MSW Curriculum
What do you need to become a social worker? Read on to explore the degree requirements for Baylor University’s social work graduate programs!
Master of Social Work Standard Program
The MSW Standard Program at Baylor University consists of 58 semester hours, which includes credit for two internships. The first year of study provides you with the foundation for direct practice, administration, and community development. You begin your internship during your first semester. In the second year, you choose a specialization in Clinical or Community Practice. You also may choose a concentration in one area within your specialization, such as services to children and their families, gerontology, death and grief, international social work and cross-cultural practice. After completing a second internship, you participate in a one-week capstone seminar before graduating.
Master of Social Work Advanced Standing
The MSW Advanced Standing program is designed for students who have completed a BSW from an accredited CSWE program. The 30-hour program may be completed in 9 consecutive months of accelerated (full-time) track study. Students begin an advanced internship in the fall semester and complete a research project based on their internship. With national and local partnerships, students have an opportunity to obtain a placement in Waco, Texas and other states. Before graduation, students complete a one-week Capstone course culminating in a professional presentation at Colloquium.
Sample Degree Plans
Interested in learning more about the sequence (or timeline) of courses during your time in the Master of Social Work program? Click the links below to view a sample full-time degree plan for both the Standard and Advanced Standing tracks.
Residential Advanced Standing Track (Clinical Specialization)
Residential Advanced Standing Track (Community Specialization)
Residential Standard Track (Clinical Specialization)
Residential Standard Track (Community Specialization)
MSW Course Information
Download the list of approved MSW electives
- Three (3) hours of elective courses are required for either the Standard track program or the Advanced Standing program. Courses approved by the MSW Program Director may be taken to fulfill the elective requirement.
- You may view social work elective course descriptions in the MSW Catalog.
- Courses may be added to the list of approved electives through a review and approval process. You can submit the MSW Petition for approved electives to the MSW Program Manager.
- MDiv and MTS joint degree students may petition to transfer courses from their Truett professional transcript to their MSW graduate transcript by completing the MSW petition to transfer Truett course to grad transcript form.
- The Master of Divinity/Master of Social Work Program prepares students to provide leadership and service through congregations, religiously affiliated organizations, and faith communities. Church agencies, as well as family and children’s agencies, gerontology programs, counseling centers, and community ministries in urban areas and international missions, need professional social workers. In addition, congregations often need the consultation and leadership in family and community ministry which social workers can provide. Many congregational leadership positions and often the chief executive officers of church-related agencies require an M.Div. or other graduate seminary degree as a qualification. This dual degree program, therefore, addresses this need for dual competency. For information about the MDiv/MSW dual degree, click here.
- The Master of Theological Studies/Master of Social Work Program - An increasing number of graduate students are called to Christian vocation in community ministry that is informed by their faith and grounded in Christian theology and scripture. The Master of Theological Studies and Master of Social Work (MTS/MSW) dual degree program provides theological education and advanced social work knowledge and skills. For more information about the MTS/MSW dual degree, click here.
- The Master of Social Work/Master of Business Administration Dual Degree can help people interested in learning how to understand the business elements necessary for running their own non-profit or how to help an agency apply innovative human resource strategies to their organization. For more information about the MSW/MBA dual degree, click here.
Part-time students, please contact the MSW Program Manager for the degree plan specific to your program.