In recent years, social services initiatives in Miami-Dade County have focused on everything from affordable housing programs in partnership with the Miami-Dade Housing Finance Authority’s Multifamily Rental Program to substance abuse treatment and mental health crisis intervention through the New Direction Residential Treatment Program and Specialized Transitional Opportunity Program (STOP) for the homeless, supported and spearheaded by organizations like the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust and Camillus House. Major healthcare systems like Jackson Health and Baptist Health also rely heavily on BSW and MSW-trained professionals to support low-income patients navigating complex healthcare challenges. But this only scratches the surface of the work that’s being done here.
These programs are expanding quickly, and they rely on highly trained, compassionate social workers ready to step up for marginalized populations in Miami, Hialeah, and throughout the greater Miami-Dade area.
Whether working at the community and policy level to rally legislators in support of funding these programs or providing a lifeline to unhoused veterans or families struggling under the stress of housing insecurity, earning your BSW or MSW in Miami-Dade County places you right at the heart of these efforts—preparing you to be part of the solution for the county’s most vulnerable populations.
Fighting for Equal Access to Healthcare: Dr. Pedro "Joe" Greer’s Legacy in Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County is home to one of the most influential voices in healthcare reform and social justice — Dr. Pedro “Joe” Greer, Jr. Known for his groundbreaking work providing healthcare to underserved populations, Dr. Greer has made a profound impact on the community through his compassionate approach to social work and medicine.
In the early 1990s, Dr. Greer founded Camillus Health Concern, a Miami-based clinic aimed at delivering essential healthcare services to Miami’s homeless population. The clinic was one of the first of its kind, offering free medical treatment to people often overlooked by the traditional healthcare system. Dr. Greer’s pioneering efforts helped set the stage for social workers and healthcare professionals across Miami-Dade County to tackle systemic barriers in healthcare access, especially for the county’s most vulnerable residents.
His tireless advocacy didn’t stop there. Dr. Greer has served on several health and social justice boards, including the National Institutes of Health and the United Nations Human Rights Commission, amplifying his influence far beyond Miami. His ability to bridge medicine and social advocacy earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, making him an icon in both medical and social work circles.
Dr. Greer’s approach to integrated healthcare, especially in addressing social determinants like housing and mental health, continues to serve as a model for both current and future social workers in Miami-Dade County. His legacy lives on through the professionals he’s inspired, making the region a leader in community-focused healthcare solutions.
CSWE-Accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) & Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degrees in Miami and Throughout Miami-Dade County
Are you ready to start your journey towards becoming a licensed social worker in Miami-Dade County?
Whether your goal is to provide direct services and community advocacy in a non-clinical role or to pursue clinical licensure, the first step is to earn a degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
In Florida, the path to licensure requires an MSW, but a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) will still make you job-ready, providing a powerful jumping off point with a lot of options. Many social workers with a BSW pursue roles in social services, child welfare, and community organizations, while others use it as a stepping-stone to an advanced standing MSW. The advanced standing MSW offers an accelerated path that allows BSW graduates to earn their MSW in just one year, compared to the traditional two-year track for those with different undergraduate majors.
Florida offers two licensing tracks — one for those providing counseling and other clinical services and the other for high-level mezzo and macro social work roles. Both the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW) credentials require a CSWE-accredited MSW with an appropriate focus.
Whether you choose a clinical or non-clinical path, there’s a lot of ways to contribute to the good fight here in Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade County is home to two schools offering CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs, and one additional school with a BSW program, to get you started on your social work career in Florida:
Barry University
Department of Social Work
Miami, FL
Other locations include Fort Meyers and Palm Beach
- MSW (online, on-campus)
- BSW
Barry University offers both BSW and MSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program focuses on generalist practice, providing students with a trauma-informed and resiliency-focused curriculum. Students complete 13 social work courses and a yearlong clinical practice placement, with service-learning opportunities integrated throughout. Barry also offers a seamless BSW to MSW advanced standing pathway for eligible students.
The MSW program is designed for individuals with non-social work backgrounds and prepares students for advanced clinical practice. Available in both full-time and part-time formats, the MSW can be pursued in person or online. Additionally, Barry provides a 32-credit Advanced Standing MSW for BSW graduates.
Florida International University
School of Social Work
Miami, FL
Other locations include Miramar and Homestead
- MSW (on-campus)
- BSW
Florida International University’s School of Social Work offers both BSW and MSW programs, providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a range of settings, from government to non-profit and private sectors. The BSW program prepares students for generalist practice, while the MSW offers specializations, and dual degree options that include an MSW/MPH and MSW/JD program. FIU’s MSW program is ranked in the top 50 among public universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2023. Students benefit from extensive field education opportunities throughout South Florida, contributing more than 100,000 hours of service annually in community agencies.
Florida Memorial University
Department of Social Sciences
Miami Gardens, FL
- BSW (online, on-campus)
Florida Memorial University offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program prepares students to address the complex needs of individuals, families, and communities by teaching essential social work theories and ethical principles. Students gain practical skills through a curriculum focused on generalist practice, studying how to prevent and respond to issues like substance abuse, mental health, and domestic violence. Graduates are well-equipped to pursue roles in social services, child welfare, and healthcare settings, or continue with graduate studies in social work.