MSW Programs in Montana

Montana, the state known as the “Land of the Shining Mountains” and as “Big Sky Country,” borders Canada in the Northwest part of the country. Although Montana ranks fourth largest in size in the United States, the state is sparsely populated.

The state is known for its beautiful natural wonders and free spirit. If you explore the state, you’ll find yourself in awe of the Rocky Mountains, sprawling farms, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and the Little Bighorn Battlefield Monument.

The Independent Spirit of Montana

Unfortunately, beautiful surroundings do not guarantee social health. While Montana overflows with natural wonders, it is still in need of human services.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Montana has a higher than average substance abuse problem, particularly when it comes to the use of alcohol (all ages) and illicit drugs (primarily adolescents) (1) (2). The number of people admitted to substance abuse treatment facilities has increased in recent years (from 6,924 in 2001 to 9,000 in 2011) (3). Even with this increase in admissions, SAMHSA reports that the number of Montana residents who suffer from addiction but do not get proper or complete treatment is still higher than the national average (4).

Montana is a state with a unique culture, rooted in independence and pride. Services like transitional housing programs help people seeking addiction treatment to make the crucial leap from in-patient substance abuse treatment to full independence. Social workers that understand the culture of the rural West will find there is much need for additional programs and services in this area of social work. (5)

Montana also has a slightly higher than average percentage of the population diagnosed with mental illness. Approximately 18.92 percent of the population has been diagnosed with a mental illness of any kind (compared to the national average of 18.19 percent) and 4.43 percent of the population has been diagnosed with severe mental illness (compared to the national average of 3.97 percent) (6).

Montana has a higher-than-average Native American population (6.5 percent compared to the national average of 1.2 percent) (7). If you are interested in working with Native American communities, Montana is a good place to become a social worker (8).

Studying to Become a Social Worker

The 2014 US News & World Report school rankings have ranked the University of Montana’s School of Social Work as number 89 in the nation (9). The program offers a strong concentration in rural social work, teaching students how to design and implement strategies that are tailored to the unique needs of rural Montana and the Rocky Mountain West (10).

Montana social workers that are willing to work in an underserved community may qualify for the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program (NHSC). If you wish to take advantage of this opportunity to be relieved of up to $40,000 of your student loan debt (via loan forgiveness), you will want to find out what positions and/or locations qualify as “Health Professional Shortage Areas” (HPSA), and find a job that qualifies for the loan forgiveness program. The US Department of Health and Human Resources Health Resources and Services Administration also partners with the state of Montana in a grant to states for loan repayment program. You can find the application contact information here (HRSA).

Employment Opportunities

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that most of the social workers employed in the state of Montana work as child, family and school social workers. They make a median wage of $34,700 per year, and job growth for this sector is expected at a rate of 14 percent between the years 2010 and 2020 (11).

Two segments of the field are growing in demand at a much more rapid rate than any other: healthcare social worker, and mental health and substance abuse social worker. Demand for health care social workers is predicted to grow at a rate of 38 percent (12), and demand for mental health and substance abuse social workers is predicted to increase at a rate of 31 percent (13).

If you are thinking about becoming a professor of social work, there are very few postsecondary social work education positions available in the state. As of 2010, only 30 were employed in the state (14).

Licensure and Professional Development Resources

• Social Work License Requirements in Montana
• Montana Board of Social Work Examiners and Professional Counselors
• National Association of Social Workers, Montana Chapter

Universities Offering Master’s in Social Work Programs in Montana

• The University of Montana (MSW Program)

Sources Cited

1. States in Brief: Montana, 2008. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/StatesInBrief/2k9/MONTANA_508.pdf
2. Montana Drug Control Update, 2011. The White House. http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/state_profile_-_montana.pdf
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012. http://www.bls.gov
4. States in Brief: Montana, 2008. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/StatesInBrief/2k9/MONTANA_508.pdf
5. Creating New Resources: Meeting Regional Needs. Matthew Hopkins, University of Montana.http://socialwork.health.umt.edu/Master%20of%20Social%20Work/Hopkinsexcerpt.pdf
6. State Estimates of Adult Mental Illness from the 2011 and 2012 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, 2013. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2k14/NSDUH170/sr170-mental-illness-state-estimates-2014.htm
7. State and County Quick Facts: Montana, 2013. United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/30000.html
8. “Reasons for Suicide Amplified for Native Americans,” 2011. Billings Gazette. http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/reasons-for-suicide-amplified-for-native-americans/article_e52af7f0-fa04-526e-874a-11269f8b3a4f.html
9. Graduate School Social Work Programs: Montana, 2014. US News & World Report. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/search?spp=10&program=top-social-work-schools&name=&zip=montana&program_rank=Any&sort=&sortdir=
10. MSW Program Overview, University of Montana. http://socialwork.health.umt.edu/Master%20of%20Social%20Work/default.php
11. Occupation Profile: Child, Family, and School Social Workers: Montana, 2013. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211021&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=30&search=Go
12. Occupation Profile: Healthcare Social Workers: Montana, 2013. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211022&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=30&search=Go
13. Occupation Profile: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: Montana, 2013. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=211023&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=30&search=Go
14. Occupation Profile: Social Work Teachers, Post-Secondary: Montana, 2013. Career One Stop. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?optstatus=011000000&soccode=251113&id=1&nodeid=2&stfips=30&search=Go