Florida MSW Degree Programs

Last updated January 15, 2024
Florida MSW Degree Programs By Kassondra Glenn
Kassondra Glenn
Licensed Psychotherapist, MSW in Clinical Social Work/Psychotherapy (NYU)
School Program Admissions
University of West Florida Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited, 100% online. Traditional and Advanced Standing MSW tracks.
University of West Florida CSWE Accredited MSW Program
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Click to view online MSW programs that are taking applications for 2024.

There are 12 universities in Florida with online MSW programs. Popular colleges include Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, the University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, and the University of West Florida that offer an online MSW program. These schools will provide an opportunity to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Master Social Worker in Florida.

Florida CSWE Accredited MSW Programs

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has accredited 12 different institutions that offer graduate degrees in social work. Many of the popular public institutions offer an online opportunity with clinical practice and the ability to work with and assess issues with children and adults.

In total, there are three Master's degrees that offer at least a hybrid format for better accessibility for students that must maintain professional work are may not be convenient located near the university.

Are there online MSW programs in Florida?

Yes, there are colleges in Florida with an online Master of Social Work degree program. Consider a featured online MSW program that is taking applicants right now, or move on to the list.

School Program Admissions
Our Lady of the Lake University Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
Adelphi University Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
University of Kentucky Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
University of West Florida Online Master of Social Work
CSWE Accredited
Website
Virginia Commonwealth University Online Master's in Social Work
Accredited
Website
i sponsored

Click to see more accredited online MSW programs that are taking applications for 2024.

List of online MSW programs in Florida that are CSWE accredited

School Program CSWE Accredited?
Florida State University Online MSW: Advanced Standing program for those with a BSW or a Traditional program for those with a bachelor's in another area of study.
University of Central Florida Online Master of Social Work
University of South Florida Online MSW: Clinical Social Work Practice

Finding a Campus Based Florida MSW Program

Tallahassee hosts two universities that offer graduate level degrees in social work: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (Florida A&M) and Florida State University.

There are Bachelor's degrees available at these schools as well, giving students an ability to gain advanced standing in their Master's program and only adding an additional year to their studies. Many institutions across the state of Florida that have CSWE accreditation offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work.

In-depth review of Florida online MSW degrees

University of West Florida Online Master of Social Work
University of West Florida (Online)

The online MSW degree from the University of West Florida provides the knowledge and skills students need for clinical social work practice. Featuring clinically-focused coursework grounded in the study of medical and behavioral healthcare, this program blends field internships with hands-on learning. Our advanced standing MSW program is designed for those with a bachelor’s degree in social work and is 30 credits of clinical focused curriculum. Graduates of this CSWE-accredited program will be prepared for licensure as a clinical social worker in the state of Florida. This clinical program features both advanced standing and traditional tracks, allowing students to choose the option that fits their previous social work education.

Click for more information from the University of West Florida website.

Online
CSWE Accredited
Master

University of West Florida Online Master of Social Work

Visit the University of West Florida admissions website securely. Click "Learn More" to securely visit the University of West Florida admissions website.

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Florida State University's Online MSW

The College of Social Work offers variations of their Master's degree, one of those being the online program with asynchronous coursework for an advanced generalist. This is typically completed in a two-year time-span with foundational courses in the first year and more specialized options in the second year. Other options include the part-time program that gives more time for students to complete the program, and the on-campus format at the Panama City or Tallahassee campuses.

60 credit hours are needed to complete the full program, and this lowers to 39 total credit hours with advanced standing. Courses in the fall and spring semesters last 16 weeks, with the summer being 12 or 13 weeks, and they are distributed through the Blackboard online learning management system. A minimum of 400 field practice hours are needed to graduate with the Master's degree.

Students choosing the online program will need to complete some curriculum requirements at the Tallahassee campus. This option is available for all prospective students in the United States. Specific counties in the state of Florida are not eligible for the online program and will need to complete their education at either campus.

Admission requirements include three letters of recommendation, updated resume, statement of purpose, and completing an undergraduate degree in a similar field. Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores are not required if students are eligible for a waiver. Students must hit one of the following for waiver: over five years of social work, already having a Master's degree from an accredited institution, 3.5 cumulative GPA from the undergraduate degree, or 3.25 cumulative GPA from a Bachelor's degree at FSU.

University of Central Florida's Online Master of Social Work

The College of Health Professions and Sciences has both the Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in social work accredited by the CSWE. There are three different versions of the Master's degree to consider: the physical program on campus, the fully online option, and the advanced standing curriculum that eliminates foundational courses. Only Nebraska is not eligible for the online program in the US due to state licensure requirements.

There are no on-campus curriculum requirements for the online program, giving those students full flexibility to pursue the degree. As there are differences between the online and on-campus formats, there is a strict cohort following and no student can utilize both options.

Students are eligible to gain advanced standing if they have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in social work. This must have been completed in the last six years and they have gained an accumulative 3.3 GPA over the last 60 credit. Admission is only available in the fall semester.

Technical requirements for online students include having a modern computer with broadband internet access, microphone, and webcam for course interaction. Windows and Mac operating systems are recommended, but there is support for iOS and Android mobile devices. Additional applications include a PDF reader, Adobe Flash Player, and word processing software.

University of South Florida's Online MSW

The College of Behavioral and Community Sciences offers the Online MSW and an advanced standing option for those with an undergraduate degree in the field. This online program is offered in all 50 states, but students should refer to their state licensure requirements in order to determine if the curriculum and field hours meet local standards.

Students can complete the full program in the span of eight semesters, or three to five semesters for advanced standing depending on if they are enrolled part-time or full-time. There are both asynchronous and synchronous courses, with live courses being offered during the evening hours early in the workweek. 12 to 15 hours of field work per week is also required, which equates to at least 900 hours by the time the graduate program ends.

In the traditional format, students will take three different courses in each of the eight semesters, which includes field practice and the final capstone project. Some courses that are mandatory in the program include Foundations in Human Behavior, Foundations of Social Welfare and Policy, and Foundations of Social Work Research and Statistics. An additional three electives can be chosen to customize the program for specific clinical practice and treatment procedures.


Review of campus-based Florida MSW programs

Barry University - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Miami

Offers many program formats, including full-time advanced standing and weekly Saturday courses. 63 total credit hours and 1,000 hours in field work needed in the full program. With advanced standing, requirements drop to 32 credit hours and 580 field hours. Those taking the weekend option complete all curriculum requirements over 28 months. Online program offers same education with synchronous faculty meetings.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Tallahassee

Commitment to minority development in social work, and working rural and urban areas. Mission to end poverty and oppression within communities and improve quality of life. Graduates have exceeded benchmarks in various learning outcomes. This includes meeting ethical standards, policy practice, and various client assessment. Course topics feature theory in human behavior, psychopathology, and research methods.

Florida Atlantic University - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Boca Raton

60 total credit hours needed in the main social work program. Admission requires Bachelor's degree with 3.0 GPA and three recommendation letters. Needs personal statement up to four pages describing career goals and latest experience. Advanced standing requires 3.5 GPA with an accredited BSW program. Grades of B- or higher needed for all courses and maintaining a 3.0 GPA.

Florida Gulf Coast University - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Fort Myers

Offers medical social work concentration for specialized training in treatment and rehabilitation. Provides preparation for roles at hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities. 500 hours of field experience needed each year in the curriculum. Students complete 16 to 17 hours each week to meet field requirements. Program prepares individuals for state licensure in Florida and many other locations. Graduates may complete the state laws and rules course and prepare for clinical exam.

Florida International University - Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) - Miami

Foundational topics feature interviewing methods and theroy and practice techniques with various clients. 60 total credit hours needed in the traditional format. Coursework offered during evening hours but students should have daytime availability for internship. Requires 3.0 GPA for social work courses in the undergraduate program. Prerequisites include 12 credit hours in social sciences, and biology and statistics. Students looking toward advanced standing must achieve 3.25 GPA or higher.

Florida State University - MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK (MSW) - Tallahassee

Available in many formats, including full-time enrollment and online education. Some varieties of the program are not available in all counties in the state of Florida. In these situations, students must study at Panama City or Tallahassee campus locations. Can dual-degree in disciplines like criminal justice and public administration. GRE scores needed in the application process with no minimum score.

Saint Leo University - Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) - Saint Leo

Online program is available in many Southeastern states in the country. Also includes Maryland, New Jersey, Illinois, and Virginia. May complete traditional or advanced standing formats in different enrollment options. Courses available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. Part-time enrollment offers Saturday morning courses. Each format requires an on-campus seminar that takes place over one weekend.

The University of West Florida - M.S.W. in Social Work - Pensacola

Offers 60 or 30 credit hours of education depending on academic standing. Up to 900 hours of field education needed to meet field practicum requirements. Clinical topics include psychopathology and practicing with individuals and groups. All portions of the MSW degree are available in an online format. Academics prepare graduates for further licensure tasks needed in the state. Online program offers asynchronous education and similar student resources as on-campus students.

University of Central Florida - Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) - Orlando

Online courses distributed in seven-week modules in both traditional and advanced standing formats. Advanced standing requires 3.3 GPA over social work focus in an accredited program. Traditional program has three start dates each year. Fall start only for advanced standing. Geared toward part-time education based on its online distribution. Orlando location offers traditional format that takes place on campus.

University of South Florida - Master of Social Work (MSW) - Tampa

Offers full-time or part-time enrollment for traditional program and advanced standing. Both pathways of study are also available online. Part-time option requires study over the summer term. Eight consecutive semesters needed for the full program on a part-time basis. Elective opportunities include cognitive behavior, substance abuse, women's mental health. There are opportunities to study overseas to learn community health and clinical practice.

Social Work Careers, Licensures, and Salaries in Florida

Florida is one of the top states for social work opportunities, especially in the health care sector. Over 10,700 professionals are employed as health care social workers, and this equates to an annual mean wage of $52,700. This is lower than the national average, but either on par or greater than the majority of southeastern-based states in the country.

Florida Social Worker Salaries

Health care social worker salaries can go up to over $75,400 in the top 10 percent in the state according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment is spread out all over the state in places like Jacksonville and Orlando, but around half of those employed are located in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area.

Florida Social Work Licensure

Licensure in the state of Florida is offered in two variations:

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW)

The LCSW licensure requires 1,500 of direct clinical work in a two-year span and this must be supervised by a professional that already has the LCSW license. There are three additional courses on state laws, domestic violence, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Licensure Requirements

4,500 hours of non-clinical social work experiences is needed for the CMSW. Up to 1,500 hours can be earned during graduate education, but 3,000 hours must be performed after gaining the Master’s degree.

Both of these certifications require the completion of a Master’s degree and passing the Association of Social Work Boards examination.