MSW Programs in South Dakota
South Dakota has one CSWE-accredited MSW program and one MSW program in CSWE candidacy. The University of South Dakota offers a long-established advanced generalist MSW on campus and online. Augustana University launched its MSW program in Fall 2025 and is pursuing CSWE accreditation. For clinical social work practice in the state, an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program is required.
South Dakota is one of the least densely populated states in the country. That’s not just a demographic footnote. It shapes what social workers here actually do. Caseloads stretch across rural counties. Native American communities, who make up nearly 9% of the state’s population, face substance abuse and mental health challenges at rates well above the national average. The need for trained, credentialed social workers isn’t abstract here. It’s built into the landscape.
An MSW prepares you for the work at its most demanding. It’s the degree that opens the door to licensure, supervisory roles, and specialized practice in settings that need people who can do more than basic case management.
MSW Programs in South Dakota
South Dakota currently has two universities offering MSW programs, both located in Sioux Falls.
University of South Dakota
USD’s MSW program is CSWE-accredited and is the longer-established of the two in-state options. It uses an advanced generalist curriculum, preparing graduates for both clinical and macro practice: direct client work, program administration, community development, and policy. The program is available at USD’s Sioux Falls campus and fully online. USD also participates in the Association of Social Work Boards’ Path to Licensure curriculum, which helps students prepare for licensure after graduation. Students without a social work background complete a traditional two-year track. Those who hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program may qualify for the advanced standing track, which can be completed in roughly one year.
Note: USD’s CSWE accreditation history includes department activity dating to 1974. Verify the MSW program’s specific accreditation date in the CSWE directory before enrollment.
Augustana University
Augustana launched its MSW in Fall 2025 as part of the Harriet Emily Scott Social Work Program, housed in the Sharon Lust School of Education. The program is currently in CSWE candidacy, meaning it is actively pursuing full accreditation but has not yet received it. CSWE candidacy indicates a program is working toward meeting full accreditation standards. It is not the same as full accreditation. Augustana’s program follows a clinical curriculum focused on micro- and mezzo-practice. Students without a bachelor’s degree in social work complete the program in two years. The program incorporates the Circle of Courage model with a stated emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. An online delivery option is available alongside in-person coursework in Sioux Falls.
BSW Programs in South Dakota
A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program is the entry point for state licensure and, for those who continue to graduate school, a potential path to the advanced standing MSW track. South Dakota has three accredited BSW programs, plus one in candidacy.
University of South Dakota
USD’s BSW program has been CSWE-accredited since 1974 and is based on the Vermillion campus. It prepares students for generalist practice and connects directly to USD’s MSW program for those who want to continue at the graduate level.
University of Sioux Falls
The University of Sioux Falls has maintained CSWE accreditation for its BSW program since 1974. Based in Sioux Falls, it prepares students for generalist social work roles and has a long track record in the state.
Oglala Lakota College
Oglala Lakota College’s CSWE-accredited BSW program is notable for its geographic reach and its focus on Indigenous communities. It operates across multiple locations in Pine Ridge, Kyle, and Rapid City, making it one of the few programs in the country specifically structured to serve reservation communities and the surrounding region. It has held full CSWE accreditation since 2006.
Augustana University
Augustana’s BSW program launched formally in Fall 2024 and is currently in CSWE candidacy. As with its MSW program, candidacy means the program is working toward full accreditation, not that it has achieved it. Verify the current status with Augustana directly before enrolling.
All CSWE-Listed Programs in South Dakota
CSWE, the Council on Social Work Education, is the national accrediting body for social work programs. South Dakota requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program for master’s-level licensure. Candidacy status means a program is actively working toward full accreditation and meets CSWE’s foundational standards, but candidacy is not the same as full accreditation. If cost is a factor in your search, our guide to the most affordable CSWE-accredited MSW programs covers value options nationwide. Verify the current status directly with any program before enrolling.
| School | Level | Status | Location(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Dakota | Master’s | Accredited | Sioux Falls, SD; Online |
| Augustana University | Master’s | Candidacy (pursuing accreditation) | Sioux Falls, SD; Online |
| University of South Dakota | Baccalaureate | Accredited (since 1974) | Vermillion, SD |
| Augustana University | Baccalaureate | Candidacy (pursuing accreditation) | Sioux Falls, SD |
| University of Sioux Falls | Baccalaureate | Accredited (since 1974) | Sioux Falls, SD |
| Oglala Lakota College | Baccalaureate | Accredited (since 2006) | Pine Ridge, Kyle, Rapid City, SD |
Campus vs. Online: What to Consider
Both USD and Augustana offer online MSW delivery alongside in-person options in Sioux Falls. On-campus programs offer structured class times, direct faculty access, and a built-in cohort, which can be useful if you work best with external accountability. Online programs give you schedule flexibility, which matters if you’re working full-time or managing family obligations while completing your degree.
One thing that doesn’t change with format is field placement. Every accredited MSW program requires supervised field hours, which occur in person. If you’re in a rural part of the state, talk to programs directly about how they handle student placements outside Sioux Falls. If you’re open to programs beyond South Dakota’s borders, our guide to the 25 best fully online MSW programs covers fully remote options from CSWE-accredited schools nationwide.
Licensure Tiers in South Dakota
South Dakota regulates social work practice through four license levels, overseen by the South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners.
| License | Full Title | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work Associate | Social Work Associate | Entry-level; requires a non-social-work bachelor’s or human services associate degree; supervised practice. |
| LSW | Licensed Social Worker | Requires a CSWE-accredited BSW; independent generalist practice |
| CSW | Certified Social Worker | Requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program; advanced master’s-level practice |
| CSW-PIP | Certified Social Worker in Private or Independent Practice | Highest tier; requires CSW plus post-graduate supervised experience; independent clinical and private practice |
An MSW from a CSWE-accredited program satisfies the educational requirement for the CSW and supports the path to CSW-PIP. The LSW requires a CSWE-accredited BSW; the Social Work Associate credential has a separate pathway through a non-social-work bachelor’s or human services associate degree. For master’s-level licensure, South Dakota offers the CSW. For private or independent practice, the advanced credential is the CSW-PIP. For a full breakdown of supervised hours and exam requirements at each level, see our South Dakota social work licensure guide.
What Social Workers Earn in South Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, child, family, and school social workers in South Dakota earned a median annual salary of $53,140 as of May 2024, with about 1,850 employed statewide.
Job growth projections from South Dakota’s Department of Labor and Regulation, sourced through Projections Central, show demand rising across all social work categories through 2032. Healthcare social workers are projected to see the strongest growth at 9.1%, followed by mental health and substance abuse social workers at 7.7%, and child, family, and school social workers at 5.6%. Those projections reflect a state with documented need and a workforce that hasn’t kept pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an MSW to practice social work in South Dakota?
Not for every role. The LSW requires a CSWE-accredited BSW, and the Social Work Associate credential has a separate non-social-work pathway. But for master’s-level licensure (the CSW), you need an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program. The CSW-PIP, which authorizes private and independent practice, builds on the CSW with additional post-graduate supervised experience.
What is CSWE Accreditation and why does it matter?
CSWE is the Council on Social Work Education, the national body that sets standards for social work programs. South Dakota requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program for master’s-level licensure. Candidacy status means a program is actively working toward full accreditation and meets CSWE’s foundational standards, but it is not equivalent to full accreditation. Verify status directly with any program before enrolling.
What’s the difference between the traditional and advanced standing MSW tracks?
The traditional track is for students without a social work background and typically takes two years. The advanced standing track is for students who already hold a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program. It shortens the timeline to roughly one year by crediting foundational work already completed. Both lead to the same MSW degree.
Can I complete an MSW online while living in South Dakota?
Yes. Both USD and Augustana offer online MSW options. Field placement hours still have to be completed in person, but both programs work with students to arrange local placements. Online formats give you flexibility without requiring relocation.
What is the highest social work license in South Dakota?
The CSW-PIP (Certified Social Worker in Private or Independent Practice) is South Dakota’s highest social work credential. It authorizes independent clinical work and private practice. Reaching it requires first holding the CSW, then completing additional post-graduate supervised hours as specified by the South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners.
Key Takeaways
- One accredited MSW, one in candidacy. USD holds full CSWE accreditation. Augustana launched in Fall 2025 and is pursuing accreditation. Both are in Sioux Falls with online options.
- Three accredited BSW programs. USD, University of Sioux Falls, and Oglala Lakota College hold full accreditation, with Augustana in candidacy.
- Candidacy is not full accreditation. Verify current status with any program before enrolling, especially for licensure purposes.
- Four licensure tiers. Social Work Associate, LSW, CSW, and CSW-PIP each have distinct education and experience requirements.
- Growing demand statewide. Projections from SD DLR show 5-9% growth across social work categories through 2032.
Ready to explore your options? Compare licensure requirements at every level and find programs that fit your goals.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers, Social and Human Services Assistants, Social and Community Service Managers, and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.
