Online MSW Programs in Louisiana

Are there online MSW programs based in Louisiana?

Yes. As of May 2026, four CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in Louisiana offer online or distance-accessible formats: Louisiana Christian University, Louisiana State University and A&M College, Southern University at New Orleans, and Tulane University. Students should compare each program’s format, field placement support, admissions requirements, and licensure alignment before applying.

Can Louisiana residents enroll in out-of-state online MSW programs?

Often, yes. Students should confirm state authorization, admissions eligibility, professional licensure disclosures, and the availability of local field placement. NC-SARA participation can help confirm distance education authorization, but it does not confirm that an MSW program meets Louisiana social work licensure requirements.

Is CSWE accreditation important?

Yes. CSWE accreditation is commonly required or expected for social work licensure pathways. Verify current accreditation status in the CSWE directory.

Does an online MSW automatically qualify you for LCSW licensure in Louisiana?

No. An online MSW may help meet Louisiana’s graduate education requirement, but students must also meet the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners requirements, including application, examination, supervised post-graduate experience, and renewal requirements.

State licensing board

Professional licensure for social workers in Louisiana is administered by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE).

Relevant state law and rules

Louisiana social work credentialing is governed by the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act, La. R.S. 37:2701–2724, which establishes the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners and defines social work credentials, scope of practice, applications, examinations, supervision, renewal, fees, and disciplinary authority.

The board’s administrative rules are published in the Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Part XXV, Credentialed Social Workers, which includes rules and standards for practice, ethics, supervision, applications, continuing education, renewal, and board procedures. Students and applicants should review both the statute and board rules for current requirements.

Common MSW-level license path

LMSW to LCSW. Louisiana’s common MSW-level clinical licensure path is from Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) to Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Louisiana also has bachelor’s- and nonclinical master’s-level credentials, including Registered Social Worker (RSW) and Certified Social Worker (CSW).

Graduate education

Louisiana law requires LMSW and LCSW applicants to hold a master’s degree from a graduate school of social work that is accredited by or under candidacy with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students should confirm current education standards with LABSWE and verify each program’s CSWE accreditation or candidacy status before applying.

Exam

Louisiana law requires LMSW and LCSW applicants to pass a board-approved examination. Applicants should apply through LABSWE and receive board approval before registering for the applicable ASWB exam. Students should confirm the current exam level, registration process, authorization-to-test steps, and any Louisiana-specific board requirements with LABSWE and ASWB before applying.

Supervised experience

Louisiana requires applicants to complete at least 3,000 hours of post-graduate social work practice over a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years under a board-approved clinical supervisor. Board rules and forms may require supervision contracts and reporting procedures, so applicants should confirm current requirements with LABSWE before beginning supervised experience.

State-specific requirements

Louisiana applicants should review LABSWE materials for current application forms, fees, background check or criminal history procedures, supervision forms, renewal deadlines, and continuing education requirements. Louisiana credentials renew annually, and state law requires 20 hours of continuing education before renewal, including three hours of ethics every two years. LCSWs must also complete at least 10 hours of clinical content, including diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Applicants and licensees should confirm current renewal dates, CE delivery rules, and documentation requirements with LABSWE.

Contact Information

Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners

Website: labswe.org

Phone: 225-756-3470

Email: socialwork@labswe.org

Address: 18550 Highland Road, Suite B, Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Schools, child welfare agencies, family service organizations, and community programs

$57,880

Healthcare Social Workers

Hospitals, clinics, hospice, care coordination, and public health organizations

$64,380

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Behavioral health agencies, mental health clinics, substance use treatment centers

$44,050

Social Workers, All Other

Policy, administration, research, community development, and specialized social service roles

$64,720

All Occupations

Summary of all reported wages within the state across all job types

$43,770

Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners

Official requirements for Louisiana social work credentials, including Registered Social Worker (RSW), Certified Social Worker (CSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) designations. Use LABSWE to verify current application requirements, supervision rules, ASWB exam approval steps, fees, continuing education, renewal requirements, and licensing forms. This should be the final source of truth for Louisiana licensing questions.

Louisiana Social Work Practice Act and Administrative Code

State statutes and rules that govern education, examination, supervision, scope of practice, renewal, and disciplinary procedures.

CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs

Whether an MSW program is currently CSWE-accredited or in candidacy status. Students can search by school, state, degree level, and accreditation status.

ASWB Exam Information

Which social work licensing exams are available, how exam registration works, and what to expect from the exam process. Students should still confirm which exam their state requires.

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

Whether an institution participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which helps confirm whether it may offer distance education to students in other SARA states. Students can use this as a starting point for checking online enrollment authorization, but SARA participation does not confirm that an MSW program meets state social work licensure requirements. Students should also confirm state authorization directly with the school before applying.

School Professional Licensure Disclosures

Whether the school has determined that its MSW program meets, does not meet, or has not yet been determined to meet educational requirements for social work licensure in a student’s state. Students should review these disclosures before applying and follow up with the program or state licensing board if the information is unclear.

School Program Pages

Current admissions requirements, tuition, start dates, online format, advanced-standing options, field-placement policies, and whether the program currently accepts students from your state.