How to Become a Social Worker in Florida
Florida is a state that represents a lot of fun and exciting things, including great weather, miles and miles of beaches, and one of the best children’s parks in the nation. Florida is one of the fastest-growing states. It’s also a great state for social workers and aspiring social workers.
According to Council on Social Work Education, there are about 27 accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that Florida is the 5th–highest state in terms of the number of healthcare social workers employed in the state with 10,680 employed as of May 2022. Child, family, and school social workers earned an average annual wage of $49,910 in 2022 according to the bureau.
Does the idea of a career in social work sound appealing? This article is filled with information on everything you need to know about this career, including how to become a social worker in Florida. Although it may seem like a lot of education and training is required, most social workers feel it’s a rewarding career more than worth the time, effort, and training.
How to Become a Social Worker in Florida
- Earn a degree from a CSWE-accredited program
- Complete the required fieldwork
- Take licensing exam
- Apply for and obtain a license
Social workers may have only a bachelor’s degree in some states, but this is not the case in Florida. Florida issues three social worker licenses: registered clinical social worker intern, certified master social worker, and licensed clinical social worker. All three of these licenses require a Master of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited school.
Aspiring social workers can earn a bachelor’s degree in social work, but it’s not enough to become a licensed social worker. What the bachelor’s degree can do is prepare the student for entry-level work in the social work field or act as a stepping-stone for an advanced standing program in social work.
Choosing a CSWE-accredited program is very important and can make a difference when trying to find work as a licensed social worker in Florida. With so many schools offering social worker programs in Florida, students have many from which to choose. Since some schools offer the program online, students have even more options without having to leave their state to earn the degree.
Learning how to become a social worker in Florida is the first step towards this rewarding career. Regardless of whether you choose to earn a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a Master of Social Work (MSW), there are specific requirements that must be satisfied regarding classroom learning and fieldwork. The BSW takes four years to complete, while the MSW takes one to two years beyond the BSW. Online social work programs can take less or more time to complete depending on the student’s commitment and time.
Once you’ve earned the MSW, you must apply for and take the Association of Social Work Boards advanced generalist exam. This is the final requirement before becoming a licensed social worker in Florida, but the student cannot take the exam until he or she has completed the required number of hours of work experience. Licenses are typically good for two years. Social workers must maintain their certification by completing continuing education credits prior to the license’s expiration date.
Social Work Degree Programs in Florida
If you’re looking for a social work program, there are several options in schools. There are about 14 BSW programs and 13 MSW programs in Florida. Some schools offer them on campus, so are offered online, and some schools offer both or hybrid programs. Here are some of the colleges that offer CSWE-accredited social work programs.
- Barry University
- Ana G. Mendez University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida Golf Coast University
- Florida State University
- Saint Leo University
- University of Central Florida
- Florida International University
BSW Programs in Florida
- Barry University – Barry University partners with Miami Dade College to offer students the chance to earn an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in two years. This on-campus program also allows bachelor’s degree holders to earn an MSW in as little as seven months.
- Florida Atlantic University – This University offers a BSW program at two campus locations. Students who complete 60 credits with a 3.5 GPA can apply for advanced standing and transition into the school’s MSW program.
- Florida Golf Coast University – The highly-rated on-campus BSW program at FGCU requires 36 hours of general education on top of the core courses. This program can lead to advanced standing in the MSW program.
Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Florida
- Ana G. Mendez University – This MSW program utilizes the curriculum set by the CSWE. The on-campus program can be completed in as little as two years or as long as four to five years depending on the number of courses the student wants to take each term.
- Florida Golf Coast University – The MSW program at FGCU provides a solid background in liberal arts and prepares students to work in clinical settings.
- Florida State University – The MSW program at FSU that can be completed in two years or five semesters. Students with advanced standing can finish it in one year. FSU also offers this program online.
Online MSW Programs in Florida
Earning a degree in social work is a big deal and one that requires time, commitment, and dedication. For some students, this can be difficult due to employment, time, or other personal obligations. Online social work programs are often the ideal solution. Here are some accredited colleges in Florida that offer online BSW and MSW programs.
- University of Central Florida – UCF offers a 32-credit online MSW that can be completed in one year. It also offers a choice of different tracks and concentrations.
- Barry University – The online MSW program at BU is $647 per credit. The program requires 32-64 credits depending on if the student is in advanced standing or not.
- Florida International University – The online MSW at SIU is offered at both the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. Students must complete coursework and two internships.
Types of Social Workers and Social Worker Licenses in Florida
In Florida, aspiring social workers have the choice of becoming one of three types of licensed social workers. Each has its own title, and each comes with its educational and training requirements.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Individuals who have completed their post-MSW clinical experience are eligible to apply for this license. Social workers who have a license from another state are also eligible. Education and training requirements include:
- Must have completed a CSW-accredit MSW program
- Must provide official transcripts
- Must complete two years of post-graduate supervised work experience with a licensed social worker
- Must pass the ASWB clinical exam
- License must be renewed every two years.
Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW)
Social workers interested in performing social work administrative duties and not providing clinical services choose the CMSW credential. Requirements include:
- Must have completed an accredited MSW program
- Must provide official transcripts
- Must complete three years of social work field worth with two of the years under the supervision of a CMSW or a LCSW
- Must pass the ASWB generalist examination
- License must be renewed every two years.
Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern
This credential is for an individual working under a LCSW’s supervision with this work going towards the requirement for post-MSW clinical experience.
- Must have earned the MSW from an accredited college
- Must provide official transcripts
- Must complete a supervised fieldwork experience in the MSW Program with the student providing clinical service to patients
- No exam is required.
- No license is required.
Social Work Scholarships in Florida
Earning a BSW or MSW can be costly for many students. Fortunately, several of the Florida colleges offering social work programs also offer scholarships.
- Barry University Financial Aid and Scholarships – Barry University offers both financial aid and scholarships to part-time and full-time students enrolled in social BSW or MSW programs that meet the school’s academic requirements.
- Florida State University Scholarship – FSU offers several different scholarships to students enrolled in a social work program. Students must be in good standing and must meet academic requirements.
Florida Social Worker Salary
Below is information on the different types of licensed social workers in Florida. The information included is the number employed in Florida, their expected employment growth from 2021-2031, and their average annual wages according to the BLS.
| Social Worker Type | Number and % Employed | Annual Salary |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 14,050 – 8% | $49,910 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | 10,680 – 11% | $55,270 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 5,180 -11% | $47,520 |
| Social Workers, all other | 5,090 – 3% | $55,990 |
| Social Work Teachers | 30 – 9% | $70,310 |
Types of Social Worker Jobs in Florida
With the different types of social workers in Florida, there are also various types of jobs available besides working as a licensed social worker.
- Licensed outpatient therapist
- Licensed marriage and family therapist
- Case manager
- Program Manager
- School social worker
- Social worker associate
- Care Coordinator
- Social work specialist
Social Work Organizations in Florida
Social work organizations, like the ones listed below, are a great way for social workers to connect and communicate with other social workers. They can learn about social worker news, job listings, legal issues, networking opportunities and more.
- NASW, Florida Chapter – This chapter deals with social worker needs by advocating for social workers through different task forces, including child welfare, behavioral health, military families, veterans, and more.
- Florida Association of School Social Workers – This organization serves a couple of purposes, including professional development options, and advocating for social workers in the Florida educational system.
- Florida Society of Oncology Social Workers – This organization is aimed at helping administrators, teachers, clinicians, and researchers in the oncology field through networking, support, and advocacy.
FAQs
Q: Does Florida have social work reciprocity?
A: A social worker who has a license from another state can apply for a Florida license by using the “Applying by Endorsement” option. They must get the Florida social work board’s approval. Within the first six months of obtaining the Florida license, the candidate must pass the state’s course on domestic violence.
Q: What is the best way to look up my social work license in Florida?
A: You can verify any Florida social work license through the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling site. You can look up any social work license in Florida on the Florida Licensing Board of Social Works site.