The MSW program works closely with Social Work Practitioners, Community Groups, and
Organizations. We prepare students to work within Organizational, Policy and Social
Problem Settings to produce and apply Research and Scholarship aimed at Advancing
Social Work practice.
About This Program
The M.S.W. Program educates students for macro social work practice in community-based
organizations and social service administration. Full-time and part-time programs
of study are available.
The mission of the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program is to promote social and
economic justice by preparing students to become knowledgeable, ethical, and socially
responsive macro social work practitioners in community, administration, and policy
(CAP) settings.
Grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation and a generalist practice framework,
the program emphasizes critical thinking and the use of evidence-based prevention
and intervention strategies to enhance human and social well-being.
Our curriculum is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed
to work effectively with various individuals, families, groups, organizations, and
communities.
The Master of Social Work (M.S.W) requires ≥ 79 semester hours to complete.
The MSW curriculum is guided by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards
(EPAS) of the Council on Social Work Education, which is aligned with CSWE's accreditation
process.
The professional curriculum is comprised of sixty-seven (67) credit hours — consisting
of thirty-five (35) credit hours of foundation courses and thirty-two (32) credit
hours of advanced coursework in administration and community development — along with
twelve (12) credit hours of field placement.
The MSW curriculum prepares students to problem solve at the administrative and organizational,
and community levels.
FAMU’s MSW Program does not grant academic credit for previous paid employment, volunteer
work, or life experience.
Social workers advocate for social and economic justice, provide support to vulnerable
populations, and connect people with resources that empower them to lead healthier,
more stable lives. The field combines compassion with problem-solving, communication,
and advocacy skills, making it both a service-oriented and impactful career path.
While the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) prepares students for generalist practice,
the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) provides advanced education for those seeking to
become leaders, administrators, and policy advocates.
At the graduate level, social workers are trained to analyze complex systems, design
and evaluate programs, influence policy, and lead organizations that serve at-risk
populations.
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Social Work Careers
Graduates of the MSW program are prepared for advanced practice, entrepreneurship, and leadership roles in Social Work and related fields. Career opportunities often
include positions such as:
Program Director or Administrator in social service agencies
Community Development Specialist
Policy Analyst or Advocate
Nonprofit Executive or Program Manager
Research and Evaluation Specialist
Grant Writer and Resource Development Manager
Consultant for community organizations and government agencies
Faculty or Educator roles in higher education (with further study)
The MSW equips graduates to take on positions that influence policy, systems, and organizational change, broadening their impact beyond individual or family-level services.
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Social Work Employment Expectations
Social work continues to be a high-demand field, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
projecting growth across multiple areas. While BSW-level positions are growing steadily,
MSW graduates often qualify for higher-level roles in leadership, administration, and policy. States with high demand for MSW-level
social workers include.
California
New York
Texas
Florida
Illinois
Social work is projected to grow by 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with approximately
74,000 job openings annually due to retirements and transfers according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Social Work Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Qs)
Q: How does an MSW differ from a BSW? A:A BSW prepares students for entry-level generalist practice, while an MSW provides
advanced training for leadership in administration, policy, and community practice.
MSW graduates are equipped to design, implement, and evaluate programs and policies
on a broader scale.
Q: Is philosophy just a matter of opinion? A: Students who are interested in leadership, policy development, program administration,
and large-scale community change are ideal candidates. Strong critical thinking, research,
and organizational skills are highly valuable.
Q: Will earning an MSW improve my career opportunities? A: Yes. An MSW expands career possibilities, opening doors to higher-level positions
in management, research, and policy. It also increases earning potential and allows
graduates to qualify for leadership and specialized roles that a BSW alone does not
provide.
MSW graduates are equipped to excel in advanced practice, leadership, and entrepreneurial
roles across social work and related professions.
If you are considering a degree in Social Work, hear from some of our own Rattlers
about what inspired them to join the field, their experiences in FAMU’s Social Work
program, and why they chose to make a difference in the lives of others.
I love my Social Work professors! They display a love for their students and help
us in anyway they can!
Your Map to the Master of Social Work (M.S.W)
The mission of the Master of Social Work (M.S.W) program is to advance social and
economic justice by educating students to be a knowledgeable, ethical, and culturally
competent community, administration, and policy (CAP) macro social work practitioners.
This mission builds upon a liberal arts foundation and generalist practice construct
to promote human and social well-being utilizing critical thinking and a range of
evidence-based prevention and intervention methods. The program designs models that
prepare students to practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations,
and communities.
The goals of the MSW Program serve to prepare students to engage in advanced social
work practice at the macro-level of social systems.
Goal One:Provide students with social work knowledge, values, ethics, and skills for critical
analysis of social theory, policy, practice, and research, as applied to diverse populations
and populations -at-risk.
Goal Two:Prepare students for leadership roles in the development, program planning, implementation,
and evaluation of culturally competent services, policy, and research designed to
alleviate poverty, oppression, and other forms of social injustice within a concentration
in social work administration, policy, and community development.
The MSW Program is accredited by theCouncil on Social Work Education. The accreditation status is important as many states, programs and graduate schools
have policies which require or prefer MSW graduates from accredited social work programs.
The MSW Student Handbook is provided to all new students at the MSW Student Orientation
and is intended to be a working document.
NOTE: FAMU’s MSW Program does not grant academic credit for previous paid employment,
volunteer work, or life experience.
For more information regarding admission to the MSW Program contact Mrs. Katisa Donaldson,
the MSW Program Director at (850) 412-7551 or via emailkatisa.donaldson@famu.edu
All MSW students must complete a field placement/internship as a requirement for graduation.
For more information contact the MSW Field Director Mr. Edward Bennett (Visiting Faculty)atedward.bennett@famu.edu
Transfer Students
Students who transfer to the MSW program at Florida A & M University from another
CSWE-accredited graduate program must meet all admissions requirements and have at
least a 3.0 (B) average in all graduate social work courses in order to receive transfer
credit. A maximum of 33 hours credit earned within five years of the student's enrollment
at Florida A & M University's Department of Social Work with grades of "B" or above
may be transferred for credit toward the MSW degree. In addition to the usual application
materials, transfer students must also submit an evaluation of first year field performance,
course syllabi, a "Statement of Good Standing" from the Dean or Chairperson of their
previous program, and a catalog from the institution in which s/he has been enrolled.
Transfer student applications and materials are reviewed by the MSW Program Director
in consultation with MSW faculty on a course-by-course basis.
Non-Social Work Transfer Credit
The Department of Social Work recognizes two categories of transfer credits for courses
that are taken in disciplines or fields other than social work.
A maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit earned within five years of the
student's enrollment at Florida A & M University's Department of Social Work with
grades of "B" (3.0) or better, may be transferred as credit toward the MSW degree's
electives providing they meet the program's curriculum. That is, if a student has
taken a series of graduate courses, but did not earn a master's degree a maximum of
six graduate credit hours may be applied toward the MSW.
A maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit earned within five years of the
student's enrollment at Florida A & M University's MSW program with grades of "B"
or better (where 4.0 = A) may be transferred from an earned master's degree toward
the MSW now in progress. That is, a student may have earned a master's degree in a
different discipline, and may now wish to apply that credit toward the MSW degree,
providing the credits meet the mission and objectives of the MSW program.
In both cases, the student must request consideration of transfer credit with the
MSW program director after admission to the MSW program. Graduate credit is not granted
for correspondence courses, extension courses, continuing education courses, advanced
standing examinations (except as pertaining to advanced graduate standing in the Department
of Social Work), life or employment experience, or if an equivalent course offered
by Florida A & M University does not warrant graduate credit.
The professional curriculum is comprised of sixty-seven (67) credit hours — consisting
of thirty-five (35) credit hours of foundation courses and thirty-two (32) credit
hours of advanced coursework in administration and community development — along with
twelve (12) credit hours of field placement.
All students are assessed using a minimum of two measures on their mastery of the
nine competencies that comprise the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards
of the Council on Social Work Education.
