Master of Social Work | Waco
The world needs more social workers like you.
Baylor’s fully accredited MSW program located in the heart of downtown Waco brings together collaborative coursework, meaningful internships, and a social justice curriculum to help you care with confidence — in any field.
Communities need transformational social workers
No matter your background or religion, a career in social work takes faith—faith in humanity and your fellow human beings. We're a program designed to educate and empower the social workers who will make the world a better place for the people living in it. Is it your desire to help others? You've come to the right place.
You will find there is no limit to the opportunity to affect positive change as a social work professional, and the Garland School of Social Work can help you get there. Social workers touch the full spectrum of the human experience and can be found everywhere. As a Baylor MSW graduate, you will be uniquely positioned to work in a wide array of settings and in a variety of roles. The possibilities are endless!
Fast Facts: Waco MSW
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Why did I choose Social Work? Simple - I wanted to help people. I never could have imagined how being a social worker would change my life for the better. I learned more about myself which has helped to equip me with the ability to effectively support others with empathy and compassion.”
Choose your specialization
The Garland School of Social Work offers two specializations: Clinical Practice or Community Practice. Our Clinical Practice specialization prepares students for advanced social work practice in multiple clinical and mental health settings, often working with interdisciplinary teams. Our Community Practice specialization prepares students for working with public and/or nonprofit organizations, communities, congregations, and religiously affiliated agencies.
How to Apply
What do you need to do to apply? Learn about deadlines, transfer credits, fees and more at the link below. Here you'll find everything you need to begin your fully accredited Master of Social Work journey at Baylor University.
Considering faith and spirituality.
Unique to the Garland School, we are guided by our 10th Competency, which considers the role and influence of religion, spirituality and philosophical perspectives in anti-oppressive social work practice.
Transformational internships.
Practicum education at the Garland School of Social Work is a transformative element of the degree program. It is provides the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge with hands-on, practical experience, preparing students to enter the job market.
Tailor your education.
Within our specializations, we offer students the opportunity to tailor their learning through three concentration options, providing students with optional, deeper learning experiences.
Already have a BSW? You could earn your MSW in as few as 12 months.
A 30-credit hour program for students with a BSW or who have already completed a leveling program. Can be completed in as few as 12 months.
A 58-credit hour program with foundation courses, followed by advanced coursework in clinical or community practice. Usually completed within two years.
Our Waco MSW team is ready to help.
Connect with usCall our admissions team for one-on-one guidance at 254-710-8360.
Social Work is a work of heart. Where can it take you?
A Baylor MSW opens up a wide range of career options in the helping professions. You’ll have the flexibility to go wherever you’re called, just like the alumni in these areas below.
Many Baylor MSW online students pursue a clinical specialization with the intention of becoming a therapist or counselor. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), professional social workers are the nation’s largest group of mental health services providers. There are more clinically trained social workers than psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses combined. Our Master of Social Work online curriculum prepares you to work with individuals and families in an agency providing mental health services or through your own private practice.
“When we look at others, we look at their strengths and their possibilities. Then, we use those strengths to empower our clients toward their goals. The physical and mental health focus prepared me by exploring the symbiotic relationships between the mind, body and spirit." —Brittney Kleinemas, MSW ‘14
Hospitals and health care facilities across the nation employ social workers and are looking for social workers with clinical experience — a key part of the Baylor MSW online curriculum. Consider the opportunity for placement in a local hospital or health system, so you can learn firsthand how essential social workers are to our healthcare system. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics social workers in healthcare have an expected job growth of 10% in the next year.
Many Baylor MSW online graduates pursue social work careers in hospitals, working as a hospital social worker, behavioral health specialist, licensed clinical social worker, case manager, or pediatric social worker.
“I love this work because I get to treat the WHOLE PERSON in the hospital system, and support their social and psychological needs...which we know greatly impacts their physical health!” —Kelsey Smith, MSW ‘14
Social workers are uniquely prepared to work in and lead nonprofit organizations. They work in a wide array of settings to bring positive change to large populations and help create sustainable physical and social environments.
Our online MSW graduates work as case managers, intervention specialists, community organizers, program developers and evaluators, long-term care administrators and population health managers.
"I work as social work program manager at a nonprofit training and supporting interns and preparing them for their future in social work! It is an honor.” —Ashley Mendoza, MSW ‘21
Social workers can be found across the continuum of public policy and government, even in the halls of the United States Congress. We prepare our graduates to step into positions that help develop or improve the services and systems that affect people both individually and collectively. Social workers and social work values can influence legislation that becomes just public and institutional policies.
Baylor online MSW graduates pursue careers in places such as governmental agencies and grassroots organizations as community organizers, researchers, program developers and policy advocates, and even run for office themselves!
"Social worker AND researcher here! I help to empower people through wholistic program evaluations, collective impact models for communities, and coalition building. I am grateful for all the social workers I know!" —Courtney Haworth, MSW ‘20
The Baylor School of Social Work prepares social workers that can provide leadership in community, education and congregational life through both congregations and religiously affiliated organizations. They ethically work to strengthen ministries and affect change in their communities, churches and organizations.
Baylor Social Work graduates are conducting congregational research, working in full-time congregational staff positions and helping to strengthen community transformation initiatives.
"Empowerment through my work is training church leaders on trauma-sensitive care so that congregations are safe for people who have experienced trauma.” —Erin Albin Hill, MSW ‘19
Community organizations, government agencies and school systems are looking for social workers who are committed to serving children and families. They play a vital role in communities by connecting families to resources, providing safe spaces for children and older adults, and helping families navigate the fostering and adoption process.
Our graduates are serving as advocates in careers such case managers, adoption specialists, behavioral health professionals, school social workers, nonprofit directors and more. Social workers are essential in affecting positive change in the world around them.
“We get to do some of the most important work on the planet! Walking with people through their hardest moments and supporting them along the way. Celebrating wins and mourning losses. Making people feel seen and heard and cared for — sometimes for the first time in their lives.” —Missouri Brown Gray, MSW ‘19
Want a glimpse into what your future holds?
Explore the Career Navigator DashboardThe widget below is a powerful tool that provides real-time data and salary trends for graduates of this degree in the local or national job market.
Diverse, world-class faculty
Meet our facultyWith one of the most diverse faculties on campus, our students gain insight from a broad range of worldviews, faiths and social work perspectives.
Hear what our alumni are saying
Our innovative academics and unique experiential learning opportunities train students to become compassionate and ethical social workers who believe social work is about service and justice, healing and restoration, and the dignity of all people.
"I could explore everything from advocacy to opportunities to engage in clinical social work/therapy."
"I believe that the opportunities to find a career with your MSW degree are endless. "
"My time in the MSW program taught me how to apply seemingly disparate fields to provide holistic care at the individual, organizational, and community levels."
MSW Waco financial aid information
The Garland School of Social Work is committed to subsidizing student costs in order to make obtaining your MSW more affordable. Click through the links below to learn more about the residential costs and financial aid options offered by the GSSW and beyond.
The tuition rate for the Master of Social Work program at the residential campus is $875/credit hour. To understand total tuition costs, multiply the credit hour rate by the total hours of the program. The Advanced Standing MSW program is 30 credit hours. The Standard MSW program is 58 credit hours.
Learn what earning your MSW can do for your career. If you decide to pursue an MSW, financial aid can help cover your program costs. The Baylor School of Social Work has several financial aid opportunities for those interested in our MSW programs.
The Garland School of Social Work offers a variety of ways to fund your Master of Social Work degree here in Waco. The Waco program offers aid options such as graduate assistant stipends and departmental aid, in addition to federal loans. Please also note that admissions decisions are made between November and May with various financial aid award opportunities within each deadline. The earlier you apply, the better financial aid package you could receive.
Join us for a webinar
At the Garland School, we believe social work is about service and justice, healing and restoration, and the dignity of each individual. Learn more about the MSW program in our overview.
Apply to Baylor University's Master of Social Work program with confidence. In this webinar, we will walk you through the application process and answer your most pressing admissions questions.
Have questions?
You can find answers to many of your Waco MSW questions at our comprehensive FAQ page at the link below.