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
COMMUNITY AGENCY OF THE YEAR: Precious Skinner-Osei, PhD, MSW, interim director of the Sandler School; Nicole Burrell, CEO of Broward House; and Icaro Franco, Behavioral Health Manager at Broward House.
(L-R): Rachel Bebergal; Dani Groton, PhD, MSW; Todd Hedrick; David Landsman-Wohlsifer, PhD, LCSW; Joy McClellan, DSW, MSW; Marva Furlongue-Laver, MSW; LeaAnne DeRigne, PhD, MSW; Tootie Martin; Katherine Frazier-Jones; David Simpson, PhD, MSSA, LCSW; Robin Rubin, MSW; Kyle Matera, LCSW-QS; Naelys Luna, PhD, MSW; Allan Barsky, PhD, MSW; Marcheley Adam, PhD, LCSW; Ryan Meldrum, PhD, Precious Skinner-Osei, PhD, MSW; Danile Jerome, MSW; Jerry Clinton; Donna Drucker, LCSW; Everiste Ambris, MSW; Tod Marshall; and Morgan Cooley, PhD, LCSW
MSW PROGRAM RANKING JUMPS NEARLY 20 SPOTS
U.S. News & World Report has increased the ranking of the Florida Atlantic Master of Social Work (MSW) program to 79th in the nation, nearly 20 points up from just one year ago when it earned the highly coveted "Top 100" ranking. The MSW program is coordinated by Dr. Joy McClellan, and the full curriculum is now offered at the Boca Raton and Davie campuses. Read More | Explore MSW Program
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
The 2023-2024 training schedule for FAU’s Office of Professional Development is now live on the website, and we are now accepting registrations for all upcoming trainings. Individuals can take a look at our full course lineup here: FAU: 2023-2024 Course Schedule.
Upcoming Courses:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certificate Course
This certificate program will extend CBT theory beyond the introductory graduate course level and provide the participant with the skills and knowledge to utilize CBT from a more advanced practice perspective.Dates Offered: May 6-10, 2024. Learn More
LCSW Exam Prep Course
Includes test questions and answers obtained directly from the exam creators, exclusively available for use at Schools of Social Work. Date Offered: May 18, 2024.Learn More
News and Special Events
The Robin Rubin Center for Happiness & Life Enhancement 2023-24 calendar is packed with wellness programming you don’t want to miss – from weekly meditations, bi-monthly yoga sessions and interactive workshops. All sessions are offered free of charge to students, faculty, staff and community members. Events Calendar.
Online Meditation
Anna Anoufrieva, MA, MFT
Every Friday, Noon-12:30 p.m.
On Zoom
COMMUNITY GIVES FROM HEART, RAISES $150K FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
13th Annual Phyllis Sandler Heart of Social Work
On March 15, 2024, the Sandler School of Social Work held the 13th Annual Phyllis Sandler Heart of Social Work event, which was dedicated to the memory of its namesake, Phyllis Sandler, who passed away in December. This year’s event welcomed 150 attendees comprised of faculty, students, alumni, college leadership, donors, and friends from the community.
After hors d’oeuvres and drinks on the Owl’s Perch patio atop the Schmidt Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence, guests viewed a special tribute video to Phyllis Sandler and heard keynote reflections by Jan Savarick, chair of the Sandler School of Social Work Community Leadership Committee.
Naelys Luna, PhD, MSW, dean of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, shared the school’s top points of a pride: an impressive 95% job placement rate, the largest Bachelor of Social Work program in the state, a highly ranked Master of Social Work program, and a highly competitive, interdisciplinary Doctor of Social Work program. Dr. Luna emphasized that most Sandler School of Social Work graduates stay in South Florida to work in our community’s hospitals, addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers, schools, elder care facilities, veterans’ affairs, youth services, and numerous other vital service areas.
Community Agency of the Year was awarded to Broward House, a nonprofit organization that offers a full array of support services including behavioral health, HIV prevention and education, case management, mental health counseling, and food assistance.
Robin Rubin, MSW, instructor, founder of the Robin Rubin Center for Happiness and Life Enhancement, and daughter of Phyllis Sandler, then presented awards to the two student essay winners – Aliza Marshall, BSW student, and Alexis Falance, MSW student – who were each awarded $2,500 scholarships and the opportunity to share their extremely moving stories with the audience.
Student and Faculty Publications
LeaAnne DeRigne, PhD, MSW, professor, was featured in the following article:
Ill Gotten Gains: Why Does American Society Coerce Us to Work While Sick? Salon.com. (February 15, 2024)
“I think we're all committed to this idea that one of the ways we judge whether we're worthy is whether we're busy, whether we're hard at work, and I think that just extends over into illness,” said LeaAnne DeRigne, PhD, MSW, professor in the Sandler School of Social Work. “There’s something really embedded in our American psyche that being sick is seen as being weak and choosing to take care of yourself is the wrong priority.” See Article
Allan Barsky, Ph.D., MSW, professor, had the following article focusing on social justice issues published:
Barsky, A. E. (2024, March 6). Redressing injustice: To cancel, call out, check out, or call in? Social Work Today, 24(1), 14-17. https://www.socialworktoday.com/issues/2024/winter/#27
Alumni News Updates
SOCIAL WORK ALUMNA USES TRAGEDY TO HELP OTHER
The Alumni Committee of the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work is also looking for alumni volunteers to serve in our alumni committee. Volunteers will participate in planning in-person and online alumni events. Please email your interest to: Kyle Matera kmatera@fau.edu or Laurie Suttenberg lsuttenberg@fau.edu
The FAU SSW Alumni Society is planning future in-person and virtual mixer events. Click here to fill out and submit the form to receive emails about these alumni gatherings. Please share this link with FAU SSW alumni friends. We hope to see you at a future event!
Sleep: An Essential Component of Wellness
David Wohlsifer, PhD, LCSW, Psychotherapist and SW Instructor
Tuesday, Apr. 9
5:30-6:30 p.m. On Zoom
Register Now
Members of the Sandler Family: Larry Schnurmacher, Ali Benman, Evan Schnurmacher, Andrea Schnurmacher, Jonathan Rubin, Robin Rubin, Gary Rubin, David Ross, Amy Ross, Matthew Kohn, Brittany Kohn, and Michael Ross