Ten CSWE accredited social work degree programs in Florida confer a master’s for advanced students to develop the skills for leading welfare initiatives that support the Sunshine State’s 20.612 million people. According to the BLS, Florida’s $926 billion economy employs 11,170 social workers across specialties for an annual mean wage of $43,410. ADRC Broward reports an increasing demand for social workers in gerontology since the elderly make up 23 percent of Florida’s population with 2.7 million Medicaid patients. Clinical mental health is another major concern because 660,000 adults and 181,000 children in Florida are living with serious mental illnesses, including depression and eating disorders. Advance your career to better benefit society’s most vulnerable with these top-ranked MSW programs in Florida.
Barry University
School of Social Work
Run by Adrian Dominican Sisters with Cor Jesu Chapel, Barry University is a private, Catholic “College of Distinction” within the Miami Archdiocese that’s endowed for $36.1 million to produce 50,000+ alums upon 124 acres in the Biscayne neighborhood. Achieving a 94 percent recommendation rate on GraduatePrograms.com, Barry is named America’s 389th best private college and 238th top research university with the 392nd most grateful alumni on Forbes. Celebrating its 50th anniversary placing MSW grads at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Sunrise Community, the National Partnership for Community Training, and more, the School of Social Work was ranked 78th nationally for graduate social work education by the U.S. News.
Master of Social Work
Directed by Maria Teahan, the Master of Social Work is available in Fort Myers, Palm Beach Gardens, or Miami Shores as one of the post-bachelor’s, CSWE accredited social work degree programs in Florida with an average class size of 18. Graduates prepare for advanced generalist practice helping society’s most marginalized from a unique trauma-informed, resiliency framework. The 60-unit curriculum offers daytime, evening, or Saturday courses full- and part-time with at least 1,036 fieldwork hours. The Advanced Standing option is shortened to 32 credits and 616 practicum hours for graduation in only seven months.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
11300 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, FL 33161
(305) 899-3900
9123 N. Military Trail, Suite 206
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
(561) 622-2732
12381 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 502
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(305) 899-7861
ssw-admissions@barry.edu
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities
Established in 1887 under abolitionist Jonathan C. Gibbs, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University is a public, historically black land-grant institution with 9,614 Rattlers, including more National Achievement Scholars than Harvard, and a $113.1 million endowment upon 500 acres in Leon County. Ranked the #1 HBCU on the Essence/MONEY Magazine report, FAMU is declared America’s 189th top public college with the 160th best student life on Niche. The College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities placed 141st nationally on the U.S. News for its accredited social work degree programs in Florida.
Master of Social Work
Launched in May 1997, FAMU’s Master of Social Work has a history of producing advanced practitioners with Florida licensing who will alleviate oppression and work toward social or economic justice in primarily colored communities. Offering a built-in Community-Based Social Service Administration Concentration, the 67-credit curriculum can be completed in two years full-time or 12 months with Advanced Standing. Students learn from PhD-level professors from UC-Berkeley, Eastern Michigan, Georgia, Florida State, and more. Each Fall and Spring students work at agencies like Capital Area Community Action or Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare for 900+ hours total. Majors also join the Student Social Work Association (SSWA) and Phi Alpha Honor Society Beta Zeta Chapter.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Benjamin Banneker Building 306
1339 Wahnish Way
Tallahassee, FL 32307
(850) 599-3456
yolanda.bogan@famu.edu
http://www.famu.edu/index.cfm?socialwork&MSWProgramMission
Florida Atlantic University
Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work
Built on Boca Raton Army Airfield in 1961, Florida Atlantic University has expanded to 850 acres, six satellite locations, and 110,000+ degrees conferred as a public, co-educational SUSF constituent with a $275 million endowment. Reaching the 186th place globally in the 2017 CWTS Leiden Rankings, FAU is named the 238th best national university and 186th best Southeastern value by Washington Monthly. Led by Dr. Naelys Luna with 21 full-time faculty, the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School houses accredited social work degree programs in Florida, including an MSW that ranks 141st in America according to the U.S. News.
Master of Social Work
Currently charging Floridians $369 and non-residents $1,024 per credit, FAU’s Master of Social Work is open for application until May 1st annually for post-grads to begin furthering their human services knowledge for helping the disenfranchised in August in Boca Raton. Since 2000, the on-campus program has developed four tracks: Two-Year Full-Time, Four-Year Part-Time, One-Year Full-Time Advanced Standing, and Two-Year Part-Time Advanced Standing. For fieldwork, MSW candidates complete 400 hours in the foundation year and 600 hours in the concentration year. Students also benefit from joining Phi Alpha Honor Society, participating in the Book Lending Program, pursuing Florida Department of Health licensure, finding scholarships on Scholly, and adding credentials like the Aging Certificate.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Social Science Building 303
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 297-6494
jmcclel2@fau.edu
Florida Gulf Coast University
Elaine Nicpon Marieb College of Health & Human Services
Affiliated with alumni like Matt Caldwell, Richard Bleier, and Courtney Jolly, Florida Gulf Coast University is a public, space-grant SUSF member that’s enrolling 14,821 Eagles and attracting $10 million in research funding to its 800-acre Fort Myers campus. Positioned in the top 800 U.S. colleges by Times Higher Education, FGCU was graded B+ as America’s 100th best campus and 146th top public university with the ninth best college dorms on Niche. The Elaine Nicpon Marieb College enjoys nearly 100 percent board passing rates, state-of-the-art facilities like the Kleist Health Education Center, and the country’s 198th best graduate social work degrees according to the U.S. News.
Master of Social Work
Reaffirmed by the CSWE through 2024, the Master of Social Work at FGCU is another of the accredited social work degree programs in Florida utilizing the Advanced Clinical Practice Concentration to equip grad-level practitioners for conducting social change that particularly benefits minorities. Featuring 1,000 fieldwork hours, the 60-credit degree satisfies LCSW licensing from a person-in-environment framework within two years full-time or four years part-time. The Advanced Standing track for BSW grads takes only two semesters of courses like psychopathology, group dynamics, and family therapy. For $373 in-state or $1,300 out-of-state per credit, the program opens job pathways with partners like Bayfront Healthcare, Arden Courts of Ft. Myers, and Lighthouse of Southwest Florida.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Merwin Hall 147
10501 FGCU Blvd. South
Fort Myers, FL 33965
(239) 590-7841
tfelke@fgcu.edu
http://www.fgcu.edu/mariebcollege/SocialWork/MSW/index.asp
Florida International University
Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work
Enrolling 55,112 Panthers total from Biscayne Bay to Miami Gardens, Genoa, Nervi, Tianjin, and Dubai, Florida International University is the Sunshine State’s second-largest public, co-educational school with “highest research activity” and a $177 million endowment. Honored as America’s 17th best university for social mobility by Washington Monthly, FIU was placed 176th nationally and 603rd globally with a 378 quality of education rank from the CWUR. Training post-grads to “Be the Change” with an MSW, Ph.D. in Social Welfare, and JD/MSW Dual option, the Robert Stempel College is highly regarded by the U.S. News for the United States’ 91st best graduate social work education.
Master of Social Work
Accepting applications until June 1st or October 1st yearly, FIU’s Master of Social Work stands out among CSWE accredited social work degree programs in Florida by building on the advanced generalist core with specializations for Addictions or Social Work Practice with the Elderly. Taking an empirical-based approach, the 60-credit traditional MSW takes two years for full-time post-grads with prerequisites in biology, statistics, and psychology. Those who’ve earned a BSW in the past five years and minimum 3.25 GPA can waive up to 30 credits. Leading to Licensed Clinical Social Worker status, the curriculum ensures 10 competencies are met with fieldwork at 200+ sites in Dade, Broward, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Academic Health Center 5
11200 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL 33199
(305) 348-5887
glramos@fiu.edu
http://stempel.fiu.edu/academics/social-work/areas-of-study/ms-of-social-work/index.html
Florida State University
College of Social Work
Awarded $252.54 million in research expenditures yearly, Florida State University is a public, sea-grant and space-grant RU/VH school chaired by Ed Burr to serve 9,198 post-grad Seminoles on 489 acres surrounding Heritage Grove in Tallahassee. Honored in the top 250 universities globally on Times Higher Education, FSU is deemed America’s 77th best value and 82nd best research institute in Forbes magazine. Known for producing the 2017 NASW Florida Social Worker of the Year and a Partners with a Purpose Award recipient, the FSU College of Social Work was ranked 38th nationwide by the U.S. News with average retention at 92 percent.
Master of Social Work
FSU’s Master of Social Work is among the most flexible CSWE accredited social work degree programs in Florida where graduates can study full-time or part-time in Tallahassee, at Panama City, or wholly online in an asynchronous format. The MSW can even be paired with an MBA, Juris Doctor, MPA, or M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Finishing the 61-credit curriculum typically takes 20+ months with the Clinical Social Work or Social Leadership specializations. The Advanced Standing MSW is the exception with only 39 credits required over one year. Seminoles finish the 24 credits of clinical coursework to receive LCSW licensure in Florida and several other states.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
University Center C2517
296 Champions Way
Tallahassee, FL 32306
(850) 645-5768
fgomory@fsu.edu
http://csw.fsu.edu/academics/msw-overview
Saint Leo University
School of Education & Social Services
Employing 1,376 staff with no teaching assistants, Saint Leo University is a private, nonprofit Catholic institution affiliated with a Benedictine monastery to educate 16,207 Lions online or face-to-face on rural acreage in Pasco County. Placed in the United States’ top 15 percent for ethnic diversity on College Factual, Saint Leo is ranked the 97th best Southeastern bang for the buck with a $19,466 net price in Washington Monthly. Hosting its 4th Annual Social Work Conference in March 2018, the School of Education & Social Services was also applauded by the U.S. News for having America’s 149th best online graduate education programs, such as the innovative MSW.
Master of Social Work Online
Delivered by PhD-level faculty, including a Pi Gamma Mu Distinguished Service Award recipient, via webcam, Saint Leo’s Master of Social Work Online welcomes Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia applicants into a full-time, two-year or part-time, three-year distance program. Like several accredited social work degree programs in Florida, the 63-credit option includes an Advanced Clinical Practice Concentration for budding LCSW practitioners to empower groups that face oppression and mental illness. Open for admission until May 30th annually, the program scores 100 percent for practice engagement with daytime internship hours in students’ own communities. Applicants must pay an $80 non-refundable application fee and submit transcripts showing 21+ social science credits.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
33701 State Road 52
Saint Leo, FL 33574
(800) 707-8846
susan.kinsella@saintleo.edu
University of Central Florida
College of Health and Public Affairs
Belonging to the American Athletic Conference, the University of Central Florida is a public, co-educational RU/H institution leading the Florida Space Grant Consortium that’s endowed for $155.5 million and serving 64,318 Knights under President John C. Hitt from 1,893 total acres in Orlando near Disneyworld. Included in the globe’s top 500 by the Shanghai ARWU Rankings, UCF is named the 124th best public college and 162nd best research university in America on Forbes. The College of Health and Public Affairs consistently receives SAMHSA grants for cutting-edge research and the 78th best social work degrees according to the U.S. News.
MSW Program
Priced at $288 for Floridians and $1,073 for non-residents per hour, UCF’s MSW is among the cheapest accredited social work degree programs in Florida where students take one course per seven-week term to prepare for research-informed, community-based clinical practice with multicultural clientele. Available with evening, online, hybrid, and summer courses, the 62-credit degree requires grades of “C” or higher. The Advanced Standing track only involves taking the final 32 hours of concentration. Post-grads spend approximately 19 hours per week conducting field practicum to supplement courses from child abuse to forensic social work and social policy analysis. Some master’s students add the Military Social Work or Marriage and Family Therapy certificates.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
HPA I – Suite 204A
12805 Pegasus Drive
Orlando, FL 32816
(407) 823-0171
bonnie.yegidis@ucf.edu
https://www.cohpa.ucf.edu/socialwork/msw-program/
University of South Florida
School of Social Work
Teaching 9,889 post-grad Bulls on a $1.5 billion yearly budget, the University of South Florida is the fourth-largest public, space-grant SUSF constituent directed by Chairman John B. Ramil from its main 1,562-acre campus in Tampa, a Gamma+ world city. Declared the #2 “Best for Vets” four-year college in Military Times magazine, USF was crowned America’s 120th best public college and 243rd best value school on Forbes. Having produced nearly 4,000 alums since its 1976 founding, the School of Social Work brings 40 years of experience to another of the accredited social work degree programs in Florida that was ranked 103rd nationally by the U.S. News.
Master of Social Work
Fully CSWE accredited through 2021, the USF Master of Social Work boasts six customizable tracks for post-grads to prepare for advanced generalist practice in organization-based community settings to strengthen diverse people’s well-being. Students either study full-time for four semesters, part-time for eight semesters, full-time for one year with Advanced Standing, part-time for two years with Advanced Standing, during synchronous evening courses online, or within the MSW/MPH Dual program. Each option requires 900 clinical hours at partnering sites like Sylvia Thomas Center, Hospice of Citrus County, Francis House Hillsborough, and James A. Haley VA Hospital. Students also help operate the BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic, join Phi Alpha Honor Society, and join Social Work Society events.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
MHC 1400, Box 12
13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 974-2063
tsimpson@usf.edu
http://www.usf.edu/cbcs/social-work/programs/msw-program/index.aspx
University of West Florida
College of Education and Professional Studies
Sitting atop 1,600 acres in the Ferry Pass neighborhood of Pensacola with additional property in Fort Walton Beach, Santa Rosa Island, and Pensacola Village, the University of West Florida is the third-largest public, space-grant SUSF member represented by the Chambered Nautilus since 1965 with 13,002 Argos. Deemed America’s 126th best university for civic engagement on Washington Monthly, UWF is placed in the top 800 colleges overall by Times Higher Education. The College of Education and Professional Studies has another of the accredited social work degree programs in Florida holding the 177th spot nationally on the U.S. News survey.
Master of Social Work, MSW
Directed by Dean Dr. Diane Scott, the Master of Social Work MSW is a behavioral health program for post-grads to gather the clinical judgment and problem-solving skills to assist at-risk populations, especially military members and their families. Cohorts can complete the 60-credit degree within two years full-time or seven semesters part-time unless Advanced Standing status is granted. Value-based courses like social service policy are supplemented with 900 hours of fieldwork in the Panhandle region. Former placements include Fresenius, Sacred Heart Health System, Covenant Hospice, and Refuge for Women. Apply before the June 1st, October 1st, or March 1st deadline with a bachelor’s, clean criminal history form, and minimum 3.0 GPA.
Accreditation
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Building 86, Room 112E
11000 University Parkway
Pensacola, FL 32514
(850) 474-2381
socialwork@uwf.edu
http://uwf.edu/ceps/departments/social-work/graduate-programs/master-of-social-work-msw/
The CareerOneStop occupation profile for child , family, and school social workers shows that Florida will see faster-than-average job growth of 18 percent by 2024. Clinical social workers with LCSW licensing also have a sunny job outlook for a 19 percent hiring increase in Florida. More than 35 percent of successful social workers have a master’s degree, so earning a MSW with these accredited social work degree programs in Florida will help you compete.
Related Resource: Top Ten Best Online Social Work Degree Programs