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.

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.

Applicants, regardless of track, also must have completed coursework in their bachelor’s program that provides a strong liberal arts background.

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.

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

Program Options

The Standard MSW Program is 60 credits and offers three completion options:

• Part-time track: eight terms, complete in 36 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 field hours over the duration of the program. Students should expect to complete their field placement during regular working hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

The Advanced Standing MSW program is 32 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 field hours over the duration of the program and should expect to complete their field placement during regular working hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Part-Time Track: Eight Terms

The part-time, eight-term program track is our most flexible completion option. Students in this track will participate in a field internship during terms three, four, seven, and eight. Students will be expected to complete 20 hours per week for their field 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.

Full-Time Track: Six Terms

Experience 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 a field internship during terms two, three, four, and five. Students will be expected to complete 20 hours per week for their field 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.

Accelerated Track: Four Terms

The four-term accelerated program track is our most rigorous and intensive completion option as students are in field placement during all four terms. Students will be expected to complete 20 hours per week for their field internship while being enrolled in 14 to 17 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.

Advanced Standing Program

The 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 a field internship during terms two and three. They will be expected to complete 20 hours per week for their field internship while being enrolled in nine to 12 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 field placement in terms four and five and will be enrolled in six to 12 credit hours per term. They will complete 20 hours per week for their field 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 Planning Your Studies PDF to learn more about the time commitment required for each of our program completion options.