Louisiana · MSW programs by city
Best MSW Programs near Lake Charles, LA (2026)
Last updated
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS
Lake Charles, Louisiana (population 79,633) has no MSW campus within city limits . 4 Louisiana programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Louisiana licensure.
Best MSW programs in Lake Charles, LA
No CSWE-accredited MSW program currently lists a campus inside Lake Charles, LA. See the nearby and online options below.
Online MSW programs available in Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Lake Charles, LA residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.
| Institution | Accredited | Adv. Standing | Natl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulane University | 1927 | Yes | #55 |
| Louisiana State University and A&M College | 1940 | Yes | #75 |
| Southern University at New Orleans | 1985 | Yes | #100 |
| Louisiana Christian University | 2017 | Yes | #181 |
How much do social workers make in Lake Charles, LA in 2026?
Lake Charles, Louisiana sits within the Lake Charles, LA metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 120 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $65,120 median. Figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program (May 2025).
| Occupation | Employed | Median wage | Typical range (10th–90th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare social workers | 30 | $65,120 | $46,440 – $81,270 |
| Child, family & school social workers | 50 | $47,490 | $34,800 – $64,640 |
| Social workers, all other | 40 | $38,630 | $33,330 – $78,310 |
| Social & community service managers (macro) | 70 | $80,000 | $48,440 – $118,610 |
How local pay compares
Child, family & school social workers around Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $47,490 versus $56,800 statewide in Louisiana and $67,310 nationally. That is below the Louisiana median.
Where do social workers work in Lake Charles, LA in 2026?
Lake Charles, Louisiana sits in Calcasieu Parish. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:
- Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority
- CHRISTUS Ochsner Lake Area and Lake Charles Memorial
- Calcasieu Parish School Board
- McNeese State University
- Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services
Representative local employers known to operate in the area; illustrative, not an exhaustive or BLS-sourced list.
Nationally, BLS projects social worker employment to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, driven by demand in healthcare and mental-health settings. Macro roles such as social and community service managers are projected to grow alongside them. See pay by role in our career guides.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) for Lake Charles, LA; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.
What kind of social work license do I need in Lake Charles, LA?
After an MSW from Lake Charles, LA or anywhere, these are the Louisiana social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.
| License | Education | Supervised hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Social Worker (CSW) | Master of Social Work | — | Exam Not Required |
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Master of Social Work | 3000 hours | Clinical |
| Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | Master of Social Work | — | Masters |
| Registered Social Worker (RSW) | Bachelor of Social Work or Master of Social Work | — | Exam Not Required |
Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Louisiana state board before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Lake Charles, LA?
How much do social workers earn in Lake Charles, LA?
Can I earn an MSW online from Lake Charles, LA?
What license do MSW graduates need in Louisiana?
MSW programs in other Louisiana cities
Sources
- CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs for program accreditation, campuses, and structure.
- U.S. Census Bureau 2023 Gazetteer (city coordinates) and Population Estimates Program (population).
- ASWB social work licensure database for Louisiana license requirements.
Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.