MSW Programs in Florida

Florida, also known as the “Sunshine State” is the second Southern-most state in the union (second to Hawaii). It is home to Key West, which has the highest average temperature of any city in the country (1).

Florida’s economy relies on tourism, agriculture and manufacturing. Florida is a unique state in that it does not levy state income tax on its residents, relying on tourism taxes instead. This means that once you are employed, you will get to bring more of your paycheck home than you would in other states. Orlando attracts more tourists to its amusement parks than any other city in the nation, and its many beaches are internationally famous. Citrus fruits, melons, potatoes, peanuts and sugar cane head up the agriculture product list in the state. Florida’s manufacturing sector is made up of a healthy mix of machinery production, printing, electronics and food processing equipment (2).

The state is known as a retirement mecca; it should be no surprise that the state has a higher than average percentage of the population over age 65 (20.9 percent, compared to the national average of 16.5 percent) (3).

Florida Social Issues

Florida has a large population of 19.5 million people. It also has a larger than average African American and Latino population (16.9 percent are African American, compared to the national average of 13.4 percent, and 26.4 percent are Latino, compared to the national average of 18.5 percent). The state also has a higher than average percentage of the population living in poverty (12.7 percent, compared to 10.5 percent) and a lower than average median household income ($55,660, compared to the national average of $62,843) (4). However, the cost of living in Florida is low, which can offset this lower median income somewhat.

Substance abuse is an issue in Florida. The number of people who have been admitted to a substance abuse treatment center has been declining, from 67,212 in 2001 to 55,364 in 2019 (5). According to the US Institute for Economics and Peace (in their 2012 United States Peace Index Report), Florida is the fourth most dangerous state in which to live. This ranking was determined by evaluation of the state’s number of homicides, availability of small firearms, number of police employees, number of violent crimes and incarceration rate (6).

Different parts of the state have very different needs. For example, if you are interested in living and working in the Miami area, you will find more opportunities to work with minority populations. If you live and work in a suburban area of Orlando or near the Villages, a retirement community with its own zip code and limited government, you will have more opportunities to work in gerontology. Some of the larger cities have higher crime rates, providing opportunities to work with the criminal justice system.

Social Work Education Opportunities in the Sunshine State

Are you hoping to study to become a social worker in state? If so, you will find several higher education institutions that offers graduate level social work programs. According to the 2019 US News & World Report school rankings, Florida State University’s School of Social Work is ranked number 33 in the nation. Florida International University (77th), the University of Central Florida (70th) and the University of South Florida (70th) are other good options (7). GRE Not Required for those that meet the waiver requirements.

Florida State University offers both traditional and online MSW options. You can also pursue a dual degree such as a master’s of social work/juris doctor degree, or a combined master’s degree in criminal justice and social work. If you are interested in public policy or administration, you can get a MSW/MPA (master’s of policy administration) dual degree or a MBA/MSW dual degree (8).

After you graduate and start looking for a job, you may discover opportunities in areas that are labeled as “Health Professional Shortage Areas” (HPSAs). If you find work in a HPSA, working with an underserved demographic, you may be eligible for loan forgiveness through a program such as the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program (NHSC). This program rewards social workers who are willing to work with underserved populations by offering loan forgiveness of up to $20,000 a year for up to two years.

Finding an MSW Job in Florida

Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that child, family and school social workers account for the largest proportion of social workers in the state. The median income for this specialty is $38,790. Healthcare social workers typically earn more, bringing in a median salary of $51,540 per year. There are 8,460 child, family and school social workers and 5,290 healthcare workers currently working in the state. Mental health and substance abuse social workers can expect to earn a median income of $37,200 (9).

Pay varies across the state for the different types of social work positions. Child, family and school social workers will find the best pay in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area, but mental health and substance abuse social workers will find the most lucrative positions in either the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota or the Port St. Lucie area. Healthcare social workers will find the best paying jobs in Gainesville, Naples or Ocala area (which is where the Villages is located) (10).

The anticipated growth rate for social work jobs in Florida is about average relative to the rest of the country. By 2026, child, family and school social work jobs are projected to grow by 23 percent (11). Healthcare social work positions are expected to grow at a faster rate of 26 percent (12). Mental health and substance abuse social work jobs are projected to expand by 24 percent (13).

Licensure and Professional Development Resources

• Social Work License Requirements in Florida
• National Association of Social Workers, Florida Chapter
• Florida Department of Health (Licensure)
• Florida Association of School Social Workers
• Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Counseling and Mental Health Therapy

Universities offering Master’s in Social Work Programs in Florida

• Barry University (MSW Program)
• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (MSW Program)
• Florida Atlantic University (MSW Program)
• Florida Gulf Coast University (MSW Program)
• Florida International University (MSW Program)
• Florida State University (MSW, MSW/MPA, MSW/MBA, MSW/JD Programs)
• Hodges University (MSW/MPA)
• Saint Leo University (MSW Program)
• St. Thomas University (MSW/MPA)
• The University of West Florida (MSW Program)
• University of Central Florida (MSW Program)
• University of South Florida (MSW Program)

Sources Cited

1. Florida Facts and Trivia, 2014. 50 States.com. http://www.50states.com/facts/florida.htm#.U9AE0YBdWzU
2. Florida, 2014. Info Please. http://www.infoplease.com/us-states/florida.html
3. State and County QuickFacts, 2019. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/dashboard/FL,US/PST045219
4. State and County QuickFacts, 2019. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/dashboard/FL,US/PST045219
5. State Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment Services, 2019. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/newmapv1.htm#
6. Safest and Most Dangerous States, 2012. Info Please. http://www.infoplease.com/us/states/most-dangerous-states.html
7. Graduate School Search – Social Work Programs, 2019. US News and World Report. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings?location=Florida
8. Master of Social Work Overview, 2021. Florida State University. https://csw.fsu.edu/academics/master-social-work-msw/msw-overview
9. Statewide Statistics for Florida, 2019. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
10. Statewide Statistics for Florida, 2019. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
11. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2019. Career One Stop. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Child,%20Family,%20and%20School%20Social%20Workers&onetcode=21102100&location=florida
12. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2019. Career One Stop. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Healthcare%20Social%20Workers&onetcode=21102200&location=florida&lang=en
13. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2019. Career One Stop. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Mental%20Health%20and%20Substance%20Abuse%20Social%20Workers&onetcode=21102300&location=florida&lang=en