2024-2025 General Catalog
School of Social Work
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For information regarding the GRADUATE PROGRAM, click here.
CURRICULUM:
- Human Development & Family Science
- 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 family scientists, to use research to enhance the effectiveness of social work practice, and work in the human development and family science field. The school has a commitment to cultural humility, 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 addictions, behavioral health, Black families, child welfare, economic access, gerontology, health risk behaviors and disparities, homelessness, immigration, international social work, internet technology and inequality, mental health, school mental health, sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, and trauma. 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. The BSW program is also CSWE accredited.
CURRICULUM IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY SCIENCE
The undergraduate curriculum in Human Development & Family Science 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; childcare centers, healthcare institutions, consumer and business agencies and organizations; and federal, state, and local government. Many students pursue a graduate degree in Human Development & Family Science 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.
An optional Child Life concentration is available to Human Development & Family Science students interested in pursuing the healthcare career of a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS). Students in the Child Life concentration will be able to apply their human development and family systems theoretical knowledge to prepare for the complex needs of hospitalized children and their families. A post-graduate internship is required to achieve this certification . HDFS offers coursework that meets the standards and criteria required for the provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation.
Admission into the School of Social Work for the Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Science
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 communities. The program provides 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 of an undergraduate degree. These general education courses prepare students for 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 licensed social workers.
Admission into the School of Social Work for the Bachelor of Social Work
Students wishing to enter the School of Social Work Bachelor of Social Work degree program 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 Social Work degree must be selected for admission after meeting the minimum departmental and degree criteria. Because of a limited number of internship 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 CHSE Office of Student Services in 1240 Huey P Long Fieldhouse.
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