Southern University at New Orleans MSW

The Millie M. Charles School of Social Work at Southern University at New Orleans leads excellence in social work education. The school started in 1972 with a social welfare department running the Bachelor of Social Work program. They expanded their offerings with the Master of Social Work program in 1983. The MSW program has managed to keep continuous accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education and the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Associations of Colleges and Schools.

New Orleans’ cultural diversity makes the school a perfect learning environment. Students can practice core themes of advocacy and transformation. This vibrant setting helps you become an active participant who strengthens residents, communities, and organizations throughout New Orleans and nearby parishes.

SUNO’s School of Social Work focuses on each client system’s strengths. Their curriculum uses an eco-systems approach to identify problems, assess situations, and create intervention strategies. This comprehensive view helps students understand the crucial relationship between individuals and social institutions.

The school’s faculty brings diverse experiences and training to the classroom. They share their expertise in research, community development, healthcare, mental health, and evidence-based interventions with different populations. Their academic programs have earned regional recognition, which makes employers actively seek their graduates.

The student demographics tell an interesting story. Women make up 86.8% of social work master’s degree recipients. The school’s racial-ethnic minority percentage of 85.5% is much higher than the national average of 42%. Black or African American students represent about 90% of graduates.

You’ll find the School of Social Work at 6801 Press Drive in New Orleans. They live by their motto “Empower Today – Transform Tomorrow – Advocate Always”. This philosophy shows their dedication to preparing skilled social workers who address the strengths and challenges of diverse populations in our evolving global community.

The Southern University at New Orleans School of Social Work builds on social justice principles and educational excellence. They continue to develop skilled professionals who create meaningful change in society.

Programs offered

Southern University at New Orleans has a resilient Master of Social Work program that prepares students for advanced practice in the field. Students build their generalist practice skills during the first year and move to specialized practice in the second year. The curriculum helps students develop skills in advocacy and enables them to create change – key elements needed to tackle inequities in social justice and human rights.

Students can choose from three different study plans based on their educational background and schedule:

• Advanced Standing: This option works best for students who earned their BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program in the last six years. Students can complete this accelerated 37-semester-hour program in about three semesters starting in spring or summer. A minimum 3.0 GPA and a grade of ‘B’ or better in all professional foundation courses are required.
• Full-Time: The program spans four semesters (two years) and starts in fall. Students complete 63 total semester hours with field practicum that needs at least 16 hours weekly. The final semesters require students to complete between 14-17 credit hours per term.
• Part-Time: The program runs over six regular semesters plus two summers. Students spread their foundation year across four semesters and two summers. Field practicum starts in the first summer and needs at least 10 hours weekly. The specialization year needs more courses and field hours to meet full-time status requirements.

Students can specialize in either Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) or Health/Mental Health (H/MH). These specializations help students work effectively with specific populations while using advanced intervention methods.

Students combine classroom learning with practical field experience to apply theoretical knowledge in real-life settings. The program’s faculty brings expertise in research, community development, healthcare, mental health, and evidence-based interventions with children, families, youth, and elderly populations.

Graduates become highly sought-after professionals. Employers throughout the region actively recruit both BSW and MSW SUNO graduates, thanks to their detailed training and hands-on experience in addressing complex social challenges.

Specializations and licensure

Social work professionals looking for quality education and practical licensure preparation will find SUNO’s MSW program an excellent choice. This program gives you a solid academic foundation and field experience to help you succeed in your professional experience.

Your MSW degree will give you the qualifications to become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and later a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). These credentials create opportunities in clinical settings, healthcare systems, schools, and community organizations.

Students can specialize in Children, Youth, and Families or Health/Mental Health – areas that match today’s workforce needs. Employers actively seek social work professionals with expertise in these specialized fields.

Field education serves as the foundation of SUNO’s social work training. You’ll build professional skills through carefully chosen placements that let you work with different populations and tackle complex social challenges. Real-world experience complements your classroom learning and builds competence before you graduate.

SUNO graduates learn valuable advocacy skills that work in today’s social services world. You’ll spot systemic barriers and create meaningful change at individual, group, and community levels.

The faculty stays active in research and community projects. This lets you take part in advanced social work initiatives. Your learning goes beyond traditional classroom instruction through direct involvement with current practice challenges.

SUNO’s program stands out through its steadfast dedication to developing culturally responsive practitioners. Understanding different points of view matters greatly in social work. The program weaves cultural competence throughout its curriculum to prepare you for modern social work practice.

Many students find SUNO’s MSW program the perfect path to clinical social work excellence. The program combines challenging academic work with practical skill development that prepares you for success.

About the online program

Southern University at New Orleans has received approval to offer its Master of Social Work program online. This new online MSW option shows SUNO’s dedication to advancing social work education.

Students across Louisiana and beyond can now access one of the region’s best social work degrees through the Millie M. Charles School of Social Work. Applications open in Spring 2025, and the first group of students will start their studies in Fall 2025.

The online MSW keeps the same high standards as its on-campus version. Students can complete their coursework at their own pace while taking part in virtual hands-on learning experiences. This setup gives students the flexibility they need without compromising on quality.

The online program offers both advanced standing and regular tracks, just like the traditional program. Students with a BSW degree or those from other academic backgrounds will find a path that fits their needs.

SUNO has already proven its success in online education. The university offers several online degrees, including a master’s in Museum Studies. Their online student numbers have grown steadily, with 2,264 students taking at least one online class during 2019-2020.

SUNO will soon add more program details to their website, including admission requirements and curriculum information. This new development makes sense for a school whose graduates are “actively recruited upon graduation”.

The online program will help SUNO reach beyond traditional boundaries. It creates new opportunities for students who might find it hard to access advanced social work education otherwise.

Accreditation

The Southern University at New Orleans MSW program stands out from many alternatives through its professional accreditation. The Master of Social Work program has managed to keep continuous accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This ensures graduates meet nationwide professional standards.

CSWE serves as the premier accrediting body for social work education in the United States, which makes this a most important achievement. The program’s CSWE accreditation goes back to its earliest days and creates a legacy of excellence spanning decades. The School of Social Work celebrates a remarkable milestone as its Bachelor of Social Work program turns 50 years of CSWE accreditation in 2024.

The program holds dual recognition through specialized CSWE accreditation and the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Associations of Colleges and Schools. Regular detailed quality assessments help maintain these credentials.

Southern University at New Orleans has accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) that allows it to award various degrees. Students can ask questions about institutional accreditation at SACSCOC’s headquarters in Decatur, Georgia.

Your studies will follow a curriculum that matches CSWE’s competency-based education framework from 2008. This framework moved beyond teaching methods to focus on proven learning outcomes in practice settings.

The program helps you become skilled at nine essential competencies identified by CSWE:

• Demonstrating ethical and professional behavior
• Engaging diversity and difference in practice
• Advancing human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
• Engaging in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
• Engaging in policy practice
• Engaging with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
• Assessing clients at various system levels
• Intervening effectively
• Evaluating practice with diverse populations

These accreditations allow graduates to join professional social work organizations, which enhances their credibility in the field. Students who think over the Southern University at New Orleans MSW program can be confident their education meets strict national standards for professional practice.

Admission Requirements

Your journey to join the Southern University at New Orleans MSW program starts with meeting the admission criteria. The School of Social Work’s requirements ensure students are ready to tackle graduate-level study.

You must have these qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (must be awarded prior to enrollment)
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Nine hours of liberal arts courses (Psychology, Sociology, and Biology) with a grade of “C” or better
• Strong graduate-level writing skills shown in your personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation from educators, social workers, employers, or others who know your skills and interest in social work

Your personal interest statement should cover seven most important areas: significant relationships, diversity experiences, personal strengths, professional readiness, professional goals, ethical considerations, and field preparation/expectations.

The program accepts full-time students only in fall semesters. Part-time students can begin their studies in spring or summer. Students seeking Advanced Standing can start in spring or summer semesters.

Advanced Standing applicants should meet these requirements:

• A BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program earned in the last six years
• Minimum 3.0 GPA overall
• Grade of “B” or better in all social work courses

The admissions committee might ask for an interview, especially when you have a non-traditional background or come from disciplines outside social work. This helps assess your social work knowledge and program fit.

Students receive acceptance notifications within 45-60 days after submitting their application. All first-year accepted students should attend a mandatory orientation session scheduled two to three weeks before fall semester begins.

Students with exceptional circumstances can request a delayed entry option. This allows a one-year deferment with written approval from the director and dean.

Tuition

The cost of your MSW program is a vital factor in making your choice. Southern University at New Orleans sets different tuition rates based on where you live and how many classes you take.

Graduate tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year costs $9,744 for Louisiana residents and $16,686 for out-of-state students. Part-time students pay $1,787 per credit hour if they’re in-state and $4,132 if they’re out-of-state. These rates have gone up since 2020-2021, when residents paid $8,750 and non-residents paid $15,691.

You’ll need to plan for additional mandatory fees. MSW students pay a Field Practicum Graduate fee of $300 for each SOWK 606, 607, 702, and 703 course. This fee will give a smooth supervision and placement experience during your clinical work.

Your total cost combines direct expenses like tuition, fees, housing, and meals with indirect costs such as books, supplies, equipment, and travel. Graduate students living off-campus can expect to pay around $28,601 yearly if they’re Louisiana residents and $35,543 if they’re non-residents.

The university charges specific fees to support your studies. Graduate students pay an Academic Excellence Fee of $90, a Library Fee of $200, and a Student Technology Fee of $63. The University Support Fee of $633 helps run campus operations, with 5% going to need-based scholarships.

The university takes cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards for payment. You’ll get a customized financial aid package that shows your proposed yearly budget and total cost.

These numbers are estimates based on average expenses. Your actual costs might be different based on your spending habits and the number of credit hours you take each semester.

Additional Information

The Southern University at New Orleans School of Social Work goes beyond academic excellence with resources that boost your learning experience. The campus features the Center for Grief & Trauma Therapy, where children and adults receive quality counseling for grief and trauma. The Wisner Foundation funds these services, making them free to everyone.

Licensed clinical social workers and graduate interns at the center help clients solve problems like stress, anxiety, depression, and difficult family relationships through different counseling methods. Dr. Torin T. Sanders, LCSW, Associate Professor of Social Work, leads this facility that doubles as a training space for students.

The school thrives as an educational hub in a city known for its cultural diversity. Students can apply core program principles of advocacy, strength, and change through community work. This setting helps you play an active role to build stronger communities across New Orleans.

The faculty’s expertise spans research, community development, healthcare, and proven interventions with children, families, youth, and elderly groups. Their hands-on experience enriches classroom learning and prepares you for real-life challenges in social work.