Florida Atlantic University MSW

The Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University serves as the substance of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice. The Master of Social Work program launched in 2000 and has built an impressive reputation. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks it among the top MSW programs, which shows the school’s dedication to excellence in social work education and practice.

The Sandler School of Social Work has a clear purpose. It aims to maximize human potential, ease human suffering, improve community vitality, and promote the ideals of a humane and just society. The school achieves these goals through education, research, and meaningful community work.

Florida Atlantic University’s MSW program stands out because of its career preparation success. Students who complete their degree achieve a 93% job placement rate within 12 months. This success rate proves how well the program gives students marketable skills in one of America’s fastest-growing career paths, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Students become compassionate and skilled social workers ready for advanced clinical practice. The program offers a 100% online option or an on-campus/online blend. Both paths provide complete preparation to work with people of all ages and backgrounds – children, adolescents, adults, elders, couples, families, and groups in settings of all types.

The Social Science Building’s Room 308 houses the School of Social Work on the main Boca Raton campus. Students across South Florida can access university facilities in Davie, Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Harbor Branch, and Jupiter.

The college features several specialized institutes and centers that improve the educational experience:

• Center for Integrated Recovery and Wellness Studies
• Child Welfare Institute
• Healthy Aging Academy
• Robin Rubin Center for Happiness & Life Enhancement

These centers create opportunities for specialized learning, research, and community involvement. They enrich your educational trip in social work. The Sandler School of Social Work combines rigorous academics, ground preparation, and social justice principles. Graduates excel in evidence-based clinical practice with strong critical thinking skills.

Programs offered

Florida Atlantic University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program gives students three unique paths based on their background and education. The Sandler School of Social Work designed these options to give you a strong education that fits your schedule.

Here are the three MSW programs at FAU:

• On-Campus Hybrid Regular Program (60 credits)
• On-Campus Hybrid Advanced Standing Program (30 credits)
• 100% Online Advanced Standing Program (30 credits)

Students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than social work can take the regular program. The advanced standing option works best for students who earned their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited school in the last five years with a minimum 3.5 GPA in their final 60 credits.

You can choose from these flexible completion timelines based on your schedule:

• Regular Program Tracks:
  • Full-Time – Complete in 2 years
  • Part-Time – Complete in 3 or 4 years
• Advanced Standing Program Tracks:
  • Full-Time – Complete in just 1 year
  • Part-Time – Complete in 2 years

The program builds your skills step by step through foundation and specialization phases. Your first year covers 10 Generalist Core Courses that teach you everything in social work. Next, you’ll move to Specialization Core Courses to build advanced clinical skills.

Field education sets FAU’s MSW program apart. Students in the regular program spend 200 hours in foundation field work and 300 hours in advanced field work each semester. These hands-on experiences happen in ground settings at least eight hours weekly during business hours.

The program features these innovative learning opportunities:

• IPED (Inter-Professional Education Development): Learn alongside FAU Nursing and Medical students about healthcare roles, communication, and policy
• SAGE (Senior Aging and Geriatric Educator): Get hands-on experience with senior mentors in retirement communities

You can shape your education by picking four elective courses from topics like trauma work, addictions, mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, couples therapy, and case management.

FAU accepts applications year-round with three start dates:

• Spring semester (January): Applications due October 1
• Summer semester (May): Applications due February 1
• Fall semester (August): Applications due May 1

All field placements start in the Fall semester, no matter when you begin the program.

After graduation, you’ll be ready to apply for your clinical social worker license in Florida and other states. The program’s 93% job placement rate within 12 months shows how well it prepares graduates for success.

About the online program

Florida Atlantic University’s online MSW program provides a clear path to your advanced social work degree. You can complete your Master of Social Work in just three semesters through the online advanced standing program. This quick timeline works great especially when you have work commitments and can’t take extended breaks from your career.

The program combines different learning formats to give you the best of both worlds. Students can enjoy self-paced coursework that goes together with one another through live group sessions. This combination will give a perfect balance between managing your schedule and building strong relationships with classmates and professors.

FAU’s online MSW program serves Florida residents exclusively. The advanced standing option welcomes applicants who earned their Bachelor of Social Work degree in the last five years. Your BSW must be from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program or its equivalent recognized through CSWE’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service.

The curriculum helps you develop sharp critical thinking skills for professional practice. Students learn evidence-based clinical practice while developing deep respect for human diversity. Your degree prepares you to apply for the prestigious Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential, which opens new opportunities in advanced clinical practice.

FAU provides complete support services to help online students succeed:

• Online Enrollment & Student Success assistance
• Writing Center resources
• 24/7 technical support
• Virtual tutoring services
• Counseling and Psychological Services
• Career Center guidance
• Full library access

The Sandler School’s reputation for excellence extends to its online MSW program, which maintains the same high standards as campus-based options. This strong reputation helps graduates find positions quickly in the ever-changing social work field.

FAU’s online MSW program delivers academic excellence with flexibility. Students can prepare for advanced clinical social work practice while balancing their professional and personal lives.

Accreditation

The Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University has earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation. This recognition applies to both on-campus and online MSW programs. The online program received this status.

CSWE accreditation shapes your educational experience significantly. The program meets high standards through detailed peer review. FAU’s social work programs have proven they have enough resources to achieve their mission and goals.

Your future career benefits directly from CSWE accreditation. This credential shows your competence as a graduate, whatever program format you pick. Most employers and licensing boards look for CSWE-accredited degrees. This makes the accreditation vital to your professional growth.

The quality remains consistent across all FAU social work programs. You’ll get the same high-quality education whether you choose the on-campus hybrid option or study 100% online.

Florida Atlantic University has earned accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This allows FAU to award degrees from associate through doctorate level. SACSCOC accreditation proves that FAU has: (1) a mission that fits higher education, (2) enough resources and services to fulfill its mission, and (3) clear educational goals that match its mission. FAU renewed its SACSCOC accreditation in 2024 and will need to do so again in 2034.

The Sandler School of Social Work’s credentials improve your educational qualifications even more. Several Florida regulatory bodies have approved the school as a provider. These include the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, and the Florida Certification Board. These approvals are a great way to get proof of your education’s quality and relevance.

Choosing FAU’s MSW program means getting an education that meets the highest standards. Both program-specific and institutional accreditation back this up.

Admission Requirements

The Florida Atlantic University MSW program has specific admission requirements based on your chosen pathway. Your academic background, professional experience, and personal statement will show if you’re ready for graduate-level social work education.

Students in the Traditional Program (60 credits) need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Your GPA must be at least 3.0 in your undergraduate degree’s final 60 credits. The GRE isn’t required, which makes your undergraduate GPA the most important factor in admission decisions.

The Advanced Standing Program (30 credits) works differently. This program is only available to students who earned their Bachelor of Social Work degree in the past five years. The degree should come from a CSWE-accredited program or its international equivalent. On top of that, it requires a 3.5 GPA in your final 60 undergraduate credits.

You’ll need three recommendations for both programs. Traditional Program students should get these from professors, instructors, or work/volunteer supervisors. Advanced Standing students must include one stellar recommendation from their field professor or director, among other academic or professional references.

Every applicant needs to submit a personal statement that answers specific questions in the application. This statement helps us learn about your motivation, experience, and readiness for social work education.

International students face some extra requirements. Students with non-U.S. transcripts need a course-by-course evaluation from NACES.org or through FAU. If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need either:

• TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper-based) or 61 (internet-based)
• IELTS band score of 6.0 or higher

International students must also have social welfare field experience from their home countries and show a solid financial plan.

Here are the application deadlines:

• Summer (May) start: February 1
• Fall (August) start: May 1
• Spring (January) start: October 1

The online application, recommendations, personal statement, transcripts, and $64.00 application fee must reach us by these deadlines.

Meeting basic requirements doesn’t guarantee you’ll get in. The admissions committee takes a full picture of each application. Sometimes promising candidates who don’t quite meet GPA requirements can submit a Petition for Exceptional Consideration.

Accepted students take part in a mandatory online orientation the week before their term starts.

Tuition

The cost of pursuing an MSW is a vital step in planning your education. Florida Atlantic University bases its tuition rates on residency status and provides financial aid options to support your educational goals.

Graduate students at Florida Atlantic University will pay $371.82 per credit hour for Florida residents and $1026.81 for non-Florida residents in 2025-2026. MSW students who complete 20 credits per academic year will see major differences in their annual costs.

Full-time Florida resident graduate students can expect these nine-month budget estimates based on where they live:

• On-campus: $32,864 total ($24,166 direct costs to FAU)
• Off-campus: $34,558 total ($7,752 direct costs to FAU)
• Living with parents: $23,294 total ($7,752 direct costs to FAU)

Non-Florida residents pay more:

• On-campus: $44,168 total ($35,470 direct costs to FAU)
• Off-campus: $45,862 total ($19,056 direct costs to FAU)
• Living with parents: $34,598 total ($19,056 direct costs to FAU)

These detailed budgets cover tuition, fees, books ($1,288), housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses. Direct costs to FAU include tuition, fees, and if applicable, on-campus housing and meal plans.

Note that financial aid programs provide over $60 billion each year in grants, loans, and federal work-study assistance nationwide. FAU helps 63% of its first-year students with need-based financial aid, averaging $10,469 per student in scholarships or grants.

Graduate assistants, teaching assistants, and research assistants should know that tuition exemptions might reduce their financial aid offers. You must tell the Office of Student Financial Aid right away if you receive tuition exemptions, employee reimbursements, or third-party payments.

FAU meets 48% of its students’ financial aid needs. This allows you to concentrate on your MSW degree without worrying too much about finances.

Additional Information

Students looking at Florida Atlantic University’s MSW program need to know everything in the program beyond just the basics.

The 100% online program accepts applications until February 1 for a May (Summer) start. The on-campus/online blend program offers more flexibility with rolling admissions. Students can start in Spring (October 1 deadline), Summer (February 1 deadline), or Fall (May 1 deadline).

Academic standards are strict throughout the program. You must attend the first day of all classes and complete your degree within five consecutive years. Students need to keep a minimum 3.0 GPA and score “B-” or higher in all courses to show satisfactory progress.

The university’s support system includes complete services like counseling, career guidance, and student health services. Students who need temporary food assistance can access the Beyond Food Program through the Dean’s Office.

The MSW program’s graduate advisors help with questions about applications, policies, and procedures. Dr. Joy McClellan leads the on-campus blended program, while Dr. Marcheley Adam runs the online program.

Students who graduate with a 3.5 GPA or higher in their final 60 credits can become licensed clinical social workers in Florida and other states.