Social Work, MSW

Overview

The purpose of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program is to prepare students to become professional clinical social workers, serving the diverse and marginalized rural populations. The MSW program strives to provide high quality, graduate-level education that will instill the foundation and skills to conduct trauma-informed, evidence-based, clinical interventions on the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

Requirements for Admission

To be considered for admission to the MSW program, an applicant must:

• Initially satisfy all Southeastern Louisiana University’s graduate admission requirements (see Graduate Studies  for admission requirements).

In addition to satisfying admission requirements, students without an undergraduate degree in social work, applying for Two-Year Standing are required to:

1. Have earned a 3.0 GPA or higher in their last 60 credit hours.
2. Earn credit for designated prerequisite courses (Psychology, Sociology, Biology, Statistics, and U.S. History or Political Science). Substitutions must be approved by MSW admissions committee.
3. Submit a personal statement.
4. Include three (3) professional or academic letters of recommendation.
5. Attend an on-campus meeting with the program director and field director. 
6. Complete an entrance exam proctored by the Southeastern Louisiana University Social Work Program. The earned score will not negatively impact admission but will be used as a baseline score.
7. Complete and submit the results of a background check through a designated provider. Information about unfavorable background check results can be found in the MSW Handbook.
8. Complete and submit the results of a drug screen through a designated provider. Information about unfavorable drug screen results can be found in the MSW Student Handbook.

Students that have earned an undergraduate degree in social work within the past five (5) years from a CSWE accredited program, applying for Advanced Standing are required to:

1. Have earned an undergraduate degree in social work from a CSWE accredited college or university in the past five years.
2. Have earned a 3.0 GPA or higher in their last 60 credit hours.
3. Have earned a “B” or higher in all undergraduate social work courses.
4. Submit a personal statement.
5. Include three (3) letters of recommendation (a minimum of one academic and one from their undergraduate field instructor).
6. Attend an on-campus meeting with the program director and field director.
7. Complete an entrance exam proctored by the Southeastern Louisiana University Social Work Program. The earned score will not negatively impact admission but will be used as a baseline score.
8. Complete and submit the results of a background check through a designated provider. Information about unfavorable background check results can be found in the MSW Student Handbook.
9. Complete and submit the results of a drug screen through a designated provider. Information about unfavorable drug screen results can be found in the MSW
   Student Handbook.

Program Application Admission Deadlines

For Fall admission, all application materials must be submitted by March 1st.

Admission Notification

Admission to the MSW Program is selective and requires a favorable evaluation by the MSW Admissions Committee. After completion of the application process, including the on-campus meeting and entrance exam, applicants will be notified that they are are either accepted or not accepted for admission.

Requirements for Degree

Students enrolled in the program will be required to complete all coursework, earning no less than a “B” in all courses. Advanced standing students will complete 33 credit hours and Regular Standing students will complete 60 credit hours. Earned credit hours include the successful completion of practicum hours. Two-Year Standing students will complete 900 hours over four (4) semesters and Advanced Standing students will complete 450 hours over two (2) semesters. All students are required to earn a passing score (80%) on the comprehensive examination. Students can take the comprehensive exam no more than twice. If a student does not pass the comprehensive exam on the second attempt, the student will meet with the MSW committee to discuss further actions.

Requirements for Program Retention and Progression

1. A student must earn a “B” in each course in the program to be eligible for progression.
2. A student who earns a grade below a “B” will be placed on probation and must repeat the course and earn at least a “B.” If a grade below a “B” is earned in the subsequent course, the student may be dismissed from the program.
3. A student who earns more than two grades of “W” in the program is not eligible for progression. A student may appeal progression for extenuating circumstances. “W” grades received as a result of an approved resignation from the University are not included in the calculation.
4. A student who earns a “D” or “F” in any course taken for graduate credit may be ineligible for further graduate work. A student who earns a “D” or “F” because of extenuating, non-academic circumstances may appeal for readmission.
5. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences reserves the right to investigate situations which may affect the student’s ability to function. In addition, a physician’s release may be required. Students who have health conditions that my prevent their meeting the objectives of the program or a course in the program or that may cause potential injury to the student or the clients for whom they serve, will be required to have a personal interview with the Department Head or Dean or with an appropriate College of Nursing and Health Sciences committee.
6. Drug testing will be required.
7. Federal background check, including fingerprinting will be required.
8. Students enrolled in practicum and internship courses are required to meet other agency requirements.

Curriculum

There are two curricular paths, depending on the undergraduate degree earned. 

1. Option 1: Two-Year Standing (60 Credit Hours)
2. Option 2: Advanced Standing (33 Credit Hours)