New Clinical Specialization to Strengthen UND Social Work Program

(Photo by Mike Hess UND Today)

(By Jen Koller. UND Today) -The growing demand for mental health professionals is one of the most pressing challenges facing North Dakota and the nation. From rural towns to urban centers, communities need trained clinical social workers to provide essential mental and behavioral health care.

The University of North Dakota’s Department of Social Workis answering that call by expanding its Master of Social Work (MSW) program with a new specialization in clinical social work, set to launch in the fall of 2026.

The addition marks a significant milestone for UND’s MSW program and builds on more than a century of leadership in social work education.

UND’s MSW program currently prepares students for advanced generalist practice. “The simple explanation of advanced generalist practice is that they are prepared to be a jack of all trades,” said H. Stephen Cooper, chair of the Department of Social Work. “Advanced generalist practice is a perfect fit for those who will practice in a rural context, as they are well-prepared to tackle a variety of social issues, across systems and in various settings.”