Standard Online MSW Program
To qualify for the Standard Program, a student must have a regionally accredited bachelor's degree. The 58-hour program combines a foundation coursework component and an advanced coursework component. Advanced coursework begins once the foundation curriculum is complete. Students may complete this program in four, six, eight, or ten terms.
Students in the Standard Program complete the foundation or generalist curriculum first. This curriculum builds a strong foundation for more advanced practice or specialized concepts. During the first 29 hours of the program, students begin to understand the social work profession, learning theories, models and skills, and complete practice courses focused on individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
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.
How does Baylor’s Online Practicum Education work?
Practicum education for social work students in the Standard Online MSW Program allows you to implement and apply fundamental principles you’ll obtain in core classroom courses. You will learn how to engage in social work practice at various levels while using research and evidence-based practices.
All students who begin the program as a Standard Online MSW student will have two placement site experiences, one during the generalist year over two consecutive terms and one during the specialized year over two consecutive terms
Our dedicated practicum education team partners with you to secure field placements on your behalf. You will work closely with your individually assigned placement manager who will conduct outreach to identify and qualify your internship assignment. This search will be based on your preferred placement locations, the program requirements and policies, and available opportunities within a 75-mile radius.
Once an internship site 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 1 hour of individual supervision per week with your social work supervisor. Your supervisor will work with you to create a personalized learning plan based on your aspirations and goals as they relate to the agency role and program expectations. You will have 2 evaluations throughout the placement experience where your supervisor will provide feedback on 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.
Standard MSW internship hours:
1,030 total hours • 4 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 individuals, families, groups, and organizations 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 vicinity. In such cases, students may have to complete their placement no farther than 75 miles away.
Four Completion Options
The Standard Online MSW Program offers four completion options, each made up of synchronous class time and practicum internship hours:
- Accelerated online MSW Program: four terms, complete in as little as 1 year, 4 months
- Full-time online MSW Program: six terms, complete in 2 years
- Full-time online MSW Program: eight terms, complete in 2 years, 8 months
- Part-time online MSW Program: ten terms, complete in 3 years, 4 months
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.
Part-Time, Flexible Online MSW Track: Ten Terms
The part-time, ten-term program track is our most flexible completion option. Students in this track will participate in an internship during terms four, five, nine, and ten. Students will be expected to complete approximately 20 hours per week for their internship while being enrolled in four to seven credit hours per term.
Students should expect to commit anywhere from 12 to 26 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. Students are discouraged from working full-time while enrolled.
Full-Time Online MSW Track: Six or Eight Terms
Experience the traditional online MSW program and earn your social work degree in six or eight terms on a full-time basis.
Eight Terms
Students in this track will participate in an internship during terms three, four, seven and eight. Students will be expected to complete 20 hours per week for their internship while being enrolled in four to ten credit hours per term.
Students should expect to commit anywhere from 24 to 56 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. Students are discouraged from working full-time while enrolled.
Six Terms
Students in this track will participate in an internship during terms two, three, four and five. Students will be expected to complete 20 hours per week for their internship while being enrolled in six to thirteen credit hours per term.
Students should expect to commit anywhere from 28 to 68 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. Students are discouraged from working full-time while enrolled.
Accelerated Online MSW Track: Four Terms
The four-term accelerated program track is our most rigorous and intensive completion option as students are in practicum education during all four terms. Students will be expected to complete 20 hours per week for their internship while enrolling in thirteen to sixteen credit hours per term.
Students should expect to commit anywhere from 60-80 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. Students are discouraged from working full-time while enrolled.
If you have any questions about the program or admission requirements, you can contact one of our admissions counselors at any time at (254) 710-8360 or MSW_Admissions@baylor.edu.