• 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 Current Students MSW MSW Waco Waco - New Student Resources International Students
  • BSW
  • MSW
    • MSW Waco
      • Waco - General Info
      • Waco - New Student Resources
        • International Students
      • Waco - Curriculum
      • Waco - Registration
    • MSW Online
  • PhD
  • Resources, events and traditions
  • Career services
  • Field Education
  • Student Development

International Students

Welcome to the Garland School of Social Work! This page is designed to help incoming international students get connected to resources at Baylor University and within the city of Waco. If you are an international student, we hope you find this page helpful as you prepare to join us in Waco, Texas, and if you have not yet explored the general new student resource page, we encourage you to go there next.

Urgent Items: What to do after submitting your enrollment deposit.

  • Check Baylor email daily
    • Click here for instructions on activating your Baylor email
  • Provide required I-20 information via Global Bears
  • Make embassy appointment for Visa
  • Make housing arrangements

Obtaining a Visa

  • Provide required I-20 information to the Center for Global Engagement via Global Bears. I-20 is a required document for your visa application
    1. You will receive an email to your Baylor email address with instructions for obtaining your I-20
    2. Once you receive this email, log into Global Bears: https://globalbears.baylor.edu.
    3. Follow the I-20 instructions outlined in Global Bears
    4. Once your information is entered and approved by CGE, you will be able to download your  initial status I-20 from Global Bears to apply for visa
  • Make embassy appointment
    1. See this website to estimate the average time for a student visa appointment in various locations: average wait time website
  • Contact Leslie Hicks or Tim Johnson with questions
    1. Last/Family Name A-M: Contact Ms. Hicks
    2. Last/Family Name N-Z: Contact Mr. Johnson
  • COVID-19 vaccinations are currently required for entry into the US

Lodging Recommendations

Apartments fill up quickly, consider arranging your housing as soon as possible.

  • The Arbors Apartments are within walking distance to main campus and dining halls, have furnished apartments, and typically house other international students
    • Located ~2 miles (~3km) from the GSSW
  • Other Apartment complexes in a similar price range and distance to campus:
    • Fairmont Apartments (furnished, utilities included, often houses international students)
    • Baylor Plaza Three (some units furnished, utilities included, often houses international students)
  • For other housing options visit this site: https://www.baylorareahousing.com

Transportation

The School of Social Work is on Baylor's downtown campus and transport to internships is often needed. Students are encouraged to anticipate transportation challenges and costs.

  • Commercial ride shares (i.e. Lyft, Uber) and/or paying other Social Work students for rides have historically been the most effective, timely, and safe way to get around Waco
  • Waco has an affordable bus system, but it typically adds a significant amount of time to a commute
    • Please note, sometimes bus stops are far, and a student must walk through unsafe areas to get there
  • The La Salle shuttle offers a shuttle that goes near campus and the School of Social Work Monday-Sunday
    • Shuttle Pricing:
      • One-Way: $1.50
      • Day Pass: $3
  • Some students consider biking, but keep in mind Waco does not always have clear bike lanes, and we recommend biking only during sunlight hours while wearing a helmet
  • For more information, see GSSW Transportation document below

Baylor's Center for Global Engagement: Resources

BU World Weekly Email Newsletter sends out information about the following opportunities for international students.

  • Global Bears Week (the week before classes start in August)
  • Trip and event opportunities (i.e. NASA trip, outlet mall trip, Thanksgiving dinner)
  • Weekly H-E-B runs that leave from the Baylor 5th Street Circle (next to the Bobo Spiritual Life Center and Hankamer)

Other Resources

  • Fact Sheets
    • GSSW Transportation
    • Healthcare and Medical Insurance - Frequently Asked Questions
    • American Culture and the American Classroom
    • APA Formatting Guide

International students are welcome to join the Global Mission Leadership (GML) Program orientation sessions, when available. If interested, contact GML Program Coordinator, Annelise Kahler.

  • Orientation Session Topics:
    • Navigating Transportation in Waco
    • Baylor Writing Center visit/Detailed overview on APA format
    • Academic Integrity Overview
    • Field Placement Orientation and Field Placement Visits
    • Garland School of Social Work and Baylor University Campus Tour
    • Library Orientation with Sinai Woods: How to find research online and available resources
    • Ordering Textbooks
    • Baylor resources

 

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 Current Students MSW MSW Waco Waco - New Student Resources International Students
  • 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