Looking for the best PhD in Social Work in Florida? You should consider these top-tier institutions and jobs in the social work field.
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There is no doubt that the best degrees for Florida in social work will provide you with a broad base of knowledge and insight for a career in the real world. You can pursue a doctoral degree in many fields, and by earning a doctoral degree, you will be able to advance your career.
An individual with a doctoral degree earns approximately $1,909 per week, which translates to approximately $7,636 a month and $99,268 annually. Graduates of a doctoral program are also more likely to be employed than those who hold only a high school diploma.
Social Work PhD Programs for You
Working and Living in Florida in the Social Work Profession
Social work degree programs can be found at colleges, universities, and technical institutes. Though the curriculum is similar among campuses, social work degree programs differ in terms of the focus and specialty area. For example, if you're interested in working with children or adolescents, a program with an emphasis on child welfare would be relevant. Common career options after earning a social work degree include case management, clinical social work, and community organizing.
Florida's median annual salary is $37,920, or $18.23 hourly. The number includes a total of 8,605,610 employees. Following this pattern, the BLS states that the lowest 10% of earners take home $22,720, and the highest 10% of earners take home $96,380. A comparison of Florida's social worker salaries is offered below.
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The state of Florida is ranked number 31 out of 51 states (including Washington D.C.) on the cost of living index, according to MERIC. Cost of living indexes measure the average cost of living in specific states against the national average. In the U.S., the average is calculated as 100, and all locations are either above (expensive) or below (cheaper). In comparison with the national average, Florida's cost of living index is 103, which is 3% higher. This table compares the cost of groceries, housing, utilities, and other items in Florida to the national average.
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A 5.8% growth rate is expected for the social work profession over the next decade. BLS projects that the total employment for the occupation will change from 71,400 in 2020 to 75,500 in 2030. The typical education required for these positions is a doctorate degree. Typical job titles include the following:
The doctorate degree in social work program at Barry University offers an online option for doctoral students. The private university provides flexible enrollment options to meet the needs of diverse degree-seekers. Doctoral students receive research support, library access, and career advising.
Once enrolled, learners earn credits by completing doctoral coursework in the social work program. Upon passing comprehensive examinations, candidates spend 1-2 years researching and writing their dissertations. A doctorate in social work can lead to job opportunities in research, academia, and leadership.
Online doctoral students at the accredited institution can pay for their degrees with scholarships, fellowships, and loans. Prospective applicants can contact the program to learn more about research support, financial aid opportunities, and admission requirements.
Barry University at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 1,208
Online Master's Programs: 12
Online Doctoral Programs: 4
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $17,820
Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available
Average Tuition
In-state
$30,600
Out-of-state
$30,600
Retention Rate
68%
Admission Rate
65%
Students Enrolled
7,515
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
23%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Doctoral Degrees in Social Work in Florida
Florida International University
Miami, FL
4 years
Online + Campus
The Ph.D. in social welfare program at Florida International University offers a doctorate in an online learning format. The public university provides flexible enrollment options to meet the needs of diverse degree-seekers. Doctoral students receive library access, research support, and career services.
In the social work program, graduate learners take advanced courses to earn a minimum of credits. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates choose a dissertation topic and conduct research in their specialty area. A doctorate in social work prepares graduates for careers in academia, research, and leadership.
The accredited institution meets federal requirements for financial aid support. Prospective applicants can contact the program to learn more about financial aid opportunities and the admission process.
Florida International University at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 39,863
Online Master's Programs: 31
Online Doctoral Programs: Data not available
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 27-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $8,912
Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available
Average Tuition
In-state
$4,721
Out-of-state
$16,529
Retention Rate
91%
Admission Rate
58%
Students Enrolled
58,836
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
86%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Doctoral Degrees in Social Work in Florida
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
4 years
Online + Campus
Florida State University offers a social work doctoral program through an online learning platform, and degree-seekers can benefit from the public university's flexible format. Doctoral students also participate in career counseling and receive research support.
In the social work program, learners earn credits for doctoral-level coursework. After passing comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidates conduct research for their dissertations. As the terminal degree in social work, the doctoral program trains graduates for roles in academia, research, and practice.
Online doctoral students attending the accredited institution qualify for several forms of financial aid. Reach out to the program to learn more about the application process and start dates.
Florida State University at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 19,802
Online Master's Programs: 13
Online Doctoral Programs: 2
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 21-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $9,684
Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available
Average Tuition
In-state
$4,640
Out-of-state
$19,084
Retention Rate
95%
Admission Rate
32%
Students Enrolled
43,569
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
97%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Doctoral Degrees in Social Work in Florida
University of South Florida-Main Campus
Tampa, FL
4 years
Online + Campus
The Ph.D. in social work program at the University of South Florida-Main Campus offers an online option for doctoral students. At the public institution, degree-seekers take doctoral classes in a flexible format. Doctoral students can also participate in career counseling and benefit from research support.
Learners earn credits by completing doctoral classes in the social work program, preparing students for comprehensive examinations. After passing, doctoral candidates begin working on an original dissertation project. Graduates with a social work doctorate pursue roles in research, academia, and leadership.
Doctoral students can pay for the program with federal financial aid, fellowships, and scholarships. Prospective applicants can contact the program for more about financial aid and admission requirements.
University of South Florida-Main Campus at a Glance:
Online Student Enrollment: 24,241
Online Master's Programs: 27
Online Doctoral Programs: 2
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 23-to-1
Graduate Tuition Rate: $8,350
Accepts Transfer Credits: Data not available
Average Tuition
In-state
$4,559
Out-of-state
$15,473
Retention Rate
92%
Admission Rate
49%
Students Enrolled
50,626
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
90%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Financing a Doctorate Degree in Social Work
You can get financial aid to help pay for your college. The financial assistance you obtain can help you pay for your degree or to pay for a work-study. Some students may be eligible to receive federal and private student loans as well. In addition to the scholarships offered by colleges you may be interested in, there may also be scholarships available from the colleges themselves. Therefore, it is important to research what types of financial aid may be available to you prior to applying.
Checklist for Maximizing Your Financial Aid:
The FAFSA provides a way to pay for school with federal student aid.
For scholarship and grant opportunities, students can contact the school's financial aid office.
Average Cost of Attending College in Florida
Depending on which college you attend, the cost of education in Florida will vary. Even so, there are some commonalities that exist among both public and private institutions. You can determine whether attending a public institution is the right choice for you by reviewing the information below:
Public 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Florida vs. National Average
Key
Florida
National Average
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Would it be possible for you to attend a private college or university? Tuition at private colleges is generally higher. For more information on private colleges in Florida, please review the following graph:
Private 4-Year School Tuition Rates: Florida vs. National Average
Key
Florida
National Average
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Federal Student Loan Information
Have you ever considered borrowing student loans to pay for your education? Prior to applying for student loans, you should take certain things into consideration.
To successfully repay the loan on time, you must ensure that you will be able to make all payments.
In order to succeed in your career goals, it is important to think about whether earning a degree from a particular school will help you.
To avoid undue hardship on your finances, make sure you understand what type of repayment schedule you will face once you enter the workforce.
Please review the data below to learn what students typically borrow.
Undergraduate Federal Loans
Demographic
Percent who borrowed
Amount borrowed
Total
66.6%
$27,400
Female
69.6%
$28,100
Male
62.5%
$26,500
White, not Hispanic or Latino
66.1%
$26,700
Black, not Hispanic or Latino
85.7%
$34,800
Hispanic or Latino/a, of any race
67.7%
$25,700
Asian, not Hispanic or Latino
43%
$22,700
Other or Two or more races,
not Hispanic or Latino
The main differences between an online degree and a degree completed on-campus are the class size and cost. In addition to providing flexibility, affordability, and convenience, online degree programs also offer a number of other advantages. On-campus degrees are typically more expensive because of student fees, which may be an optional expense for distance learners. However, there are several benefits to attending in-person classes on a regular basis.
There are a number of differences that exist between public and private colleges. First, you will have to consider the cost of attending a public or private school. You can use grants and scholarships to cover the cost of attending a public college. In private schools, merit scholarships are often available to students with high academic performance.
A private college will often have smaller class sizes, allowing students to connect with professors one-on-one. Here are some pros and cons of attending a private versus a public institution.
