Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)
The GSSW baccalaureate and graduate programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Pre-Social Work
Baylor students pursuing the Bachelor of Social Work degree enter under the Pre-Social Work designation for their major. The process to full entry to the major (typically prior to the start of the junior year) is described below.
Entry to the Major
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 to the major with the BSW program manager for baccalaureate studies. Full entry to the major requires the following:
- Completion of SWO 2321 Introduction to Social Work, or its equivalent, with a minimum grade of “C” in the course.
- An overall GPA of 2.7 on a four-point scale and a grade of “C” or better in all social work courses.
- Submitted application form, including an agreement to abide by the GSSW Student Student Code of Conduct and affirmation of the Code of Ethics as outlined by the National Association of Social Workers
BSW Program leadership reviews applications throughout the year and will provide notification regarding student entry to the major prior to term registration deadlines. Notification will include one of the following decisions:
- Admitted, contingent upon earning a C or better in Introduction to Social Work, or its equivalent, and achieving a minimum 2.7 overall GPA prior to entering the major.
- Not Admitted.
- 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.
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 academic warning within the major, are found in the BSW Student Handbook. Inquiries regarding the GSSW undergraduate application can be directed to the BSW program manager.
Practicum Education
Practicum 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 Practicum 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 Social Work Supervisor. Baccalaureate interns will be expected to achieve skill development similar to entry level generalist practitioners.
Practicum in the Curriculum
Baccalaureate 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 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.
Internship is the application of the knowledge and skills the student has obtained in the core classroom courses. This includes two semesters of practicum 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 internship, students are not permitted to take more than 15 semester hours (including 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).
Practicum Orientation
Prior to beginning internship, all students must attend internship orientation. This orientation includes presentation of practicum policies, discussion of practicum requirements and evaluation, grading procedures, and a description of the practicum faculty/liaison system. Failure to attend this orientation will prohibit entry into internship and will therefore delay a student’s course of study.
The Application/Registration Process for Internship is found in the Practicum Education Manual along with all other policies and procedures related to Practicum Education.
Students who are denied admission to the internships are informed in writing and are directed to contact their advisor regarding the effect on the completion of the degree plan.
Requirements for a BSW degree with a major in Social Work
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Requirements | (124) | |
| Residence Requirement | (60) | |
| Grade point average – minimum of 2.00 overall for the university and a 2.7 overall once accepted to the major. | ||
| Basic Requirements | ||
| Chapel | ||
| Complete two semesters | 0 | |
| English | ||
| ENG 2310 | American Literary Cultures | 3 |
| History | ||
| HIS 1300 | The United States in Global Perspective | 3 |
| Political Science | ||
| PSC 1387 | The U.S. Constitution, Its Interpretation, and the American Political Experience | 3 |
| Religion | ||
| REL 1310 | The Christian Scriptures | 3 |
| REL 1350 | The Christian Heritage | 3 |
| Philanthropy and Public Service | ||
| PPS 1100 | Introduction to Citizenship and Community Service | 1 |
| Communication and Media Literacy (One Course) | ||
| Select 3 hours from the Communication and Media Literacy distribution list. | 3 | |
| Contemporary Social Issues (One Course) | ||
| Select 3 hours from the Contemporary Social Issues distribution list. | 3 | |
| Fine Arts and Performing Arts (One Course) | ||
| Select 3 hours from the Fine Arts and Performing Arts distribution list. | 3 | |
| Foreign Language and Culture | ||
| Select one of the following options: 1 | 8-12 | |
| Option One (two courses) | ||
8 hours selected from intensive language courses in German or Spanish (both courses must be from the same language and both must be completed in residence): 1412 and 2412 | ||
| Option Two (three courses) | ||
9 hours from the Foreign Language and Culture Distribution list, including the completion of at least one language through the third level proficiency (2310 course or equivalent) from American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, or Swahili | ||
| Option Three (three courses) | ||
12 hours from the Foreign Language and Culture Distribution list, including the completion of two classical languages (Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic) through 1302 | ||
| Formal Reasoning | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Ideas in Mathematics | ||
| Precalculus Mathematics | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| Literature in Context (One Course) | ||
| Select 3 hours from the Literature in Context distribution list. | 3 | |
| Research Writing | ||
| ENG 1310 | Research Writing: Writing and Academic Inquiry Seminars | 3 |
| Scientific Method I: Course with Laboratory Experience | ||
| Select 4 hours (one 4-hour course with included lab or 3-hour lecture and matching 1-hour lab course) from each of the following two groups: | 4 | |
| Current Issues in Human Biology | ||
| Modern Concepts of Bioscience and Modern Concepts of Bioscience Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Neuroscience and Introduction to Neuroscience Laboratory | ||
| Lifetime Fitness | ||
| Select one course | 1 | |
| Major Requirements 2 | ||
| SWO 2320 | Human Diversity and Leadership | 3 |
| SWO 2321 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SWO 3351 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SWO 3352 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SWO 3371 | Social Work Practice I: Generalist Practice | 3 |
| SWO 4301 | Social Work Research | 3 |
| SWO 4305 | Data Analysis for Social Work | 3 |
| SWO 4322 | Social Policy for Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SWO 4323 | Advanced Policy Frameworks: Poverty and Economic Inequality | 3 |
| SWO 4372 | Social Work Practice II: Generalist Practice with Groups | 3 |
| SWO 4373 | Social Work Practice III: Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities | 3 |
| SWO 4491 | Social Work Internship I | 4 |
| SWO 4492 | Social Work Internship II | 4 |
| Any 2-3 hour Social Work elective | 2-3 | |
| Minor – Optional | ||
| May elect one or more minors. Specific requirements in departmental sections of this catalog. | ||
| Advanced Work Minimum | ||
| “3000” or “4000” numbered courses | 36 | |
| The requirements for advanced credit, residence, chapel, minimum grade point average, and maximum credit are the same as for the bachelor of arts degree. Additional information about requirements is listed under the “General University Regulations.” | ||
| Total Hours | 126-131 | |
- 1
Students who bring in credit for foreign language or have proficiency in a language other than English are encouraged to consult with the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, Classics (Latin or Greek), or Religion (Hebrew) for recommendations on placement and appropriate classes.
- 2
It is highly recommended that all students who enter Baylor in the fall semester, with the declared major of pre-social work, enroll in SWO 1101 Social Justice and New Beginnings at Baylor or SWO 1100 Introduction to Mental Health Professions.
For curricular requirements within the Garland School, the following courses are pre-approved to satisfy the Foreign Language and Culture requirement:
Foreign Language and Culture Distribution List
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Modern Foreign Languages 1301 (includes: ARB, CHI, CSD, FRE, GER, ITA, JPN, KOR, POR, RUS, SPA, SWA) | 3 | |
| Modern Foreign Languages 1302 (includes: ARB, CHI, CSD, FRE, GER, ITA, JPN, KOR, POR, RUS, SPA, SWA) | 3 | |
| Modern Foreign Languages 1412 (includes: GER, SPA) | 3 | |
| Modern Foreign Languages 2412 (includes: GER, SPA) | 3 | |
| Modern Foreign Languages 2310 (includes: ARB, CHI, CSD, FRE, GER, ITA, JPN, KOR, POR, RUS, SPA, SWA) | 3 | |
| Classical Languages 1301 (includes: GKC, HEB, LAT) | 3 | |
| Classical Languages 1302 (includes: GKC, HEB, LAT) | 3 | |
| Classical Languages 2310 (includes: GKC, HEB, LAT) | 3 | |
| ARB 2320 | Arabic Popular Culture | 3 |
| AST 2380 | The Peoples and Culture of Asia | 3 |
| AST 4388 | Contemporary Chinese Society and Culture | 3 |
| CHI 2320 | Intermediate Chinese for Communication | 3 |
| CHI 3305 | Chinese for Business I | 3 |
| CHI 3306 | Chinese for Business II | 3 |
| CHI 3310 | Chinese Language and Culture through Films | 3 |
| CLA 3301 | Roman History and Civilization | 3 |
| CLA 3302 | Greek History and Civilization | 3 |
| FAS 1311 | Freshman Academic Seminar: Modern Languages, Cultures, and Global Communities | 3 |
| FRE 1412 | Accelerated Elementary French | 4 |
| FRE 2320 | Passport to the French-Speaking World | 3 |
| FRE 2321 | French for Health Professions | 3 |
| FRE 3301 | Advanced French Grammar | 3 |
| FRE 3302 | Conversational French | 3 |
| FRE 3308 | French and Francophone Pop Culture | 3 |
| FRE 3310 | Introduction to French Literature | 3 |
| FRE 3330 | Introduction to French Cinema | 3 |
| GER 2320 | German for Modern Life | 3 |
| GER 3301 | German Conversation and Composition | 3 |
| GER 3341 | Introduction to German Culture: Germany in the Making | 3 |
| GER 3345 | Introduction to German Film: German Culture from Berlin to Hollywood | 3 |
| GRK 2320 | Intermediate Greek Poetry | 3 |
| HEB 2320 | Intermediate Hebrew II | 3 |
| ITA 2320 | Pathways in Italian Culture | 3 |
| ITA 3301 | Advanced Italian Grammar | 3 |
| ITA 3302 | Italian Conversation, Reading, and Composition | 3 |
| ITA 3310 | Introduction to Italian Literature | 3 |
| ITA 3330 | Italian Through Film | 3 |
| JPN 2320 | Exploring Japan | 3 |
| JPN 3301 | Advanced Japanese I | 3 |
| JPN 3302 | Japanese Culture through Reading | 3 |
| JPN 3305 | Japanese for the Professions | 3 |
| JPN 3306 | Japanese Cinema | 3 |
| KOR 2320 | Intermediate Korean II | 3 |
| LAS 2301 | An Introduction to Latin American Studies | 3 |
| LAT 2320 | Intermediate Latin Poetry | 3 |
| MES 2301 | Introduction to the Middle East | 3 |
| POR 2320 | Exploring the Portuguese-Speaking World | 3 |
| RUS 2320 | Russian Culture in Context | 3 |
| RUS 3301 | Russian Conversation and Composition | 3 |
| SPA 2304 | Intermediate Spanish for Heritage Speakers | 3 |
| SPA 2320 | Exploring the Spanish-Speaking World | 3 |
| SPA 2321 | Intermediate Spanish for Health Professions | 3 |
| SPA 2322 | Spanish for Christian Ministry | 3 |
| SPA 2324 | Spanish for Business | 3 |
| SPA 3302 | Conversation and Composition | 3 |
| SPA 3309 | Introduction to Spanish Linguistics | 3 |
| SWA 2320 | Intermediate Swahili II | 3 |
| THEA/JPN 3352 | Japanese Theatre and Culture | 3 |
Additional Cultural Competency Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANT 1305 | Introduction to Anthropology | 3 |
| ANT 1325 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| ANT 1306 | Cultural Anthropology in Global Context | 3 |
| ANT 3301 | Science, Society, and Culture | 3 |
| ANT 3340 | Indigenous Cultures of Modern Mexico and Central America | 3 |
| ANT 3350 | Native North Americans | 3 |
| ANT/AST 4310 | Societies and Cultures of East Asia | 3 |
| ANT/GEOG 1310 | Cultural Geography | 3 |
| ANT/GEOG 1310 | Cultural Geography | 3 |
| ANT/SOC 4320 | Culture, Personality and Identity | 3 |
| AST/HIS 3305 | Traditional China | 3 |
| AST/HIS 3307 | Modern Japan | 3 |
| FRE/FDM 4330 | Survey of French Cinema | 3 |
| JPN/THEA 3352 | Japanese Theatre and Culture | 3 |
| LAS 2301 | An Introduction to Latin American Studies | 3 |
| LING/ENG 3319 | Language and Culture | 3 |
| MUS 3321 | Music in World Cultures | 3 |
| MUS 4361 | Traditional Music and Culture in Africa | 3 |
| MUS/AST 4362 | Traditional Music and Culture in Asia | 3 |
| MUS/LAS 4364 | Traditional Music and Culture in Latin America | 3 |
| PHI 4331 | Latin American Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 4341 | Contemporary Continental Philosophy | 3 |
| PSC 4303 | International Human Rights | 3 |
| PSC 3315 | Fundamentals of International Politics | 3 |
| PSC 4304 | Governments and Politics of Latin America | 3 |
| PSC 4305 | International Law | 3 |
| PSC 4314 | Government and Politics of Mexico | 3 |
| PSC/AST 4325 | Asian International Relations | 3 |
| PSC 4334 | Governments and Politics of the Middle East | 3 |
| PSC 4344 | Government and Politics of Russia | 3 |
| PSC 4365 | International Political Economics | 3 |
| PSC/AST 3314 | Politics and Problems of Developing Countries | 3 |
| PSC/AST 4364 | The Governments and Politics of the Asia-Pacific Region | 3 |
| PSC/AST 4374 | Governments and Politics of East Asia | 3 |
| REL 4343 | Topics in Islam | 3 |
| REL 4347 | Topics in African Religions | 3 |
| REL 4348 | Modern Judaism | 3 |
| REL/AST 3345 | World Religions | 3 |
| REL/AST 4346 | Topics in Asian Religions | 3 |
| SEES/HIS 2380 | Introduction to Slavic and East European Studies I | 3 |
| SOC 3318 | Mexican-Americans in U.S. Society | 3 |