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:
February:
Rhythms of Resilience: A Celebration of Black History with Tammy Patterson
- Date: Wednesday, February 4 from 12 - 1pm
- In-person: FAU Housing Lawn - 777 Glades Rd. Bldg 46, Boca Raton, FL 33431
- Date: Friday, February 7, 2025 from 8:30am – 12:30pm
- Online via Zoom
Mindfulness Walk & Bird Talk with Kyle Matera
- Date: Friday, February 14 from 9 – 11am
- In-person: Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands
- Event Support: Laurie Suttenberg
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...
Student and Faculty Achievements and Honors
Social Work Faculty Hoods Husband During December Commencement
Precious Skinner-Osei, Ph.D., MSW, assistant professor and BSW program coordinator, recently had the honor of hooding her husband, Claudius Osei, as he received his Ph.D. at this Fall’s graduation ceremony. The title of his dissertation is “Emerging Neural Dynamics in Skill Acquisition: Differential Learning of a Basketball Shooting Task.”
Student and Faculty Publications
Allan E. Barsky, JD, MSW, Ph.D., professor, published the following articles:
- Barsky, A. E. (2024, January 2). Ethics alive! Before you sign: Understanding confidentiality provisions, noncomplete clauses, and other terms of employment agreements. The New Social Worker. https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/ethics-articles/confidentiality-provisions-noncompete-clauses-social-workers
- Barsky, A. E. (2025). Professional boundaries and dual relationships in rural social work: Challenges and opportunities. In M. Daley & P. Pitman-Munke (Ed.), Back home: Opportunities and challenges of social work with rural communities. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780197644263
- Barsky, A. E. (2025, January 9). Naming a mental health practice: Legal restrictions and free speech. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/agens-scientiam/202501/naming-a-mental-health-practice-legal-restrictions-and-free-speech
A new peer-reviewed article co-authored by five faculty members has been published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies, entitled “Forming Relationships with Youth in Foster Care: Perspectives of Guardian ad Litems.” The authors – Heather Thompson, Ph.D., LCSW, associate professor; Morgan E. Cooley, Ph.D., LCSW; Gabriel T Cesar, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Marianna L. Colvin, Ph.D., associate professor – collaborated with Laura Backstrom, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology in the Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. The publication is a cross-sectional, qualitative study of 555 Guardians ad Litem from across the state of Florida that examines their perspectives on their relationships with youth in the foster care system. View Article...
Examining Police-Social Work Programs
In situations where mental health and social services are needed, aggressive law enforcement responses can be harmful. Embedded co-responder programs, also known as police-social work programs, in which clinicians are physically located at police departments, have emerged as an alternative model for responding to the mental health needs of community members in crisis and the threat of violence. This topic is explored in a new study by Cassandra Atkin-Plunk, PhD, associate professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice; and Vaughn J. Crichlow, PhD, of the University of Connecticut, in a new article published in Criminal Justice and Behavior, titled “‘Meshing into One’: An Assessment of Law Enforcement and Clinician Perspectives on Professional Roles and the Embedded Co-Responder Model.” View Article...
Vehicle Crashes & Mental Health Among Commuter Students: Interdisciplinary Research Examines Contributing Factors
How does mental well-being influence the likelihood of a car crash? Previous research into the sociodemographic correlates of traffic accidents has highlighted the variables of age, sex, and socioeconomic status. David Simpson, PhD, MSSA, LCSW, assistant professor, along with four professors from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, has published a new article in the Journal of Transport & Health. The article, “Driver vehicle crashes and mental health challenges among commuter college students,” examines how poor mental health, depression, insomnia, constrained activity, caring for an adult at home, and even one’s GPA factor into the likelihood of an accident. View Article...