Master of Social Work online students will complete a total of 60 credit hours divided between generalist courses, specialist courses, and in-person field placement.

Learn more about individual courses by reading the full course descriptions below:

History and development of the social work profession, social work values and ethics, foundations of knowledge, and fields of practice with systems of all sizes.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to Master of Social Work program.

Knowledge, values, and skills needed for working with individuals and families.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5221.

Knowledge, values, and skills needed for working with groups.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5561.

Knowledge, values, and skills needed for working with communities and organizations.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of B in both SWO 5362 and 5561.

Introduces the historical context of social policy and services in the United States, the analysis of current developments, and how social workers influence social welfare policy and provide social services.

Prerequisite(s): SWO 5221.

Orientation and introduction to field internship, at least 240 hours of applied learning in the field, and an integrative seminar. Fee: $50.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5221, and a minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in both SWO 5362 and SWO 5561.

Critical evaluation and use of research and conducting research in one’s own professional practice.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in SWO 5221.

Prepares students to engage in ethical and informed practice with clients from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Students will expand their self-awareness and increase their knowledge of culture, power, privilege, oppression, layers of identity, and societal perceptions of the role of culture and difference.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate student.

Additional 240 hours of field experience; continuation of SWO 5491. Includes more sophisticated social work practice opportunities and expectations. Fee: $50.

Prerequisite(s): A grade of B or higher in SWO 5362, 5491, and 5561; and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5463, 5381, and 5322.

This course prepares students for entrance into Baylor’s advanced standing MSW program. Introduces the mission of the program with an emphasis on integrated faith and social work practice, the strengths perspective, and building communities. Overviews the professional foundation to include human behavior and the social environment and social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.

Prerequisite(s): Admission into the Master of Social Work program.

Prepares students learn and apply developmental, sociological, psychological, and therapeutic theories to the needs of individuals, families, groups, and communities. The course explores advanced clinical theories and empirically informed and emerging models for practice.

Prerequisite(s): SWO 5301; or B or better in SWO 5492; or B or better in SWO 4492.

Prepares students with specialized knowledge and skills for advanced clinical practice within a broad array of practice contexts. Uses social work knowledge, skills, and values to prepare students to assess and intervene at the levels of individual, family, and group, with some discussion of organizational and community practice. The course provides an overview of major theoretical clinical practice models.

Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5337.

Guides advanced practice social workers in the evaluation and selection of frameworks for community change. Emphasizes values, professional role, and cultural influences on how change is envisioned, enacted, and evaluated.

Prerequisite(s): SWO 5301, or B or better in SWO 5492, or B or better in SWO 4492.

Prepares advanced practice social workers to promote community problem-solving and development. Emphasizes community assets; leadership development; and change strategy selection, enactment, and evaluation. Focuses on congregations and religiously affiliated organizations as agents of community change.

Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5335.

Introduction and first of two semesters of the advanced internship in a specified area of specialization. Fee: $50.

Prerequisite(s): SWO 5301, or B or better in 5492, or B or better in SWO 4492; credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5337 or 5335; and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5379 or 5375.

Prepares students to perform managerial functions in public, nonprofit, and faith-based human service organizations, with particular emphasis on those with programs designed to improve human wellness. Specific attention is given to the topics of leadership, human resources, fundraising, organization development, structure and governance, resource management, and efforts to link human service organizations in an integrated communitywide service delivery system.

Prerequisite(s): SWO 5322, or SWO 5301, or B or better in SWO 4492.

Emphasizes application of theory, models, and skills in contexts of practice with children and families. Includes instruction on models and theories and the impact of crisis and trauma on the family. Exposes students to a variety of themes in child and family practice such as grief, levels of need, strengths, and collaborative work. A grade of B or better must be received in this course in order to complete requirements for the master’s degree.

Prerequisite(s): B or better in SWO 5379 or concurrent enrollment.

Continuation of 5375. Prepares advanced practice social workers to promote community problem-solving and development. Emphasizes community assets; leadership development; and change strategy selection, enactment, and evaluation.

Focuses on congregations and religiously affiliated organizations as agents of community change. A grade of B or better must be received in this course in order to complete requirements for the master’s degree.

Prerequisite(s): B or better in SWO 5375.

Overview and critical evaluation of quantitative and qualitative research in a specified area of the student’s specialization and development of an initial plan for practice research to be conducted in SWO 5283.

Prerequisite(s): SWO 5301, or 5381, or B or better in SWO 4492; and credit or concurrent enrollment in 5375 or 5379.

Second of two semesters of the advanced internship in a specified area of specialization. Fee: $50.

Prerequisite(s): Credit in 5335 or 5337; a minimum grade of B in SWO 5494; a minimum grade of B in SWO 5375 or 5379; credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5376, 5377, or 5378; and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5323.

Prepares students with specialized application of theory, models, and skills for advanced clinical practice within health practice contexts. Uses social work knowledge, skills, and values to prepare students to assess and intervene at the levels of individual, family, and group in healthcare settings. A grade of B or better must be received in this course in order to complete requirements for the master’s degree.

Prerequisite(s): B or better in SWO 5379 or concurrent enrollment.

Prepares students to apply frameworks of social work practice focused on social justice, advocacy, and leadership by developing skills to create engaging presentations, use social media, design websites, and create and edit video that will promote themselves and their agendas.

Prerequisite(s): Graduate student.

Complete a major research project examining one dimension of practice in the chosen specialization.

Prerequisite(s): SWO 5282.

Integrative seminar to demonstrate readiness to practice social work at an advanced level in the student’s area of specialization. A grade of B or better must be received in this course in order to complete requirements for the master’s degree.

Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5490 or 5790, and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5283.