Why the Garland School of Social Work online?
At the Garland School, we believe social work is about service and justice, healing and restoration, and the dignity of each individual. Through innovative academics and experiential learning opportunities, we strive to train and equip social work professionals to support the needs of clients through the ethical integration of faith & practice. Students at the GSSW are challenged by expert faculty members, rigorous curriculum and outstanding peer cohorts in an environment that allows every student to select a community that will allow them to thrive as they complete their coursework.
Faith & practice: Our 10th Competency
Social work—particularly social work education at Baylor—recognizes diverse expressions of faith and seeks to honor the role of spirituality as part of what wholistically shapes a person, their family and community. Perhaps you are interested in social work because of the way your faith has motivated you or others? As part of our program, students learn about the influence of these beliefs and values in the profession. We call this our 10th competency. The Council on Social Work Education requires nine competencies as part of our accreditation, but the GSSW has a 10th.
Faculty mentorship and research opportunities
GSSW faculty are renowned, expert leaders in the social work profession, have a passion for sharing knowledge with the students of the GSSW, and lead by example in and out of the classroom. They model servant leadership and offer students a unique opportunity through mentorship. Faculty mentors are resources for students as they navigate the MSW program. Mentors often continue beyond graduation to develop professional relationships as colleagues with their mentees. Students also have the opportunity to partner with faculty on research through specialization projects, throughout their MSW experience.
Small, live online classes with lively cohort discussions
We are not an online program. We are a social work graduate program that is offered online. Classes meet together in the Zoom classroom, not just asynchronously. The GSSW student-to-professor ratio is also only about 10:1, making the average class size around 15 students, which translates into an environment of active, meaningful learning. The size and style of classes offered at the GSSW in both the online and residential campuses give students the opportunity to connect with classmates and professors on a deeper level. Just like in the profession and across the world, professors and students come from all walks of life and bring their own unique perspectives into the learning environment. Our classes allow for deep engagement, lively discussion and true connection with each other.
Practicum education support
Our Practicum placement team works with you to find an internship within your own community or within a small radius of your own community. Our Practicum team is walks with you every step of the way as you begin your internship journey.