GRE scores are not required for admission.
Admissions Overview
Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work maintains the same admissions standards for our Master of Social Work (MSW) online program as we do for our residential program. The MSW online program is designed for recent graduates and professionals who want to serve and empower vulnerable populations worldwide and take an inclusive approach to helping clients.
Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the online MSW from Baylor delivers high-quality learning experiences to those ready to influence meaningful change in their communities. Collaborate with leaders who consider the wholeness of the student during the program — and beyond graduation.
We offer two online graduate-level program tracks: standard MSW and advanced standing MSW:
- Standard MSW applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a college or university that is fully recognized as regionally accredited at the time the degree is conferred in order to be eligible to apply.
- Advanced standing MSW applicants must hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a Council on Social Work Education–accredited program at a regionally accredited college or university and have graduated within the past five years.
Access a Program Committed to Supporting You
MSW@Baylor features robust admissions support to help our students grow and thrive.
Here are a few program highlights:
- Scholarships of up to $5,000 off your tuition.
- Tuition reduction up to $18,900 for qualified students
- Academic and professional guidance delivered by our highly experienced admissions team
- Diverse career opportunities in settings that range from schools to healthcare agencies
Applicants, regardless of track, also must have completed coursework in their bachelor’s program that provides a strong liberal arts background.
We take a holistic approach to the admissions process and carefully review each individual application. Below are characteristics of a competitive applicant:
- A 3.0 GPA or higher; however, GPA is considered along with all other application materials
- Effective written communication and critical thinking skills demonstrated through your essay(s)
- High-quality letters of recommendation, written by academic and professional references who can speak directly about your preparation for graduate school
Start Dates
The MSW online program starts three times per year — in January, May, and August. MSW@Baylor accepts and reviews applications year-round on a rolling basis. Our admissions team is available to help you choose which option is the best fit for you.
January
May
August
Part-Time Track: Eight Terms
| Cohort | Early Priority Application Deadline | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
May 2024 | January 16, 2024 | February 12, 2024 | March 11, 2024 |
Full-Time Track: Six Terms
| Cohort | Early Priority Application Deadline | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
May 2024 | January 16, 2024 | February 12, 2024 | March 11, 2024 |
Accelerated Track: Four Terms
| Cohort | Accelerated Application Deadline |
|---|---|
May 2024 | January 16, 2024 |
Advanced Standing Program
| Cohort | Early Priority Application Deadline | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
May 2024 | January 16, 2024 | February 12, 2024 | March 11, 2024 |
Program Options
The Standard MSW Program is 58 credits and offers three completion options:
- Part-time track: eight terms, complete in 32 months
- Full-time track: six terms, complete in 24 months
- Accelerated track: four terms, complete in as few as 16 months
Students will acquire 1,030 internship hours over the duration of the program. Students should expect to complete their internship placement during regular working hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Advanced Standing MSW program is 30 credits and offers two completion options:
- Full-time track: three terms, complete in as few as 12 months
- Part-time track: five terms, complete in 20 months
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.
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Cohort Early Priority Application Deadline Priority Application Deadline Final Application Deadline May 2024January 16, 2024February 12, 2024March 11, 2024The part-time, eight-term program track is our most flexible completion option. 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 six to nine 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.
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Cohort Early Priority Application Deadline Priority Application Deadline Final Application Deadline May 2024January 16, 2024February 12, 2024March 11, 2024Experience the traditional MSW@Baylor program and earn your social work degree in six terms, or 24 months, on a full-time basis. Students in this track will participate in an internship during terms two, three, five and six. Students will be expected to complete 20 hours per week for their internship while being enrolled in 10 to 12 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.
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Cohort Accelerated Application Deadline January 2024September 18, 2023The 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 being enrolled in 13 to 16 credit hours per term
Students should expect to commit anywhere from 76 to 88 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.
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Cohort Early Priority Application Deadline Priority Application Deadline Final Application Deadline May 2024January 16, 2024February 12, 2024March 11, 2024The advanced standing program allows BSW graduates to earn their MSW in as few as 12 months without completing the generalist phase of the curriculum. Students have the option to complete the advanced standing program on a full-time or part-time basis.
Applicants must have a BSW from a Council on Social Work Education–accredited program at a regionally accredited college or university and have graduated within the past five years.- Full-time, three-term students will participate in an internship during terms two and three. They will be expected to complete 20 hours per week for their internship while being enrolled in ten credit hours per term. Students should expect to commit anywhere from 36 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.
- Part-time, five-term 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.
Download our curriculum plans to learn more about the time commitment required for each of our program completion options.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, however you should be aware your practicum education component will be completed during the day, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, 20 hours a week. The program offers different track length schedules that allow for varying flexibility:
Standard MSW
- Four-term program (accelerated): 16 months
- Four to five classes each term
- 76-88 hours
- Six-term program (full time): 24 months
- Three to four classes each term
- Practicum education in terms two, three, four, and five
- 28-68 hours per week
- Eight-term program (part time): 32 months
- Two to three classes each term
- Practicum education in terms three, four, seven, and eight
- 24-56 hours per week
Advanced Standing MSW
- Three-term advanced standing program: As few as 12 months
- Five-term advanced standing program: 20 months
- Four-term program (accelerated): 16 months
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You can expect 20 hours of practicum education per week during normal business hours. Practicum Education cannot be completed in your current position while under your current supervisor. However, you can let your practicum education specialist know about a particular location of interest. They will decide if it meets MSW@Baylor requirements, but there are no guarantees.
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Live classes are offered late afternoon and evenings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday. These sessions are 90-120 minutes each.
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Yes, we offer scholarships. Your application to join the program also serves as your application for the scholarship. These scholarships typically max out around $5,000 off the cost of tuition.
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Yes, we are fully CSWE-accredited in all 50 states. Our curriculum is intentional and builds upon itself to effectively help students succeed.
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The MSW@Baylor program will prepare you to pursue licensure and empower vulnerable populations worldwide by addressing injustice from a strengths-based perspective.
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The courses are online via Zoom at designated times each week. Your placement specialist will determine the location of your in-person practicum education.
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The majority of social work internships are unpaid. However, you will have the opportunity to choose from a diverse range of internship experiences. You can find MSW@Baylor students gaining real-word experience in settings including child welfare and human service agencies, healthcare providers, and schools.