CSWE accredited social work degrees are required to become a licensed social worker in the U.S. and most other countries around the world.  Also, a 3.0 or better GPA in social work courses can help students advance to other institutions offering completion of a 2-year CSWE accredited MSW degree in only one year.

Many degree requirements can be completed in 100% online courses.  ULM Social Work majors are often placed in social service agencies convenient for and desired by students—whether living on campus or commuting from their hometowns!

Before becoming a profession 100+ years ago, social work had its roots in centuries of volunteerism.  Today, service learning opportunities engage students (and sometimes those from other majors) in volunteer activities in social service agencies of all sorts.  Service learning as a central part of the ULM social work curriculum helps students see the benefits of serving others first hand.  And, let’s not forget—volunteerism counts on an employable resume!

As a CSWE accredited undergraduate social work program, students in the major must receive close academic advising throughout their degree pursuance.  At ULM, faculty advisors are seasoned social work educators and hold the Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential.  The purpose of CSWE requiring close advising is to assure accreditation standards are met to prepare students for professional licensed practice.

ULM Social Work Program faculty, however, are also interested in getting students through their degree programs as quickly as feasibly possible.  We seek to prevent potential delays in graduation and to assist students in “staying on track” to graduate on time.

The Honor Society for the Social Work Major is the internationally recognized Phi Alpha. It has been at ULM since 1993. Students who complete 9 semester hours of required social work courses and rank in the top 35% of their class are eligible.  Phi Alpha members qualify for preferred hiring in many state and some federal jobs.

The Student Social Work Association (SSWA) is student-driven organization that engages in various volunteer activities on campus and in the community surrounding ULM.  But they’re not all work—they have fun events and socials too! 

Students who know they want to work in a public agency to protect and serve children and families can apply for a stipend to do their field placement in one of the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services (La.DCFS) offices in the state. This program has been at ULM since 1992 and today provides a stipend that covers tuition, books and other university fees, as well as living expenses for the final semester before graduation. In return, La.DCFS requires one year of employment.

Of note—work at La.DCFS, a public agency, is qualified employment for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program!