Entry into the Major

The BSW education at Baylor provides quality preparation for entry-level generalist social work practitioners working with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Many of our students choose to apply for advanced placement in our Master of Social Work program, completing both the BSW and the MSW in just five years.

The undergraduate degree is based on a liberal arts education. Coursework includes:

• social work methods, skills and techniques
• theories of individual, family and community development and functioning
• social policies, advocacy and social justice
• research for social work practice and
• a 480-hour internship in a community agency

The School is fully accredited by the Council of Social Work Education. Graduates are eligible for state licensure. Disclosures by state can be found here. 

How do you become a social work major?

Students wishing to pursue the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree must apply for admission to the major. Students who transfer to Baylor University should discuss application for admission to the program with the program manager for baccalaureate studies. 

Current Baylor students interested in changing their major to Pre-Social Work should contact Rachel Garcia at Rachel_Garcia@baylor.edu. 

Transfer students should declare the Pre-Social Work major on their Baylor application.

For current students and transfer students:

All students seeking admission to the major must show completion of or registration in Introduction to Social Work, SWO 2321, or its equivalent, with a minimum grade of “C” in the course. 

Please see the following list of Introduction to Social Work courses available at community colleges. Some of these course offerings provide an online offering for out-of-state students. If you have identified an Introduction to Social Work course at a different institution, please reach out to Rachel_Garcia@baylor.edu to discuss course equivalency options.

1. Students who take Introduction to Social Work at another institution should reach out to the BSW Program Manager Rachel Garcia about the application to the major. 
2. Apply to the major. See section below for admission requirements. 
3. If admitted, submit a signed copy of the admission agreement. 

BSW Admissions Process 

• Completion of SWO 2321 Introduction to Social Work, or its equivalent, with a minimum grade of “C” in the course.
• An overall GPA of 2.7 on a four-point scale and a grade of “C” or better in all social work courses.
• Submitted application form, including an agreement to abide by the GSSW Student Code of Conduct and affirmation of the Code of Ethics as outlined by the National Association of Social Workers

Transfer students applying to the major, who have not yet earned a Baylor GPA, must present a transfer GPA of 2.7 or above for admission to the major. All students admitted to the major must maintain an overall GPA of 2.7 or above to continue in the social work major.

BSW Program leadership reviews applications throughout the year and will provide notification regarding student entry to the major prior to term registration deadlines. Notification will include one of the following decisions:

1. Admitted, contingent upon achieving a 2.7 overall GPA and C or better in SWO 2321 prior to entering the major.
2. Not Admitted.
   1. If a student is not admitted, they must wait one year to reapply. The student is not allowed to reapply to the term for which they were originally denied.

The written decision of the admissions committee will be communicated to the applicant within fifteen days of the decision date. Students are confirmed as “admitted” when they accept their offer of admission which outlines the standards and conditions for maintaining their standing in the program. Students must be admitted to the program prior to enrolling in Practice I (SWO 3371 Social Work Practice I: Generalist Practice).

Students must maintain a GPA of 2.7 or higher and not have a grade below “C” in social work courses to continue in the major. To be eligible for practicum internship, students must have a minimum grade of “B” in Practice I (SWO 3371 Social Work Practice I: Generalist Practice), Practice II (SWO 4372 Social Work Practice II: Generalist Practice with Groups), and Practice 7 III (SWO 4373 Social Work Practice III: Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities) and a GPA of 2.7 or higher in the major. To be eligible to graduate, students must have a minimum grade of “B” in Internship I (SWO 4491 Social Work Internship I) and II (SWO 4492 Social Work Internship II).

Additional details regarding policies and procedures related to the BSW program, including academic warning within the major, are found in the BSW Student Handbook. Inquiries regarding the GSSW undergraduate application can be directed to the BSW program manager.

For more information, contact the Recruitment Office via email or at (254) 710-8360.