,060). Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) in Montana typically earn higher salaries, with averages in the $65,000-$85,000 range depending on setting and experience.
Yes. The Montana State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) provides up to $50,000 for behavioral health providers (including LCSWs) who serve at approved sites in Health Professional Shortage Areas for a 2-year commitment. The federal NHSC Loan Repayment Program offers up to $55,000 for similar service. Social workers at state agencies, tribal health programs, community health centers, and VA facilities also qualify for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 10 years of qualifying payments.
The SWLC (Social Worker Licensed Candidate) is Montana's credential for MSW graduates who are working toward their LCSW. It allows you to practice clinical social work under supervision while accumulating the required 3,000 hours of supervised experience. To obtain an SWLC, you must have an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, a qualified supervisor (an LCSW or equivalent with at least 3 years of post-licensure experience), an approved supervision agreement, and a training and supervision plan filed with the Board of Behavioral Health.
Yes, both Montana MSW programs offer advanced standing for BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs. Carroll College's advanced standing track is the fastest at just 9 months and 30 credits. The University of Montana's advanced standing track takes 1 year with 37 credits, including a summer bridge component and 600 hours of field placement. UM prefers a 3.25 GPA for advanced standing applicants (or a 3.0 overall with 3.25 in social work courses).