Best MSW Programs in Louisiana (2026)
Every CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program in Louisiana for 2026, with tuition, LMSW/LCSW licensure requirements, salary data, and field placement details.
Key Takeaways
- Louisiana has 5 CSWE-accredited MSW programs across the state, including 3 public universities and 2 private institutions, with in-state tuition as low as $284/credit at Grambling State University.
- The LCSW requires 5,760 supervised post-graduate hours (including 3,840 under a BACS-approved supervisor and 96 face-to-face supervision hours), plus the ASWB Clinical exam. The LMSW requires only the MSW degree and the ASWB Masters exam — no post-degree experience.
- Louisiana social workers earn well below the national median across all specialties, but the state's very low cost of living — ranked among the lowest in the nation — offsets much of the gap. Healthcare social workers in the New Orleans metro earn a mean of $57,000+.
- Louisiana has all 64 parishes (100%) designated as mental health HPSAs, with nearly 79% of residents living in areas without enough mental health providers, creating strong demand for licensed social workers statewide.
- The Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program offers up to $20,000/year for LCSWs who commit to 3 years of practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area, with extensions available for an additional $15,000/year.
Louisiana offers 5 CSWE-accredited MSW programs spanning the state from New Orleans to Grambling, with public university tuition starting at just $284/credit for in-state residents. Whether you want a traditional on-campus experience in New Orleans, a fully online program from LSU or Tulane, or a faith-integrated education at Louisiana Christian University, there is an option that fits your schedule and budget.
After graduation, Louisiana offers two main social work license levels relevant to MSW holders: the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The LMSW is available immediately upon passing the ASWB Masters exam — no post-degree supervised experience required. The LCSW requires 5,760 hours of supervised post-graduate practice (with 3,840 hours under a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor), 96 hours of face-to-face supervision, plus the ASWB Clinical exam. Both licenses are issued by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE) and must be renewed annually with 20 hours of continuing education.
Louisiana's social work job market is driven by acute shortage: every one of the state's 64 parishes is designated a mental health HPSA, and nearly 79% of residents live in areas without adequate mental health services. Major employers include the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Ochsner Health System, LCMC Health, Tulane Medical Center, the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, and community mental health centers across the state. The Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program and federal programs like NHSC and PSLF provide significant financial incentives for social workers serving in shortage areas.
CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Louisiana
All 5 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana State University | $390/credit (on-campus); $604/credit (online) | On-campus | |
| 2 | Tulane University | $1,403/credit (online); ~$29,240/semester (on-campus) | On-campus | |
| 3 | Southern University at New Orleans | $562/credit | On-campus | |
| 4 | Grambling State University | $284/credit | On-campus | |
| 5 | Louisiana Christian University | $428/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus |
Louisiana State University
In-State
$390/credit (on-campus); $604/credit (online)
Out-of-State
$1,050/credit (on-campus); $604/credit (online, flat rate)
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
960 (360 generalist + 600 specialization)
Concentrations
- Flagship public university with the most specialization options of any Louisiana MSW program
- Fully online MSW charges a flat $604/credit regardless of residency
- Four distinct concentrations including the only school social work track in the state
- Advanced standing program completable in 33 credits over one year
- Field placements across Louisiana with 960 total hours — the highest requirement in the state
Tulane University
In-State
$1,403/credit (online); ~$29,240/semester (on-campus)
Out-of-State
$1,403/credit (online); ~$29,240/semester (on-campus)
Length
16 months on-campus; 2 years online (60 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- One of the oldest and most prestigious schools of social work in the South, founded in 1914
- Unique Disaster and Collective Trauma focus area — one of few such programs in the nation
- On-campus program can be completed in just 16 months
- MSW/JD and MSW/MPH dual degree options available on campus
- Located in New Orleans with access to world-class health systems and community organizations
Southern University at New Orleans
In-State
$562/credit
Out-of-State
$946/credit
Length
2 years (63 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- HBCU located in New Orleans with a strong commitment to serving diverse and underserved communities
- Two clinical concentrations in health/mental health and children, youth, and families
- Millie M. Charles School of Social Work named for a pioneering African American social work educator
- Affordable public university tuition with field placements across the New Orleans metro area
- Small cohort sizes with close faculty mentorship and individualized field placement matching
Grambling State University
In-State
$284/credit
Out-of-State
$284/credit (same rate)
Length
2 years (63 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Most affordable MSW program in Louisiana at $284/credit — same rate for in-state and out-of-state students
- HBCU with a strong focus on preparing social workers to serve rural and underserved communities in North Louisiana
- Direct Practice concentration prepares graduates for clinical work in child welfare, healthcare, and mental health
- Field placements 2 days per week for 4 semesters across rural and urban North Louisiana agencies
- Small program with individualized attention and a commitment to addressing poverty and oppression
Louisiana Christian University
In-State
$428/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$428/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Only faith-based CSWE-accredited MSW program in Louisiana with a biblical worldview foundation
- Unique 15-hour Healthcare/Behavioral Health concentration not offered at other Louisiana schools
- $3,000 MSW stipend available ($1,500/semester) for students in the healthcare/behavioral health track
- Located in Central Louisiana — a severely underserved region for mental health services
- Advanced standing requires only 30 credits for BSW holders from CSWE-accredited programs
Social Work Licensure Requirements in Louisiana
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE)
225-756-3470
Louisiana issues social work credentials through the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE). For MSW graduates, the two primary license levels are the LMSW (entry-level master's license) and the LCSW (advanced clinical license required for independent practice, private practice, and diagnosing mental health conditions). Louisiana also offers the LCSW-BACS designation for LCSWs who qualify to supervise others.
The LMSW requires no post-degree supervised experience. You can apply immediately after completing your MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and passing the ASWB Masters exam. The LCSW requires substantially more supervised hours than most states — 5,760 total post-graduate hours with 3,840 under a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor (BACS). All licenses require annual renewal (by August 31) with 20 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of ethics and at least 10 hours of live, in-person training for LCSWs.
Licensed Master Social Worker
Generalist social work practice, case management, community organizing, policy analysis, supervised clinical work
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: ASWB Masters
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, private practice, insurance billing
Hours
5,760
Duration
2-3 years
Exam: ASWB Clinical
Louisiana does not offer automatic reciprocity for out-of-state social work licenses. All applicants must apply through LABSWE and meet Louisiana's education, examination, and experience requirements. If you hold an active LCSW or equivalent clinical license in another state and have already passed the appropriate ASWB exam, you will not need to re-take the exam. However, you must verify that your supervised hours meet Louisiana's 5,760-hour requirement (one of the highest in the nation), submit official transcripts, complete a background check, and provide documentation of your out-of-state license. Contact LABSWE directly at 225-756-3470 for guidance on how your existing credentials transfer.
Social Worker Salary in Louisiana
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Louisiana social workers earn below the national median across all specialties, but the state's very low cost of living — ranked among the bottom five nationally — means purchasing power is closer to parity than raw numbers suggest. A social worker earning $45,000 in Louisiana often has comparable buying power to someone earning $55,000+ in an average-cost state. Within the New Orleans and Baton Rouge metro areas, salaries are notably higher. All salary data below is from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
National median: $58,570
Top metro: $47,210 (New Orleans-Metairie)
Healthcare Social Workers
National median: $68,090
Top metro: $57,340 (Baton Rouge)
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
National median: $60,060
Top metro: $48,520 (New Orleans-Metairie)
Louisiana Social Work Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Louisiana has all 64 of its parishes (100%) designated as mental health Health Professional Shortage Areas, and nearly 79% of the state's 4.6 million residents live in areas without adequate mental health services. The shortage is most severe in rural north and central Louisiana, where many parishes have virtually no mental health providers. Louisiana ranks near the bottom nationally for access to mental health care, creating persistent and growing demand for licensed social workers statewide.
Major employers for social workers include the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) and its Office of Behavioral Health, Ochsner Health System (the largest health system in the Gulf South), LCMC Health, Tulane Medical Center, the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, and numerous federally qualified health centers and community mental health centers. Louisiana's ongoing behavioral health transformation and Medicaid expansion have created new positions in integrated care teams, substance abuse treatment, and community-based services.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) — Up to $20,000/year for LCSWs who commit to 3 years of full-time practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area. After the initial 3-year commitment, practitioners can extend for 2 additional years at $15,000/year. Covers both federal and private student loans.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program — Up to $75,000 in federal loan repayment for LCSWs serving at NHSC-approved sites in Health Professional Shortage Areas for an initial 2-year commitment, with extensions available.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers employed at DCFS, LDH, VA hospitals, Ochsner Health, and nonprofit health systems all qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan.
Louisiana Mental Health Workforce Accelerator Program — Northwestern State University coordinates this initiative to expand the behavioral health workforce in underserved Louisiana communities, with stipend and placement support for social work professionals.
How to Choose an MSW Program in Louisiana
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Louisiana's 5 MSW programs span a range of formats, price points, and specializations. Most of the decision comes down to where you live, how much you can pay, and whether you need to study online.
If you want the best value as a Louisiana resident: Grambling State University ($284/credit, same rate in-state and out-of-state) is the most affordable MSW program in Louisiana. LSU's on-campus program at $390/credit is the next most affordable public option.
If you want the strongest overall program: LSU offers four specializations, 960 field hours, and the largest alumni network in the state. Tulane is the most prestigious option, with unique focus areas in disaster/trauma and mental health/addiction, and a 16-month on-campus completion timeline.
If you need a fully online program: LSU ($604/credit flat rate for all students) and Tulane ($1,403/credit flat rate) both offer fully online CSWE-accredited MSW programs. Both allow field placements near your home community.
If you want to study in New Orleans: Tulane and SUNO are both located in New Orleans. Tulane offers access to its renowned health sciences campus and dual degree options, while SUNO provides an affordable HBCU experience with strong community ties.
If you want to work full-time while studying: LSU's online program, Tulane's online part-time track (3 years), and several on-campus programs offer part-time options extending over 3-4 years.
If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: All 5 programs offer advanced standing for BSW holders. Louisiana Christian University requires only 30 credits, and LSU's advanced standing is 33 credits — both completable in about 1 year.
If you want to serve underserved communities: Grambling State and SUNO are HBCUs located in underserved regions. Louisiana Christian University serves Central Louisiana, one of the state's most acute mental health shortage areas. The Louisiana SLRP offers up to $60,000 over 3 years for LCSWs in HPSAs.
Related Pages
Sources
- CSWE Accredited Programs Directory — Louisiana
- Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Social Workers in Louisiana (May 2024)
- ASWB — Licensing Exams
- HRSA — Mental Health HPSA Data
- Well-Ahead Louisiana — State Loan Repayment Program
- Louisiana Department of Health — Health Professional Shortage Areas