Baylor University Diana R. Garland School of Social Work

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Founded in 1845, Baylor University is a private Christian university based in Waco, Texas. Enrollment for the 2018-2019 school year totaled over 17,000 students, with over 14,000 undergraduates and more than 3,200 graduate students. Baylor boasts that 86.5% of its students find jobs or start graduate school within 90 days of graduation. U.S. News & World Report ranks Baylor at 78th in its annual review of colleges.

This university offers 128 undergraduate degree programs, 77 master’s programs, and 46 doctoral programs. Baylor also has several online degree programs, including a master’s in social work (MSW) and a Ph.D. in social work.

Featured Programs in Social Work

Baylor University Diana R. Garland School of Social Work

The Diana R. Garland School of Social Work has two Texas campuses for social work students: Waco and Houston. Students can take the bachelor’s in social work, MSW, or Ph.D. on campus, but only the MSW and Ph.D. are available online. This department emphasizes service, justice, integrity, and competence. The program helps aspiring social workers develop ethical integration of faith and social work practice.

Baylor University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Baylor University school of social work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Online Social Work Programs

The Baylor University social work master’s program offers two online tracks: standard or advanced standing. The standard program requires 60 credit hours, while the advanced standing MSW requires only 32. Students applying to the advanced standing program need a bachelor’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited school.

The online Ph.D. program only accepts applicants from certain universities. Students looking to apply should investigate the list of National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements schools to ensure they are eligible for admission. Enrollees can complete this program in 3-4 years.

On-Campus Social Work Programs

Baylor has three on-campus social work programs: a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. The undergraduate degree program teaches social work methods and skills, theories of development, social policies, and research for social work. The program requires a 480-hour internship in a community agency.

The MSW and Ph.D. programs are similar to their online counterparts. Students applying to the MSW can attend either the Waco or Houston campus. MSW enrollees have the choice between a standard or part-time degree plan.

Baylor University Online Social Work Programs

Online Master’s in Social Work

Program Overview

Department: Diana R. Garland School of Social Work

Program Name: Online Master of Social Work

Concentrations: Clinical practice; community practice

Delivery

Format: Online

Instruction Style: Synchronous

Program Requirements

Prerequisites: A bachelor of social work from a regionally accredited college or university for the standard program; a bachelor of social work from a CSWE-accredited college or university for the advanced program

Credit Requirements: 60 credits for the standard program; 32 credits for the advanced standing program

Field Education Requirements: 1,030 field hours for the standard program; 550 field hours for the advanced standing program

Program Length

Program Options: Full-time or part-time

Program Length: Two years full time or three years part time for the standard program; one year full time for the advanced standing program.

Program Start Dates: Fall, spring, and summer

Admission Requirements

Application Deadline: Rolling

Online Ph.D. in Social Work

Program Overview

Department: Diana R. Garland School of Social Work

Program Name: Online Ph.D. of Social Work

Delivery

Format: Online and hybrid

Instruction Style: Synchronous

Program Requirements

Prerequisites: Master of social work or a master’s in a related field

Credit Requirements: 60 credits

Field Education Requirements: 3 credits of a research practicum

Program Length

Program Options: Full-time only

Program Length: 3-4 years

Program Start Dates: Summer

Admission Requirements

Application Deadline: November 1, every other year; the online cohort only begins in odd-numbered years

Standardized Tests: GRE

Work Experience: Only needed if applying without a master of social work degree