Master of Social Work

UCF School of Social Work

Overview

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares students for clinical social work practice with individuals, families and groups. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and ranked in the top 30 percent of social work programs by US News & World Report.

Students in the MSW program can take their courses in the campus-based track, or through an online track. All students must adhere to all school policies and to the specific expectations of each track, including field education internships. Qualifying students also have the option to be considered into the “Advanced Standing” schedule.

More information on the plans of study and requirements for each track is given in the individual track descriptions.

Our program meets the educational eligibility criteria for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Florida. To learn more about licensure eligibility criteria click here.

Which program is best for you?

Simply answer the following questions below and we'll help guide you!

Program Paths

Campus-based MSW Program

Earning an MSW through the campus-based track allows students to have a hands-on learning experience in the center of Orlando, Florida!

Full-time or part-time plan of study
Military Social Work Certificate (9 credit hours)
Participate with peers from UCF medicine, physical therapy and other health disciplines in the Interprofessional Education program
Opportunities for leadership roles in the MSW Student Association
Unique field placement opportunities at over 200 community agencies that serve diverse communities
Access to UCF campus services like Counseling, UCF Veterans Academic Resource Center, and more!

Online MSW Program

Enrolling in the online MSW track offers students flexibility with their coursework!

Part-time plan of study
Seven-week terms, courses are taken one at a time
Save up to $200 per credit hour compared to similar online MSW programs in the nation
Admission in fall, summer, and spring
Access to dedicated success coaches for support and guidance to keep you on track to graduate
Learn with the same cohort until graduation for stronger peer support
Hands-on field placement across the United States (and other territories!)

What is Advanced Standing?

Qualifying students, with a GPA of 3.3 in the last sixty credit hours, who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited school/program within the last six years, have the option of completing an MSW in either the Campus-based Track or in the Online Track in one year (32 credit hours).

Application Deadlines

TrackFall PriorityFallSpringSummer
Online MSW Jun 1 Nov 1 Mar 1
Online MSW, Advanced Standing Track  Jun 1
Campus-based MSW, Advanced Standing Track Apr 1
(International: Nov 1)
Campus-based MSW Jan 15 Jul 1
(International: Jan 15)
Military Graduate Certificate Jul 1 Dec 1 Apr 1

Get Your Degree in Orlando

Orlando, Florida is one of the fastest growing cities in America. Its diverse population contributes to a wide array of culture and experiences – from beaches, to cuisine, to theme parks, Orlando has something for everyone. Students in the MSW program benefit from the variety of services and partnerships established in the city through internships and community service.  

Get Your MSW Online!

The online Master of Social Work at UCF is a convenient solution for those looking to earn their degrees through distance education. We offer 7-week terms in which students focus on only one asynchronous course at a time.

Program Goals & Mission

The UCF School of Social Work MSW Program prepares generalist and advanced clinical social work students to become practitioners who promote optimal well-being, human rights, and social and economic justice. The school focuses on social change from a regional and global perspective with individuals, families, groups and communities in diverse practice settings through research informed practice.

The MSW program strives to educate students to become successful practitioners in the field of clinical social work. To that end, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics is re-enforced throughout the academic curriculum. Students who violate the NASW Code of Ethics may be subject to academic sanctions or dismissed from the program.

Skills You'll Learn

Apply professional knowledge, skills, and values to promote the optimal well-being of diverse individuals, families, and groups through collaborative community partnerships.

Engage in ethical practice and advocate for inclusive policies and services that promote social and economic justice through a regional and global perspective.

Apply core values designed to address oppression, discrimination, and inequities impacting the health and mental health of clients, while engaging in critical self-reflection as a professional social worker.

Integrate research informed practice in generalist settings and assess, intervene, and evaluate in advanced clinical practice settings for licensure eligibility and professional practice.

Advocate for policies and services that promote social change and the quality of professional social work practice at the micro, mezzo and macro level.

Career Opportunities

  • Aging/Geriatric Social Worker
  • Child Welfare Caseworker
  • Clinical Social Worker
  • Human Resources Social Worker
  • Foster Care/Adoptions
  • Hospice Social Worker
  • Hospital Social Worker
  • Medical Social Worker
  • Nursing Home Social Worker
  • Psychiatric Social Worker
  • Rehabilitative Social Worker
  • School Social Worker
  • Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Veterans Administration Social Worker
  • and many more!

Internship Experience / Field Training

Our MSW programs offers students hands-on learning experiences through in-person internships in a variety of settings.

  • Hospitals: Clinical interns provide discharge planning and help patients/families adjust to the impact of illness
  • Hospice: Clinical interns meet with patients and families in their homes or residential facility to provide support in adjusting to a terminal illness
  • Schools: Clinical interns complete biopsychosocial evaluations and work with students and families about issues such as anger management, stress, self-esteem
  • Veterans Administration: Clinical interns work with veterans and their families regarding homelessness, elderly residents in the nursing home and medical clinics
  • Inpatient psychiatric facilities: Clinical interns complete biopsychosocial evaluations, conduct groups and assist with discharge planning
  • Community mental health: Clinical interns work on inpatient and outpatient units to provide psychosocial services
From Field to Career

Below is a sampling of where some of our graduates are working and making an impact.

  • Central Florida Behavioral Hospital
  • Orlando Health
  • Orange/Seminole County Public Schools
  • Embrace Families
  • Devereux Mobile Crisis Services/Sheriff’s Program
  • AdventHealth
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of America
  • United Way
  • Homeless Coalition
  • Children’s Advocacy Center
  • Salvation Army
  • Jewish Family Services
  • …and many more!

Upcoming Events

UP NEXT

This Zoom workshop focuses on understanding domestic violence, barriers faced by survivors, and appropriate safety planning and referrals. CEUs: 2 hours

LOOKING AHEAD

Student Organizations

Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA):
The MSW Student Association (MSWSA) is comprised of all admitted MSW students. The MSWSA provides a forum for graduate students to work with their peers, organize community projects, develop supportive relationships, communicate with faculty and other leadership, and promote collective social work professional interests

Officers are selected by students and the MSWSA meetings are held once a month. For more information contact [email protected].

Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society/Nu Pi Chapter:
The Nu Pi Chapter of the Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society was established at UCF in the fall of 2006. Its mission is to recognize and promote scholastic achievement among students and faculty in the undergraduate or graduate Social Work program at the University of Central Florida.

Community Outreach

Our MSW students participate in a variety of community outreach initiatives, including interprofessional education events, community care, and lobbying activities. *Statistics from 2019-2020 academic year

117,000+ MSW student community volunteer hours

12 MSW community outreach events

55 MSW students participated in Legislative Education and Advocacy Days at the state capitol

group shot of the social work participants at the Florida House of Representatives

Learn With Other Clinicians

The MSW Campus-based Track offers students the opportunity to learn with their peers through interprofessional education program events. Social work students work alongside UCF medicine, nursing, physical therapy, counseling education, and communications sciences and disorders, and UF pharmacy peers to determine how to collaboratively help clients through simulated and non-simulated interactions.

IPE is collaborative, real-world experience of how social work students can become professionals!

MSW Fellowships

Each year, the School of Social Work awards promising MSW Campus-based students with a $10,000 fellowship for tuition and fees for the first-year students in the 2 year fulltime track. All applicants must have a 3.5 or better GPA to apply. Applications open at the beginning of each spring term.  

group shot of the MSW Fellowships Participants of 2021-2022

Meet your Admission Specialists

Campus-based MSW
Lana Kiswani's profile picture at UCF

Lana Kiswani

MSW Admissions Specialist I
Social Work
Location: HS I Room: 236
Phone: 407-823-0102
Online MSW
Minoska Hernandez's profile picture at UCF

Minoska Hernandez

Admissions Specialist I
Social Work
Location: Partnership 1 Room: 102
Phone: 407-823-4110

Still Have Admissions Questions?

Contact an Admissions Specialist with questions relating to how to apply and other program track specifics.

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