Louisiana Christian University MSW

Louisiana Christian University serves as a private, Baptist, coeducational college that specializes in liberal arts, sciences, and selected professional programs. The university’s 81-acre campus sits in the Alexandria-Pineville area of central Louisiana, with twenty-five academic and residential buildings. Students come primarily from Central Louisiana, though the campus community includes members from many states and several foreign countries.

Founded on October 3, 1906, the university emerged from two earlier Louisiana Baptist schools. Mt. Lebanon University, a men’s school started in 1852, and Keatchie Female College, a women’s college established in 1857, were its predecessors. Both schools struggled financially and came under State Baptist Convention control in 1899. The convention later established Louisiana Christian University at a more central location.

LCU’s social work program stands out with its distinctive approach that reflects the university’s founding principles. The MSW program features a unique 15-hour healthcare/behavioral health concentration built on a biblical worldview foundation. Students learn to blend social work values with Christian faith – a combination the university sees as crucial for professional practice.

Students benefit from faculty members who focus on their learning and Christian development. Licensed professionals make up the social work faculty. They create dynamic learning spaces through practice role-plays, field trips, community service-learning projects, and hands-on activities. Small class sizes allow deep discussions that spark critical thinking and build strong collegiate relationships.

The campus brings together academic excellence and spiritual growth naturally. LCU is Louisiana’s only faith-based, accredited BSW program. This unique position helps prepare students for both professional work and graduate studies. The MSW program builds on this foundation by training social work professionals to serve diverse populations in different settings.

Quality education remains central to LCU’s mission, beyond its religious roots. The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has accredited the university to award associate, baccalaureate, and master degrees. Many programs also hold separate accreditation from professional organizations, which ensures widespread recognition of graduates’ credentials.

Students looking for professional social work education with a Christian perspective will find LCU offers strong academic training alongside spiritual growth. This combination prepares them to serve effectively in today’s complex world.

Programs offered

Louisiana Christian University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program provides multiple paths to become a licensed social worker. The program has a complete structure that fits different educational backgrounds and schedule requirements.

LCU’s MSW curriculum features a 60-hour graduate program for traditional students and a 30-hour program for advanced standing qualified students. The well-planned curriculum combines classroom learning with field experiences that prepare students for ground practice.

Students can pick from three flexible program formats that match their needs:

• Part-time track: 6 credit hours per semester, completable in 3-4 years
• Full-time track: 15 credit hours per semester, completable in 2 years
• Advanced standing track: 15 credit hours per semester, completable in just 1 year

Students who earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program can exclusively access the advanced standing option if they meet specific criteria. BSW graduates can finish their MSW in half the time through this accelerated path.

Field practicums are vital components in both program tracks. Traditional students complete 932 total clock hours in their practicums—466 hours in the generalist year and 466 hours in the advanced year. Advanced standing students complete 466 total clock hours in field settings.

Students select one of two specialized concentration paths during their advanced/second year. The Healthcare/Behavioral Health concentration prepares students to work with clients and interdisciplinary professionals in medical hospitals, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services, hospice, home health, substance abuse facilities, and primary care offices. The Advanced Generalist Practice concentration builds core skills to prepare students for practice in a variety of settings and populations.

Students must complete nine credit hours of elective coursework in their chosen specialization area and finish both advanced year field placements in corresponding settings. This approach will give a deep practical experience in their focus area.

LCU provides a specialized MSW stipend beyond standard tuition assistance for students who choose the healthcare/behavioral health concentration. Students receive a $3,000 stipend ($150 per semester during the advanced standing/second year) to work in behavioral health within Central Louisiana’s nine-parish region after graduation. This financial support makes the program available while meeting critical workforce needs in the region.

Louisiana Christian University’s MSW program is one of five CSWE-accredited universities that offer Master of Social Work programs in Louisiana. The program combines thorough academic preparation with values-based education to produce social workers who can serve effectively in today’s complex healthcare environment.

About the online program

Louisiana Christian University’s Master of Social Work program lets you learn at your own pace. Students with different schedules can easily fit the program into their lives. Traditional students need 60 hours to complete the curriculum. BSW graduates who qualify can take the advanced standing option with just 30 hours. The program blends social work principles with Christian values to give you a unique learning experience.

LCU’s program stands out by giving you different ways to complete your degree:

• You can finish in 3-4 years as a part-time student with 6 hours each semester
• Full-time students can graduate in 2 years by taking 15 hours per semester
• Advanced standing students need just 1 year at 15 hours per semester

The program shapes social work professionals who can work with people from all backgrounds in many settings. You’ll get hands-on training through field experiences that build your practical skills and academic knowledge.

LCU’s MSW program combines a 15-hour healthcare/behavioral health focus with strong biblical foundations. This mix helps you blend professional social work with faith-based views. Students looking for MSW Christian programs will find academic excellence and spiritual values here.

Your second year lets you choose between two paths. The healthcare/behavioral health track readies you for medical and psychological treatment roles. The advanced generalist practice option builds skills you can use in settings of all types.

Your chosen path requires 9 hours of specialized elective courses. You’ll also need to complete advanced field placements in related settings. This approach will give you deep expertise in your chosen area.

LCU’s MSW program wants to prepare you for today’s faster-changing world. You’ll get challenging social work education in a Christian setting. The program builds on the university’s goals by helping students learn more. It emphasizes advanced social work practice from a broader point of view.

This program is a chance to get values-based social work education. You’ll develop professional skills while growing spiritually. LCU’s MSW program helps you become a licensed social worker ready to help people with complex needs.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a key quality indicator that helps you choose an MSW program. It confirms your education meets professional standards. Louisiana Christian University has two accreditations to guarantee both institutional quality and program excellence.

LCU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. This regional accreditation validates the university’s educational standards. You can ask questions about this accreditation by contacting SACSCOC at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or calling (404) 679-4500.

The Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation (CSWE) has also accredited LCU’s Master of Social Work program. LCU stands among just five CSWE-accredited universities with MSW programs in Louisiana. The program combines healthcare/behavioral health with biblical worldview principles, making it unique while meeting professional standards.

CSWE accreditation benefits your career in several ways. The designation shows that the program:

• Meets or exceeds criteria for quality assessment through peer review
• Has sufficient resources to achieve its mission and goals
• Demonstrates compliance with all sections of CSWE’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards
• Provides reasonable assurance about program quality and student competence

CSWE accreditation covers all program sites and delivery methods. This means you get the same quality education whether you study on-campus or online. Employers and licensing boards recognize your degree because it meets established professional standards.

CSWE sets the gold standard in social work education and currently accredits 347 master’s programs nationwide. Their peer-review process ensures comparable outcomes while allowing programs to maintain their unique identity.

LCU’s CSWE-accredited MSW program gives you a recognized credential for licensure. Social work licensing boards usually require CSWE-accredited degrees. This makes the accreditation essential for professional practice. Your LCU MSW degree opens doors for career growth with credentials that the profession respects.

Admission Requirements

The Louisiana Christian University MSW program has specific qualifications and a detailed application process. A clear understanding of these requirements will help you create a strong application.

The traditional MSW track needs a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students with a 2.5 GPA might qualify too. You must submit official transcripts from all your previous colleges and universities.

The advanced standing option comes with specific requirements:

• A BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned in the last six years
• A minimum 3.3 GPA in undergraduate studies[164]
• B or higher grades in all undergraduate core social work courses

Your application package should include these vital documents:

• Three recommendation letters
• Current professional resume
• Admissions essay
• Proof of immunizations and major medical coverage

Your undergraduate studies should have at least 9 hours of social science courses and 9 hours of humanities courses. The admissions team will schedule an interview after reviewing your original application materials. This interview is a vital part of the assessment process.

Advanced standing students must keep a 3.0 GPA throughout the program. This will give a chance to qualify for stipend opportunities like the healthcare/behavioral health specialization support.

The admission committee takes a comprehensive look at each applicant. They assess both academic achievements and personal qualities that show potential success in social work. This complete review helps find students who will excel in LCU’s distinctively Christian approach to social work education.

Tuition

The full financial picture of your MSW education at Louisiana Christian University goes beyond simple tuition costs. The Graduate Social Work program charges $1,700 per credit hour. Students taking a full course load make a substantial investment throughout their program duration.

Traditional track students need 60 total credit hours, while advanced standing students complete 30 credit hours. The complete program cost ranges between $51,000 and $102,000 before additional fees or financial help, based on your entry point.

Graduate students must pay several mandatory fees. The technology fees change with course load: $160 for 1-5 credit hours, $210 for 6-11 credit hours, and $270 for 12+ credit hours. Students pay $30 to add or drop classes, $110 for each online/hybrid course, and a $200 late registration fee. A $175 graduation fee applies when you complete the program.

The healthcare/behavioral health specialization stipend offers a great way to get financial help. This program gives you $3,000 ($150 per semester) during your advanced standing or second year. You need to show financial need through FAFSA, keep a 3.0 GPA, attend full-time (15 hours), choose the healthcare/behavioral health specialization, and work for two years at a healthcare/behavioral health agency in Central Louisiana’s nine-parish region after graduation. Students must repay the stipend if they withdraw, fail to meet academic standards, or don’t fulfill their work commitment.

LCU provides substantial financial aid options. Almost every student at Louisiana Christian University receives some form of financial help. Students can get private, Christian education at costs similar to or lower than state school prices. This support makes the MSW program at Louisiana Christian University available to more students, despite being a private institution.

Additional Information

The MSW program has practical field experiences that go beyond regular coursework to prepare you for professional practice. Students work at approved agencies for 16 hours weekly, split into two 8-hour days during business hours. These placements give you hands-on training and proper supervision throughout your experience.

MSW graduates have promising job prospects in Louisiana. The state faces major healthcare challenges and ranks third nationally with 35.9% of its population dealing with obesity. Mental illness rates are higher than the national average at 20.63%. Social workers are needed more than ever, with about 4,410 professionals making an average of $50,091 yearly. Healthcare social workers make even better money, with average earnings of $55,060 per year.

Your path to licensure after graduation typically involves:

• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): You need to pass the Association of Social Work Boards examination
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): You need 3,000+ hours of post-MSW supervised clinical work and continuing education

The program’s success shows in its numbers – 97% of graduates find jobs within six months after finishing. Licensed clinical social workers make much better money, with average earnings of $67,600 yearly as of January 2025. This makes the path to full licensure worth the effort.

Louisiana Christian University’s support services help you succeed. You get interlibrary loan access, tutoring at the Student Success Center, and specialized writing help. These resources support you from your first day until graduation.

Students who qualify for behavioral health studies can get a $3,000 MSW stipend. This helps address Central Louisiana’s workforce needs by encouraging graduates to work in the region.