Become a Social Worker in Florida
There are more than 36,000 social workers in Florida, including child, family, school, healthcare, mental health and substance abuse social workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in May 2024, only three states had more healthcare social workers and only two had more social workers in the category all other, which excludes school, family and child social workers and mental health and substance abuse social workers.
This career guide for how to become a social worker in Florida explains educational requirements, how to get licensed, Florida social work organizations to join and more. Once you complete the steps to become a Florida social worker, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others.
University of Denver • Denver, CO
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
54-81 graduate-level credits
Concentrations
Mental Health and Trauma, Health, Equity and Wellness
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission
- Minimum undergraduate GPA is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Career goals statement
Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 24 months
Credits
36-60
Concentrations
Advanced Integrated Practice, Advanced Clinical Practice
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Essays
- Prerequisite coursework
- Letters of recommendation
Simmons University • Boston, MA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Accelerated and Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 9 months
Credits
37-65
Concentrations
Mental Health Practice Optional Certificate, Trauma Practice Optional Certificate, Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families
Admission Requirements
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Recommendation forms
- Statement of professional and educational intent
Howard University • Washington, DC
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
45+
Concentrations
Direct Practice, Community, Administration and Policy (CAP) Practice
Admission Requirements
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- College transcripts
- A personal statement
- An application essay
- A resume
- Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution, award within four years of first term start date
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all social work foundation and undergraduate coursework
Wondering how to become a social worker in Florida? Education, field experience and licensure can help you achieve your social worker career goals. To become an LCSW in Florida and advance your career, consider these general steps, summarized from the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling.
The information below was retrieved in November 2025 and is intended only as a high-level overview. Requirements may change; always check with the state licensing board for complete and up-to-date information.
To become a licensed social worker in Florida, you will have to complete a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program. All three licenses offered in Florida require an MSW degree: certified master social worker, registered clinical social worker intern, and licensed clinical social worker.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and MSW programs will include social work field experience, but you’ll need to meet certain field experience requirements for social work licensure in Florida. To become fully licensed as an LCSW, you must have two years of post-master’s supervised experience under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker.
Once you’ve completed all requirements according to the board, you may apply to become an LCSW in Florida.
Learn more on how to become a social worker.
Social Work Degree Programs in Florida
There are more than 30 social work degree programs at the associate, bachelor, master and doctorate levels to help you become a social worker in Florida.
An associate degree with a social work focus can help students complete coursework that prepares them for an entry-level administrative role in social work. There are Florida social work associate degrees available at schools like Seminole State College of Florida, Miami Dade College, Eastern Florida State College and St. Petersburg College.
There are 14 CSWE-accredited BSW programs in Florida. A bachelor’s degree in social work can enable a student to enter an advanced standing program in an MSW program, where you may be able to complete an MSW in about one year. A BSW also prepares students for entry-level social work positions, such as caseworkers or mental health assistants.
To become a licensed social worker in Florida as a registered clinical social worker intern, licensed clinical social worker or certified master social worker, an MSW is required. As of November 2025, there are 13 CSWE-accredited MSW programs in Florida.
Some social workers pursue a doctorate in social work, which may open pathways to leadership roles and social work research. Florida has social work/social welfare doctorate programs at:
- Barry University
- Florida State University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida International University
- University of Central Florida
- University of South Florida
Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Florida
MSW programs in Florida teach students advanced social work theories and practical knowledge. MSW programs include coursework on human development, social work policy, intervention and social work practice for poverty, oppression and trauma.
MSW students in Florida also complete a social work practicum, during which they gain real social work experience under the supervision of a licensed Florida social worker. There are full-time, part-time and advanced-standing MSW programs available in Florida. The following are CSWE accredited or in candidacy MSW programs in Florida.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Barry UniversityMaster of Social Work | Miami, FL | 2 years | Full-Time |
Florida A&M UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Tallahassee, FL | N/A | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Florida Atlantic UniversityMaster of Social Work | Boca Raton, FL | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMaster of Social Work | Fort Myers, FL | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Florida International UniversityMaster of Social Work | Miami, FL | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Florida State UniversityMaster of Social Work | Tallahassee, FL | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Southeastern UniversityMaster of Social Work | Lakeland, FL | 2 years | Full-Time |
University of Central FloridaMaster of Social Work | Orlando, FL | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of North FloridaMaster of Social Work | Jacksonville, FL | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
University of South FloridaMaster of Social Work | Tampa, FL | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Online MSW Programs in Florida
There are six online MSW programs in Florida that are accredited by the CSWE and offered on at least a part-time basis with an advanced standing option.
The online MSW programs typically offer the same curriculum and coursework as traditional on-campus Florida programs. Students may also be taught by the same professors and complete fieldwork as part of the program.
| Institution & Program | Location | Study Length | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
Barry UniversityMaster of Social Work | Miami, FL | 3+ years | Part-Time |
Florida State UniversityMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Tallahassee, FL | 2+ years | Part-Time |
University of Central FloridaMaster of Social Work (MSW) | Orlando, FL | 1.3+ years | Part-Time |
University of South FloridaMaster of Social Work | Tampa, FL | 2+ years | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Learn more about MSW Programs:
Social Work Licenses in Florida
There are three types of social work licenses in Florida: the registered clinical social work intern, the licensed clinical social worker and the certified master social worker. A registered clinical social work intern may provide clinical social work under the supervision of an LCSW. An LCSW may provide independent, unsupervised clinical social work services.
A certified master social worker is not licensed to provide clinical services. Rather, it’s an administrative license for areas of expertise including agency administration, program planning, staff development, research, community organization and services, social planning and human services advocacy.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida
The LCSW in Florida is a license for those who have completed post-MSW clinical experience or who have held an independent license to practice in another state.
- Education requirements: CSWE-accredited MSW program and official transcripts.
- Field requirements: Two years and 1500 hours of post-MSW supervised experience under the supervision of an LCSW.
- Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) clinical exam.
- License renewal: Every two years.
Learn more about how to become an LCSW.
Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW) in Florida
The certified master social worker license is a social work administrative license that does not allow for providing clinical services.
- Education requirements: CSWE-accredited MSW and official transcripts. 3 semester hours must have been in the following content areas: program planning and evaluation, agency administration and supervision, staff development, community services, community organization, research, social planning, and human services advocacy.
- Field requirements: Three years of experience in the field of social work, two years of which must have been post-MSW under the supervision of an LCSW or certified master social worker.
- Exam: ASWB generalist exam.
- License renewal: Every two years.
Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern
The registered clinical social worker intern license is for those who work under an LCSW, with intern work experience counting toward two years of post-MSW clinical experience.
- Education requirements: CSWE-accredited MSW and official transcripts. You must have completed 24 semester hours in human behavior and other courses that are clinically oriented, including at least one course in psychopathology.
- Field requirements: Applicants must have completed a supervised field placement in the MSW program during which the applicant provided clinical services directly to clients.
- Exam: None.
- License renewal: None.
Social Work Salaries in Florida
Social worker salaries in Florida will depend on your role, environment and location. However, the BLS reports that, generally, the higher the educational attainment, the greater the earning potential.
Florida Social Work Career | Number of Social Workers in Florida | Average Mean Social Worker Salary |
|---|---|---|
Child, Family and School Social Workers | 16,160 | $56,740 |
Healthcare Social Workers | 8,950 | $67,600 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 6,260 | $56,120 |
Social Workers, All Other | 5,070 | $67,540 |
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | 60 | $69,730 |
Information on the above social work salaries in Florida was retrieved in November 2025 from Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Florida, as of May 2024.
Learn more about different social work salaries.
Florida Social Work Scholarships
If you’re interested in going to social work school in Florida, there are social work scholarships that can help you pay for school. Be sure to check with your preferred university for other financial aid options.
- Barry University Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Florida State University scholarships
- National Association of Junior Auxiliaries Inc. Graduate Scholarship Program
- University of Central Florida Scholarships
- University of North Florida – Moyano Family Scholarship in Social Work
- University of South Florida Scholarship Opportunities
Florida Social Work Organizations
Social workers in Florida can connect with a variety of social work organizations in the state. These groups provide networking opportunities, news and research about social work in Florida and job listings. Your university may also offer social work organizations for students.
- Florida Association of School Social Workers (FASSW): FASSW’s name was adopted in 1990. The organization advocates for the presence of social workers in the education system in Florida and provides professional development opportunities.
- Florida Society of Oncology Social Workers (FSOSW): The FSOSW provides social work clinicians, administrators, educators and researchers in the oncology field with support, advocacy, networking and professional development opportunities.
- NASW, Florida Chapter: The NASW chapter in Florida focuses on social worker needs and advocacy within the state via different task forces, such as veterans and military families, behavioral health, child welfare, and more.
FAQs
No, there is no social work license reciprocity in Florida. However, social workers who want to obtain licensure in Florida may apply for licensure by endorsement. The applications are reviewed individually to determine if Florida social work license requirements have been met.
Information last updated: November 2025