Program Overview

Graduate Professional Education Master of Social Work (MSW)

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Baylor University is designed to fulfill state and territory educational requirements for professional licenses. However, some state licensing boards may require additional requirements beyond education, such as post-graduation examinations or experience, application and licensing fees, criminal background checks, reference checks, fingerprint submissions, and continuing education for maintenance of certification or licensure.

State Licensing Requirements

State licensing requirements are subject to change at the discretion of the state licensing board. It is essential for students to review and understand the licensing requirements for their intended state or territory of licensure. The University will routinely update the information, but students are strongly recommended to inquire with the applicable state board to confirm their eligibility for licensure prior to enrolling in the Master of Social Work program.

Licensing Requirements by State

The following table outlines the state licensing requirements for the Master of Social Work program:

• States | Name and URL of State Licensing Board or Department | State Licensing Requirements?
  • Alabama | Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners | Meets
  • Alaska | Board of Social Work Examiners | Meets
  • American Samoa | American Samoa Department of Human and Social Services | Does Not Meet
  • Arizona | Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners | Meets
  • Arkansas | Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board | Meets
  • California | Board of Behavioral Sciences | Meets - with supervision
  • Colorado | Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners | Meets
  • Connecticut | Connecticut State Department of Public Health | Meets
  • Delaware | Board of Social Work Examiners | Meets
  • District of Columbia | DC Health | Meets
  • Florida | Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling | Meets - with supervision
  • Georgia | Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists | Meets
  • Guam | Guam Board of Social Work | Meets
  • Hawaii | Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional & Vocational Licensing Division | Meets
  • Idaho | Idaho Board of Social Work Examiners | Meets
  • Illinois | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation | Meets
  • Indiana | Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board | Meets
  • Iowa | Board of Social Work | Meets
  • Kansas | Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board | Meets
  • Kentucky | Kentucky Board of Social Work | Meets
  • Louisiana | Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners | Meets
  • Maine | State Board of Social Worker Licensure | Meets
  • Maryland | Board of Social Work Examiners | Meets
  • Massachusetts | Board of Registration of Social Workers | Meets
  • Michigan | Licensing and Regulatory Affairs | Meets - with supervision
  • Minnesota | Minnesota Board of Social Work | Meets
  • Mississippi | Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists | Meets
  • Missouri | Missouri Division of Professional Registration Committee for Social Workers | Meets
  • Montana | Montana Board of Behavioral Health | Meets - with supervision
  • Nebraska | Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services | Meets
  • Nevada | State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers | Meets
  • New Hampshire | Board of Mental Health Practice | Meets - with supervision
  • New Jersey | State Board of Social Work Examiners | Meets
  • New Mexico | New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners | Meets
  • New York | New York State Education Department | Meets
  • North Carolina | North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board | Meets
  • North Dakota | North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners | Meets
  • Northern Mariana Islands | Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Board of Professional Licensing | Does Not Meet
  • Ohio | Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board | Meets
  • Oklahoma | Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers | Meets
  • Oregon | Board of Licensed Social Workers | Meets
  • Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors | Meets
  • Puerto Rico | Board of Examiners of Social Work Professionals of Puerto Rico | Does Not Meet
  • Rhode Island | State of Rhode Island Department of Health | Meets
  • South Carolina | South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners | Meets
  • South Dakota | South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners | Meets
  • Tennessee | Tennessee Board of Social Workers | Meets
  • Texas | Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners | Meets
  • US Virgin Islands | Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs | Meets
  • Utah | Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing | Meets
  • Vermont | Vermont Office of Professional Regulation | Meets
  • Virginia | Virginia Board of Social Work | Meets
  • Washington | Washington State Board of Health | Meets - with supervision
  • West Virginia | West Virginia Board of Social Work | Meets
  • Wisconsin | State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services | Meets
  • Wyoming | Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board | Meets - with supervision

Important Notes

• State requirements change frequently, and it is the responsibility of the student to check their desired state's requirements for the most up-to-date information.
• The program curriculum may meet the requirements in some states and US territories, but not in others.
• If the program has yet to determine whether the curriculum requirements are met for certain states and US territories, it will be labeled as "does not meet" until further notice. Students should contact their program advisor or director for more information.