March 25, 2025
NATCHITOCHES – Applications for the graduate program in social work at Northwestern State University are now open for the Fall 2025 semester for part-time students. The university received approval last year to offer the program, an on-line degree with affordable tuition, flexible learning options and a focus on advanced generalist practice.
“The mission of the MSW is to develop clinically trained social work professionals to meet the growing need for practitioners in our regional and national work force, with particular emphasis on providing trauma-informed services in rural central and western Louisiana,” said program coordinator Dr. MaryAnne Candley, MSW, a Licensed Master Social Worker.
Employment data and job prediction statistics identify an increase in the need for social workers, Candley said. There are only three accredited MSW programs in public institutions in Louisiana.
Social work is a profession that helps people improve their lives by helping them deal with social environments, relationships, personal and emotional problems, disabilities and resources for life, such as shelter, food and employment.
“Social workers are employed in the areas of children and family services, schools, health care, mental health, substance abuse and prevention, employee assistance programs, as well as in federal, state or local policymaking along with other sectors,” said Dr. Susan Campbell, interim chair of NSU’s Department of Social Work. “While the bachelor’s degree in social work is the minimum requirement for entry into the social work profession and qualifies one for a number of entry-level jobs, the master’s degree (MSW) is necessary for many positions, including most in health care, K-12 schools, mental health and in supervisory and administrative positions.”
Campbell said the Social Work Department is working with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Board of Accreditation for the MSW program to become nationally accredited. The likely approval date is February 2028.
The CSWE accreditation process will allow the Master of Social Work program to back-date accreditation to its initial start date of August 2025. Students who graduate from the MSW program before 2028 will have to wait until February 2028 for the accreditation to be granted and backdated. Therefore, graduating MSWs prior to May 2028 would not be able to pursue licensure until official accreditation approval is given.
“To maintain the integrity of the MSW program and support the professional development of our students, the Department of Social Work will welcome its inaugural MSW class in stages,” Campbell said. “Stage one will be a part time, traditional MSW program, with students beginning their coursework in August 2025 with an anticipated graduation date of May 2028. Stage two will be a two-year, full time MSW program in which students begin their coursework in August of 2026 and graduate in May of 2028. The final stage will be the one-year Advanced Standing program with students beginning in August of 2027 and graduating in May of 2028.”
“NSU is uniquely situated, as the central and southwestern portions of the state do not currently offer any MSW programs,” she added. “While this program will be offered completely online, our geographic location and focus on trauma will help prepare students to work in these underserved areas as well as nationally.”
Information on the Master of Social Work program is available at https://www.nsula.edu/socialwork/msw/. Information on NSU’s Department of Social Work is available at https://www.nsula.edu/socialwork/.
