University of Central Florida’s MSW Program
UCF’s School of Social Work has become a leading institution for social work education in Florida and nationwide. The MSW program jumped 12 spots to No. 67 in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings. This achievement puts the program in the top 25% of all social work programs nationally for the first time.
The MSW program at UCF shines among Florida’s 13 social work graduate programs. Full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) puts it among 12 CSWE-accredited programs in the state. Students who graduate from this program know they’ve met national standards for professional social work practice.
UCF’s Master of Social Work ranks as one of its most sought-after graduate programs with over 500 students each year. The university awarded 233 master’s degrees in social work in 2022, making it the 32nd most popular choice for social work master’s degree candidates nationwide. These numbers show both the program’s stellar reputation and the rising need for qualified social workers.
Student demographics paint a picture of diversity. Men make up 11% of MSW graduates while women account for 89%. The program attracts students from varied backgrounds – 50% white students and 48% racial-ethnic minorities, which beats the national average by 5%. Recent graduating classes included 53 Black or African American, 52 Hispanic or Latino, 7 Asian, and 6 students from other racial backgrounds.
Job prospects look bright for UCF’s MSW graduates. About 80% of students land job offers right from their practicum sites. The School partners with more than 850 agencies worldwide for field education. UCF MSW graduates earn a median salary of $47,607 yearly. Though this falls slightly below the national median of $51,347, the program’s high employment rate and vast practicum network make it a great value.
Students learn what they need to become licensed clinical social workers through a mix of theory and hands-on experience. They build their skills through supervised field education in both generalist and clinical social work practice. This approach prepares graduates to help individuals, families, and communities in various settings.
The program gives students options with both campus-based and online tracks. This flexibility, paired with strong academics and clinical focus, keeps drawing more students each year.
Programs offered
UCF’s School of Social Work provides detailed social work education at undergraduate and graduate levels. Students can choose from multiple pathways to enter this fast-growing profession.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program equips students to become skilled generalist social work practitioners who can work in settings of all types. Students typically apply for this limited-access program after their second year in college. The BSW curriculum includes studies in human behavior, social environment, social welfare policy, research, and practical applications. Students must complete 420 hours of field education and average 28 hours per week during their final semester(s).
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program serves as the flagship offering. Students learn clinical social work practice with individuals, families, and groups. The program meets Florida’s educational requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Students can pick between two learning formats:
- Campus-based Track: Students get hands-on learning experiences in Orlando with traditional classroom environment and direct faculty interaction.
- Online Track: Students have flexible coursework options that fit their work and family responsibilities.
The program also features an Advanced Standing option. Students who earned a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program within the last six years with a minimum 3.3 GPA in their last 60 credit hours qualify. This accelerated path lets students complete their MSW in just one year (32 credit hours) instead of the traditional 62 credit hours.
Field education plays a vital role in the MSW curriculum. Traditional track students complete two internships totaling 1,000 hours – a 400-hour generalist placement and a 600-hour advanced clinical placement. Advanced Standing students complete only the 600-hour placement.
The program’s structure fits a variety of student needs through multiple scheduling options. Full-time, part-time, mixed-mode, and fully online formats are available to working professionals and traditional students.
MSW graduates work in healthcare facilities, schools, child welfare agencies, mental health centers, and criminal justice institutions. The program’s 94% employment rate after graduation shows its success in preparing practice-ready social workers.
About the online program
UCF’s online Master of Social Work program has a unique structure that works well if you have a job and want to balance work and life. The online program uses accelerated 7-week terms where students take one course at a time. This approach helps students dive deeper into each subject one after another, instead of managing multiple courses at once.
Students can choose between two educational paths. The first option is a three-year, nine-semester traditional track that needs 62 credit hours. This track is perfect if you don’t have a BSW degree. The second option is a four-semester advanced standing track requiring 32 credit hours. You’ll need a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program earned in the last six years with a 3.3 GPA in your last 60 credit hours. Both paths use a cohort model to build strong peer support throughout the program.
Field education plays a crucial role in the online format. Students in the traditional track must complete 1,000 total field hours split between two placements—400 hours in generalist placement and 600 hours in clinical placement. Advanced standing students only need to complete the 600-hour clinical placement. UCF makes it convenient by arranging field placements within 50-60 miles of each student’s location.
The program focuses on clinical social work skills through courses that address national and global health and mental health challenges. Students learn to create positive change by working with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Faculty members bring their rich backgrounds and experiences to the virtual classroom, which makes learning more engaging.
UCF Online’s Connect Center acts as a one-stop shop for student success. Every student gets their own success coach who guides them from admission to graduation.
UCF has been a pioneer in educational technology for more than 25 years, making it a leader in quality distance learning. So, graduates of the online MSW program can take state licensure exams and work in various settings. The field shows promising growth with a projected 12% increase in social work jobs through 2030, showing high demand for qualified social work professionals across the country.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a critical measure of quality and legitimacy in social work education. The University of Central Florida’s Master of Social Work program has full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This essential credential supports professional practice and licensure, and remains valid through 2024. The program continues to meet rigorous national standards.
CSWE accreditation means more than just paperwork—it will affect your career prospects after graduation. This credential confirms that UCF MSW’s curriculum meets the educational standards needed to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida. Students without this accreditation would struggle to obtain professional licensure and practice.
The University of Central Florida boasts two layers of quality assurance. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has granted regional accreditation. This dual accreditation system proves both institutional quality and program excellence.
UCF’s accredited program stands out beyond basic standards compliance. U.S. News & World Report ranks it among the top 30 percent of social work programs nationwide. The program holds the No. 79 position among ranked programs, placing it in the 27th percentile. This achievement carries extra weight because the complete evaluation process includes peer assessment surveys from deans, administrators, and faculty at 296 accredited social work degree programs.
The online MSW program shares the same CSWE accreditation as its on-campus version. Students receive equal educational quality regardless of their chosen format. The School of Social Work has managed to keep CSWE accreditation since 1981, showing its steadfast dedication to educational excellence.
CSWE offers several accreditation levels, from pre-candidacy (original review) to conditional accreditation (with documented noncompliance) to full accreditation. UCF’s full accreditation status without conditions proves it meets all standards perfectly.
This accreditation brings direct benefits to you as a student. We focused on curriculum quality that makes licensure eligibility easier and improves job prospects after graduation. UCF MSW graduates step into their careers with credentials that the social work profession values and respects.
Admission Requirements
The University of Central Florida’s MSW program has specific admission requirements based on your chosen track. You must apply through UCF’s online system and submit all materials by the set deadlines.
Students who want to join the Advanced Standing track need a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program that’s less than six years old. You’ll need at least a 3.3 GPA in your last 60 credit hours. But meeting this GPA doesn’t guarantee you’ll get in because the program is quite competitive.
The Traditional track (full-time and part-time) needs a minimum 3.0 GPA in your last 60 credit hours. The same rule applies here – meeting the basic requirements doesn’t mean automatic admission due to high competition.
Here are the application deadlines for each track:
- Campus-based MSW (Advanced Standing): April 1 (International: November 1)
- Campus-based MSW (Traditional): July 1 (International: January 15)
- Online MSW: June 1 for fall, November 1 for spring, March 1 for summer
Good news – UCF’s MSW program doesn’t need GRE scores. You’ll need to finish some prerequisite courses before starting. Each student must pass one course with a C or better in humanities, physical and biological sciences, mathematics, and social sciences.
Your application package should have recommendation letters, a resume, a professional statement, and an academic writing sample. The school reviews complete applications first and usually responds within 4-6 weeks after the deadline.
Graduate social work education needs serious time commitment. Full-time students spend about 12 hours in class, 24 hours on homework, and 15 hours at internships each week. The faculty suggests you think carefully about working while studying.
Field placements need careful planning. Most agencies want students to do at least half their field hours during regular business hours. Evening and weekend spots are very rare and can’t be promised. Working professionals should plan ahead for this schedule.
International students have extra steps, like taking the TOEFL exam. Their application deadlines come earlier than those for domestic students.
Getting into UCF’s MSW program takes good planning, on-time submission, and academic scores above the minimum requirements.
Tuition
Smart financial planning plays a vital role in your education investment. UCF’s MSW program gives similar tuition rates to both in-state and out-of-state students who enroll online. This creates a big advantage for students outside Florida.
Online MSW students pay $487.45 per credit hour whatever their residency status. The total rate combines $448.29 for tuition and $39.16 in fees. The fees break down into a $6.76 capital improvement fee, $14.40 financial aid fee, and $18.00 distance learning course fee.
Your total program cost depends on your selected track:
- Advanced Standing (32 credits): About $15,598
- Traditional Track (62 credits): About $30,222
This flat-rate pricing benefits out-of-state students compared to campus-based options. Campus MSW students pay different rates: Florida residents pay $369.65 per credit hour while non-residents pay $1,276.48 per credit hour. Students from outside Florida can save nearly $789 per credit hour by choosing the online format.
The online program also saves you money on several campus fees that traditional students must pay:
- Activity and service fee
- Transportation access fee
- Health fee
- Athletic fee
- Technology fee
Of course, you’ll find costs beyond tuition. Every student pays a $10 annual ID service and access fee. You might also encounter material and supply fees (up to $70), equipment fees (up to $90), late registration fee ($100), and late payment fee ($100).
Financial aid options help manage these costs effectively. The university provides support through institutionally-sponsored loans, graduate assistantships, and field-related internships. Students should submit their FAFSA by March 1 to get maximum aid consideration.
The investment may seem substantial, but UCF’s MSW program stays competitively priced among peer institutions, especially when you have equal online tuition rates whatever your residence. The program’s impressive 94% employment rate after graduation and this pricing approach show excellent value for future social work professionals.
Additional Information
Student life at UCF’s MSW program goes well beyond just classes. The MSW Student Association (MSWSA) creates a welcoming space where you can meet fellow students, take care of yourself, and grow professionally. A $10 membership gets you a t-shirt and access to all MSWSA events.
UCF tackles practical issues through programs like Survivor Link, which prepares students to support domestic violence survivors. This National AmeriCorps program has given out more than $1.2 million in scholarships and trained 445 students across the country.
Students get strong support through UCF’s services. Student Care Services helps with everything from simple needs to mental health support and non-clinical care management. You’ll gain hands-on experience in places like hospitals, veterans administration facilities, and community mental health centers.
UCF’s social work students make a big impact with over 117,000 community volunteer hours each year. Many students head over to the state capitol for Legislative Education and Advocacy Days. After graduation, UCF’s alumni career services help you with networking, continuing education, and professional development.
Students work with future doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals through interprofessional education events. These collaborations give you valuable real-life experience.