The MSW curriculum is a 60-hour graduate program (30 hour for advanced standing) which includes field experiences. The Louisiana Christian University MSW program offers areas of specialization during the advanced/2^nd year in healthcare/behavioral health and advanced generalist practice.

Healthcare/behavioral health concentration focuses on specialized training for generalist students to work with clients and interdisciplinary healthcare/behavioral health professionals that include but are not limited to medical hospitals, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services, hospice, home health, substance abuse, and primary care offices.

Advanced generalist practice concentration focuses on building on generalist skills and knowledge towards an advanced generalist base for practice work within a wide variety of diverse settings and populations.

To successfully complete the area of concentration, a student must take 9 hours of elective courses in their chosen concentration and complete both advanced year field placements in either a healthcare/behavioral health agency or an advanced generalist practice setting.

Students can complete the program as part-time, full-time, or advanced standing students. A student who has received a baccalaureate degree in social work from an undergraduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may be eligible for the advanced standing option pending certain criteria has been met.

Part-time—6 hours/semester---3-4 years to complete

Fulltime—15 hours/semester—2 years to complete

Advanced standing—15 hours/semester—1 year to complete

MSW Curriculum Overview

MSW Course Sequence

Admission requirements to the MSW Program are as follow:

Submit a completed graduate application along with an application fee

• Must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university;
• Must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

official transcripts are:

1. Electronic or E-Scripts are accepted if sent by the respective Universities to: msw@lcuniversity.edu
2. Those mailed from the college or university directly to the School of Human Behavior, MSW Program, Louisiana Christian University, L.C. Box 605, 1140 College Drive, Pineville, LA 71359.

• Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for admission to the two-year traditional track, a student with a 2.5 cumulative GPA may be considered
• Submit three letters of recommendation
• Submit current resume’
• Admissions Essay
  • As a part of the admissions process, students are required to write and submit an essay addressing specific areas. This allows the admissions committee to assess the student’s readiness for an MSW program as well as the student’s writing skills
• Admissions Interview
• 9 hours of social science courses and 9 hours of humanities courses in undergraduate work
• Present proof of immunizations: Documents proof of two immunizations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) if born on or after January 1, 1957 OR complete immunization waiver.
• GRE not required.

To qualify for advanced standing: a student must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, meet all other requirements as listed above, hold a degree from a CSWE accredited BSW program, have a B or higher in all undergraduate core social work courses, and have completed the BSW undergraduate program within 5 years of applying for the MSW program.

The MSW degree will require students to successfully complete a non-thesis track. Candidates for this degree will take a comprehensive exam during their final semester of study and complete a capstone paper relating to the understanding and application of social work values/Christian values.

The field practicum will be the program’s signature pedagogy. The students’ academic background from the social work curriculum presented in both the generalist year and advanced year will provide them with the theory, knowledge, values, and skills necessary for advanced generalist social work practice. The field practicum component provides an opportunity for students at each level to integrate classroom contributions and practice experience with actual clients to demonstrate the core competencies and related behaviors of the program. Supervised experience at a social service agency provide students with opportunities to synthesize learning experiences gained in the classroom. It also allows students to demonstrate the practice behaviors within the context of practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students will attend an on-campus field orientation seminar at the beginning of their first and third semester, prior to beginning Field Practicum I and III. This orientation will use a variety of learning methods and experiences to prepare generalist and/or advanced year students for their field practicum.

It is the responsibility of the field director to oversee all aspects of the field practicum courses to ensure an integrated educational experience for the students. This includes the recruitment and approval of agencies to serve as field agency sites.

The program is structured for a student to experience field over two to four consecutive semesters, depending on whether in the two year or advanced standing track.

MSW-Field-Instruction-Manual