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.
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.
Graduates of the MSW program are prepared for advanced practice and leadership roles in social work and related fields. Career opportunities often include positions such as:
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 the Council 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 email katisa.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 -Ms. Rolanda Brown-Dennis (Visiting Faculty) at rolanda1.browndennis@famu.edu
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.
The Department of Social Work recognizes two categories of transfer credits for courses that are taken in disciplines or fields other than social work.
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.
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.
Name | Phone | |
---|---|---|
Katisa Donaldson M.S.W., |
(850) 412-7551 | |
Edward Bennett M.S.W., |
(850) 599-3456 | |
Irma Gibson Ph.D, M.S.W., |
(850) 599-3456 | |
Larae Lauray M.S.W., |
(850) 599-3456 | |
Jacquelyn McMillan Ph.D, M.S.W., Assistant Professor |
(850) 599-3456 | |
Shatoria Murray, M.S.W., Visiting Professor |
(850) 599-3456 | |
Laura Myers Ph.D, M.S.W., Professor |
(850) 599-3456 | |
Rolanda Brown-Dennis M.S.W., RCSWI, MSW Field Director |
(850) 599-8852 |