Application Requirements
All applicants must submit:
- the online application
- transcripts from all previously attended institutions
- three recommendation forms
- essays
- Practicum evaluation – Advanced Standing applicants only
- a $45 application fee
Our admissions team is available to answer any questions regarding application requirements, however, they cannot accept submissions of application materials. All application materials must be submitted to our application services team (SWappsvcs@onlinegrad.baylor.edu). Application materials that are not submitted through application services will not be accepted.
Transcripts
You are not required to upload a transcript to submit your application. However, you are required to provide unofficial or official transcripts to be reviewed for an admission decision.
We request that applicants send all official transcripts to:
Baylor University
Application Processing Center
MSW@Baylor
211 Quality Circle
Box 30096 003-004
College Station, TX 77842
To submit official transcripts electronically, applicants may send them to swappsvcs@onlinegrad.baylor.edu.
Admitted applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions they have attended before they can matriculate to MSW@Baylor.
Please note: To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.
Recommendation Forms
Applicants must provide three recommendations from people who can speak to some of the following areas: intellectual competence; potential for success; the ability to work with people on sensitive issues, including people from diverse backgrounds; critical thinking and communication skills; and a sense of values and ethics. Professional references related to social work (professors, employers, etc.) are encouraged.
Based on the applicant’s program track, recommendations should come from the following references:
Standard MSW
- One recommendation form from an academic reference
- Two recommendation forms from professional references
Advanced Standing MSW
- Two recommendation forms from academic references (one of which must be from the Bachelor of Social Work program director, director of practicum education, or practicum instructor)
- One recommendation form from a professional reference
Application Essay
As part of the MSW application, Standard and Advanced Standing applicants are required to submit essay responses for each of the following topics:
- The social work profession
- Advocating for others
- Diana R. Garland School of Social Work Mission Statement
- Societal issues
All essay prompts related to these topics can be found in the online application. These essays are an opportunity for applicants to highlight their strengths and communicate their motivation for pursuing social work. Responses for each topic should be no more than 500 words. Your essay will be used to evaluate your writing skills.
Practicum Education Experience Essay
Students applying to the Advanced Standing MSW program are also required to provide essay responses that demonstrate an understanding of social work practice by providing an in-depth description of practicum tasks and/or roles at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Essays should exhibit a foundational knowledge and tasks associated with each. Each essay response should be no more than 500 words.
Heading 1: Micro Practicum Experience
Heading 2: Mezzo Practicum Experience
Heading 3: Macro Practicum Experience
Essay responses will be submitted through text boxes within the online application, however, it is recommended that applicants save their responses in an external document in case of technical difficulties. Any information lost or not saved cannot be recovered.
Practicum Evaluation
Applicants applying to the Advanced Standing program are required to submit a final practicum evaluation to be reviewed for admission in the Baylor MSW program. The admissions committee expects to see the following components on a final practicum evaluation1:
- Student Name
- School Name
- Agency Name/Placement Site Name
- Practicum Instructor Name
- Rating/commentary of performance in social work competencies as outlined but the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Signatures from Practicum Instructor and student
If an applicant’s practicum education is still in progress at the time their application is complete, a midterm practicum evaluation may be submitted for admission decision review. If admitted into the program, a final practicum evaluation is required prior to enrolling in the program. All the above requirements also apply to any midterm evaluations that are submitted.
1 Submitting a practicum evaluation that is missing any of the components outlined above may impact admissibility into the program. Applicants should use the open-ended “Additional Factors for Consideration” question on the application to explain any missing components or special circumstances.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference
You can reach out to the admissions team with any questions regarding the Practicum Evaluation at swadmissions@onlinegrad.baylor.edu or at 1-855-605-7232.
Upcoming Cohorts
Part-Time Track: Eight Terms
Cohort | Early Priority Application Deadline | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline |
---|---|---|---|
January 2024 | September 18, 2023 | October 16, 2023 | November 13, 2023 |
Full-Time Track: Six Terms
Cohort | Early Priority Application Deadline | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline |
---|---|---|---|
January 2024 | September 18, 2023 | October 16, 2023 | November 13, 2023 |
Accelerated Track: Four Terms
Cohort | Accelerated Application Deadline |
---|---|
January 2024 | September 18, 2023 |
Advanced Standing Program
Cohort | Early Priority Application Deadline | Priority Application Deadline | Final Application Deadline |
---|---|---|---|
January 2024 | September 18, 2023 | October 16, 2023 | November 13, 2023 |