Our Web site is filled with information about LSU School of Social Work's MSW and PhD programs. Clicking on MSW Program or PhD Program below will take you to information about our programs, applications, and guidelines for application to the respective programs. Our School Bulletin can also be obtained by clicking the button below. We thank you for your interest in the LSU School of Social Work and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Denise Chiasson-Breaux, MSW, LCSW,
Asistant Dean, LSU, 1995
School of Social work Bulletin (PDF 806kb)
Celebrating 70 years of providing graduate education, the LSU School of Social Work was founded in 1937 following implementation of the "New Deal" programs. At that time the need for trained professionals to administer social services and provide professional support was more widely recognized. Known originally as the Graduate School of Public Welfare Administration, it has grown steadily in size and reputation and counts among its graduates many of the leading social work service administrators, agency heads, and professional leaders in the state of Louisiana. The school is a charter member of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and its MSW program is accredited by the CSWE Commission on Accreditation.
The school offers the Master of Social Work and PhD degrees. It provides teaching at the undergraduate level to students in other colleges and also provides an undergraduate elective courses. The school's teaching activities are augmented by various research programs and - in addition to their scholarly activities - faculty are engaged in grant-funded and contract research for social agencies.
Students and alumni are active in the life of the school through their respective organizations - the Social Work Students’ Association (SWSA), Alpha Delta Mu Honor Society, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-LSU Chapter, National Association of Black Social Workers Studnet Association, the School of Social Work Alumni Association (SSWAA), and a doctoral student organization. SWSA and the doctoral student organization participate in the governance of the school through representation on various committees. Alpha Delta Mu is a national honor society whose members maintain a 3.50 grade-point average (gpa). The alumni association is active in mobilizing public support for the school and in assisting students with career advice. The professional community includes students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Each is supportive of the other’s efforts to produce highly competent professional social work personnel and to enhance the quality of social work education and scholarship at LSU.
The school’s location in the Deep South gives impetus to its interest in recruitment and education of African American students for social work in this region. The aim is to increase minority representation in the student body, and the school provides all possible assistance to minority students. The school is also committed to meeting, as much as possible, the needs of students with disabilities. If a student has or thinks he/she has a disability, the student should contact the Office of Disability Services (225-388-5919) for information about disability status and available support services.
The programs of the School of Social Work are conducted without discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, creed, ethnic or national origin, disability, political orientation, sexual orientation, or veteran status. In addition to fully meeting its obligations of nondiscrimination under federal and state laws, the School of Social Work strives to maintain an atmosphere that promotes understanding, inclusiveness, and mutual respect for people from diverse backgrounds.
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SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
Central to the profession of social work is a belief in the dignity and worth of each person. This profession developed from society’s recognition of the human traits of self-determination and self-realization, and the practitioner’s acceptance of responsibility to contribute to creating optimal social conditions for the fulfillment of these ideals. Social work espouses the causes of the poverty stricken, alienated, and excluded segments of society, for whom the risk of adverse social conditions is greatest. In addition, many problems — such as destructive family relationships, physical or mental illness, and substance abuse — cut across socioeconomic, cultural, or geographic groupings and are integral to social work practice.
Social work is concerned with any social situation that limits an individual’s development, hampers effective functioning, or diminishes dignity and self-respect. Rapid technological and industrial developments have been accompanied by major societal changes. For many years, the continued expansion of social welfare programs has created a demand for more professionally educated social workers. Social workers must be able to provide highly skilled, direct practice services to individuals, families, and groups. They must also must be capable of advocating for more humane and just social policies and practices for their clients within organizational and community settings.
In order to implement the goals of promoting human well-being and social justice, social work practice takes a variety of forms in different organizations. Most social workers are employed by organizations such as family service agencies, children’s institutions, schools, hospitals, courts, neighborhood centers, and community planning councils. Some may eventually organize and direct large governmental programs of social welfare or provide consultation on social policy to governments at various levels, while others are in private practice. Nevertheless, it is clear that more that 95 percent of our students start their professional lives providing direct practice services in an agency setting.
SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION
Nationwide, social work education is organized as a continuum at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Currently, professional education in social work is offered through more than 400 undergraduate and more than 130 graduate programs throughout the nation. The Master of Social Work degree program, offered by the LSU School of Social Work, attests to the graduate’s preparation for social work practice and achievement of a level of competence sufficient to serve as a basis for a professional career.
The PhD degree program prepares graduates for positions in social work education and advanced research and policy analysis.
MSW INFORMATION SESSIONS
I would like to extend a personal invitation for you to attend one of our Informational Meetings. These meetings are very informal, and I will be answering questions about the MSW program and explaining the admission procedures. These sessions will be held on:
September 11th 10:00 am
September 12th 10:00 am or 1:30 pm
October 3rd 10:00 am or 1:30 pm
October 9th 10:00 am or 1:30 pm
November 6th 10:00 am or 1:30 pm
November 7th 10:00 am or 1:30 pm
December 5th 10:00 am or 1:30 pm
January 8th 10:00 am or 1:30 pmJanuary 9th 10:00 am or 1:30 pm
January 30th 10:00 am or 1:30 pmTo reserve a seat at one of these Information Sessions visits, please contact Becky Cavalier at 225-578-1326. If you need further information or have any questions, please contact our office at your earliest convenience at 225-578-5875 or 800-848-7111.
