Lamar University Social Work Programs

Looking for a career that’s set to take off? Lamar University’s social work programs prepare you for a field that will grow 13% through 2029. This growth rate outpaces most other occupations.

The university’s social work department stands at #29 in Texas and #373 nationwide. Students receive detailed training through a well-structured curriculum. On top of that, the program includes two field practicum requirements that build real-world skills. These skills help graduates land roles with annual salaries between $48,430 and $64,210.

Social Work Degrees Offered at Lamar University

Lamar University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree stands out as their main social work program. This hands-on degree looks at the unique “person-in-the-environment” viewpoint. You’ll learn to tackle individual problems and work on changing social conditions that lead to human suffering.

Students need 120 credit hours to graduate from Lamar University’s BSW program. The well-laid-out curriculum gets you ready for general social work practice. Here’s what you’ll study:

• 42 credit hours of General Education Core Curriculum
• 51 credit hours in the social work major
• 12 credit hours of departmental requirements
• 15 credit hours of electives

Your social work major courses cover everything from human behavior in social settings to practice techniques, welfare policy, and research methods. The program also features special courses like “Promoting Social Justice” that match core social work values.

The field practicum experience makes Lamar University’s social work degree exceptional. You’ll spend your final semester doing an internship where you can put your classroom knowledge to work. You’ll need to finish some courses first, complete 50 volunteer hours, keep a 2.5 GPA or higher, and pass a criminal history check.

After graduation, you can take the state licensing exam from the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners and start working right away. The program’s accreditation lets you apply for advanced standing in graduate school, which might let you skip the foundation year of a Master’s program. This option is available at other Texas social work schools as well.

Specializations

Lamar University’s social work department gives you the practical skills you need to pursue various career paths after graduation. The program combines theory with hands-on experience to prepare you for different areas of practice right away.

A BSW from Lamar opens doors to professional opportunities in many settings:

• Hospitals, hospice, and other medical facilities
• Military and veteran agencies
• Human service agencies
• Mental health facilities
• Government and policy positions
• Private practice
• Child welfare organizations
• Educational institutions
• Women’s shelters

These career options match current job market trends well. Social worker employment is projected to grow 7 percent through 2023. This is a big deal as it means that the average growth rate for all occupations, that indicates strong job prospects across specializations.

Lamar University’s social work degree stands out because it uses the “person-in-environment” viewpoint. This approach helps you handle individual challenges and broader social systems that create these problems. You’ll learn intervention strategies that work for different populations and at-risk communities.

The program takes a closer look at how social welfare institutions respond to vulnerable populations. You’ll study how prejudice and discrimination lead to inequality, oppression, and social injustice from socio-historical viewpoints. You’ll also develop strategies to curb these problems at both individual and systemic levels.

If you want to specialize in specific areas, the curriculum offers special topics courses (SOWK 4100, 4300) and seminars (SOWK 4320). You can repeat these courses for credit as topics change. This lets you take a closer look at specific interests within social work.

The Lamar University social work programs prepare you to make positive changes in the lives of individuals, groups, and institutions. You’ll make a real difference in society through your professional practice.

Online and Hybrid Options

Lamar University offers learning options that go beyond traditional classrooms. The institution provides reliable online and hybrid learning solutions for professionals who need to balance their work and life.

Students get the same distinguished academic quality in Lamar University’s online programs as they would on campus, with similar faculty teaching the courses. You’ll receive equal educational value in any format. The online learning environment makes shared communication possible with professors and fellow students, which creates a connected experience even from far away.

The life-blood of Lamar’s online education philosophy is flexibility. These programs let you:

• Study on your personal schedule
• Complete coursework when you’re most productive
• Keep up with professional and personal commitments
• Graduate faster through accelerated formats

Students who juggle multiple responsibilities find great value in the accelerated online format. They can complete their programs faster without compromising on quality. The structure also lets students start their programs right away instead of waiting for traditional semester dates.

Students who want some face-to-face interaction can choose hybrid options that blend online convenience with in-person learning. While specific social work hybrid programs aren’t clearly listed in available resources, Lamar’s counseling programs use hybrid models with brief on-campus sessions.

Lamar University focuses on building marketable skills across all program formats to create new career opportunities and potential salary increases. The online systems are designed to give students maximum convenience while maintaining academic standards.

The Lamar University social work degree plan’s flexible delivery options could open up educational paths you thought were out of reach due to location or scheduling conflicts. Lamar University makes advanced education available to students from all walks of life through well-laid-out programs that balance flexibility and engagement.

Graduation rates

Lamar University’s graduation statistics reveal key insights about how well their programs work. The institution’s six-year graduation rate sits at 39%, which puts it among the bottom 20% of schools nationwide. Students take about 4.72 years to finish their bachelor’s degree, with only 17% graduating in four years.

Student retention numbers at Lamar tell a similar story at 57%. These overall numbers don’t tell the whole story though. The social work department’s statistics paint a brighter picture. Most of their graduates land jobs or get into graduate schools right after finishing.

The national social work education landscape shows:

• The social work field awarded 32,801 master’s degrees in the 2021-22 academic year
• Average student debt for social work graduates nationally is $38,500
• Approximately 34.6% of social work graduates report having loan debt upon graduation
• Nearly 29% of social work students identify as first-generation college students

Graduation rates for Lamar’s social work degree vary based on how students enroll. Full-time students graduate at much higher rates than those studying part-time. Non-first-time full-time students achieve a six-year graduation rate of 43%.

Students need to factor graduation timelines into their educational plans when choosing between Lamar’s online and traditional social work programs. The university’s overall graduation numbers might raise concerns, but the social work program’s job placement success suggests better outcomes than the school’s average.

Smart students weigh these completion rates against the program’s strong career placement numbers before enrolling. Becoming a licensed social work professional takes dedication, whatever the school’s graduation rates might be.

Career outcomes

Lamar University social work graduates start their careers with exceptional job prospects right after graduation. Most students land jobs or secure spots in graduate programs before they even receive their diplomas.

The job placement numbers tell an impressive story:

• 91% of graduates find work within two years of graduation
• 87% stay employed six years after graduation
• 78% of students credit the career center with helping them secure jobs or internships

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows how salaries vary by specialty area:

• Social workers (all other types): $64,210
• Healthcare social workers: $57,630
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $48,720
• Child, family, and school social workers: $48,430

Your Lamar University social work degree qualifies you for state licensure immediately after graduation. Licensed professionals can work in many settings:

• Hospitals, hospice, and medical facilities
• Military and veteran agencies
• Human service organizations
• Mental health facilities
• Government and policy positions
• Private practice settings
• Child welfare agencies
• Educational institutions
• Women’s shelters

The program’s graduates enjoy remarkable job security. The social work field should grow 7% through 2033, outpacing most other occupations. This expansion, combined with Lamar’s powerful alumni network (rated “very strong” by 75% of students), sets graduates up for lasting career success.

Unique Features about the Social Work Program at Lamar University

Lamar University’s social work programs stand out with several unique elements that prepare students for successful careers. The program takes an all-encompassing approach to social work education and balances theoretical knowledge with extensive practical experience, setting it apart from similar programs.

The program’s intensive field practicum component makes it exceptional. Students must complete two separate field experiences, which provides double the hands-on training compared to other programs. You’ll graduate with ground experience that matters. Faculty mentors who bring rich professional backgrounds will guide your development and offer tailored attention you might not find at larger institutions.

Strong partnerships with local agencies and organizations mark another strength of the Lamar experience. These connections boost learning opportunities and often lead to jobs after graduation. The program’s “person-in-environment” viewpoint remains central to all coursework. Students learn to tackle both individual challenges and systemic issues at the same time.

Lamar University’s social work degree plan has specialized coursework that supports social justice—a core element that reinforces the profession’s values. This focus on social justice spreads through all aspects of the curriculum. Students become skilled at supporting vulnerable populations effectively.

Students seeking flexibility will find that Lamar University’s online social work options maintain the same academic standards as on-campus classes. Small class sizes encourage meaningful relationships between students and faculty in both delivery methods.

The social work department excels through its focus on serving a variety of populations, especially in the Gulf Coast region. This regional expertise helps graduates address specific community needs while developing skills they can use nationwide. Students praise the program’s supportive learning environment and their faculty’s steadfast dedication to student success. These factors contribute by a lot to the program’s strong retention and career placement outcomes.