LCU’s social work dean says faith an integral part of profession
Louisiana Christian University’s Dean of Social Work Dr. Juanita Moorman practices what she professes.
Moorman, who lives in Oakdale, has served as the dean of the School of Social Work since August. She also continues to be a hands-on social worker, in addition to her academic duties at LCU. She said she believes it makes a world of difference—not just to her—but to her students.
“I enjoy being allowed to practice clinically and still teach,” she said. “It’s an opportunity at LCU that other schools don’t offer. I think that allows students a unique learning experience—even better than I was allowed in my own studies. It enriches the classroom.”
Faculty evaluations done by students echo that sentiment. Students appreciate having a professor who is still practicing what they are teaching them and preparing them to do professionally.
Moorman has supervised Drug Court in Vernon Parish for the past 13 years, and does group therapy for Drug Court in Beauregard and Allen parishes from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Saturday.
Her work has even helped with recruitment for LCU’s Master of Social Work program.
“There’s a shortage of licensed clinical social workers, especially in rural areas,” Moorman said. “Because of that, being able to practice clinically allows me to provide field experiences for those students.”
Moorman earned her Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy from the University of Louisiana Monroe and has been an associate professor of social work at LCU since 2018. She earned her MSW from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and her B.S. from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.
When Moorman started in social work, she said she was taught that it was founded on a Judeo-Christian foundation, but that from 2007 to today, social work has lost that direction.
“But as long as we have Christian professors,” she said, “we can keep that foundation present for future generations of social workers.”
LCU President Dr. Mark Johnson and his wife Heather recently visited Moorman’s classroom and left with the knowledge that students were not only learning, but under her care would become outstanding social workers.
“They are witnessing compassion modeled in real time by a professor who genuinely cares,” he said. “Dr. Moorman embodies that conviction every single day. She does not simply teach social work; she practices it. Her continued clinical service in our region reflects both professional excellence and a deep personal calling. Our students are learning from someone who is actively engaged in the very work they are preparing to do. Her work strengthens not only our classroom experience but the entire Central Louisiana community. She is helping address the shortage of licensed clinical social workers in rural areas while preparing the next generation of practitioners to serve with competence, compassion and conviction.”
Treating the spiritual component of a person is essential to treating any other aspect, Moorman said.
“We have to have a well-rounded generalist practice model, for social workers to be able to treat and intervene with all clients in a competent and confident manner,” Moorman said. “To ignore the spiritual component of a client is negligent.”
Moorman, who is a member of the Pentecostals of Alexandria Church, said there are many therapists who don’t include the spiritual in their treatment, and the clients suffer. Many of them don’t finish treatment, as a result, because they are not getting their needs met.
Treating clients from a Christian perspective doesn’t mean preaching to them, she said.
Many of her clients in Drug Court were raised in church but have left their faith, but because of how she lives her life, she said, and how she treats them, many return to faith.
“Working with the recovery community is my calling,” she said. “It’s what God has put me here for. Teaching at LCU has helped me spread that calling.”
Johnson said Moorman represents the heart of LCU: scholarship rooted in faith, service grounded in calling, and education that transforms both students and communities.
“We are grateful for her leadership,” he said, “and proud of the impact she continues to make across this region and beyond.”
LCU offers a BSW and MSW (3+1) degree to be completed in four years, which allows the graduate to sit for licensure and begin practicing therapy in a quicker route than a traditional four-year bachelor’s degree. For in-state recipients of the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) funds, this means you can complete both degrees during the four years of eligibility. This is the most affordable program in the state of Louisiana.
“When you graduate with a BSW, you are eligible to become a registered social worker,” Moorman said. “You’ll have the credentials to practice even without the MSW, if you so choose. To do individual therapy, however, you need an MSW.”
Two tracks are available in the MSW program.
The Behavioral Health track is for those who wish to practice clinically in private practice or other therapeutic settings. Moorman said there are some funding opportunities available to students in this program, as well as some employment-based internships that allow students to work while completing the program.
The Advanced Generalist track is for students who want to work in a therapeutic setting and also go into administration.
Students with a BSW that meets our criteria may qualify for advanced standing status. This will allow those students to complete the MSW with 30 hours, whereas students without a BSW will be required to complete 60 hours.
Both offer classes in the afternoon and evenings and a hi-flex model that allows for distance learning for students who can’t attend class in person.
“They can livestream the class or watch recorded lectures on their own time so they can still participate in a meaningful way,” Moorman said. “We have students from across the country in the program because they want a Christian education.”
For more information about LCU’s School of Social Work programs, visit the linked webpage or email juanita.moorman@lcuniversity.edu.
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Media Release | February 20, 2026 | Pineville, Louisiana
Contact: Dr. Elizabeth B. Clarke, Director of University Communications | Elizabeth.clarke@lcuniversity.edu