LSU Online MSW Program

The LSU School of Social Work began its journey in 1937 during the “New Deal” era when professional social workers were in high demand. The school has managed to keep its stellar reputation in professional education and service to the community since day one.

Today, the LSU School of Social Work thrives as a hub of intellectual growth that helps create healthier individuals and communities. The school supports those who face challenging circumstances and provides a learning environment that aligns with best educational practices and LSU’s national flagship agenda.

The school’s primary mission is to educate skilled professional social workers and family scientists. Research plays a vital role to boost the effectiveness of practice in these fields. The school shows a steadfast dedication to cultural humility and social work’s fundamental values – social and economic justice, respect for individual dignity and worth, and human relationships’ importance to wellbeing.

LSU School of Social Work’s infrastructure supports active research programs in crucial areas including:

• Addictions and behavioral health
• Black families and child welfare
• Economic access and gerontology
• Health risk behaviors and disparities
• Homelessness and immigration
• International social work
• Internet technology and inequality
• Mental health including school mental health
• Sexual orientation and gender identity/expression
• Trauma studies

The school proudly holds charter member status with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Its master’s program has never lost accreditation since it started. Graduate education at LSU School of Social Work spans more than eight decades, and the program now ranks among the nation’s finest.

LSU, Louisiana’s flagship university, has helped students build rewarding careers for almost 150 years. The university continues this legacy by making quality education available through innovative online degree programs that match the high standards of their on-campus counterparts.

Programs offered

LSU’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program gives you flexible options that match your education and schedule. The MSW curriculum takes 60 credit hours to complete. Students can finish it in about two years of full-time study or three and a half to four years of part-time study.

The online MSW program runs on an intensive 7-week module format instead of regular semesters. You get six different start dates throughout the year. This smart structure lets you start your education at different times during the year while keeping high academic standards.

The program splits into two main phases. Your first 30 hours make up the “generalist year” where you learn basic social work knowledge and skills. The next 30 hours are your “specialized year” focused on advanced practice concepts. Every student takes core classes in human behavior studies, social welfare history, research methods, and field internships.

BSW graduates can take advantage of LSU’s advanced standing option. This path needs only 30-33 credit hours and takes just one year (three semesters) with 480 hours of field practicum. Students start this faster track with three required hours in summer term.

Field education plays a key role in the program. Students spend about 240 hours each semester working at a social service agency. The full program requires 960 total field practicum hours. These placements happen in your local area, but you won’t find night or weekend options.

The curriculum includes specialized areas like:

• Children & Youth Services
• Gerontology
• Social Work Practice in Schools
• Policy & Macro Practice

The online program uses asynchronous instruction. You can complete your coursework at your own pace with set deadlines. There’s no need to visit campus, which works great for working professionals. Students should expect to spend about 15 hours per week on each class.

The core curriculum comes with elective options in child welfare, substance abuse treatment, and many other social issues. You’ll finish the program with either a thesis or non-thesis requirement. This prepares you to tackle complex social problems and create real change in communities across the country.

Your LSU MSW degree comes with full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This ensures your degree meets all national professional standards.

About the online program

LSU’s online MSW program features a distinctive learning structure that works well for professionals who want advanced social work credentials. The program uses intensive 7-week modules instead of traditional semesters. This setup helps you balance your education with work and personal life.

The program offers six different start dates throughout the year. You can start your education when it fits your schedule best rather than waiting for traditional fall or spring admissions. Brief 1-2 week breaks between modules help you make steady progress toward your degree as the program runs year-round.

LSU’s online learning happens mostly on your schedule within guided deadlines. This asynchronous structure means you won’t need to visit campus. The academic standards remain high all the same. You should plan to spend at least 15 hours per week on coursework for each class.

You can choose between two enrollment options:

• Full-time study: Two courses per module (equivalent to a full-time campus course load)
• Part-time study: One course per module (recommended if working 40+ hours weekly)

Full-time students typically finish in 2 years, while part-time students take 3.5-4 years. The program costs $599 per credit hour whatever your residency status. This flat rate makes the program available to students across the country.

Field education plays a vital role in the online MSW. You’ll complete internships at social service agencies near your home, not online. These placements follow either block format (40 hours/week) or span four modules (16-18 hours/week). Working students need to plan ahead since night and weekend placements aren’t offered.

US residents living within the United States can apply to this program. The program doesn’t accept international students. Placements outside the US aren’t allowed except on approved US military bases.

Graduates join LSU’s extensive professional network with detailed knowledge in social work theory and practice. This preparation helps them tackle critical social challenges in their communities.

Accreditation

The LSU MSW online program’s accreditation gives you quality assurance and professional recognition. The LSU School of Social Work has earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This organization stands alone in the United States with Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognition to accredit social work education programs. Your degree’s alignment with national standards for professional practice comes from this credential.

The LSU School of Social Work, a charter CSWE member, has a rich history dating back to 1937. The program has kept its accreditation status strong since then. The CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation gave the MSW program another vote of confidence at its October 2020 meeting. This extends the accreditation through October 2028. The program now stands among just 291 accredited master’s programs nationwide.

Louisiana State University boasts additional credentials. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has authorized LSU to award baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees. LSU’s relationship with SACSCOC goes back to 1913, and the university has kept this accreditation active ever since.

CSWE accreditation means the LSU MSW curriculum meets established social work education standards. This allows graduates to qualify for professional licensure in most states. Some states have extra requirements:

• California asks for specific coursework in suicide risk assessment, child abuse reporting, and human sexuality
• Colorado and Oregon require state jurisprudence examinations
• Florida needs clinical field placement during the specialized year
• Missouri requires suicide prevention training
• New York asks for child abuse identification and reporting coursework

Students can get help from the School of Social Work to meet these state-specific licensure requirements. You should check with your state licensing board through the Association of Social Work Boards for complete details.

CSWE accreditation means much more than official approval. The three-year reaccreditation process shows LSU’s steadfast dedication to excellence. This credential adds real value to your education. It ensures your training meets professional standards and prepares you for licensure and practice in a variety of settings.

Admission Requirements

The LSU online MSW program has a simple application process with similar requirements for both campus-based and online formats. You must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.

The School of Social Work looks for applicants with proper academic preparation. You need at least 12 credit hours in social and behavioral sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, etc.) and 9 hours in humanities (literature, languages, history, philosophy, etc.). On top of that, it requires a grade of “C” or better in an introductory statistics course.

Your grade point average should be at least 3.0 on all undergraduate coursework or in the final 60 credit hours. Students with previous graduate experience need appropriate grades in at least 9 hours of graduate work[191]. It’s worth mentioning that meeting these minimum requirements doesn’t guarantee your admission.

The complete application package must contain:

• Graduate School Application and fee
• Letter of intent (instructions provided within the application portal)
• Current resume or vita
• Official transcripts from all universities attended
• Three letters of recommendation

Your recommendations should come from specific sources. Two must be from academic sources (college instructors, internship supervisors), and one from a professional reference. Students who completed undergraduate internships should ask their supervisors for recommendations. Family friends, clergy, therapists, and high school teachers are not suitable recommendation sources.

The online MSW program gives you flexibility with six admission dates throughout the year. Application deadlines fall two months before each module starts. The Baton Rouge on-campus program has a priority application deadline of February 1 for all formats. Later applications are considered until May 15 if space is available.

International students whose native language isn’t English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. The program accepts only US residents living within the United States.

The program won’t review incomplete applications. Advanced standing applicants must have completed a BSW from a CSWE accredited program within the last five years.

Tuition

LSU’s online MSW program demands smart financial planning. The program features a transparent cost structure at $604 per credit hour for all students, whatever their residency status. Students need $36,240 including fees to complete the full 60-credit hour program. This flat-rate pricing eliminates the usual price gap between in-state and out-of-state tuition that other schools charge.

The program’s cost sits right in the middle of the national range. Western New Mexico University charges residents just $286 per credit hour. Premium schools like the University of Southern California cost as much as $115,905 for their complete program. National surveys show online MSW programs cost $44,200 on average, and LSU’s program costs less than that.

LSU ranks #19 on the national list of most affordable online MSW programs. This ranking puts LSU among top schools that deliver quality education at reasonable prices. The online program cuts out many traditional campus costs like commuting and activity fees.

LSU makes the program more financially accessible through these student-friendly policies:

• Pay-as-You-Go Structure: Students pay only for their current term courses
• No Out-of-State Fee Premiums: Location doesn’t affect the rate students pay
• Credit for Prior Learning: Transfer credits can reduce total costs
• Scholarship Acceptance: External scholarship funds are welcome

The financial aid office helps students explore federal aid, loans, and payment plans. LSU doesn’t currently offer night or weekend field placements. Working professionals should plan for possible income changes.

LSU’s tuition costs more than some public universities but stays competitive. The program’s top-10 national ranking and fixed-rate tuition structure make it worth the investment.

Additional Information

Social work graduates have bright career prospects ahead. The field shows a projected growth of 7% from 2023-2033. Mental health positions and clinical social work roles show even stronger potential at 18% and 17% respectively.

LSU’s MSW online program opens doors to several rewarding careers:

• Clinical practitioners in mental health
• Healthcare social workers
• Advocacy and policy specialists
• Gerontology professionals
• Substance abuse counselors

The money looks good too. Social workers earn a median salary of $58,890 per year. Better yet, 93-97% of graduates land jobs within six months of finishing their degree.

State licensing requirements vary beyond LSU’s standard curriculum. Florida wants clinical field placement during the specialized year. Michigan needs human trafficking training. California’s residents should know that the state has extra LCSW licensure requirements that LSU doesn’t completely cover.

LSU’s complete support services will help you through your educational trip. Students get academic, personal, and career counseling through the Student Support Services program. You’ll join a network of over 9,000 social work alumni who lead organizations worldwide. This career path lets you tackle society’s challenges while building a stable future.