At Baylor Graduate Professional Education (GPE), we believe in empowering individuals to pursue their passions and fulfill their potential, recognizing that everyone was put in this world for a reason and that fulfilling one's calling is a privilege. Aligned with Baylor's mission, we offer high-quality online and hybrid graduate programs – professional degrees – that emphasize real-world application and equip students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to excel in their careers and make an immediate impact. Unlike academic graduate degrees focused on research, our programs are a strategic investment, providing a worthy challenge to help you keep up with your moving potential. Our commitment to academic excellence, Christian values, and a supportive community drives us to provide exceptional educational experiences that prepare students for leadership and service, furthering Baylor's strategic goals outlined in Baylor in Deeds, the 2024-2030 Strategic Plan, as we continuously expand and enhance our portfolio of graduate programs.
What is a Professional Degree?
To help you answer your desire to excel in a specific career or profession, Baylor offers a robust portfolio of professional graduate degrees – advanced degrees designed to equip you with the practical skills and knowledge you need to turn your passion into a reality.
Unlike traditional academic graduate degrees that focus on research and theory, our professional degrees are built for action. We believe that the passion that lives inside you should – and can - be put into practice. Our programs emphasize real-world application, ensuring you're not just learning concepts, but mastering the skills needed to thrive in your chosen field.
We believe your potential is a moving target, and we provide the worthy challenge to help you keep up with it. Whether you're seeking to advance your career, transition to a new profession, or deepen your expertise, a Baylor professional graduate degree is a strategic investment in your future. It's about more than just earning a credential; it's about unlocking your potential to become an undeniable, unstoppable force for good in the world.
Below you’ll see a few examples of professional degrees offered here at Baylor.
- Focus: MSW programs prepare students to work directly with vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, families, and groups. It emphasizes individual, family, and group-level interventions.
- Licensure: An MSW is often required for social work licensure in many states.
- Career Path: Graduates can work in various settings, including social service agencies, healthcare, schools, and mental health organizations.
- Focus: The Ed.D. degree is for educators and professionals who want to drive change within educational organizations. It emphasizes leadership, policy, and educational administration.
- Career Path: Ed.D. graduates often work in educational leadership, administration, or research roles. They may become school principals, superintendents, or higher education administrators.
- Focus: MPH programs focus on public health at a macro level. Students learn to address widespread health issues, promote prevention, and improve community health.
- Career Path: Graduates work in areas such as epidemiology, health policy, environmental health, and global health. They may work for government agencies, NGOs, or research institutions.
Key Characteristics of a Baylor Professional Graduate Degree:
- Career-Focused:
- We understand you're driven by a specific professional passion. Our degrees are tailored to meet the needs of diverse careers, spanning business, law, medicine, social work, education, and beyond.
- The curriculum is built on practical application and real-world scenarios, ensuring you're prepared to tackle the challenges of your field. We believe that the passion that lives inside you should – and can - be put into practice.
- Skill-Based:
- We believe in empowering you with the skills you need to succeed. Our programs focus on developing essential competencies, with opportunities for hands-on experience through internships, practicums, and other experiential learning.
- We believe in building confidence and silencing doubt, providing you with the tools to excel.
- Industry Relevance:
- We believe in staying ahead of the curve. Our curriculum is developed in collaboration with industry professionals, ensuring it reflects current trends and practices.
- We foster strong connections with professional organizations and networks, providing you with valuable opportunities for growth and advancement. We believe that open minds open doors to fulfillment.
A Strategic Investment in Your Future:
A Baylor professional graduate degree is more than just a credential; it's a catalyst for your career. It's an opportunity to:
- Advance Your Career: Gain the expertise and credentials needed to take your career to the next level.
- Transition to a New Field: Develop the skills and knowledge required to make a successful career change.
- Make a Meaningful Impact: Use your talents to serve others and create positive change in the world. We believe that success is not selfish. It’s how you serve others.
- Lead with Integrity: Embrace ethical leadership and contribute to a more just and equitable society. We believe that leadership cannot exist without ethics.
The Baylor Difference: Rigor, Flexibility, and Faith
Our online and hybrid professional degrees offer the same rigorous coursework, taught by the same highly engaged and supportive faculty, as our on-ground programs. We maintain the highest academic standards, ensuring you receive a transformative educational experience, regardless of the format. We believe your potential is a moving target, and we provide a worthy challenge to help you keep up with it.
Why Choose Baylor?
- Rigorous Academics: Experience the same high standards as our on-campus programs.
- Flexible Learning: Balance your studies with your work and personal life.
- Faith-Based Education: Integrate your faith and values into your professional development.
- Supportive Community: Connect with faculty and fellow students in a welcoming environment.
- Career Advancement: Gain the skills and credentials to advance your career.