START YOUR SOCIAL WORK CAREER IN FLORIDA
Help People and Communities Across the Sunshine State Resources
You need at least a bachelor’s degree (BSW) to work as a social worker in Florida, but many jobs require a master’s degree (MSW). You must get a state license from the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and MH Counseling to practice in Florida.
Social work is a helping profession that improves people’s lives and meets basic human needs, especially for vulnerable and low-income populations. Florida social workers work in many different settings and use their skills and knowledge to solve complex social problems.
Social work jobs in Florida are expected to grow by 15 percent over the next ten years, which is faster than the national average. This means lots of job opportunities across the state. Florida offers good salaries and has strong demand for social workers.
Get Your Social Work Education in Florida
There are different levels of social work degrees, from associate through doctoral programs. To work as a licensed social worker in Florida, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), though many higher-level jobs require a master’s degree (MSW). Everyone has to start somewhere. If you’re just beginning, check out our guides on associate and bachelor’s degrees in social work. If you already have some education, a master’s in social work might be your next step. You can become a social worker even if your bachelor’s degree is in another field, but you may need to take extra classes.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
The undergraduate degree for a social work career is a Bachelor of Social Work. A BSW qualifies you for entry-level jobs and is required to get licensed as a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) in Florida. Most bachelor’s programs are 120 credit hours, and some Florida universities offer online programs.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
A master’s degree in social work prepares you for advanced and clinical jobs in Florida. Whether you want to work in hospitals, family services, mental health, or with older adults, an MSW helps you become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida after you complete required supervised work hours.
Ph.D. in Social Work
If you want to focus on research, policy work, or teaching at the university level, you might want a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). People with a Ph.D. in Social Work often work at Florida universities, research centers, or in leadership roles at major social service organizations.
Associate Degree in Human Services
An Associate Degree in Human Services is a good first step for your education in social work. While you can’t work as a licensed social worker with this degree, you can start your education and get a job in support roles at Florida social service agencies while you continue your studies. This can be a great place to start.
DSW (Doctor of Social Work)
Another doctoral option is the Doctor of Social Work (DSW). The DSW is for social workers who want advanced clinical practice or leadership jobs in Florida agencies. This practice-focused doctorate usually requires an MSW and work experience. People with a DSW often lead large social service organizations or train other social workers as clinical supervisors.
Related Advanced Degrees
Florida social workers might also get related graduate degrees like an MPA (Master of Public Administration) or MPH (Master of Public Health) to build skills in specialized areas like healthcare administration or public health social work.
Stay Informed
What You Can Do with a Social Work Degree in Florida
Choosing a Specialization
As you start your path to becoming a Florida social worker, you may already know what area you want to work in, or you may still be deciding. Depending on where you are in this process, you can pick the right degree program. If you’re not sure yet, choose a program with a broad curriculum – this way, you can learn about different areas of social work and pick a specialization later. Or, if you’re certain about your path, you can choose a specific focus, like Child Protective Services or Healthcare Social Work, to specialize right away. To help you decide, we’ve created guides about different types of social work jobs in Florida.
Scholarships and Funding
Since advanced education is often needed for social work careers in Florida, this path may seem expensive. However, many scholarships are available just for Florida social work students, plus there are government and private financial aid programs that can help you reach your goals. Other options include tuition help from Florida employers or loan forgiveness programs for social workers who agree to work in areas of the state that need more social workers. We’ve put together a list of Florida social work scholarships for you to explore as you work toward a rewarding career helping Floridians.