The LSU School of Social Work grants admission on the basis of the applicant’s academic record and personal qualifications. This admission, however, does not constitute admission to candidacy for a degree. Please note that the School of Social Work only admits students in the fall semester of each year.

The following are requirements that must be completed prior to admission to the MSW program in the LSU School of Social Work:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
• Demonstration of a liberal arts undergraduate preparation through completion of at least 12 credit hours in the social and behavioral sciences (psychology, sociology, anthropology, human geography, economics, political science, curriculum & instruction, etc.), and at least 9 hours in the humanities (literature, languages, history, women’s studies, art or music history, philosophy, cultural and comparative studies, communication studies, etc.);
• An undergraduate human biology course that covers humans as well as other animals;
• “C” or better in an introductory statistics course in any undergraduate department;
• A 3.0 cumulative grade point average on undergraduate course work and acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE);
• Evidence that the applicant possesses the personal qualities and aptitudes essential for the social work profession.

A genuine interest in people and emotional stability are also important qualifications for admission to the school. Information concerning these qualities will be obtained from the student’s application materials and from present or former employers, teachers, and other persons acquainted with the applicant, and from pre-admission interviews on campus.

How to Apply

The School of Social Work welcomes applications from qualified individuals seeking admission into the MSW programs We encourage applications from minority candidates and individuals with disabilities. The deadline for receipt of completed MSW admission materials is March 31. The GRE must be taken before this date and all application material must be received, not postmarked, by March 31. Only applicants whose materials are complete will be considered for admission.

Applicants must apply for admission to the Graduate School with supplemental materials to the School of Social Work no later than March 31. Students applying to the advanced standing program and the advanced year distance education program must apply to the Graduate School for the summer semester. All other students should apply for the fall semester. An applicant should submit credentials following the instructions on the official University “Application for Graduate Admission” form along with the School of Social Work application and other forms..

Online application must be made to the Graduate School, 114 David Boyd Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-3920:

• The completed “Application for Graduate Admission” form;
• The required application fee and any applicable late fee;
• One official copy of all transcripts in sealed envelopes (all transcripts are required, whether or not credit was earned or is desired). Official transcripts of work taken at LSU are not required;
• Financial statement (required only from international students without assistantships paying at least $7,700);
• A satisfactory score on the aptitude portion of the GRE. The LSU code for GRE reporting is R6373-5. LSU is an approved testing center. The GRE is administered electronically on a daily basis at testing centers in this country and abroad. Test applications may be obtained from the Graduate School at LSU, GRE website at www.gre.org, graduate schools at most colleges and universities, or by writing to Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 955, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. The completed test application form and examination fee must reach Educational Testing Service approximately one month in advance of the test date. At least six weeks should be allowed for the examination results to reach LSU (less if the test is taken electronically);
• For international applicants whose native language is not English, scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

The following items are to be sent to the School of Social Work, Office of Student Services, 311 Long Fieldhouse, LSU, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-3920:

• The School of Social Work’s “Letter of Intent”;
• Three letters of reference on forms provided by the School of Social Work;
• One official copy of all transcripts in sealed envelopes (all transcripts required, whether or not credit was earned or is desired).

The decision to admit is conditioned upon the applicant providing accurate and current information and updating this information as circumstances change. The act of application constitutes agreement that LSU may investigate the accuracy of the statements and data provided. Falsification, misrepresentation, or omission in application answers and supporting data may result in revocation or denial of admission. Please see the section, “Timing and Waiting Lists,” in this bulletin.