University of South Florida MSW
The University of South Florida School of Social Work has been essential to social work education in Florida since its first class in 1976. The school has built a reliable reputation over nearly four decades. Students become skilled practitioners, administrators, and scholars who serve communities both locally and globally.
USF blends its three delivery options—Tampa campus, Sarasota-Manatee campus, and online programs—to maintain consistency and collaboration among all cohorts. Students receive the same quality education whatever learning mode they choose.
Nearly 4,000 graduates make up the school’s impressive alumni network. Many lead social service agencies throughout the country. These alumni contribute extensively in specialties of all types, from clinical practice to macro-level policy work. Current students benefit from these valuable professional connections.
Twenty full-time faculty members (16 female and 4 male) bring their expertise and knowledge to the classroom. These educators excel as scholars and stay active in research, service, and social work practice. Many lead grants that help individuals, families, and communities from local to international levels.
Research at USF Social Work addresses a variety of interests and community needs. Faculty research covers critical areas like kinship care, child trauma, juvenile delinquency, end-of-life issues, aging concerns, child welfare, health and mental health disparities, HIV/AIDS and sexual violence in Haiti, integrated behavioral healthcare, and international social work practice. The school generated $892,596 in externally sponsored research expenditures last year, showing its dedication to evidence-based practice advancement.
Student diversity makes the learning environment richer at USF. The graduate student population of 318 comes from varied backgrounds: 58% White/Caucasian, 16.35% Hispanic/Latino, 15.41% Black/African American, 3.77% Asian, 0.63% American Indian/Alaska Native, 2.2% identifying as two or more races, and 3.14% unknown.
The School of Social Work promotes a learning environment that prioritizes cultural humility, evidence-based practice, and balanced support and challenge. This matches its mission to prepare graduates who welcome social work knowledge, ethics, skills, and values while advancing social and economic justice, human rights, human dignity, scientific inquiry, and sustainable human and community well-being for all.
The BSW and MSW programs hold full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students receive education meeting rigorous national standards. The School also offers a concurrent degree program (MSW/MPH) through collaboration with the College of Public Health, which expands interdisciplinary opportunities.
Programs offered
USF’s Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program welcomes students through two different paths that match their educational background and career goals.
The Traditional Master of Social Work program opens doors for students who are new to social work. Students need to complete 60 credit hours and 900 field hours. The program takes five semesters full-time or eight semesters part-time. This path gives students a detailed foundation in social work without needing previous experience. Career-changers and graduates from other fields often choose this option.
The Advanced Standing Master of Social Work offers a faster route specifically for students who have earned their Bachelor’s in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program. This simplified path recognizes previous learning and requires 35 credit hours and 600 field hours. Students can finish the program in three consecutive semesters full-time or five semesters part-time.
Both paths share the same high admission standards and curriculum quality. The main difference lies in how long they take to complete and what you need to start. Students learn from expert faculty and gain experience through field placements, with the option to study remotely. The curriculum gives students specialized knowledge and practical skills by combining theory with hands-on practice.
USF’s MSW programs emphasize clinical social work practice. Graduates learn to work with individuals, families, and small groups in various settings. The program helps students become skilled at assessment, intervention, and evaluation while developing expertise in clinical practice.
Field education serves as the core of the MSW experience. Students apply their classroom learning to ground applications. USF’s network includes over 350 community partners and 1,000 field instructors who help make this practical experience possible.
MSW graduates build careers in therapy, veterans’ affairs services, and many more opportunities in this growing field. The program helps students support the populations and communities they care about most.
Students interested in expanding their expertise can join USF’s Public Health and Social Work (MPH/MSW) program. This option offers training in both fields through a combined degree path.
About the online program
USF’s online MSW program offers a dynamic virtual learning experience with both asynchronous and synchronous instruction in a cohort model. Students attend live online classes twice weekly during evening hours while they continue their professional work.
Students without previous social work education need 60 credit hours. They can complete the program in eight or more semesters part-time or five semesters full-time. BSW graduates can choose the Advanced Standing option with 35 credit hours, which takes three semesters full-time or five semesters part-time. The program accepts new students only in spring.
Students must complete 900 hours of supervised practice as part of their field education. Field placements happen in person during regular business hours, even though classes are online. A placement coordinator helps match students with suitable field sites from USF’s network of over 350 community partners and 1,000 field instructors.
The program offers one of the nation’s best values at $550 per credit hour for all students, whether in-state or out-of-state. This flat-rate tuition makes quality social work education available to students everywhere.
The online curriculum matches campus-based programs with similar admission requirements and educational standards. Students learn clinical interventions for individuals, families, and small groups. They also get chances to work on macro-level projects that focus on policy, leadership, and systemic change.
The program prepares graduates for diverse careers including therapists and veterans affairs specialists in this growing field. USF graduates consistently score above average on Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensing exams.
Most applicants don’t need GRE scores, though students with GPAs below 3.0 can submit them to strengthen their applications. This policy and the program’s flexible format create opportunities for working professionals to advance their careers while keeping their current jobs.
Accreditation
Accreditation plays a key role in choosing your MSW program. It’s a quality marker that shapes your education and career path. The University of South Florida holds multiple accreditations that verify its academic excellence and program quality.
USF has full institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This allows the university to award degrees from associate to doctoral levels. The accreditation covers all credentials, including certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. You can contact SACSCOC at their Decatur, Georgia headquarters or through their website to learn about USF’s accreditation status. For questions about admission requirements and programs, USF remains your best point of contact.
Social work students should know that USF’s BSW and MSW programs have full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This program accreditation is valuable because it shows your education meets national standards for social work practice. Many employers and licensing boards require graduation from CSWE-accredited programs before you can work or get licensed.
The School of Social Work earned its CSWE re-accreditation in 2021. This shows the program continues to meet or exceed all national association standards. Re-accreditation happens every eight years through a three-year evaluation. Students, alumni, community partners, and university leaders take part in this process. This full assessment proves your degree’s value in the job market.
CSWE accreditation tells MSW students their curriculum matches professional competencies and ethical standards. The traditional track, advanced standing option, and online format all follow similar accreditation standards. Your educational quality stays consistent whatever path you choose.
USF’s MSW program benefits from two strong accreditations – SACSCOC at the institutional level and CSWE for the program itself. This means your degree will be a respected credential that meets established social work education standards.
Admission Requirements
Getting into the University of South Florida MSW program depends on meeting specific criteria and deadlines. You should upload all application materials to the USF Graduate School Application as early as possible.
Application Deadlines The program lets you start at different times during the academic year with these deadlines:
- Advanced Standing (Summer Entry): February 15
- Traditional (Fall Entry): June 1
- Traditional (Spring Entry): October 15
You need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale to apply. You can also qualify if you have a bachelor’s degree plus a graduate degree, both with “B” averages or better. The USF online MSW stands out from other graduate programs because it doesn’t require GRE scores.
Advanced Standing admission requires a BSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. You must have earned this degree within five years of your planned start date. You should also have earned a ‘B’ or better in your undergraduate social work courses.
Students from non-English speaking countries have extra requirements. You must prove English proficiency through standardized testing if you haven’t earned at least a bachelor’s degree in the United States. The minimum scores accepted are: TOEFL (iBT – 79; PBT – 550), IELTS – 6.5, PTE-A – 53, GRE Verbal – 153, or Duolingo – 110.
Faculty members might interview you online through Microsoft Teams to evaluate your qualifications for the program. While not required, the program prefers applicants with one year of post-undergraduate work in a social service agency. Supervised field practicum hours or extensive volunteer service can count as equivalent experience.
The application steps include submitting your online application, paying a nonrefundable $30 application fee, sending official transcripts from all schools attended, and uploading program-specific documents. Make sure the program receives all admission materials by your desired entry term’s deadline.
Double-check that you’ve submitted everything correctly. Missing components could slow down your application review process.
Tuition
Money matters when you’re looking at MSW programs. The University of South Florida keeps its social work graduate program costs clear and simple.
The Online Master of Social Work comes with the same flat-rate tuition for everyone. Students in the Advanced Standing track pay total of $19,250 at $550 per credit hour for 35 credits. The traditional Non-Advanced Standing path costs $33,000 total, with the same $550 per credit rate for all 60 credits.
USF ranks among the most affordable online MSW programs in the country. Students pay the same price whether they live in Florida or not, which makes quality education available to everyone.
The on-campus program costs look different. Florida residents pay $431.43 per credit ($15,100.05 total for Advanced Standing; $25,885.60 for Non-Advanced Standing). Non-resident rates run higher at $877.17 per credit ($30,700.95 for Advanced Standing; $52,630.20 for Non-Advanced Standing).
The tuition rates don’t cover everything. You’ll need extra money for application fees, late fees, registration, textbooks, and a one-time new graduate student fee. Smart students plan their budget beyond just the basic tuition.
Research and graduate assistantships can help with costs. You’ll need to submit your FAFSA by March 15 to get financial help.
USF shows its dedication to keeping education affordable through this simple pricing setup. The university gets national praise for its value, with some of the lowest tuition rates nationwide according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and U.S. News & World Report.
Students from other states often find USF’s costs match up well with their local university rates. This makes the program a smart choice for qualified students across the country.
Additional Information
Career prospects for University of South Florida MSW graduates look promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth for social work jobs between 2024 and 2034. Your degree will qualify you for various positions such as clinical therapist, community organizer, policy supporter, and nonprofit organization CEO. Graduates often see salary increases and better job opportunities, and some even start their own independent practices.
Field placements serve as a crucial component of USF’s program and provide hands-on experience. Traditional MSW students must complete 900 total field hours, while advanced standing students need 600 hours. These placements usually run during regular business hours from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Full-time students dedicate 20 hours weekly for three semesters, and part-time students commit 10-15 hours weekly over five semesters.
USF provides valuable resources that complement classroom learning. Students have access to the Office of Multicultural Affairs, USF Library, Writing Studio, Career Resources, and professional organizations. These include the Council on Social Work Education and National Association of Social Workers Florida chapter.
USF’s MSW graduates consistently achieve higher-than-average pass rates on licensing exams for Licensed Clinical Social Workers. The University of South Florida ranks #42 among top public universities nationwide, and its MSW program prepares you well for career advancement in this growing field.