Social workers in Jacksonville and throughout the greater Duval County area have no shortage of opportunities to get involved where it really counts. It’s not a stretch to say that the social services community here is actively putting together solutions to some of the biggest societal challenges in Florida today. With employers like Baptist Health, the Jacksonville VA Medical Center, and community-based organizations in almost every neighborhood addressing everything from mental health crises among the unhoused, to families struggling with substance use disorders and housing insecurity, the demand for well-trained social workers has never been greater.
In recent years, Duval County has seen the expansion of programs that integrate social workers into innovative programs, including those developed in response to the city’s mental health crises. With Jacksonville’s launch of the Mental Health Co-Responder Unit project, the city began pairing BSW and MSW-prepared social workers with law enforcement to de-escalate potentially volatile situations. This collaboration has already shown success in reducing the number of unnecessary arrests and hospitalizations, reflecting a growing trend towards social services-led solutions.
As these initiatives continue to grow, earning a BSW or MSW degree will position you to be part of the solution. Whether working in healthcare, mental health services, or child and family services, your degree will open doors to deeply rewarding work as part of the good fight to improve lives throughout Duval County.
From Tragedy to Triumph: Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne’s Enduring Legacy in Jacksonville
If you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne, a trailblazing figure in education and social justice. Known for her long-standing leadership at Jacksonville University, where she became the first female president of a university in Florida in 1979, Kinne’s contributions extend far beyond academics. Her influence continues to resonate in the social work and social justice arenas throughout Jacksonville and the surrounding areas.
Dr. Kinne’s life is a story of resilience and service. Born during World War I and experiencing firsthand the struggles of the Great Depression, she carried these early experiences into her later work. Not only did she shape Jacksonville University into a respected institution, but she also championed education for all, regardless of socioeconomic status. She established numerous scholarship programs and initiatives aimed at supporting underprivileged students, ensuring that financial hardship was not a barrier to success.
In addition to her contributions to education, Kinne was deeply involved in the Jacksonville community. She advocated for expanding access to mental health services and was a vocal supporter of social workers and educators tackling issues like poverty, substance abuse, and homelessness. Under her guidance, Jacksonville University became a hub for social justice initiatives, hosting forums on race relations and supporting outreach programs that connected students with local service organizations.
Dr. Kinne’s impact lives on, not only through the countless lives she touched but also through her enduring legacy of compassion, advocacy, and justice. Her work reminds us that even in the face of adversity, one person’s vision can transform a community for the better.
CSWE-Accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) & Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degrees in Jacksonville and Throughout Duval County
Are you ready to make a difference in Duval County as a professional social worker? Whether you’re aiming to support individuals through community work or pursue a path in clinical practice, earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) is key to getting licensed in Florida. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), generalist and specialized MSW programs can prepare you for the Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW) license while clinically-oriented programs meet specific curriculum requirements for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential—both of which require an MSW to meet the state’s strict licensure standards.
Earning a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) gets you job-ready for important non-licensed roles. At the same time, it makes the transition to graduate studies even smoother thanks to the advanced-standing MSW option that lets you earn the degree in as little as one year. This is a significant time-saver for those who already have the foundational knowledge from a BSW.
If you’re coming into social work from another field, a traditional two-year MSW path is perfectly suited to get you ready for both non-clinical and clinical practice.
The journey to becoming a social worker in Florida starts with a solid education, and Duval County offers the opportunities you need to begin making a real impact.
Duval County provides access to one school offering a CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW program, setting you up for success as a social worker in Florida:
University of North Florida
College of Arts and Sciences
Jacksonville, FL
Other locations include Palm Coast
- MSW (on-campus)
- BSW
The University of North Florida (UNF) offers both Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. The MSW program has two tracks: a 60-credit traditional option for those without a BSW and a 33-credit advanced standing track for students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program. Both tracks focus on advanced generalist practice, preparing students for diverse clinical and administrative roles. Field education is central to the curriculum, with traditional students completing 900 hours and advanced standing students completing 500 hours.