• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
Baylor University
Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • About Us
    • At a Glance
      • Our History
      • Equity & Inclusion
      • Racial Justice
      • Land Acknowledgment
      • Program Evaluation
      • The Waco Area
    • Office of the Dean
      • Leadership
      • Board of Advocates
    • Faculty Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • Adjunct Directory
    • Contact Us
    • GSSW News & More
      • News
      • GSSW Social Media
      • Desk of the Dean Newsletter
      • #BaylorProud
      • Media inquiries
    • Blog: Advocacy in Action
    • Faculty/Staff Resources
  • Admissions
    • Bachelor of Social Work
      • Applying to the Major
      • BSW Degree Requirements
      • Financial Aid
      • BSW Field Education
      • Minors
      • FAQ - BSW
    • Master of Social Work
      • Why the Garland School?
      • How to Apply
      • MSW Financial Aid
      • MSW Curriculum
      • MSW Specializations
      • MSW Joint Degrees
      • MSW Field Education
      • MSW Inquiry Form
      • FAQ - MSW
    • Online Master of Social Work
    • PhD in Social Work
      • Greetings from the Directors
      • How to Apply
      • Financial Aid
      • Program of Study
      • Doctoral Faculty Research Interests
      • Events - PhD
      • FAQ - PhD
    • Field Education
      • BSW Students
      • MSW students
      • Field Placement Agencies
      • Information for Field Faculty
      • Glossary/Terminology
      • Field Awards
    • Inquiry Form
    • Events
      • MSW Virtual Events
      • PhD Virtual Events
      • MSW Preview Day
      • Plan A Visit
      • Maps, parking and directions
    • Contact Us
    • Guardianship Education Certificate Program
  • Research & Impact
    • Research activities
    • Active research grants
    • Ongoing research and projects
      • Clergy Sexual Abuse research
      • SERVE Project
      • Mastering Your Marriage
    • Baylor IMPACT Research Lab - Houston
      • Meet Our Research Staff
      • Project Descriptions
    • Center for Church & Community Impact (C3i)
      • What we do
      • How we do it
      • Trauma-Sensitive Congregations
      • C3I Interest Form
      • Chafin Lecture 2020
      • LGBTQ+ Discernment Guide
      • Peer-Learning Cohorts: Building Resilient Congregations
    • Congregational Social Work Initiative
    • Diversity Initiative
      • Celebrating culture and diversity
      • Resources
      • Equity & Inclusion
    • Gerontology Initiative
    • Global Mission Leadership Initiative
      • Scholarship Components
      • GML Scholars Past and Present
      • How to Apply
      • Give to GML
    • Trauma Initiative
    • The Writings of Alan Keith-Lucas
    • Gil Taylor Behavioral Health Symposium
      • 2021 Gil Taylor Behavioral Health Symposium
      • 2020 Gil Taylor Behavioral Health Symposium
  • Connect
    • Give
    • Alumni
      • GSSW Alumni Update Form
      • PhD-Community Connections
      • Alumni News - Class Notes
    • Baylor University Career Center
      • Job Search Resources
      • Licensure Information
    • Continuing Education
      • Dyer Ethics Workshop 2022
      • Guardianship Education Certificate Program
    • Post a Job Opportunity
    • Social Work Job Listings
    • Community Connection Magazine
  • Current Students
    • BSW
      • BSW Degree Requirements
      • BSW Financial Aid
      • BSW Advising
      • BSW Student Handbook 2022-23
      • Student organizations
      • Academic Actions
      • BSW Pass/Fail FAQ's
    • MSW
      • MSW Waco
      • MSW Online
    • PhD
      • PhD-Community Connections
    • Resources, events and traditions
    • Career services
    • Field Education
    • Student Development
      • Committee Members
      • GSSW Committees: Student Representation
      • Student Awards
      • Travel Scholarships
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Make a Gift
Baylor BU Diana R. Garland School of Social Work Admissions Master of Social Work FAQ - MSW
  • Bachelor of Social Work
  • Master of Social Work
    • Why the Garland School?
    • How to Apply
    • MSW Financial Aid
    • MSW Curriculum
    • MSW Specializations
    • MSW Joint Degrees
    • MSW Field Education
    • MSW Inquiry Form
    • FAQ - MSW
  • Online Master of Social Work
  • PhD in Social Work
  • Field Education
  • Inquiry Form
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • Guardianship Education Certificate Program

FAQ - MSW

1. How can I apply for financial aid?
Two documents are required as part of the MSW application, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Financial Aid Profile (for international students) and our GSSW Financial Aid Form. All of these documents are submitted online. Visit our How to Apply page for links to each of these required forms. The School of Social Work operates on a rolling admissions process. Applications will be reviewed and financial assistance will be dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis. Submit your application as soon as possible for best financial aid consideration.

2. What kind of financial aid is available?
The three sources of financial assistance we offer for the residential program are:

  1. Tuition Remission- these awards are a direct offset of tuition costs charged to you by Baylor. These funds are credited to your student account at the beginning of each semester and not available for personal expenses.
  2. Scholarships- these awards are based on need and/or merit and are awarded as funds that do not have to be paid back by the student. You can find information about scholarships offered by the School of Social Work here.
  3. Graduate Assistantship Stipend- A stipend is defined as a fixed sum of money paid periodically for work. A graduate assistant is a person who serves in a support role in the School of Social Work. Graduate stipends are considered income.

All financial assistance is awarded on the strength of the candidates' application, merit and level of need. The School of Social Work operates on a rolling admissions process. Applications will be reviewed and financial assistance will be dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis. Submit your application as soon as possible for best financial aid consideration.

3. What is the cost of the MSW program?
A full list of tuition and other associated costs can be found here

4. Will my GPA make or break my admittance into the MSW program?
Our Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach when reviewing applications. Though, many factors enter into the admission decision for a professional school; there is not one single indicator for admission.

5. Do I have to take the GRE?
No. The GRE is not required.

6. I'm an international student. What do I need to score on the TOEFL?
Attain a minimum of 550 on the paper-based, a 213 on the computer-based or an 80 on internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) OR 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

7. Who should I ask to write reference letters for me?
Three recommendation letters are required from each applicant. At least one of the letters must be an academic recommendation. Select people who have knowledge of you in some of the following areas: intellectual competence; potential for success; the ability to work with people about sensitive issues, including people from diverse backgrounds; possession of critical thinking and communication skills; and a sense of values and ethics. References from your faculty and those who have supervised you or know of your work in a social work-related paid or volunteer setting are particularly helpful. Advanced Standing applicants will need a reference from the undergraduate program director, the director of field education, or the field instructor.

8. How many students are in the program?
Currently, there are about 120 students annually in the MSW program. Non-practice class size averages about 20; practice classes average about 12.

9. How do I apply for the joint degree program?
You are required to apply and be admitted to both Truett Seminary and the School of Social Work in order to pursue the MSW/MDIV or MSW/MTS joint degree. For information about applying to Truett Seminary, click here. In order to pursue the MSW/MBA joint degree, you must be admitted to both the School of Social Work and the Hankamer School of Business. For information about applying to Hankamer School of Business, click here.

10. Is a deposit required?
Yes, a non-refundable $250 deposit is required.

11. Do I get to choose my internships? When do they start and how long are they?
There are many opportunities for internships, and students may express preference of context and/or population that the Directors of Field Education will take into consideration as they make internship assignments. The generalist internship (for the standard program only) begins in the fall of your first year and continues through that spring (16 hours per week). The specialized internship begins in the fall of your first year for advanced standing students, or in the fall of your second year for standard students. Students are required to complete a field internship at two different field sites. Most students in the advanced year will spend approximately 20 hours per week in the internship for both the fall and spring semesters. The Field Education manual describes this more in detail as well as the potential of "block" placements for some clinical specialization students. Visit our Field Education page to see more information.

12. Do you offer night classes? Can I work while I'm in school?
With campus locations in Waco, Texas and online, the Garland School of Social Work is able to offer two different program experiences for students. Students at our Waco campus will experience a full-time, residential and more traditional on-campus experience. Students at our online campus will have more flexibility in their schedule with part-time program options and evening classes.

13. What if I don't feel called to work in a congregation or faith-based program-is there a place for me here?
Yes! The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has fully accredited our program as one that provides excellent social work education and training for you to be a competent professional social worker.

14. Is this a religious graduate program?
Our program is based from a Christian worldview, and there are reading assignments that include a Christian perspective. However, our program's chief purpose is to prepare and educate professional social workers, regardless of the student's faith (or non-faith) base. The integration of faith and practice relates to these ideas:

  • Self-awareness of the values, belief system, and/or faith of the practitioner (recognition of strengths as well as biases)
  • Ability to approach the helping process holistically, including the client's spiritual needs and strengths
  • Awareness and respect for the context in which the social worker practices, e.g., secular or faith-based organization.

15. Tell me about Waco.
Waco's population is about 150,000 (including surrounding suburbs), which makes it a great size town for having lots of restaurants, stores, things to do, but not so big that traffic is a problem. The weather is usually mild from October to June but is rather hot in the summer. The cost of living is low, and people are friendly. The Baylor campus is beautiful, and there is a vast array of things to do on and off campus! We invite you to come visit and see for yourself. Many students come to our campus and have said that all they did was step out of the car, look around, and the feeling of "this is where I want to be" surrounds them. To schedule a visit or see a complete list of opportunities to connect with our recruitment team, click here.

16. Where can I live?
There are many apartments near campus as well as all over Waco. There are also graduate residence halls. Email GSHC@baylor.edu for more information about on campus graduate housing.

17. Where is the School of Social Work in Waco?
We are located at 811 Washington Avenue in downtown Waco. Parking is available in 2 lots, one on 9th Street and one directly behind the building on Columbus Avenue. Baylor parking decals are required. Street parking is available for those without Baylor parking permits.

BACK TO TOP

Diana R. Garland School of Social Work

811 Washington Ave Waco, TX 76701
254-710-6400
swo@baylor.edu
Apply
Admissions
Give
Request Info
Baylor BU Diana R. Garland School of Social Work Admissions Master of Social Work FAQ - MSW
  • About Us
    Back
    • At a Glance
      Back
      • Our History
        Back
        • Meet Founding Dean Dr. Diana R. Garland
          Back
          • Honoring the past...the Carver connection
          • Twentieth-Century Pioneers: Building a Foundation for Ethical Integration of Christianity & Social Work
          • Founding dean recognized posthumously with NASW Pioneer Award
        • GSSW 50th Anniversary Video
      • Equity & Inclusion
      • Racial Justice
        Back
        • GSSW Antiracism Statement
        • Message from the Dean
      • Land Acknowledgment
      • Program Evaluation
      • The Waco Area
    • Office of the Dean
      Back
      • Leadership
      • Board of Advocates
    • Faculty Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • Adjunct Directory
    • Contact Us
    • GSSW News & More
      Back
      • News
      • GSSW Social Media
      • Desk of the Dean Newsletter
      • #BaylorProud
      • Media inquiries
    • Blog: Advocacy in Action
    • Faculty/Staff Resources
  • Admissions
    Back
    • Bachelor of Social Work
      Back
      • Applying to the Major
        Back
        • Baylor BSW 5th Year Program - BSW to MSW
      • BSW Degree Requirements
        Back
        • BSW Course Descriptions
        • BSW Special Course Offerings/Electives
      • Financial Aid
      • BSW Field Education
      • Minors
        Back
        • Civic Interfaith Studies Minor
        • Gerontology Minor
        • Poverty Studies and Social Justice Minor
      • FAQ - BSW
    • Master of Social Work
      Back
      • Why the Garland School?
      • How to Apply
        Back
        • Navigating the Application
          Back
          • General Application Tips
          • Essays
          • Letters of Recommendation
          • Transcripts
        • Advanced Standing Requirements
        • Standard Requirements
        • Transfer Student Requirements
        • International Requirements
        • Admission Decision FAQ
        • Baylor BSW 5th Year Program
        • MSW Webinar Series
      • MSW Financial Aid
        Back
        • Residential MSW Tuition & Fees
        • Financial Aid Explained
        • AmeriCorps Partnership
        • City Year Partnership
      • MSW Curriculum
      • MSW Specializations
      • MSW Joint Degrees
      • MSW Field Education
      • MSW Inquiry Form
      • FAQ - MSW
    • Online Master of Social Work
    • PhD in Social Work
      Back
      • Greetings from the Directors
      • How to Apply
      • Financial Aid
      • Program of Study
        Back
        • Course Descriptions
      • Doctoral Faculty Research Interests
      • Events - PhD
      • FAQ - PhD
    • Field Education
      Back
      • BSW Students
        Back
        • BSW Field Application Process
        • BSW Generalist Practice Field Manual
      • MSW students
        Back
        • MSW Field Application Process
        • MSW Field Education Manual - Waco
        • MSW Field Education Manual - Online
      • Field Placement Agencies
      • Information for Field Faculty
      • Glossary/Terminology
      • Field Awards
    • Inquiry Form
    • Events
      Back
      • MSW Virtual Events
      • PhD Virtual Events
      • MSW Preview Day
      • Plan A Visit
      • Maps, parking and directions
    • Contact Us
    • Guardianship Education Certificate Program
  • Research & Impact
    Back
    • Research activities
    • Active research grants
    • Ongoing research and projects
      Back
      • Clergy Sexual Abuse research
      • SERVE Project
      • Mastering Your Marriage
    • Baylor IMPACT Research Lab - Houston
      Back
      • Meet Our Research Staff
      • Project Descriptions
    • Center for Church & Community Impact (C3i)
      Back
      • What we do
        Back
        • Wellness
        • Care and hospitality
        • Difficult conversations
        • Vulnerable children, individuals and families
      • How we do it
        Back
        • Resources
          Back
          • Addiction and Recovery
          • C3I Academic Articles
          • COVID-19
          • Congregational Social Work
          • Difficult Conversations
          • Foster Care & Adoption
          • Immigration & Hospitality
          • Intersection of Art, Social Work & Faith
          • LGBTQ+
          • Public Media Pieces by Partners
          • Racial Justice
          • Trauma
          • Walking Alongside Curriculum
            Back
            • Legacies of Care
            • Foundations of Holistic Ministry
            • Understanding Poverty
            • Stepping Stones
            • Backpacks
            • Pathways
            • Food for the Journey
        • Cultivating leaders
        • Church consultation
        • Research
      • Trauma-Sensitive Congregations
      • C3I Interest Form
      • Chafin Lecture 2020
      • LGBTQ+ Discernment Guide
      • Peer-Learning Cohorts: Building Resilient Congregations
    • Congregational Social Work Initiative
    • Diversity Initiative
      Back
      • Celebrating culture and diversity
        Back
        • Native American Heritage Month
      • Resources
        Back
        • Christianity & LGBTQ+ Persons - Justin Lee Lecture
        • Spanish fluency resources
      • Equity & Inclusion
    • Gerontology Initiative
    • Global Mission Leadership Initiative
      Back
      • Scholarship Components
        Back
        • Eligibility
        • Initiative Faculty and Collaborative Scholarship
        • Informational Webinars
      • GML Scholars Past and Present
      • How to Apply
        Back
        • GML Frequently Asked Questions
      • Give to GML
    • Trauma Initiative
    • The Writings of Alan Keith-Lucas
    • Gil Taylor Behavioral Health Symposium
      Back
      • 2021 Gil Taylor Behavioral Health Symposium
      • 2020 Gil Taylor Behavioral Health Symposium
  • Connect
    Back
    • Give
    • Alumni
      Back
      • GSSW Alumni Update Form
      • PhD-Community Connections
      • Alumni News - Class Notes
    • Baylor University Career Center
      Back
      • Job Search Resources
      • Licensure Information
    • Continuing Education
      Back
      • Dyer Ethics Workshop 2022
      • Guardianship Education Certificate Program
    • Post a Job Opportunity
    • Social Work Job Listings
    • Community Connection Magazine
  • Current Students
    Back
    • BSW
      Back
      • BSW Degree Requirements
      • BSW Financial Aid
      • BSW Advising
      • BSW Student Handbook 2022-23
      • Student organizations
      • Academic Actions
      • BSW Pass/Fail FAQ's
    • MSW
      Back
      • MSW Waco
        Back
        • Waco - General Info
        • Waco - New Student Resources
          Back
          • International Students
        • Waco - Curriculum
        • Waco - Registration
      • MSW Online
        Back
        • Online - General Information
        • Online - New Student Resources
        • Online - Curriculum
        • Online - Registration
    • PhD
      Back
      • PhD-Community Connections
    • Resources, events and traditions
    • Career services
    • Field Education
    • Student Development
      Back
      • Committee Members
      • GSSW Committees: Student Representation
      • Student Awards
      • Travel Scholarships
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Make a Gift
  • General Information
  • Academics & Research
  • Administration
  • Admissions
  • Gateways for ...
  • About Baylor
  • Athletics
  • Ask Baylor
  • Bookstore
  • Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Directory
  • Give Light
  • Give to Baylor
  • Illuminate
  • News
  • Pro Futuris
  • Search
  • Social Media
  • Baylor Libraries
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
  • Graduate School
  • Hankamer School of Business
  • Honors College
  • Law School
  • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
  • Research at Baylor University
  • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Computer Science
  • School of Music
  • More Academics
  • Athletics
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Office of General Counsel
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • Operations, Finance & Administration
  • Senior Administration
  • Student Life
  • University Advancement
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • goBAYLOR
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Baylor Law School Admissions
  • Social Work Graduate Programs
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary Admissions
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Virtual Tour
  • Visit Campus
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Parents
  • Prospective Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • Students
  • Accessibility
  • Anonymous Reporting
  • Annual Fire Safety and Security Notice
  • Digital Privacy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Report It
  • Title IX
 
Baylor University
Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.
Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678