Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
Dean: Jon E. Singletary Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Melody Zuniga Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development: Holly Oxhandler Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Kerri Fisher Ph.D. Co-Directors: Robin K. Rogers and T. Laine Scales
PhD in Social Work
Baylor's Social Work PhD program is designed to develop leaders and educators who can lead visionary social work education or service programs and conduct original research addressing the complex social issues of our world. The program provides a distinctive focus on the integration of religion and faith with the ethics, values and practices of the social work profession.
Social Work (SWO)
SWO 4315 Foundations for Social Justice (3)
Examines theories and practices of social justice as related to oppressed groups in a multicultural society utilizing religious and nonreligious perspectives. Addresses issues of power, inequality, and privilege, and the diverse experiences of oppressed groups in framing strategies to promote social justice.
SWO 4316 Trauma, Loss, and Mourning (3)
Cross-listed as PAST 7340
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or graduate student
Specialized knowledge and skills for loss and grief and therapeutic interventions for the bereaved, including bereaved children. Preparation for work with loss of relationship and health across the lifespan. Emphasis on religious faith and grief, and the response of faith communities and religiously affiliated providers to suicide, divorce, loss of parental rights, and other disenfranchised grief.
SWO 4317 Human Trafficking (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or graduate student
This course is designed to help students gain a better understanding of contemporary human trafficking and modern day slavery. The roles that entities such as government, the media, faith-based organizations, organized crime, and culture play in this complex human rights and social (in)justice issue will also be explored.
SWO 4393 Sociology of Aging (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
Impact of aging upon individuals and society, as well as the reactions of individuals and society to aging. Social gerontology is the principal focus of attention of the course.
SWO 4395 Aging and Mental Health (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing
Mental health needs and related problems of aging individuals with considerable discussion of approved mental health treatments for such persons.
SWO 4V80 Special Topics (1-3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or graduate student
Provides instruction in areas of social work knowledge, values, and/or skills that are not available in the standard social work baccalaureate or graduate curricula. Course may be repeated up to six times with different topic of study, not to exceed a maximum of six semester hours.
SWO 5123 Introduction to Graduate Studies (1)
Pre-requisite(s): Enrollment in the MSW Program
This course introduces students to the Advanced Standing MSW program. Students will review skills, competencies, and ethics to prepare for advanced practice courses. Additionally, students will orient to MSW program policies, procedures, and resources to support academic success.
SWO 5190 Introduction to Advanced Internship (1)
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 5301, or a grade of B or better in SWO 5492, or a grade of B or better in SWO 4492; and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5337 and 5379; and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5376 or 5377
Introduction to the advanced internship in a specialization
SWO 5213 Cross Cultural Interactive Seminar IV (2)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
Through this course, students have the opportunity to synthesize learning from the explicit and implicit social work curriculum of the MSW program, identify major learning gleaned through the program, and prepare for reentry into their social work practice in international context.
SWO 5282 Evaluation of Practice I (2)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program or credit for 5381 and 5492
Selection and implementation of outcome-based evaluation of practice protocols to inform intervention decisions by advanced practice social workers.
SWO 5283 Evaluation of Practice II (2)
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 5282
Selection and implementation of outcome-based program evaluation protocols to inform intervention decisions by advanced practice social workers.
SWO 5298 Capstone (2)
Pre-requisite(s): Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5490 or 5790, and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5283
Integrative seminar to demonstrate readiness to practice social work at an advanced level in the student's area of specialization.
SWO 5301 Advanced Practice Readiness I (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission into the Master of Social Work program
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.
SWO 5310 International Social Work (3)
This course provides students the opportunity to conceptualize international social work practice in domestic contexts and abroad. Through four seminars and an experiential learning weekend, students explore social work within a human rights framework; develop cultural competency; grasp specific international social issues, strengths, and intervention strategies; and contextualize social work skills with international client systems.
SWO 5311 International Research and Strategic Planning (3)
In this course, students identify and analyze a global social issue of their choice, research systemic causality of the issue, explore best practice models, and create a strategic approach for addressing the issue utilizing accumulated research and governmental, non-governmental, and congregational resources. This multidisciplinary course explores community interventions informed by engineering, nursing, business, and public health.
SWO 5320 Human Diversity & Social Justice (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Master of Social Work Program
Provides foundational content to understand better how diversity and difference shape the human experience and are critical to forming identity. Dimensions of intersectionality are explored and examined considering privilege and marginalization. Students learn to identify structural mechanisms of oppression and strategies for interrupting systems of power to create equity and inclusion in professional and community contexts.
SWO 5322 Social Policy For Social Work Practice (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Credit with a C or better in SWO 5320 or SWO 5221
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.
SWO 5323 Organizational Leadership & Management (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program or credit in SWO 5322 and SWO 5363 or SWO 5463
Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5491. Prepares students to perform managerial functions in public, nonprofit, and faith-based human service organizations. Specific attention is given to the topics of leadership, human resources, fundraising, grant writing, organizational development, resource management, structure and governance, and efforts to link human service organizations in an integrated community-wide service delivery system.
SWO 5335 Theoretical Frameworks for Community Social Work Practice (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program, or a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5492
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.
SWO 5337 Advanced Clinical Theories and Models (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing program or credit in SWO 5492
Prepares students to 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.
SWO 5338 Clinical Diagnosis in Social Work (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing program or a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5492
This course utilizes a strengths-based social work perspective to examine common diagnoses of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, associated assessment tools, and areas for professional, ethical, and cultural consideration in the diagnostic process.
SWO 5351 Human Behavior Theory: Person & Environment (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the MSW Program
This course prepares students to understand the foundational theoretical base of social work that drives and informs practice. Students gain applicable knowledge of the complex experiences of individuals, families, and informal and formal social networks and communities.
SWO 5361 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3)
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5351
In this course, students practice skill development by applying the steps of the generalist intervention model (engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and termination/transition) to create diversitysensitive care management plans for individuals and families. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.
SWO 5362 Social Work Practice with Groups (3)
Knowledge, values, and skills needed for working with groups. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.
SWO 5363 Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations (3)
A minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5362. This course prepares students for ethical and effective social work practice with communities and organizations. Students will learn models and skills that relate to macro social work practice. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master's degree.
SWO 5370 Clinical Social Work Practice I (3)
Prepares students with specialized knowledge of theories and practice models and skills for advanced clinical practice within a broad array of practice contexts. Students learn to assess and intervene at the levels of individual, family, and group with some discussion of organizational and community practice. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master's degree.
SWO 5375 Community Social Work Practice I (3)
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5335
Prepares advanced-practice social workers to promote community problem-solving and development. Emphasizes community assets; leadership development; and change strategy selection, enactment, and evaluation. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master's degree.
SWO 5376 Health Practice & Policy (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program or credit in SWO 5322 and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5491; and credit in SWO 5363 or SWO 5463
Prepares students for practice within health contexts. Uses social work knowledge, skills, and values to prepare students to assess and intervene at individual, family, and group levels in healthcare settings. Discusses policy, justice, and equity issues related to health and healthcare access.
SWO 5377 Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program or credit in SWO 5322 and credit in SWO 5363 or SWO 5463
Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5491. Emphasizes the application of theory, models, and skills in practice contexts with children and families. Includes instruction on models and theories and the impact of crisis and trauma on the family. Exposes students to various themes in child and family practice, such as grief, levels of need, strengths, and collaborative work.
SWO 5378 Community Social Work Practice II (3)
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of a B in SWO 5375
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. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.
SWO 5379 Advanced Clinical Practice: Individuals, Families, and Groups (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5337
A grade of B or better must be received in this course in order to complete the requirements for the master’s degree. 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.
SWO 5380 Clinical Social Work Practice II (3)
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of a B in SWO 5370
Students learn transdiagnostic clinical treatment models and skills. Emphasis is given to students demonstrating clinical skills that address a wide range of client contexts and goals. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.
SWO 5381 Research for Social Work Practice (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Credit with a C or better in SWO 5320 or SWO 5221
Critical evaluation and use of research and conducting research in one's own professional practice.
SWO 5382 Clinical Evaluation for Practice Improvement (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program; or credit in SWO 5381 and a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5492
Emphasizes the importance of systematic, consistent monitoring of client outcomes as a critical part of effective clinical social work practice. Building upon skills of thorough, accurate assessment and effective client rapport, this course focuses on the next steps of collaborating with the client system (individual, family, group) to monitor feasible clinical outcomes that inform the treatment process and the continuous improvement of practice.
SWO 5384 Program Evaluation for Practice Improvement (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing program; or credit in SWO 5381 and a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5492
Apply systematically derived, culturally responsive, and evidence-informed decisions for continuous quality improvement of human service systems, programs, and congregations.
SWO 5395 Capstone Seminar (3)
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of a B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5490
Integrative seminar at the end of the MSW process to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate key social work competencies at an advanced level in their area of specialization. Students develop a presentation that reflects competency in the goals and objectives of the social work program. Students create professional development plans to demonstrate readiness to enter, contribute to, and develop within the social work profession.
SWO 5463 Professional Practice with Communities and Organizations (4)
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of B or better in SWO 5561 and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5362
A grade of B or better must be received in this course in order to complete the requirements for the master’s degree. Knowledge, values, and skills needed for working with communities and organizations.
SWO 5490 Part II Advanced Internship (4)
Pre-requisite(s): Credit in SWO 5335, SWO 5337 or SWO 5338; a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5494; a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5375, SWO 5370 or SWO 5379; a minimum grade of a B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5380 or SWO 5378; and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5323, SWO 5376 or SWO 5377
Second of two terms of the advanced internship in a specified area of specialization. This is the second part of SWO 5494.
SWO 5491 Foundation Internship I (4)
Pre-requisite(s): Credit of a C or better or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5320 or SWO 5221 and a grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5361 or SWO 5561
Orientation and introduction to internship, at least 240 hours of applied learning, and an integrative seminar. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master's degree.
SWO 5492 Foundation Internship II (4)
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of a B in SWO 5491; a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5361 or 5561; a minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5362; a minimum grade of a C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5381 and SWO 5322; and a minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5463 or SWO 5363
Social Work Internship, including at least 240 hours of applied learning and an integrative seminar. This is the second part of SWO 5491 with the addition of more sophisticated social work practice opportunities and expectations. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master's degree.
SWO 5494 Part I Advanced Internship (4)
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of a C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5337, SWO 5338, or SWO 5335; and a minimum grade of a B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5370, SWO 5379, or SWO 5375
Introduction and first of two semesters of the advanced internship in a specified area of specialization.
SWO 5561 Professional Practice with Individuals and Families (5)
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5221
A grade of B or better must be received in this course in order to complete the requirements for the master’s degree. Knowledge, values, and skills needed for working with individuals and families.
SWO 5790 Advanced Internship (7)
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 5323 and 5337; and a grade of B or better in SWO 5190 or 5494; and a grade of B or better in SWO 5376 or 5377; and a grade of B or better in SWO 5379
Advanced internship in specialization area
SWO 5V70 Independent Study in Social Work (1-3)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
Independent study in Social Work course may be repeated up to six times with different topics of study, not to exceed a maximum of six semester hours to fulfill elective credit.
SWO 5V80 Advanced Special Topics (1-3)
Pre-requisite(s): Graduate student
Provides advanced instruction in areas of social work knowledge, values, and/or skills that are not available in the standard social work graduate curriculum. Special topics in social work. Course may be repeated up to six times with different topic of study, not to exceed a maximum of six semester hours.
SWO 6331 Christianity, Ethics, and Social Work (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to PhD program; SWO major
Explores research, theory, and practices related to religion and spirituality as they can inform social work practice. Specific emphasis is placed on the role of religion in contemplating the meaning of well-being and social justice.
SWO 6332 Social Policy and the Religious Sector (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to PhD program; SWO major
Through current research, congregations and religiously affiliated organizations are examined, specifically through the lens of history, social work practice, social capital, and organizational theories, behaviors, and identities.
SWO 6333 Religious and Cultural Diversity (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to PhD program; SWO major
Draws on the world religions to reflect on divergent cultural, ethical, and helping systems for believers. Offers the foundations for helping by looking within a wide variety of religious traditions for support and understanding.
SWO 6342 Academic Leadership and Administration in Social Work Education (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to PhD program; SWO major
Explores research, theory, and practices of leadership in social service organizations, social work education, and communities.
SWO 6343 Program Evaluation (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to PhD program; SWO major
This course focuses on planning evaluation research for human service and educational programs and will prepare students to develop program evaluations to help agencies document their outcomes.
SWO 6351 Theory and Model Development for Social Work Practice (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to PhD program; SWO major
Students will critically examine historic, philosophical, aesthetic, and social science foundations for classic and current social work intervention theories and models.
SWO 6352 Higher Educational Teaching and Learning in Social Work (3)
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 6351
This interactive course prepares students for teaching in higher education. Exploration of learning styles, content delivery, teaching methods, curriculum and lesson plan development, and critical thinking stimulation prepares the student to develop and deliver courses in social work higher education venues. The course uses theory and practical skill development, including demonstration of teaching methods and student learning.
SWO 6353 Teaching Practicum (3)
Students work with their peers and the instructor as they navigate all aspects of planning and executing a successful course of instruction for social work students.
SWO 6380 Quantitative Research for Social Work (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to PhD program; SWO major
Focuses on quantitative research methodology as applied to research in the human services and social work. Emphasizes the epistemological basis of different research methods, forming appropriate research questions and hypotheses, conducting literature reviews, developing research designs, and selecting and applying preliminary data analysis techniques.
SWO 6381 Statistical Analysis for Social Work (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to PhD program; SWO major
An overview of statistical tests used to analyze data in social work. Emphasizes critical-thinking skills needed to evaluate others’ use of statistical tests as well as to conduct one’s own analyses, choose a statistical test, check that assumptions have been met, and interpret SPSS output. The course covers: correlation, Student’s t-test, the ANOVA family, linear regression, and logistic regression.
SWO 6382 Qualitative Research for Social Work (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to PhD program; SWO major
Study of the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative methods. Students explore the similarities and differences between post-positivism and constructivism as they develop qualitative proposals for social work research.
SWO 6384 Introduction to Doctoral Research (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to PhD program; SWO major
This course assists students in articulating a broad research agenda as a solid foundation for developing a dissertation topic, becoming familiar with and articulating the state of the current literature within their research agenda, and becoming socialized to scholarly and first phase of dissertation proposal writing, the publication process, and ways in which a strong empirically-informed argument can strengthen a research grant proposal.
SWO 6385 Measurement in Social Work (3)
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 6381
Content prepares students for questionnaire construction and sample selection in conjunction with measurement development.
SWO 6386 Advanced Qualitative Research (3)
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 6382
Focus is on the theoretical, methodological, and practical aspects of collecting, managing, and analyzing data from different qualitative traditions. Specific content is tailored to topics relevant for dissertation research.
SWO 6387 Research Practicum (3)
Students refine proposals from the quantitative and qualitative courses, submit them for review, and carry out the studies from problem formulation to submission of two manuscripts suitable for peer-reviewed journal publications.
SWO 6V00 Dissertation Proposal and Prospectus (1-3)
SWO 6V76 Special Topics in Social Work Practice and Research (3-6)
Special topics in social work practice and research. May be repeated for credit, provided that the topic is not duplicated, for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
SWO 6V99 Dissertation (1-12)
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to PhD program; SWO major
Research, data analysis, and writing and oral/written defense of an approved doctoral dissertation. At least nine hours of SWO 6V99 are required. Students may not enroll for dissertation hours until they have been officially accepted into candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.