Louisiana · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in Louisiana
Where Can You Earn an MSW in Louisiana, and How Do You Get Licensed?
7 schools in Louisiana offer 9 MSW programs we verified, including Grambling State University, Louisiana Christian University and Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. 4 can be taken online and 9 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $26,520 to $87,540 before fees. After the MSW, Louisiana's clinical license is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB examFor the CSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursAt least 3,000 hours of postgraduate social work practice over a minim…
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in Louisiana
- 9
- schools
- 7
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 5
- offer advanced standing
- 9
- online programs
- 4
The Louisiana Social Work License Path
Louisiana Social Work Licenses
Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE)Registered Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's or master's degree in social work from a university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- Exam
- none
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Certified Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- Exam
- none
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master's Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- At least 3,000 hours of postgraduate social work practice over a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years under a board-approved clinical supervisor, including 96 hours of face-to-face supervision
- Independent practice
- Yes
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- Listed by the Social Work Licensure Compact as a jurisdiction that has passed the compact language; the Compact states multistate licenses are not yet being issued
- State exam
- Open Book Exam on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act and the Rules, Standards and Procedures (50 items, 70% to pass), required for endorsement and reinstatement applications
From Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE), reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
Louisiana Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $36,240 |
| Tulane UniversityNew Orleans · Private nonprofit | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $87,540 |
| Grambling State UniversityGrambling · Public | 1 | CSWE | Yes | ||
| Louisiana Christian UniversityPineville · Private nonprofit | 1 | Campus | CSWE | Yes | $26,520 |
| Southern University at New OrleansNew Orleans · Public | 1 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $28,500 |
| Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches · Public | 1 | Online | Candidacy | Yes | |
| Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond · Public | 1 | Campus | Candidacy | Yes |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in Louisiana
9 programs in Louisiana
- FormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$7,143per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$36,240$604/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$87,540$1,459/creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$87,540$1,459/creditAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW) at Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at New Orleans · New OrleansFormatOn campus, Online900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$28,500$475/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (MSW) at Louisiana Christian University
Louisiana Christian University · PinevilleFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$26,520$442/creditAccreditationCSWE- Format–Credits60Est. tuition$4,104per term · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (MSW) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University of Louisiana · NatchitochesFormatOnline400 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$4,698per termAccreditationCandidacyMaster of Social Work (MSW) at Southeastern Louisiana University
Southeastern Louisiana University · HammondFormatOn campusCredits33Est. tuition$5,038per term · resident rateAccreditationCandidacy
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in Louisiana
5 Louisiana programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $26,520 at Louisiana Christian University to $87,540 at Tulane University. The Louisiana median is $36,240, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Christian University: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW) | 60 | $26,520 | $13,260 |
| Southern University at New Orleans: Master of Social Work (MSW)Master of Social Work (MSW) | 60 | $28,500 | $17,100 |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College: MSW OnlineMSW Online | 60 | $36,240 | $16,308 |
| Tulane University: Master of Social Work (on campus, New Orleans)Master of Social Work (on campus, New Orleans) | 60 | $87,540 | $65,655 |
| Tulane University: Online Master of Social WorkOnline Master of Social Work | 60 | $87,540 | $65,655 |
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in Louisiana
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College has Louisiana's largest program, followed by Tulane University and Southern University at New Orleans. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online MSW Options for Louisiana Residents
You aren't limited to schools in Louisiana: 257 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Louisiana residents online and arrange your field placement in Louisiana.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in Louisiana
| Occupation | Louisiana median | U.S. median | Jobs in Louisiana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,800 | $59,550 | 1,110 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $61,080 | $67,880 | 1,970 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $47,100 | $60,280 | 970 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $69,230 | $71,900 | 850 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
MSW Programs Near Louisiana Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in Louisiana?
We verified 9 MSW programs at 7 schools in Louisiana; 5 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does Louisiana Issue?
Louisiana's board (Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE)) issues RSW, CSW, LMSW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after At least 3,000 hours of postgraduate social work practice over a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years under a board-approved clinical supervisor, including 96 hours of face-to-face supervision.
Can Louisiana Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond Louisiana's own programs, 257 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll Louisiana residents and place you in a field practicum in Louisiana. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in Louisiana?
Estimated tuition for Louisiana programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $26,520 to $87,540 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 7 Louisiana schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025