From major healthcare systems like the Cape Coral Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center to community-based nonprofits focused on mental health, homelessness, and addiction recovery, Lee County offers countless ways to make a real impact with a degree in social work. Whether working with the Lee County Housing Authority to connect families with affordable housing or advocating for children in foster care through the Lee County Department of Social Services (NCDHHS), social workers here are at the heart of efforts to improve lives and address systemic challenges.
Take for instance, Lee Health’s growing partnership with local universities to recruit BSW and MSW-prepared social workers. As part of their 2023 initiative to expand behavioral health services, social workers are now playing a key role in crisis intervention and patient advocacy across the county’s hospital network. Through new funding sources and collaborations with state agencies, Lee Health is bringing in social work professionals to offer holistic support to patients, particularly in underserved communities.
Opportunities like these highlight the evolving role of social workers in Lee County, where innovative programs rely on qualified professionals to meet the growing demand for mental health services, addiction recovery support, and more. It all starts with earning your BSW or MSW degree.
Therapeutic Justice: Lee County's Innovative Mental Health Court
Lee County made headlines for an innovative approach to addressing mental health issues within the criminal justice system. Established in 2007, the Lee County Mental Health Court became one of Florida’s first specialized courts designed to divert individuals with mental health conditions away from incarceration and toward treatment. This pioneering program, led by Judge Margaret Steinbeck, has transformed the way Lee County addresses the intersection of mental health and the law.
The Mental Health Court operates under a collaborative model, bringing together legal professionals, mental health providers, social workers, and probation officers to create individualized treatment plans for participants. By focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment, the court has helped hundreds of individuals avoid jail time while receiving essential treatment and support. This approach not only reduces recidivism but also fosters long-term stability for individuals who would otherwise cycle through the criminal justice system.
In addition to its local impact, the Lee County Mental Health Court has become a model for similar programs across the state and beyond. Social workers in the program play a crucial role, working directly with participants to provide counseling, connect them with community resources, and ensure they adhere to treatment plans. This court is a beacon of hope for individuals struggling with mental health issues and a powerful example of how social work can intersect with the legal system to create lasting change.
With its commitment to therapeutic justice, Lee County continues to lead the way in advocating for compassionate solutions that address the root causes of crime, offering a path forward for those in need.
CSWE-Accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) & Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degrees in Fort Myers and Throughout Lee County
If you’re looking to make an impact in social work in Lee County or beyond, understanding the education and licensing requirements is the place to start your career planning. In Florida, social work licensure hinges on earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
For non-licensed roles, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) serves to both make you career-ready for non-clinical roles while also giving you an excellent foundation for graduate studies, serving as a stepping stone to an advanced-standing MSW program, which can shorten the path to licensure.
Florida’s three-tiered licensure system includes the Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW) for non-clinical practice, the Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern for those gaining supervised clinical experience, and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) for those ready to engage in independent clinical practice. Regardless of your path, you’ll need to complete supervised experience and pass rigorous exams to reach your goals, with the MSW being the key to unlocking the path to licensure. Whether you choose to pursue the traditional two-year MSW or opt for the advanced-standing one-year program, your journey to becoming a social worker in Florida starts here.
Lee County is home to a school where you can earn both a BSW and MSW degree, fully accredited by the CSWE, setting you on the path to a rewarding social work career in Florida.
Florida Gulf Coast University
- MSW (on-campus)
- BSW
Florida Gulf Coast University offers both Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs designed to provide students with a comprehensive education grounded in clinical practice. The BSW program prepares students for generalist social work practice, while the MSW program emphasizes advanced clinical community practice, integrating clinical interventions with policy advocacy. FGCU’s MSW offers an Advanced Standing option, allowing BSW graduates to complete the program in just one year. Both programs include extensive fieldwork, with students attending classes one day a week to focus on internships and clinical experience. FGCU boasts high LCSW exam pass rates and post graduate employment rates.