Looking to start or advance your career as a social worker in The Sunshine State? Then these rankings of the best MSW programs in Florida is the perfect place to start!
Florida boasts more than ten Master In Social Work degree programs, so narrowing down the right schools for you may seem like a monumental task. After all, choosing where you pursue your advanced education is an important decision.
So, to help you figure out which schools could be a good fit, we collected data on every single program in the state.
In fact, in this article we cover all the key information you need to know about all of the top MSW programs in Florida. This includes exam pass rates, degree pathways, admission requirements, tuition, and more.
So, continue reading to discover if one of these programs may be the right fit for you.
Table of Contents
- What Is The Best MSW Program In Florida?
- 5 Best MSW Programs In Florida Ranked
- Is An MSW Program In Florida Right For You?
- Florida MSW Programs FAQs
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What Is The Best MSW Program In Florida?
Based on our ranking criteria, Florida Atlantic University is the best MSW program in Florida.Of the 12 graduates who took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, 12 of them passed, giving this school an 85.7% pass rate.
Meanwhile, 90 out of 219 graduates taking the Clinical Exam passed, equating to a pass rate of 41.1%.
However, just because this school came first in our rankings doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best choice for you.
For example, while Florida Atlantic University had the best Master’s Exam pass rates, their minimum GPA requirement is the highest of all the schools on this list.
Likewise, while University of Central Florida ranks higher than University of South Florida, UCF only offers part-time online degree pathways. Therefore, if you want to enroll in a full-time online track, you’d be better off selecting USF.
Ultimately, choosing the right MSW program in Florida depends on your own unique goals and circumstances. So, to learn about your options and what makes each school stand out, keep reading.
5 Best MSW Programs In Florida Ranked
To rank the best MSW programs in Florida, we used official exam pass rate data from the Association of Social Work Boards. This way we were able to rank each school using an objective metric.
Since you’ll need to pass the Master’s Exam in order to become a Licensed Master of Social Work, these pass rates are a good measure of how well each school prepares you for social work practice.
The table below ranks every MSW program from the highest ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate to the lowest. To learn more about the top MSW programs in Florida, keep reading after the table.
| School | Masters Exam Pass Rate | Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| 1. Florida Atlantic University | 85.7% | 41.1% |
| 2. University of Central Florida | 81.2% | 41.7% |
| 3. Southeastern University | 77.8% | 57.9% |
| 4. University of South Florida | 75.0% | 59.6% |
| 5. Florida International University | 71.4% | 30.8% |
| 6. Florida State University | 69.1% | 50.9% |
| 7. Florida Gulf Coast University | 66.7% | 28.8% |
| 8. University of West Florida | 52.6% | 36.0% |
| 9. Saint Leo University | 50.0% | 46.2% |
| 10. Barry University | 44.8% | 22.5% |
| 11. Florida A&M University | 16.7% | 2.9% |
| 12. University of North Florida | 0.0% | 75.0% |
| 13. Florida Memorial University (BSW only) | N/A | 0.0% |
1. Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University offers both Regular and Advanced Standing MSW tracks. While the Regular track requires 60 credits to earn your degree, the Advanced Standing track requires just 30 credits.
Additionally, you complete courses for both options at the school’s Boca Raton campus, with some courses available online, and both are available in full- and part-time formats:
- Regular track: You can complete this track in either two, three, or four years. The full-time pathway typically requires two years of study.
- Advanced Standing track: You can complete this track in either two, three, four, or five semesters. The full-time pathway typically requires one year of study.
While full-time students usually take about 15 credits per semester, part-time students generally take about 6 credits per semester.
We should also note that this school uses a year-round, rolling admissions process. This means you can begin your program in Spring, Summer, or Fall.
To gain entry into this MSW program, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree with broad liberal arts preparation; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW in the last five years
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in last the 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework; Advanced Standing students require a minimum 3.5 GPA in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework
- Three letters of recommendation; Advanced Standing students must submit one letter from their BSW program’s director of field education
- Submission of personal statement
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $371.82 per credit hour; $5,577.30 per semester (for full-time students enrolled in 15 credits); $2,230.92 per semester (for part-time students enrolled in 6 credits) | $1,026.81 per credit hour; $15,402 per semester (for full-time students enrolled in 15 credits); $6,160.86 per semester (for part-time students enrolled in 6 credits) | 85.7% | 41.1% |
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2. University of Central Florida
Number two in our rankings of the best MSW programs in Florida is University of Central Florida. Of the 48 students who took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, 29 of them passed, equalling a pass rate of 81.2%.
Meanwhile, graduates from this school attained a 41.7% pass rate, with 131 out of 314 passing the test.
You can opt to complete your degree on-campus or in a 100% online format. However, there are a few other differences between the two format:
- On-campus: You can choose to take courses part-time or full-time, and you can earn a nine-credit military social work certificate.
- Online: This track is only available part-time. You take one course at a time, and each course lasts seven weeks. Additionally, you can complete your field placements at locations all across the nation
Both the on-campus and online formats offer both Traditional Standing and Advanced Standing pathways.
The Advanced Standing track requires 32 credits. It typically takes three to four semesters to complete on-campus, and two years to complete online.
On the other hand, the Traditional Standing track requires 62 credits to complete, usually taking between five to nine semesters to complete on-campus, and three years to complete online.
Finally, though UCF doesn’t explicitly list every single admission requirement for their MSW program, you’ll need to at least meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW in the last six years
- Earn a grade of C or higher in a course in each of the following categories: Humanities; physical and biological sciences; mathematics; and social sciences)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study; Advanced Standing students need a minimum 3.3 GPA in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $369.65 per credit hour (on-campus tracks) $487.45 per credit hour (online tracks) | $1,194.05 per credit hour (on-campus tracks) $487.45 per credit hour (online tracks) | 81.2% | 41.7% |
3. Southeastern University
Third in our rankings of the best MSW programs in Florida is Southeastern University. Of the 9 students taking the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, seven of them passed, giving this school a 77.8% pass rate.
Meanwhile, SEU boast a 57.9% pass rate on the Clinical Exam, with 11 out of 19 graduates passing the test.
This school offers various on-campus tracks for both Traditional and Advanced Standing students, each requiring a different number of semesters to complete:
- Standard Advanced Standing track: Two semester to complete
- Advanced Standing Flex Track (with Spring start): Three semesters to complete
- Advanced Standing Flex Track (with Fall start): Four semesters to complete
- Standard Traditional Standing Track: Five semesters to complete
- Traditional Standing Flex Track (with Spring start): Six semesters to complete
- Traditional Standing Flex track (with Fall start): Seven semesters to complete
It’s also worth noting that all the tracks above focus on a clinical specialization, giving you counseling and psychotherapy skills you need to make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and groups.
However, you’ll also complete coursework in administration to prepare you for more leadership-oriented roles.
Additionally, courses occur two evenings per week in eight-week sessions, allowing you to focus on just two courses at a time.
Finally, to gain entry into the MSW program at Southeastern University, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree; Advanced Standing students must have earned their BSW in the last ten years, but can submit a one- to two-page paper demonstrating how they’ve kept up-to-date with professional knowledge if they earned their degree more than ten years ago
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework
- Grade of B- or better in all BSW practice and field education courses
- Traditional track students must complete prerequisite courses in Introduction to Psychology and English Composition with a grade of C or better
- One professional and one academic reference
- Submission of resume and notarized Florida Department of Children and Families “Affidavit of Good Moral Character” form
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $515 per credit hour | N/A (Private University) | 77.8% | 57.9% |
4. University of South Florida
University of South Florida ranks number four in our list of the top MSW programs in Florida. Of the 20 graduates who took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, 15 of them passed. This equates to a pass rate of 75.0%.
Meanwhile, 112 out of 188 graduates passed the Clinical Exam, giving this school a pass rate of 59.6%.
There are a wide array of Master in Social Work degree options at University of South Florida, including:
- Full-Time Traditional Standing (Tampa Campus): 60-credit track completed over four semester (Fall, Spring, Fall, Spring) and requiring 900 field hours
- Full-Time Advanced Standing (Tampa Campus): 35-credit track completed over three semesters (Spring, Fall, Spring or Summer, Fall, Spring) and requiring 600 field hours
- Part-Time Traditional Standing (Tampa Campus and Sarasota-Manatee Campus): 6–credit track delivered over eight consecutive semester (including summers) and requiring 900 field hours
- Part-Time Advanced Standing (Tampa Campus and Sarasota-Manatee Campus): 35-credit delivered over five consecutive semesters and requiring 600 field hours
- Online, Part-Time Traditional Standing: 60-credit track beginning in Spring and completed over eight consecutive semesters requiring 900 field hours
- Online, Part-Time Advanced Standing: 35-credit track beginning in Summer and completed over five consecutive semesters requiring 600 field hours
- Online, Full-Time Advanced Standing: 35-credit track beginning in summer and completed over three consecutive semester requiring 600 field hours
Additionally, this school offers one dual degree: the Master of Public Health and Social Work (MSW/MPH) concurrent degree.
Finally, to gain entry into the MSW program at University of South Florida, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree and demonstrate a liberal arts background; Advanced Standing students must also earn a B- grade or better in all undergraduate social work coursework
- Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in all undergraduate coursework
- At least one year of post-undergraduate work in a social service agency is preferred; this can include paid and/or volunteer work
- Submission of resume
- One statement of purpose, and one writing sample on a social problem
- Three letters of recommendation, including at least one academic and one professional reference
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $431.43 per credit hour (Tampa campus); $429.93 per credit hour (Sarasota campus); $550 per credit hour (online) | $877.17 per credit hour (Tampa campus); $875.67 per credit hour (Sarasota campus); $550 per credit hour (online) | 75.0% | 59.6% |
5. Florida International University
The fifth and final school in our rankings of the best MSW programs in Florida is Florida International University. Of the 14 students who took the ASWB Master’s Exam in 2022, 10 of them passed, the equivalent of a 71.4% pass rate.
Meanwhile, 76 out of the 247 graduates who took the Clinical Exam passed, giving this school a pass rate of 30.8%.
Florida International University offers both a two-year Standard track and a one-year Advanced Standing track. While the Standard track requires 60 credit hours to complete, the Advanced Standing track requires just 33. Both tracks take place on-campus.
Additionally, this school offers several social work certificates you can pursue while earning your MSW degree. While some may require you to enroll in additional courses, they can typically be worked into your existing curriculum. The certificates include:
- Social Work Practice with the Elderly
- Certificate in Addictions
- Child Welfare Certificate
We should also note that FIU offers two dual degree tracks: Social Work and Law (MSW/JD) and Social Work and Public Health (MSW/MPH).
Finally, in order to enroll in this MSW program, you must meet the following admission requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree
- Advanced Standing students must attain a minimum cumulative 3.25 GPA in all undergraduate coursework and a B grade or better in all BSW coursework
- Earn a grade of C or better in a three-credit course in Biology with human content and a three-credit course in statistics
- Earn a grade of C or better in 12 credits of social science courses
- Personal narrative statement
- Three references
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | ASWB Masters Exam Pass Rate | ASWB Clinical Exam Pass Rate |
| $455.64 per credit hour | $1,001.69 per credit hour | 71.4% | 30.8% |
Is An MSW Program In Florida Right For You?
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While choosing the right MSW program in Florida is a difficult decision, the rankings above should give you a good idea of what makes all the top programs stand out.
For example, even though Florida Atlantic University had the highest ASWB Master’s Exam pass rates, University of South Florida had the highest Clinical Exam pass rates of the top five schools.
Similarly, while Central Florida University has the lowest tuition per credit hour for in-state students, Southeastern University boasts the lowest tuition per credit hour for on-campus, non-resident students.
Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your own unique circumstances, goals, and needs.
Of course, if none of these best MSW programs in Florida quite piqued your interest, you’re not limited to schools in this state. In fact, you may want to consider earning your degree online, which is typically a much more flexible and affordable option.
To explore MSW programs suited to your preferences, fill out this form and we’ll help you get started!
Florida MSW Programs FAQs
How Much Does An MSW Earn In Florida?
The average annual salary for an MSW in Florida is $68,435, with salaries typically ranging between $56,109 and $81,851 per year.
How Long Is The MSW Program At FSU?
The length of the MSW program at Florida State University depends on which track you opt to pursue.
The Traditional track MSW requires 61 credit hours to complete, and you can earn your degree in about two years of full-time study.
Meanwhile, the Advanced Standing MSW track at FSU requires 39 credit hours to complete, and you can typically earn your degree in about one year of full-time study.
What Is The MSW Program Ranked At FSU?
Florida State University ranks as the six-best MSW program in the state of Florida with an ASWB Master’s Exam pass rate of 69.1%. Of the 97 graduates who took the test, 67 of them passed.
Meanwhile, graduates from this school attained a 50.9% pass rate on the Clinical Exam, with 198 out of 389 passing.
Is FSU MSW Accredited?
The MSW program at FSU is accredited by the Council On Social Work Education. Their campuses in Tallahassee, FL and Panama City, FL have been accredited since 1950. Meanwhile, there online MSW program has been accredited since 2018.
The school’s most recent accreditation review was in 2019, and there next review is scheduled for June 2026.
What Is The Acceptance Rate For The MSW Program At FSU?
According to Peterson’s, the acceptance rate for the MSW program at FSU is 39%. Of the 720 prospective students who applied, 278 were accepted, and 240 enrolled.
