Advanced Standing Online MSW Program
Applicants applying to the Advanced Standing Program must have a BSW from a CSWE accredited program and regionally accredited institution and have graduated within the last five years. As an Advanced Standing Online MSW student, you will select your specialization in either Clinical or Community Practice and begin to apply advanced conceptual frameworks to understand complex human behavior and the interactions among individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and larger systems.
Check out our MSW curriculum here
Choose your specialization
Our innovative and holistic program provides two areas for MSW students to specialize. Students will choose from a specialization in Community or Clinical Practice. The clinical specialization is designed for those who wish to work one-on-one with clients, families, and groups, providing case management, counseling, mental health care, and more. The community specialization prepares students for macro social work practice with organizations and communities. Students in both specializations have unique internship experiences supporting their chosen specialization.
This specialization prepares students for advanced social work practice in multiple clinical settings, often working with interdisciplinary teams. This specialization is designed for those who wish to work one-on-one with clients, families, and groups, providing case management, counseling, mental health care, and more. Students apply evidence-based practice theories and models in advanced clinical practice settings. Students who choose this track often move on to careers in healthcare, schools, behavioral health organizations, trauma intervention, advanced case management, work with children and families, and more.
This specialization prepares students for working with public and/or nonprofit organizations, communities, congregations, and religiously affiliated agencies. Students learn to apply evidence-informed and asset-based community practice frameworks and methods of intervention to develop responsive human resource systems, sustainable physical and social environments, and just public and institutional policies.
Just do it! If you have a passion and you want to try and make a change, just simply apply and do it. This program has been so beneficial and eye-opening of how much I've already been doing social work without realizing it. This has really been a great experience, and I'm glad I took this step in my education."
How does Baylor’s Online Practicum Education work?
All students who begin the program as an Advanced Standing Online MSW student will have one internship site experience during their advanced coursework This internship experience will meet the advanced clinical or community practice competencies and will be done in two consecutive terms. Applicants to the Advanced Standing Program must have a BSW from a CSWE–accredited program at a regionally accredited college or university and have graduated within the past five years.
Our dedicated practicum education team partners with you to secure an internship experience on your behalf. You will work closely with our placement managers who will conduct outreach to identify and qualify your internship assignment. These internship experiences are in-person and localized for online MSW students. This search will be based on your preferred placement locations, program requirements and policies, and available opportunities within a 75-mile radius.
Once an internship assignment has been secured, you will work with your assigned internship location to set up an interview and determine a meeting time that works best for your schedule.
During your placement, you will receive one hour of individual supervision per week with your practicum supervisor. Your supervisor will work with you to create a personalized learning plan based on the competencies outlined by your chosen specialization and your aspirations and goals as they align with agency roles and program expectations. You will have two evaluations throughout the placement experience where your supervisor will provide feedback on your performance.
What’s My Time Commitment During Practicum?
Each week, you will spend approximately 20 hours working directly with clients, groups or communities in a supervised environment. You will complete your placement hours during the typical workweek schedule: Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Advanced Standing MSW internship hours:
550 total hours • 2 terms • Approx. 20 hours per week
We’ll Help You Find Placement in Your Community
As a Baylor online MSW student, you’ll benefit from our dedicated placement team who will make every attempt to help you find a social work internship in your own city. This opportunity empowers you to directly affect social change in your own community.
Our placement team will work hard to place you as close to your preferred location as possible. However, there is no guarantee that there is a suitable organization that meets Baylor’s standards in your immediate vicinity. In such cases, students may have to complete their placement no farther than 75 miles away.
Two completion options
The Advanced Standing Online MSW Program offers two completion options, each made up of synchronous class time and practicum internship hours:
- Full-time track: 3 terms, complete in as little as one year
- Part-time track: 5 terms, complete in one year, eight months
The Advanced Standing Program allows students with a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited institution to earn their MSW in as few as 12 months. Students have the option to complete the Advanced Standing Program on a full-time or part-time basis.
For each class a student is enrolled in, there will be one live class a week that will be between 90-120 minutes in length and take place via Zoom. These classes are typically offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30pm-9pm CST, with one elective class beginning at 4pm CST. Attendance is required for each of your classes.
Students will acquire 550 internship hours over the duration of the program and should expect to complete their internship during regular working hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Full-Time Online MSW Track: 3 Terms
Full-time, three-term online MSW students will participate in an internship during terms two and three. They will be expected to complete approximately 20 hours per week for their internship while enrolling in 10 credit hours per term. Students should expect to commit anywhere from 40 to 65 hours per week for this track, depending on the program term and course expectations. Time commitment will vary from student to student based on individual pace.
Part-Time, Flexible Online MSW Track: 5 Terms
Part-time, five-term online MSW students will complete practicum education in terms four and five and will be enrolled in four to seven credit hours per term. They will complete 20 hours per week for their internship. Students should expect to commit anywhere from 24 to 44 hours per week for this track, depending on the program term and course expectations. Time commitment will vary from student to student based on individual pace.
If you have any questions about the program or admissions requirements, you can contact one of our admissions counselors at any time at (254) 710-8360 or MSW_Admissions@baylor.edu.