Sometimes the path you plan isn’t the one you’re meant to follow. For Samantha Baugus, a change in direction led to a career focused on compassion, advocacy, and leadership. Through the online Master of Social Work program from LSU, she found a way to turn personal experiences into meaningful work that supports others and strengthens her community.
Meet Samantha Baugus
What program/school did you graduate from and what initially made you apply to your program?
After researching several graduate programs, I chose to pursue a Master’s in Social Work from LSU. Although I was originally interested in counseling, a counselor I know advised me that a social work degree would provide broader opportunities—not only in counseling but also in advocacy, policy, community development, and nonprofit leadership. I wanted the flexibility to make a difference in various ways, and social work offered that path.
What were your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
My greatest challenge was balancing a full-time, unpaid internship alongside a full course load in graduate school. It required resilience, time management, and a lot of late nights. Despite the difficulty, I look back on that period fondly because of how much I learned and grew—both professionally and personally. The practical experience I gained was invaluable.
What was your favorite course or topic? Why?
It’s hard to choose just one favorite! I especially enjoyed the diagnostic, counseling, and policy courses. The graduate social work curriculum as a whole was both engaging and essential, covering topics like social justice, law, policy, and the structure of nonprofit organizations. I also found the courses on human behavior, child development, and psychology deeply meaningful, as they provided insight into understanding and supporting others more effectively.
What did you appreciate most about the faculty and support services?
I truly appreciated the commitment and approachability of the faculty and support staff. Internship supervisors and program staff regularly checked in to see how we were doing, which made me feel supported and valued. Knowing that someone was there to assist or simply to check in made a significant difference throughout the program.
How has the program impacted your personal and professional life?
This program has had a tremendous impact on both my personal and professional life. My internship experience was incredible—I met mentors and colleagues who became lifelong friends, and it ultimately led to a wonderful opportunity. The director of my internship agency recommended me for my current position as a director at a local nonprofit. I credit the program for preparing me to step confidently into this leadership role.
How do you see yourself using your degree in the future?
I plan to pursue either my macro or clinical licensure, allowing me to expand my professional scope. Whether through direct practice or organizational leadership, I want to continue creating meaningful change in my community.
What experience made you realize you made the right choice for your degree?
Initially, I was set on becoming an optometrist—I had the grades, the plan, and had even toured several schools. However, during a pivotal conversation with a counselor friend, I learned something that completely changed my path. My former counselor—who had guided me through one of the most difficult times in my life—had once shared that working with me felt like helping a younger version of herself. Her compassion and care truly saved my life, inspiring me to do the same for others. That moment reaffirmed my calling to pursue social work. I genuinely felt that God placed this purpose on my heart: to pay forward the guidance and hope I was given.
What advice would you give to prospective students considering the program?
Be prepared for a lot of reading—but it’s all worth it! Some classes will challenge you, but don’t hesitate to ask for help or collaborate with classmates. Teamwork and support are at the core of social work, and that starts in the classroom.
Is there anything else you want us to know?
I’m truly grateful I chose LSU for my Master of Social Work. Geaux Tigers!
LSU Online Supports Your Life Goals
Not only can education open doors to meaningful careers, but as Samantha shows us, it can also support a deeper sense of purpose. Through the online Master of Social Work program from LSU, you can build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a difference in the lives of others. Designed for working professionals and busy adults, the program’s flexible online format allows you to balance coursework with your career, internship experience, and personal commitments.
If you feel called to help others, strengthen communities, or grow into a leadership role in social services, the online Master of Social Work program from LSU can help you take that next step. Apply today!
FAQs
What is the LSU Master of Social Work program designed to prepare graduates for?
LSU’s online Master of Social Work, offered through LSU Online, prepares graduates for careers across counseling, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, community development, and social policy. The program helps students build the knowledge and practical skills needed to support individuals, families, and communities while also addressing broader social challenges.
Designed for working professionals, the flexible online format allows students to continue balancing career responsibilities while completing coursework and required field education experiences.
How does a Master of Social Work differ from a counseling degree?
A Master of Social Work offers broader career flexibility than a counseling degree alone. While both pathways may include clinical training, the MSW also emphasizes areas such as social justice, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, community development, and public policy.
This broader foundation allows graduates to pursue direct practice opportunities, leadership roles, and systems-level work that supports lasting change across communities and organizations.
How did Samantha Baugus manage a graduate internship alongside a full course load?
Samantha Baugus balanced the demands of graduate coursework and a full-time internship through strong time management, consistency, and a commitment to her professional goals. She approached the experience as an opportunity to strengthen both her practical skills and academic knowledge while preparing for a long-term career in social work.
The combination of field experience and classroom learning helped reinforce the real-world application of the concepts covered throughout the program.
What career outcomes can LSU MSW graduates pursue?
Graduates of LSU’s online Master of Social Work, offered through LSU Online, can pursue careers across mental health services, nonprofit leadership, child welfare, advocacy, social services, and community organizations. Depending on their professional goals and licensure pathway, graduates may work in direct practice roles or move into organizational leadership and program management positions.
The program’s combination of academic preparation and field education helps students build experience that supports long-term career growth across a variety of social work settings.
Why should someone choose social work over other helping professions like counseling or psychology?
Social work combines clinical support skills with a broader understanding of communities, systems, and social change. While counseling and psychology programs often focus primarily on individual treatment, social work also prepares professionals to address challenges through advocacy, policy, leadership, and community-based solutions.
For students interested in creating impact at both the individual and organizational level, LSU’s online Master of Social Work, offered through LSU Online, provides a flexible and versatile pathway to meaningful, service-driven careers.
