Bachelor of Social Work
- Florida’s largest BSW program with an average of 600 students
- Florida’s Top 3 BSW program based on monthly alumni earnings within a year of graduation
Master of Social Work
- U.S. News & World Report Top 100 program
- #3 MSW in the nation based on student evaluations
- One of FAU’s largest graduate programs with an average of 300 students
Doctor of Social Work
- Florida’s first DSW program, which trains scholarly clinicians for leadership positions
FLORIDA ATLANTIC RANKS IN TOP 20 AMONG U.S. PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
For Social Mobility, Research, and Community Service
Five public universities in Florida were ranked among the top 50 in a national assessment conducted by Washington Monthly that evaluates institutions based on social mobility, research, and community service. Ranked 41st overall and 19th among public universities, Florida Atlantic University topped University of South Florida and Florida State University ranked 47th and 48th overall, respectively.
“Florida Atlantic’s rise in the rankings is a testament to our commitment to offer a high-quality education that is accessible to all students,” FAU President Stacy Volnick said. “We are proud of the efforts of everyone involved in the success of our students and honored to be recognized by Washington Monthly for this achievement.” Read Full Article
RESEARCH HUB | WHERE TODAY’S DISCOVERIES BECOME TOMORROW’S SOLUTIONS
Our renowned faculty pursue multidisciplinary and community-engaged research, leveraging multiple in-house centers and institutes and an extensive network of scholars and organizations that wraps around the globe. The award-winning research coming out of the College of Social Work & Criminal Justice enhances the lives of individuals, families, and communities; informs a wide spectrum of solutions to societal and human needs; and contributes to the scientific basis of our professions.
We are well on our way toward fulfilling one of our five strategic priorities: integrate the cross-disciplinary research and scholarship portfolios between our two schools, across the university network and deeply within our communities. With this launch, we are seeking to:
- Grow & Disseminate research & scholarship where we already excel.
- Deliver meaningful impact within our communities, classrooms and professions.
- Broaden recognition of the college’s research & scholarship efforts.
- Bolster multidisciplinary, cross-school and cross-university research & scholarship.
- Elevate our college's research as a powerful tool for championing change.
- Heighten innovative community-based research & visibility of technology.
- Engage students in hands-on, transformative research opportunities.
- Demonstrate contributions to the FA Race to Excellence pillars & platforms.
Professional Development Courses
As clinicians, we understand the critical importance of high-quality continuing education. As research and evidence-based treatment evolves, standards of care shift. Whether you are just beginning your clinical journey or are a seasoned clinician ready to expand your scope of practice, we've got you covered for the upcoming year.
Check out the courses below and register today!
You can also visit our website for a complete course listing and frequent additions. To make sure you’re the first to know about new courses, you can request email notifications and like us on Facebook for course updates and School news.
The FAU Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work is an approved provider of the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, the Florida Board of Psychology, the Florida Office of School Psychology, and the Florida Board of Nursing (BAP #50-6251), as well as the Florida Certification Board (#5350-A) and the Council on Social Work Education. Many states accept CEUs from CSWE-accredited institutions in other states.
Did you know?
Funds raised through the Office of Professional Development provide students’ scholarships and assistantships, and support faculty and students with research projects, attendance and presentations at national and international conferences, and other projects related to advancing our school's academic excellence and community engagement.
Agency Training Available
New Agency Training Available! Foundations in Narrative Therapy: This 6-hour course will provide clinicians with specific Narrative Therapy interventions that can be applied to multiple populations across the age span. Emphasis will be placed on using Narrative therapy as a powerful tool of intervention for many specific diagnoses utilizing a trauma-informed lens.
The Office of Professional Development within the FAU Sandler School of Social Work offers a wide variety of training options for community agencies. All workshops can be facilitated online or in-person, offer flexible scheduling, and can be fully customized to meet your unique agency needs. Take a look at our menu of options here.
*NEW* Agency Trainings Available!
Cannabis Induced Psychosis: Current Research and Recovery Strategies
Assertive Community Treatment: A Paradigm Shift in Treating Severe Mental Illness
Robin Rubin Center for Happiness and Life Enhancement
FREE Wellness Workshops, yoga, and meditation are back!
FREE Weekly Meditation session (Every Friday @ Noon) Register here!
Wellness Events Calendar:
March:
Soul Surfing: Face the Waves & Elevate Your Life with Rachael Schmidt
- Date: Tuesday, March 25 from 12 - 1pm
- In-person: SO112
- Event Support: Robin & Danile
April:
The Power of Good Quality Sleep with Dr. David Wohlsifer-Landsman,
- Date: Tuesday, April 8 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm
- Online via Zoom
- Event Support: Danile
August:
Qualified Supervisor Training
- Date: Wednesday, August 14 - Friday, August 16, 2025 from 8:30am – 12:30pm (12 hours total)
- Online via Zoom
Social Work News Updates
Earn Your MSW Degree Your Way
Students can now complete their Master of Social Work (MSW) degree completely online in just three semesters! The blend of asynchronous, self-paced coursework with synchronous, real-time group work suits busy schedules AND fosters peer connections. Learn critical thinking skills and engage in evidence-based clinical practice alongside a deep respect for human diversity, lifelong learning, and professional development. Graduates are eligible to apply for the prestigious Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential. Applications are due Feb. 1! Read On...
JUST LAUNCHED: Center for Integrated Recovery and Wellness Studies
The College of Social Work and Criminal Justice recently launched a new center dedicated to advancing research into substance use recovery and promoting community partnerships. The mission of the Center for Integrated Recovery and Wellness Studies is to explore and address the role of social determinants and behavioral health factors that influence well-being across communities, focusing on strengthening individual and community wellness, resilience, and recovery from substance use disorder and co-occurring mental illness. Read On...
$50,000 Gift Supports Clinical Practicum Fellowships
Cultivating real-world experience through clinical practicums is a crucial component of social work education. Students work directly with individuals, families, and community organizations, with 400 hours required per semester. These hours are typically unpaid and on top of their other academic, professional, and personal obligations.
Ten students in the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work have received paid practicum fellowships through the recently launched Dr. Heidi Schaeffer Resilience, Hope, and Healing Fund. Heidi Schaeffer, M.D., a national expert in human trafficking diagnosis and intervention, said she was inspired to make her generous $50,000 investment after meeting students from the Sandler School. Read On...
$21M Grant Designed to Transform Community Poverty
Florida Atlantic has received a multi-year $21 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant funds South Florida's program titled "Broward Unlimited Potential Promise Neighborhood" (Broward UP), a place-based initiative aimed at transforming poverty-concentrated neighborhoods into communities of opportunity.
The interdisciplinary team of co-principal investigators from throughout the university includes Naelys Luna, Ph.D., MSW, founding dean and professor of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice; Marianna Colvin, Ph.D., associate dean of research and associate professor in the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work; and David Simpson, Ph.D., MSSA, LCSW, assistant professor. Read On...
Now Open: Integrated Recovery & Wellness Studies Center
The College of Social Work and Criminal Justice recently launched The Center for Integrated Recovery and Wellness Studies dedicated to advancing research into substance use recovery and promoting community partnership. The Center’s mission is to explore and address the role of social determinants and behavioral health factors that influence well-being across communities, with a focus on strengthening individual and community wellness, resilience, and recovery from substance use disorder and co-occurring mental illness.
The center's leadership team includes: Michael Robinson, Ph.D., MSSW, CAADC, founding director; Precious Skinner-Osei, Ph.D., MSW, senior research associate; Heather Howard, Ph.D., MSW, LICSW, senior research associate; Naelys Luna, Ph.D., MSW, executive advisor for research and development; Tod Marshall, program assistant; and Rebecca Booth, graduate assistant. Read On...
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Child Welfare
The Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University welcomes applications for one postdoctoral fellow in child welfare for a two-year, 12-month position. Applications close on March 1, with an anticipated start date in August 2025. This fellowship is devoted to research, and the scholar will primarily work with faculty affiliates of the Sandler School of Social Work Child Welfare Institute. This fellowship offers innovative research training and experience with faculty who are currently engaged in state-funded research, community-engaged, and secondary data analysis of child welfare data. Apply Now…
Members of the Florida Atlantic campus community recently gathered to celebrate Black History Month through the collective rhythms of a drum circle. Led by Tammy Patterson, a sound healing practitioner, participants explored the power to create a harmonious and uplifting atmosphere with meditative drumming and collective reflection with open hearts and minds. This event was hosted by the Robin Rubin Center for Happiness and Life Enhancement. See Upcoming Wellness Activities...
Student and Faculty Conference Presentations
This month, Morgan Cooley, Ph.D., LCSW, associate professor, and affiliate faculty member of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, presented to the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee (FICW) on Higher Education in Tallahassee about the Institute's latest initiatives. Co-presenters included Lisa Magruder, FICW director, and Amanda VanLandingham, DCF deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Child and Family Well-Being. Their presentation highlighted that FICW is currently overseeing more than 25 unique research studies at universities across Florida. These studies are driving the development of research-backed best practices to help child welfare professionals better support Florida’s children and families.
Student and Faculty Publications
New research from Morgan Cooley, Ph.D., LCSW, associate professor, published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, fills a gap in the research on the overall effectiveness and usefulness of national training programs for would-be foster parents by looking at self-perceptions of parenting competency and child outcomes. Read On...
Allan E. Barsky, JD, MSW, Ph.D., professor, published the following article:
Barsky, A. E. (2025, February 9). Follow the law and say no more? When the ethical and legal duties of mental health professionals conflict. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/agens-scientiam/202502/follow-the-law-and-say-no-more