HELENA, MT – Carroll College has launched a new Tuition Assistance Partnership Program for its online Master of Social Work degree that strengthens the college’s commitment to access, affordability, and workforce development across Montana’s health, behavioral health, and social service sectors.
The program provides a 14 percent tuition reduction, awarded as a scholarship, to employees of participating organizations enrolled in Carroll’s clinically-focused online Master of Social Work program. The initiative supports employers working to grow their own clinical workforce while expanding access to care in communities across the state.
The partnership reflects growing employer confidence in higher education and its role in workforce preparation. According to a recent survey by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, 70 percent of employers report having a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in higher education, and 73 percent say a college degree is worth the investment. Employers also emphasized the importance of experiential learning, leadership development, and community-based engagement, all central components of Carroll’s MSW curriculum.
“Employers recognize that higher education plays a critical role in preparing professionals who are adaptable, ethical, and ready to serve,” said Dr. James Petrovich, Director of Carroll College’s Master of Social Work program. “Our MSW program is intentionally designed to meet the realities of today’s workforce by offering rigorous clinical preparation through a flexible, accessible online model. This tuition assistance partnership reflects our shared responsibility to support the professionals who care for our communities.”
Carroll’s MSW program is offered fully online with no requirement to visit campus. Students who wish to connect in person may choose to attend optional weekend intensives, providing opportunities to engage directly with faculty and peers. This flexible delivery model allows working professionals to structure their learning in ways that fit their lives while maintaining a strong sense of connection and community.
The program currently serves students residing in Montana, Wyoming, California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, with previous cohorts including students from Idaho and Utah. Though relatively young, the MSW program is intentionally dynamic, with continuous evaluation of curriculum and delivery to ensure a cutting-edge, high-quality learning experience for adult learners.
This new partnership builds on Carroll College’s broader commitment to affordability. Combined with an 18 percent tuition decrease implemented last year, the Tuition Assistance Partnership Program positions Carroll as one of the most affordable and mission-centered pathways to advanced clinical social work education in Montana.
“We are proud to collaborate with organizations that share our commitment to service, community, and the common good,” Dr. Petrovich said. “Together, we are investing in a workforce prepared to address Montana’s longstanding health and mental health needs and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.”
The Tuition Assistance Partnership Program is currently being piloted with select Montana organizations, with plans to welcome additional partners. Organizations interested in participating may contact Dr. James Petrovich, Director of the Carroll College Department of Social Work, at jpetrovich@carroll.edu.
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