Our Lady of the Lake Social Work Programs

The Our Lady of the Lake social work program ranks among the top 10 best online MSW programs in the United States for 2024. The Worden School of Social Service at OLLU started its journey in October 1942. It proudly stands as Texas’s oldest graduate social work school and received its first accreditation in 1945.

OLLU’s social work program creates a distinguished path for future social workers. The university’s MSW program holds full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education, which guarantees high educational standards. The program’s MSW concentration in Services to Children and Families helps students become skilled at advanced practice with Hispanic children and families.

In this piece, you’ll find what makes OLLU’s social work program exceptional. From specialized concentrations to flexible online and hybrid options, everything matters. Students thinking about a BSW or MSW degree will get valuable information about one of Texas’s most respected social work education institutions.

Social Work Degrees Offered at Our Lady of The Lake

Our Lady of the Lake University’s Worden School of Social Service gives students many paths to pursue their social work education. Students can choose from undergraduate and graduate degrees that match their backgrounds and career goals.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program gives students essential knowledge they need in social work practice. Students learn skills needed for entry-level positions and build strong foundations for advanced studies. The program combines classroom learning with hands-on experience that lets students test concepts in ground settings.

The university’s MSW program serves as the life-blood of its social work education. Students can choose from several Master of Social Work degree formats:

• Regular MSW Program: A 57-credit hour program designed for students without a BSW background
• Advanced Standing MSW: A 31-credit hour accelerated option for students who already hold a BSW degree
• Foundation MSW: The first year of the Regular MSW program focusing on core social work principles

Students can customize their MSW education through specialized concentrations that align with their career interests. The program also fits different schedules with campus-based, online, and hybrid learning options.

Students must meet specific academic requirements to join OLLU’s social work programs. BSW candidates need a minimum GPA and completed prerequisite courses. MSW applicants should show their academic readiness through their undergraduate performance and relevant experience.

OLLU’s MSW program upholds high academic standards in an inclusive learning environment. Students learn both theory and practical skills to tackle complex social challenges. The program’s long-standing excellence in social work education helps graduates succeed in their careers.

Specializations

The Worden School at Our Lady of the Lake University stands out with its specialized areas that help social workers build targeted career paths. The OLLU social work program features a rare concentration in Services to Hispanic Children and Families. It’s one of just three MSW programs nationwide offering this focus, which becomes even more significant as the Hispanic population continues to grow faster than any other demographic in the United States.

Students can choose from several well-defined paths in the Our Lady of the Lake MSW program. BSW graduates can opt for the Advanced Standing Program (30 credit hours) to gain specialized training with Hispanic populations. Students with bachelor’s degrees in other fields can join the Foundation Program (57 credit hours). This program provides a complete training in both generalist and specialized practice.

Healthcare leadership aspirants will find value in the Advanced Standing Program with a Certificate in Business Essentials for Health Care Professionals. This program combines clinical social work skills with business knowledge that healthcare settings demand.

Let’s take a closer look at the Our Lady of the Lake’s social work curriculum that centers on Hispanic-focused practice throughout life stages. The core coursework includes:

• Social work practice with Hispanic families, youth, and elders
• Theories and perspectives on Hispanic children and families
• Policy and programs affecting Hispanics in the U.S.
• Evaluation methods for practice with Hispanic populations

The OLLU social work program gives undergraduate students additional certificate options with their BSW education. These certificates include Dismantling Oppression, Violence Prevention and Intervention, Administration and Leadership, and a Biliterate Program for Spanish-speaking students.

Our Lady of the Lake University’s MSW curriculum gives graduates broad social work skills and specialized expertise to serve people from different backgrounds. This combination makes them valuable professionals in today’s social service field.

Online and Hybrid Options

Our Lady of the Lake University’s Worden School understands what modern life requires. The MSW program offers flexible learning paths that fit your schedule. The social work program at Our Lady of the Lake serves working professionals with multiple delivery formats that fit different schedules and life situations.

Classes in the OLLU social work program follow a hybrid format with evening sessions and online components. You can balance your work, family life, and studies without compromising on education quality. Working adults can build their careers while earning a valuable social work credential.

The Our Lady of the Lake MSW program welcomes students through multiple channels:

• The main San Antonio campus, where it all started over 75 years ago
• The Rio Grande Valley campus, serving students in southern Texas
• A fully online option that delivers the same values and hands-on learning as on-campus programs

Students who choose the online path can access asynchronous instruction throughout the program. You won’t have to log in at specific times, but weekly deadlines still apply. Each course runs in seven-week terms, and students usually take one course per session. Students should expect to spend 15-20 hours each week on coursework.

The online program doesn’t require campus visits, but field education remains crucial. Foundation students must complete 950 total hours of field education. This includes a 450-hour foundational internship and a 500-hour advanced-level placement. Advanced Standing students complete one 500-hour field internship at approved agencies near their homes.

Students can control their educational timeline with full-time and part-time options. OLLU’s supportive online environment includes interactive discussion forums and shared exercises. These features make advanced social work education available to more people than ever before.

Graduation rates

The graduation data from Our Lady of the Lake social work program shows remarkable achievements. The program’s completion rates soared, with 240 social work majors earning their master’s degrees during the 2021-2022 academic year. These numbers prove how well the program helps students complete their advanced degrees.

Looking at OLLU social work program’s graduate demographics reveals interesting patterns. Women dominate the bachelor’s level program, earning 93% of social work degrees while men account for just 7%. Hispanic or Latino students lead the graduate population and make up 79% of social work bachelor’s degree recipients. This matches the university’s overall profile, as Hispanic or Latino students earned 429 degrees in all programs in 2023 – 3.43 times more than any other ethnic group.

Our Lady of the Lake University’s graduation numbers tell a nuanced story. The university’s 6-year graduation rate fluctuates between 35% and 49% based on different sources. Reliable institutional reports point to a 6-year graduation rate of about 42%. The 4-year graduation rate ranges from 23% to 31%, depending on the source.

Student enrollment patterns play a big role in graduation outcomes. Non-first-time full-time students achieve better completion rates, with a 60% 6-year graduation rate. Non-first-time part-time students also perform well, reaching a 57% 6-year graduation rate. This is a big deal as it means that both groups outperform first-time full-time students who have a 38% 6-year graduation rate.

The university’s retention strategies help the OLLU MSW program succeed, though the overall institutional retention rate remains at 56%. All the same, specific programs like OLLU social work department often surpass university-wide averages in retention and completion, especially among MSW degree students.

Career outcomes

OLLU social work program graduates have excellent job prospects and competitive salaries in their field. Their degree holders earn more than typical wages when we measure against national averages. Bachelor’s degree recipients earn a median salary of $38,209, which is higher than the national average of $37,334 for social work BSW graduates. The financial advantages become more apparent at the graduate level. Our Lady of the Lake MSW graduates earn a median salary of $51,744, outperforming the national average of $51,347.

Social work professionals see promising career growth, with their workforce growing by 1.96% each year. MSW graduates earn an average of $68,399 in the workforce, with an impressive 8.39% annual growth rate. These numbers show the real value of completing the Our Lady of the Lake University MSW program.

An OLLU social work degree opens many career paths:

• Clinical Social Worker
• School Social Worker
• Healthcare Social Worker
• Child and Family Social Worker
• Mental Health Social Worker
• Community Social Worker
• Policy Analyst
• Social Work Administrator
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Geriatric Social Worker

Students get comprehensive career support services that help them step into these roles. Undergraduates receive personal job placement help, access job banks, and attend career fairs. Students also benefit from group and individual career counseling, interview workshops, resume preparation help, and employer recruitment events.

OLLU social work program helps students get advanced social work licensure, which is a vital credential that advances their careers. Alumni make their mark in the field consistently. Richard A. Garcia (MSW ’78) exemplifies this success with multiple prestigious awards, including the national Heart of Social Work Award for Field Instruction from the Council on Social Work Education.

Unique Features about the Social Work Program at Our Lady of The Lake

Our Lady of the Lake’s social work program stands out beyond its rankings and specializations. The program’s rich history provides students with a legacy of excellence since 1942. The Worden School proudly holds the title of Texas’s oldest school of social work.

The life-blood of OLLU’s MSW experience lies in its focus on serving Hispanic populations, with special attention to children and families. Students become skilled at working with America’s fastest-growing demographic group. This gives them cultural competency that other programs don’t offer.

Adult learners will find the OLLU social work program exceptionally flexible. The program goes beyond traditional options by providing:

• Seven-week accelerated course formats that let students focus on single subjects
• Asynchronous online learning without fixed class times
• Evening class schedules that work for working professionals

Our Lady of the Lake University’s MSW takes a unique approach to field education. Students gain up to 950 hours of supervised practice in community settings – more than what other similar programs require. They connect classroom theory with ground application at approved agencies in their local communities.

The Worden School faculty brings rich diversity to student learning. Unlike many social work departments, OLLU’s instructors blend academic credentials with years of practice experience, especially when working in Hispanic-serving contexts.

The program creates a supportive community environment while maintaining academic excellence. Students benefit from small class sizes that ensure individual attention. The cohort model builds lasting professional networks that continue long after graduation.

The Our Lady of the Lake social work program blends historical prestige, cultural focus, flexible learning options, hands-on field experience, diverse faculty expertise, and community support. This combination creates a detailed preparation for successful social work careers.