Master of Social Work

Our flexible, affordable MSW pathway will equip you to serve individuals, families, organizations, and communities in need of hope and healing.

Rooted in Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine wisdom, our 30-credit advanced standing Master of Social Work (MSW) program provides a comprehensive, values-focused overview of either clinical or macro social work for full-time professionals with a CSWE-accredited BSW.

For those with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work, we offer a 60-credit traditional option that outlines the discipline’s fundamentals before transitioning to one of our specialized tracks in clinical or macro social work. We offer all of our MSW courses online in both synchronous and asynchronous formats to accommodate your existing schedule.

Take the First Step

Get in touch with any questions or submit a simple application for admission.
After you're admitted to the university as a candidate for graduate studies, we will assist you every step of the way toward acceptance into your academic program so you can enroll and begin your classes!

At a Glance

63,800 Openings

for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Program Length

60 credit (30 credits for those with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program)

Formats

Online with either one or two weeklong summer institutes, depending on track.

Tuition per Credit

$620 per credit

Is This the Degree For Me?

Who It’s For

Social workers looking to be leaders in their profession and society
BSW-holders seeking preparation for specialized leadership roles in diverse organizational settings, including schools, nonprofits, government agencies, and health care systems
Professionals in any field interested in pursuing a career in social work

Career Paths

Clinical Practice Therapist
Healthcare Social Worker
School Social Worker
Clinical Supervisor
Child and Family Services
Case Manager
Community Developer and Organizer
Macro Practice Administrator
Advocate

What You’ll Learn

Through flexible online learning as well as integrative fieldwork experiences, you’ll expand your existing knowledge base and develop advanced skills relevant to your area of interest. Simultaneously, our program will prepare you to:

Provide evidence-based, person-centered services aimed at impacting lives and uplifting communities.
Excel as a servant leader in your organization, your community, and the profession.
Model transformative Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine values — among them hospitality, service, and respect for persons — in both your professional endeavors and your personal life.

Chart Your Own Course

To customize your program of study, add a specialty track in one of two areas: clinical social work or macro practice and leadership.

Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation

The University of Mary's Master of Social Work program is currently seeking pre-candidacy status for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation and expects to seek candidacy status. Students who enter programs in pre-candidacy that then attain candidacy in the academic year in which they begin their studies will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE-accredited program once the program attains Initial Accreditation.

Program Details

Program Information

Please visit our catalog for admission requirements and a full list of our courses.

Your first step is to get in touch with any questions or submit the simple application for admission. After acceptance to the University as a candidate for graduate studies, we will assist you every step of the way toward acceptance into your academic program so you can enroll and begin your classes!

If you are serving or have served our country, we sincerely thank you. Our military services office is here to work closely with active duty, retired, reserve, and eligible family members qualified for military benefits. Learn how we can help you with the application process and review the benefits you have earned.

For a full list of fees, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

The University of Mary is committed to putting your educational goals within reach. Learn what scholarships you qualify for.

We welcome students from various backgrounds, including transfer students from regionally accredited colleges and universities and those with military or career and work experience.

How do I show my previous college, military, or work experience?

Official transcripts (if applicable) from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 should be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions.

Did you graduate from the University of Mary? Then we’ll get your Mary transcript for you!

At most other schools, you can request transcripts by going to the National Student Clearinghouse or by contacting the registrar’s office.
- Have your transcripts sent to:
  Office of Admissions
  University of Mary
  7500 University Drive
  Bismarck, ND 58504
- Or request to send electronic transcripts to registrar@umary.edu.
Students with previous career or work experience can earn credits for prior learning.
- You can choose to test for prior learning credits — we convert your test scores into college credit.
- You can request a portfolio review for prior learning credits. You’ll assemble documentation to show your experience, which will be reviewed and evaluated by an experienced faculty member.
Military experience can count towards a degree.
- If you are Active duty, National Guard, Reserve, or a Veteran from the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy, you can request your transcript through Joint Services Transcript.
- Air Force personnel should contact the CCAF to receive your transcript.
- If you already have your CCAF degree, check out our Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative page to see how you can apply your degree to get a bachelor’s degree at the University of Mary.

WHAT WILL I NEED TO APPLY?

All of our programs require you to fill out the general application form in addition to submitting the application fee and your transcripts.
Any program-specific requirements you’ll need to submit in addition to the items listed above can be found in our catalog.

At the University of Mary, we review every application on an individual basis, ensuring that the materials you submit are evaluated with care and attention. Reach out to us if you have any questions in filling out your application.

Get Started Today

Apply Online