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 Master of Social Work degree requires two academic years of full-time study (15 hours of credit per semester for a total of 60 hours). Students admitted to the MSW program must elect to enter either the full-time (15 hours per semester) or the part-time (six hours per semester) program. The first year 30 hours of the program is the "foundation year," and the second 30 hours of study is termed the "advanced instruction year" for full-time students.