Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 General Catalog 
    
2018-2019 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School of Social Work


OFFICE 311 Long Fieldhouse
TELEPHONE 225-578-5875
FAX 225-578-1357
WEBSITE www.socialwork.lsu.edu

For information regarding the GRADUATE PROGRAM, click here.  

CURRICULUM:

  • Child & Family Studies
  • Social Work

The LSU School of Social Work was founded in 1937 in the era of the “New Deal” programs, reflecting a growing need for professional social workers. The school has a reputation for excellence in professional education and a long tradition of service to the professional community. The focus of the school is to educate competent, professional social workers and early childhood specialists, to use research to enhance the effectiveness of social work practice, and to practice in the fields of child and family studies and early childhood administration and leadership. The school has a commitment to culturally competent practice, an equally strong commitment to the social work profession’s core values of social and economic justice, respect for the dignity and worth of each individual, and the centrality of human relationships to well-being. The research infrastructure of the school includes active programs in the areas of juvenile justice, poverty, mental health, addictions, gerontology, community development, and child welfare. The school is a charter member of the Council on Social Work Education and its master’s program has maintained continuous accreditation with this body since its inception.

CURRICULUM IN CHILD & FAMILY STUDIES

The undergraduate curriculum in Child & Family Studies provides students with the background needed to subsequently pursue exciting and challenging careers in working with families and/or children. Employers include cooperative extension; non-profit and private agencies; faith-based organizations; consumer and business agencies and organizations; and federal, state, and local government. Many students pursue a graduate degree in Child & Family Studies or in closely related fields such as social work, counseling, and marriage and family therapy.

A practicum experience during the junior year allows students to gain field experience at an agency of their choosing. Field experience is expanded during the senior year to include a more intensive semester-long field internship at another student-selected agency, thereby offering students entry into the field of interest to them and providing them with post-graduation employment possibilities. Graduates with a concentration in Child & Family Studies are eligible to apply to the National Council on Family Relations for the provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credential.

Admission into the School of Social Work for the Bachelor of Science in Child & Family Studies

Students wishing to enter the School of Social Work Bachelor of Science degree program in Child & Family Studies must satisfy the following minimum requirements:

  • 24 earned semester hours with a 2.20 cumulative and LSU GPA;
  • English proficiency – advanced placement in credit for, or grade of “C” or better in ENGL 1001  (ENGL 1004 );
  • General Education proficiency – advanced placement in credit for, or grade of “C” or better in MATH 1021  or higher.

CURRICULUM IN SOCIAL WORK

Social Workers have the opportunity to change the lives of individuals and families as well as improve the quality of life in the communities they serve. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at LSU focuses on preparing students for entry-level careers in social service agencies, schools, corrections and criminal justice departments, and the military. The program provides our students the unique opportunity to learn about the many social justice challenges and social problems facing Louisiana and the nation.

The BSW major courses build upon a general liberal arts foundation obtained during the first two years at the university. These general education courses prepare students for the two years of concentrated courses that teach professional competencies delineated by the Council of Social Work Education. One of the strengths of the Bachelor of Social Work degree is the 480 hours of fieldwork required during the last semester of study. This practice based educational approach offers the student the opportunity to transfer knowledge gained in the classroom to skills working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The LSU School of Social Work has strong relationships with hundreds of community agencies where students work under the supervision of a licensed social worker.

Admission into the School of Social Work for the Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Students wishing to enter the School of Social Work Bachelor of Science degree program in Social Work must satisfy the following minimum requirements:

  • 24 earned semester hours with a 2.50 cumulative and LSU GPA;
  • English proficiency – advanced placement in credit for, or grade of “C” or better in ENGL 1001  (ENGL 1004 );
  • Advanced placement in credit for, or grade of “C” or better in MATH 1021  and SW 2000  .

Students intending to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work must be selected for admission after meeting the minimum departmental and degree criteria. Because of a limited number of clinical sites, meeting all criteria for admission does not guarantee acceptance into the professional phase of the degree program.

For more information regarding the selective admission application process, please contact the School of Social Work or the Office of Student Services in 236 Peabody Hall.

Programs

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