General Information

Introduction

Social work has been a part of the University’s curriculum since the first course was taught in the Department of Sociology in 1936. In 1969, the department launched a complete baccalaureate social work program to prepare students for the beginning level of social work practice. The School of Social Work was established in 1999 when Baylor began offering the master of social work degree. The program was moved from within the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Gerontology to become a separate department in the College of Arts & Sciences. In September 2004, the School of Social Work was granted independent status. To honor the founding dean, the School of Social Work was renamed the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work (GSSW) in 2015.

BSW Mission Statement

The mission of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work Baccalaureate Program is to prepare generalist social workers in a Christian context for worldwide service and leadership.

Program Philosophy

The primary objective of the BSW program is to provide high quality educational preparation for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities. An equally important objective is to prepare students for graduate social work education.

Goals

The goals of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work are:

1. To produce alumni who are:
   • influencing (through service and leadership) the social welfare of people, families, and communities globally.
   • ethically integrating religious faith with social work practice.
   • culturally responsive and competent.
   • effective in creating healthy organizations.
2. To produce research by the school and its alumni that:
   • provides resources and models for excellence in professional social work practice that contribute to social justice and the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities.
   • provides resources and models that are respectful, faithful, and effective for communities of faith and religiously-affiliated organizations.

Financial Aid

Students entering or enrolled in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work may apply for financial assistance through the Student Financial Aid Office. A comprehensive program of financial aid is available that includes both academic-based and need-based scholarships, as well as grants, loans, and part-time employment. Financial aid information and applications may be obtained from:

Baylor University
Student Financial Aid Office
One Bear Place #97028
Waco, TX 76798-7028
254-710-2611 or 1-800-Baylor-U

Scholarships

Students enrolled may also apply for financial assistance in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. The GSSW has limited scholarship funds available for students who have been admitted to the major and who have proven their commitment by posting good grades. Scholarships are awarded annually based on need and academic achievement. Need is determined through the Office of Financial Aid by means of a completed FAFSA and/or CSS Profile. Applications are due each spring for the upcoming academic year.  Inquiries regarding the GSSW undergraduate scholarship application can be directed to the BSW Program Manager.

Student Organizations

Phi Alpha

Phi Alpha is a national honor society for professional social work. The Eta Sigma Chapter of Phi Alpha was chartered at Baylor University in 1998. The organization’s purpose is to promote a closer bond among students of social work and to foster humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha proudly encourages high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievements in social work. To be eligible for membership you must satisfy the following requirements:

• Have completed 9 semester hours of required social work courses or at least 37.5% of the total hours/credits required for the degree, whichever is later achieved.
• Achieve a GPA in the top 35% of the respective degree program (BSW, MSW, or PhD)

Social Work Student Association

The school encourages social work students to participate in opportunities to engage and organize related to their interests. Students can participate in the governance of the school through student representation on GSSW committees, coordinate their interests, and act cooperatively on behalf of all social work students and those they serve.

Advisement

To enhance Baylor’s learning environment, the university’s undergraduate academic advisors offer services designed to help students formulate academic goals and develop their personal potential. In addition to selecting classes, professional and faculty advisors work with students in reviewing general degree plans and audits, finding and developing specific academic plans within a major or program, and achieving personal goals. To facilitate students in making important life decisions, advisors and mentors also connect students with departmental and campus resources as well as community and professional opportunities.

Pre-Social Work Academic Advising

Pre-social work students who have completed less than 30 semester hours are advised in the Office of University Advisement in the Paul L. Foster Success Center. Pre-social work students who have completed thirty semester hours or more and students who have been admitted to the major will be advised by the academic advisor in the GSSW.

Social Work Academic Advising

Once students are admitted to the social work major, the academic advisor will create and maintain an educational plan that helps students identify and register for social work courses. The advisor will refer students to their professional advisors for professional development advising.

Application for Admission

Students wishing to pursue the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree must apply for admission to the major. Students who transfer to Baylor University should discuss application for admission to the program with the program manager for baccalaureate studies. Admission to the major requires, the following:

1. A written application demonstrating a commitment to social work values and the profession.
2. Completion of SWO 2321 Introduction to Social Work, or its equivalent, with a minimum grade of “C” in the course. It is recommended that SWO 2321 Introduction to Social Work be taken in the sophomore year.    
3. A written response to essay questions summarizing your personal and professional values. The content and evaluation of this essay must reflect professional values and demonstrate self-awareness, professional development, and ethical decision making.    
4. An overall GPA of 2.7 on a four-point scale and a grade of “C” or better in all social work courses. 
5. A signed Student Code of Conduct, including affirmation of the Code of Ethics as outlined by the National Association of Social Workers (provided in SWO 2321 Introduction to Social Work).

The Dean of the GSSW appoints an admissions committee that will review applications in the spring and summer semesters of each year. This committee, based on the material supplied them, their professional judgment, and the number of positions available for entering students, shall determine the suitability of the Baccalaureate Social Work Program for the applicant and notify them of one of the outcomes stated below.

1. Admitted, contingent upon earning a C or better in SWO 2321 Introduction to Social Work, or its equivalent, and achieving a minimum 2.7 overall GPA prior to entering the major.
2. Not Admitted.
   1. If student is not admitted, they must wait one year to re-apply. The student is not allowed to reapply to the term for which they were originally denied.

Meeting the minimum standards of the major does not guarantee admission. The written decision of the admissions committee will be communicated to the applicant within fifteen days of the decision date. Students are confirmed as “admitted” when they accept their offer of admission which outlines the standards and conditions for maintaining their standing in the program. Students must be admitted to the program prior to enrolling in Practice I (SWO 3371 Social Work Practice I: Generalist Practice).

Students must maintain a GPA of 2.7 or higher and not have a grade below “C” in social work courses to continue in the major. To be eligible for field internship, students must have a minimum grade of “B” in Practice I (SWO 3371 Social Work Practice I: Generalist Practice), Practice II (SWO 4372 Social Work Practice II: Generalist Practice with Groups), and Practice III (SWO 4373 Social Work Practice III: Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities) and a GPA of 2.7 or higher in the major. To be eligible to graduate, students must have a minimum grade of “B” in Internship I (SWO 4491 Social Work Internship I) and II (SWO 4492 Social Work Internship II).

Additional details regarding policies and procedures related to the BSW program, including probation within the major, are found in the BSW Student Handbook. Inquiries regarding the GSSW undergraduate application can be directed to the BSW program manager.
Field Education

Mission

Field internship is the practical application of the knowledge, values and skills acquired in the classroom. The primary goal of the internship is education and preparation for professional practice. The aim of the Field experience is to provide interns the opportunity to develop and integrate values, knowledge, and skills learned in the classroom with practice in actual practice settings. Practice settings include non-sectarian and religiously affiliated agencies and organizations. Through the internship experience, theory is applied, skills learned, and attitudes, values, and ethical dilemmas are examined. It is expected that each intern will be fully engaged in the professional learning opportunities provided by the placement site under the supervision of the Field Instructor. Baccalaureate interns will be expected to achieve skill development similar to entry level generalist practitioners.

Field in the Curriculum

Baccalaureate Field internship begins after the student has successfully completed the core Social Work courses. At a minimum, these include: Introduction to Social Work, Human Behavior and the Social Environment I and II, and Practice I, II and III. To be eligible for field internship, students must have a minimum grade of “B” in Practice I (SWO 3371 Social Work Practice I: Generalist Practice), Practice II (SWO 4372 Social Work Practice II: Generalist Practice with Groups), and Practice III (SWO 4373 Social Work Practice III: Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities) and a GPA of 2.7 or higher in the major.

Field internship is the application of the knowledge and skills the student has obtained in the core classroom courses. This includes two semesters of Field instruction taken concurrently with other courses. Internship I and II each require the student to complete at minimum, 16 hours per week for 15 weeks, for a minimum total of 240 hours per semester or 480 hours total. During the semesters of Field internship, students are not permitted to take more than 15 semester hours (including Field internship) without the consent of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. To be eligible to graduate, students must have a minimum grade of “B” in Internship I (SWO 4491 Social Work Internship I) and II (SWO 4492 Social Work Internship II).

Field Orientation

Prior to beginning Field internship, all students must attend Field internship orientation. This orientation includes presentation of Field policies, discussion of Field requirements and evaluation, grading procedures, and a description of the Field faculty/liaison system. Failure to attend this orientation will prohibit entry into Field internship and will therefore delay a student’s course of study.

The Application/Registration Process for Field Internship is found in the Field Education Manual along with all other policies and procedures related to Field Education.

Students who are denied admission to the Field internships are informed in writing and are directed to contact their advisor regarding the effect on the completion of the degree plan

School of Social Work Faculty and Staff

Faculty

Christen Argueta, M.S.W., Director of Online MSW Program
Carrie Arroyo, M.S.W.
Stephanie, Boddie, Ph.D.
Carolyn Cole, M.S.W., Associate Director of Field Education
Jennifer Dickey, Ph.D.
Kerri Fisher, M.S.W.
LeAnn Gardner, M.S.W., Assistant Director of Field Education - Online Program
Luci Ramos Hoppe, M.S.W., Director of BSW Program
Brianna Lemmons, Ph.D.
Whitney Luce, M.S.W., Director of Field Education
Elissa Madden, Ph.D.
Jocelyn McGee, Ph.D.
Sung Seek Moon, Ph.D.
Dennis R. Myers, Ph.D.
Holly K. Oxhandler, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development
Danielle Parrish, Ph.D.
E. Clay Polson, Ph.D.
Cheryl Pooler, D.S.W.
David K. Pooler, Ph.D.
Sarah Dorrell Ritter, M.S.W., Director of MSW Program
Robin K. Rogers, Ph.D., Co-Director of Ph.D. Program
T. Laine Scales, Ph.D., Co-Director of Ph.D. Program
Becky Scott, Ph.D.
Jon E. Singletary, Ph.D., Dean
Gaynor I. Yancey, D.S.W., Director of CCCI
Qianwei Zhao, Ph.D.
Melody Y. Zuniga, M.S.W., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Staff Personnel

Person and Title

Name	Title
Angela Bailey	Faculty Development and PhD Program Manager
Krista Barrett	Field Education Program Manager
Emily Corntassel	Assistant Director of Admissions
Deborah De Laurell	Academic Affairs and GML Program Manager
Crystal Diaz-Espinoza	Director of Enrollment and Alumni Services
Rachel Garcia	Program Manager, Baccalaureate Program
Amber George	Grants and Sponsored Programs Manager
Terry Henderson	Business Officer
Jim Heston	Academic Consultant - Instructional Designer
Andrea Hix	Assistant to the Dean
Krysta Long	Recruitment and Student Services Program Manager
Carly Lund	Admissions and Student Services Coordinator
Suzanne Sellers	Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Morgan Strehlow	Program Manager, MSW Program
Nikki Wilmoth	Director of Marketing and Communication