MTS/MSW
Purpose Statement
An increasing number of graduate students are called to Christian vocation in community ministry that is informed by their faith and grounded in Christian theology and scripture. The Master of Divinity and Master of Social Work (MDiv/MSW) joint degree program provides theological education and advanced social work knowledge and skills. Some students are not seeking to achieve the advanced competencies offered by the MDiv degree and/or they may not have the personal resources to meet all of requirements of the 120 semester hour MDiv/MSW degree program. The MTS/MSW joint degree program (108 or 83 semester hours) provides these students with an opportunity to prepare for community ministry through mastery of advanced social work knowledge and practice that is grounded in foundational Christian theology, Scriptures, traditions, missions and witness, and Baptist Identity.
Admission
For admission to the joint degree program, candidates must apply and be accepted by both Truett Seminary’s Master of Theological Studies program and the Social Work program.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ||
| Minimum requirement | (48) | |
| Minimum residence requirement | (48) | |
| Grade Point average – minimum of 2.00 or “C” overall in required courses | ||
| Course Requirements | ||
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Spiritual Formation: | ||
| PRTH 7101 | Spiritual Formation I | 1 |
| PRTH 7102 | Spiritual Formation II | 1 |
| PRTH 7103 | Spiritual Formation III | 1 |
| PRTH 7004 | Spiritual Formation Retreat | 0 |
| Introductory Courses: 1 | ||
| THEO 7340 | Introduction to Christian Scriptures | 3 |
| THEO 7341 | Introduction to Christian History and Theology | 3 |
| Christian Scriptures: | ||
| THEO 7370 | Christian Scriptures I | 3 |
| THEO 7372 | Christian Scriptures II | 3 |
| THEO 7371 | Christian Scriptures III | 3 |
| THEO 7373 | Christian Scriptures IV | 3 |
| Christian Theology: | ||
| THEO 7360 | Christian Texts and Traditions I | 3 |
| THEO 7361 | Christian Texts and Traditions II | 3 |
| THEO 7362 | Christian Texts and Traditions III | 3 |
| THEO 7396 | The Baptist Identity | 3 |
| WOCW 7385 | Introduction to Christian Witness and Mission | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 9 | |
Three courses selected from chosen concentration | ||
One Biblical studies course, one Theological studies course and one free elective | ||
| Summative Evaluation | ||
| THEO 7382 | Constructive Theology | 3 |
| Satisfactory academic progress | ||
| Total Hours | 48 | |
- 1
These are required courses; however, based on previous academic experience, students may petition to waive these courses. Students not taking these courses must substitute electives in corresponding areas under advisement.
Technicalities
The MTS degree consists of 48 course credit hours. The MSW degree can be earned through two programs, the standard two year program and the advanced standing program. The standard two-year program requires 60 course credit hours. This program and the MTS require a total of 108 hours when completed separately. For social work students in the standard two year program, the total number of non-repeating hours for the MTS/MSW joint program will be 93 hours.
For those students who qualify, the MSW advanced standing program consists of 35 course credit hours, so that it and the MTS require a total of 83 hours when completed separately. For social work students in the advanced standing program, the total number of non-repeating hours for the MTS/MSW joint program will be 71 hours.
In the proposed joint degree program, 9 elective hours taken in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work will be counted toward the MTS degree requirements. Six hours from the MTS degree will be counted toward the standard two-year MSW program requirements and three from the MTS degree will be counted toward the advanced-standing MSW program requirements (advanced standing).
For further information regarding the joint Master of Theological Studies/Master of Social Work degree, consult the Baylor University Diana R. Garland School of Social Work Catalog or contact
Dr. Jon Singletary, Ph.D.
Dean, Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
Email: Jon_Singletary@baylor.edu
Telephone: 254-710-4819
Fax: 254-710-6455
Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
Baylor University
One Bear Place # 97320
Waco, TX 76798-7320