Become a Social Worker in Montana
Montana employs social workers across a range of practice settings, including schools, community agencies, hospitals, behavioral health organizations, and government programs.
In Montana, the path to becoming a social worker depends on the level of practice you’re pursuing. The Montana Board of Behavioral Health licenses several social work credentials, including Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) (along with candidate licenses). If your goal is clinical social work (LCSW), Montana requires a master’s (or doctoral) degree in social work from an approved program, supervised clinical experience, and an approved exam.
Information below was retrieved February 2026 and is only meant to be a high-level overview. Requirements may change, always check with the state licensing board for complete and up to date information
University of Denver • Denver, CO
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
54-81 graduate-level credits
Concentrations
Mental Health and Trauma, Health, Equity and Wellness
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission
- Minimum undergraduate GPA is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Career goals statement
Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 24 months
Credits
36-60
Concentrations
Advanced Integrated Practice, Advanced Clinical Practice
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Essays
- Prerequisite coursework
- Letters of recommendation
Simmons University • Boston, MA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Accelerated and Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 9 months
Credits
37-65
Concentrations
Mental Health Practice Optional Certificate, Trauma Practice Optional Certificate, Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families
Admission Requirements
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Recommendation forms
- Statement of professional and educational intent
Howard University • Washington, DC
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
45+
Concentrations
Direct Practice, Community, Administration and Policy (CAP) Practice
Admission Requirements
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- College transcripts
- A personal statement
- An application essay
- A resume
- Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution, award within four years of first term start date
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all social work foundation and undergraduate coursework
Hawaii Pacific University • Honolulu, HI
Master of Social Work
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
12-36 months
Credits
30-57
Concentrations
Military and Veterans Affairs, Child or Adult Protective Services, Health Care, Mental Health, Individual and Families, Social Agency Administration
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 30 credits in Liberal Arts from an accredited four-year institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, but applicants below that will be considered for provisional admission
- Completed courses in Statistics and Research Methods
- Applicants must have completed each course with a grade of a "C" or higher
- Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program within the past five years
- Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale in social work courses
- Online application
Before becoming a social worker in Montana, you must earn the required social work degree for the license you’re pursuing and obtain a license through the Montana Board of Behavioral Health. Montana offers multiple social work license types, including the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), as well as candidate licenses. Additional requirements vary by license type and scope of practice and may include supervised experience for clinical licensure and other documentation required by the Board.
To become a licensed social worker in Montana, you must earn a degree that matches the license you’re pursuing. Montana licenses social workers at multiple levels (including baccalaureate, master’s, and clinical), and CSWE accreditation is required for the social work degree used to qualify for licensure.
Montana offers multiple social work licenses, including Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) (as well as candidate licenses).
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): An LBSW is Montana’s entry-level social work license for professionals with a BSW (typically CSWE-accredited). LBSWs generally provide generalist, non-clinical services such as case management, client advocacy, resource coordination, and support with social-service navigation in settings like community agencies, schools, and public programs. Clinical psychotherapy/treatment is reserved for clinical licensure (LCSW), not the baccalaureate level.
Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW): An LMSW is a master’s-level (MSW) social work license for professionals practicing advanced, non-clinical social work. LMSWs often take on more complex casework and systems-focused roles—such as program coordination, policy/program implementation, supervision in some agency contexts, and advanced assessments and service planning—while clinical psychotherapy/treatment, as a licensed clinical service, is within the LCSW scope.
Licensed Clinical Social worker (LCSW): Licensure requirements depend on the license level. Montana requires the corresponding ASWB exam (Bachelor’s for LBSW, Master’s for LMSW, Clinical for LCSW) and a supervised post-degree work experience requirement that varies by license (for example, LBSW: 2,000 hours over at least 18 months; LCSW: 3,000 hours over at least 24 months).
Once you’ve completed your hours and experience, you may apply to become a licensed social worker in Montana.
Learn more about how to become a social worker.
Social Work Degree Programs in Montana
Social work degree programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) throughout the United States. In Montana, students can find CSWE-accredited social work education at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Montana has two CSWE-accredited BSW programs (Salish Kootenai College and the University of Montana), and the University of Montana offers the state’s in-state CSWE-accredited MSW option, including an Advanced Standing pathway.
A CSWE-accredited BSW can qualify eligible students for Advanced Standing MSW programs, which may allow them to complete the MSW in about one year. There are two universities offering accredited BSW programs in Montana:
In Montana, the minimum degree required for licensure varies by license level. For example, LBSW licensure requires at least a baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited (or candidacy-status) program, while clinical licensure (LCSW) requires at least a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited (or candidacy-status) program.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Montana
MSW programs in Montana teach students advanced social work theories and practical knowledge. MSW programs may include coursework on topics such as human development, social work policy, and intervention. Montana currently has one in-state CSWE-accredited MSW program: the University of Montana School of Social Work.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
University of MontanaMaster of Social Work | Columbia Falls, MT | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Online MSW Programs in Montana
Montana currently has one in-state CSWE-accredited MSW program, the University of Montana, and it offers an online MSW option for students who need more flexibility. Students in Montana can also consider online MSW programs offered by CSWE-accredited schools in other states, especially if they’re looking for additional specialization options or a different schedule.
Learn more about advanced standing online Master of Social Work programs, online MSW programs for aspiring clinical social workers, and online master’s in social work programs.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
University of MontanaMaster of Social Work | Columbia Falls, MT | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Social Work Licenses in Montana
In Montana, social work licenses are issued by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health. The Board offers multiple social work license types, including Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), as well as candidate credentials for applicants completing supervised experience toward full licensure.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Montana
- Education Requirement: Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program
- Field Requirements: 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience over a minimum of 24 months
- Exams: ASWB Clinical exam
- License Renewal: Every year, with 20 hours of continuing education, with 2 hours in suicide prevention for the first renewal and every two years thereafter
Learn more about online clinical MSW programs.
Social Work Salaries for Montana
Montana Social Work Careers | Number of Social Workers in Montana | Annual Mean Social Work Salary |
|---|---|---|
Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 1,250 | $52,930 |
Healthcare Social Workers | 650 | $60,720 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 630 | $50,890 |
Social Workers, All Other | 490 | $57,930 |
Information on the above social work salaries in Montana was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates - Montana in February 2026.
Learn more about social work salaries.
Montana Social Work Scholarships
For those just starting on their path to social work, there are statewide scholarships and programs to assist you. Below are several scholarship opportunities that may help Montana students pay for social work education, especially those enrolled in an MSW program (a required step for clinical licensure).
- Pride Foundation Scholarship (multiple awards)
- University of Montana Bonnie and Phil Hamilton MSW Scholarship
- University of Montana Srock Family MSW Scholarship
- University of Montana Sydney Davidson Maxwell Scholarship
Learn more about social work scholarships.
Montana Social Work Organizations
Social workers in Montana can connect with a variety of state and national organizations that support the profession through continuing education, advocacy, professional standards, and networking.
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Montana chapter: The state chapter of NASW that offers continuing education, professional resources, and state-level advocacy for social workers in Montana.
Montana Social Work FAQs
Does Montana have social work reciprocity?
Montana does not offer automatic social work “reciprocity” that guarantees a license just for holding one in another state. However, Montana allows licensure by endorsement for applicants who hold an active, in-good-standing license in another jurisdiction and meet Montana’s requirements (including substantially equivalent qualifications).
What are the social work continuing education (CE) requirements in Montana?
Montana Board of Behavioral Health licensees (including LCSW, LMSW, and LBSW) must complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) each year prior to renewal. As part of the annual total, licensees must complete at least 2 hours of suicide prevention training for their first renewal and every 2 years thereafter.
Learn more about continuing education for social workers.
What is the best way to look up my social work license in Montana?
The best way to look up (verify) a social work license in Montana is to use the Montana Board of Behavioral Health “Look Up a License” / Licensee Lookup System. You can search by a licensee’s name and/or license number, and filter by license type to find license status and public credential information.
Information last updated: February 2026