DEAN’S WELCOME
Welcome to the Florida State University, College of Social Work!
We extend a warm invitation to explore our College and to join our social work community – to connect with us, share your stories, and advance our mission.
Grounded in a tradition of excellence for a century, the College of Social Work serves as a catalyst for change, preparing the next generation of social workers with a shared purpose to enhance human well-being, build community, shape policy, and promote social justice.
Our College’s world-class faculty, cutting-edge researchers, and student-centered staff create an energizing and ethical learning ecosystem guided by translational research and evidence-based practice. What starts in our classrooms and research centers extends to enriching field placements and tailored professional growth that transforms into regional and global impact.
Our student body, one of the most diverse at FSU, is comprised of passionate advocates committed to serving others. Our hallways reflect an impressive array of knowledge and life experiences from students across the BSW, MSW, and Ph.D. programs. Alumni throughout the state and around the globe weave a strong network of supporters and mentors ready to welcome our recent graduates of FSU social workers.
This inspiring community of changemakers is the backbone of the College. While we may forge different paths driven by individual aspirations, we share a common path as trailblazers and social workers united in our efforts to change lives and leave the world a better place.
Change a life. Start with yours.
Serve on,
David W. Springer, Ph.D., LCSW
Dean | Guy and Delores Spearman Professor of Social Work
MISSION STATEMENT:
It is the mission of the Florida State University College of Social Work to provide quality educational services at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels that prepare professional social workers to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of diverse populations with particular attention to the empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, or living in poverty. The College of Social Work also has as its purpose to contribute to the knowledge base that supports social work practice and social policy development and to provide leadership through community service at the local, state, national, and international levels.
As one of the nation’s leading institutions for social work education, the Florida State University College of Social Work (CSW) maintains a long and distinguished history of educating the best and brightest minds in preparation for successful careers in various fields.
Established in 1928, the college holds more experience than any other institution in Florida offering social work education and was the first in the world to offer a Master of Social Work through an accredited online program. The online program was ranked among the top Online MSW Programs of 2022 by Forbes Advisor. The MSW Program is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 2022 as one of the top graduate programs in social work (No. 44).
Whether online or on campus, the FSU College of Social Work offers a variety of nationally recognized programs tailored to meet a broad range of student needs at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels.
In addition to administering a rigorous curriculum, CSW prepares students for life after college through an extensive field education program, which provides on-the-job training and experience at countless locations across the globe. But it doesn’t stop there. The Office of Professional Development offers an array of continuing education, certificate programs, and social work licensure verification to ensure that students have the credentials they need to get hired.
Like other acclaimed colleges, CSW faculty hail from prestigious institutions across the country and facilitate leading-edge research and service projects worldwide. But that’s not what makes us unique. The difference lies in the way we treat our students. We recognize that successful students ensure the continued success of the college. That basic acknowledgment ensures students benefit from personal attention and easy access to the administration, faculty, and staff.
As the college continues to evolve and expand, we remain steadfast in our commitment to producing well-rounded graduates uniquely qualified to make a difference. Will you be among them?
