Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Family And School Social Workers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Hillsborough Community College, Central Florida, Florida International, and University of Florida.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Florida International, Nova Southeastern, University of North Florida, and The University of West Florida.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Florida A&M, Florida International, Saint Thomas University, and Nova Southeastern.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Nova Southeastern, Barry, Warner University, and The University of West Florida.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of University of Miami, Southeastern University, Barry, and PBA - West Palm Beach.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Stetson University, Southeastern University, PBA - West Palm Beach, and Florida Gulf Coast University.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at University of Miami, University of Florida, Florida State, and Central Florida.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Florida International, University of South Florida-Main Campus, University of Florida, and University of Miami.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Stetson University, University of Miami, Florida A&M, and Saint Thomas University.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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The University Of Central Florida • Orlando, FL
Studying Criminal Justice With A Focus On Victim's Rights And Services And A Minor In Legal Studies (completion in 2005)
• 9/8/2011
"I am extremely satisfied with UCF. I think that having a degree from this University has helped me with not only my career choice, but also my networking and social skills."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend The University of Central Florida to anyone who is thinking of going to a Florida State School. It was the perfect mix of academic, social, and networking for me. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The University of Central Florida has an excellent reputation in the field of Criminal Justice. They are well known throughout the country for this program. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The University of Central Florida did a great job in helping me prepare for my career. I was given an internship in Victim Services, and to this day I still communicate with my Internship Coordinator when I have questions or concerns. |
| Instruction | 10 | My professors were all very willing and able to help whenever I had questions about material, and they also helped me put out feelers after I graduated and got into the job market. While I was in school, they made sure I knew about scholarship programs as well as grant opportunities available to me. |
| How Difficult | 7 | There were some easy classes, as well as some difficult classes. The teachers made the material interesting though, and always offered extra help if needed. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My major was very hands on, but other majors are more book oriented. It depends on what your field of study is. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | UCF offers a very flexible schedule, with both night and online classes available. They also have extension campuses throughout the state of Florida. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The Criminal Justice program is located within the Health and Public Affairs building. This is a new building with up to date labs, libraries, and reference materials for students. |
| Social Life | 9 | I was in a sorority on campus, so their social organizations are very competitive with other schools within the state. They had many activities for new students, even if they choose not to belong to a Greek Organization. |
| Placement Services | 8 | The University has excellent staff on hand to help you with job searches and networking after graduation. They have been more than helpful to me on several occasions. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | I am a member of the alumni association, and I try to make it to events. Sometimes the events are scheduled last minute or do not relate to my major, so they can be difficult to attend. |
University Of Central Florida • Orlando, FL
Studying Social Work (completion in 2004)
• 10/3/2011
"The school met my needs well. The program was instructional and I got the information I needed for my real world social work experience."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I enjoyed the program and felt I got a lot out of my classes. I didn't feel the social experience of this school was one that some might be looking for though. I would recommend it depending on their age (maybe more for an older student) and whether they desire a strong social presence. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | I've heard good things about my school and program while working in the community. I feel other social workers (especially those affiliated with NASW) are knowledgeable about the school and program. |
| Program Quality | 9 | My education prepared me for work in the field. My teachers had real world experience, which they brought to the classroom. In addition, my internship was interesting and very helpful. |
| Instruction | 8 | My instructors brought real world experience to the classroom, but it wasn't always the most up to date. My instructors also seemed well-versed in the laws and ethical requirements of the social work field. |
| How Difficult | 6 | The program was challenging at times, but I would not call it difficult. All necessary materials could be found in the textbook and tests were often given in essay format - something I usually excel at. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | More book learning was involved than hands-on learning. The internship did offer a good amount of hands-on learning and I appreciated that. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | There were evening and summer programs but no weekend programs (at least when I attended). There were also no online classes for my major. I think it would be difficult for a full-time working adult to finish this program while remaining employed. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The library was great and my academic advisor was always available if I needed her. Tutors were available but I never used them. Professors were not always as accessible as I would have liked. |
| Social Life | 4 | UCF is a commuter school (or was at the time I attended) and so, school spirit is limited. Football games were played off campus at the time and there were limited organized social events. |
| Placement Services | 3 | I found my own job before graduation and so, did not need to use the job placement assistance offered. That said, I know other classmates stated they received minimal assistance with job placement. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I'm not involved in my alumni association and have not received many requests to be involved. I find it somewhat difficult to network with past classmates and don't feel the alumni association is organized well because of this. |
St. Petersburg College • St. Petersburg, FL
Studying Social Work (completion in 2010)
• 10/27/2011
"The school was good all around. The one negative related to the lack of hands on opportunities."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | Since getting my AA in Social work, I have not even used that degree and I have been out of school for a full year now. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | The student population has grown from even 5 years ago. When the college made ALL their credits transferable throughout the state, the school made a stir, especially in the county. |
| Program Quality | 6 | I was happy with the knowledge that I acquired from the school and its well trained staff. On the other hand, I am still unemployed a year after school. Maybe it's just me. |
| Instruction | 5 | The schedule and classes were very organized but the student to teacher connection was missing a lot of the time. |
| How Difficult | 4 | The studying and homework was not that big of a deal. It was the standing up in front of the class and presenting my work that was a challenge. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Like I said in some of these previous questions, I was unable to get a feel of the real life working in the classroom the whole time. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | This was a definite plus at St. Petersburg College. I was able to mix and match my schedule with my personal life and it worked out great. Never had a conflict of schedule. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | I was able to do research in the labs, but there were not enough computers so I had to time my visits to the lab carefully to make sure I got my time in. |
| Social Life | 7 | I went to a Community College for my two year AA. We did not have a big population of students on campus. There where 4 different campuses within a 20 mile range so everybody could spread out. |
| Placement Services | 4 | I do not know anybody who was placed into a job. So I would say that their job placement help was not reliable AT ALL. |
Florida Gulf Coast University • Fort Myers, FL
Studying Mental Health Counseling (completion in 2006)
• 3/13/2012
"I loved my school. It was the best time of my life."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The professors are very available. You will learn a lot there about yourself. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I think people respect the school and the counseling and social work programs. However, most people know it is difficult work that pays poorly. |
| Program Quality | 9 | I feel well-grounded as a counselor in my approach and perspective. I am also well-prepared for the stressful nature of the work. |
| Instruction | 9 | My professors were experienced in the mental health field. They each came from a different theoretical perspective. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The program was geared toward students who were working. That said, it was not an easy program by any means. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We counseled high school migrant students while in the program. However, the book learning was very useful, too. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | I don't recall having any problem with the schedule. It was helpful that classes were held in the evening. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The library was pretty useful. There was usually meeting space available, too. |
| Social Life | 10 | I connected with some of my best friends there. I will always value my social experience at that school. |
| Placement Services | 7 | The career center has been helpful at times. However, it works best when I tailor its resources to my own needs. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I have not really been involved as an alum. However, I have still been able to utilize the school's career center as needed. |
University Of Florida • Gainesville, FL
Studying Mental Health Counseling (completion in 2002)
• 3/23/2012
"I think this school really prepared me."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | While UF is very competitive to get into, I got a lot of hands-on experience that helps me in my daily job. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | UF is nationally ranked. |
| Program Quality | 9 | UF has great professors. It is a nationally ranked program. |
| Instruction | 9 | I still keep in touch with my professors. They have done a lot of research in the field. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I would say this was average. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I had a lot of clinical experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | It wasn't very flexible. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | There are great facilities and excellent libraries. |
| Social Life | 10 | UF has a very social program. |
| Placement Services | 6 | It is hard to find a job right now in this area. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | I still network with alumni and professors. |
Florida Atlantic University • Boca Raton, FL
Studying Social Work (completion in 2010)
• 4/3/2012
"The FAU social services program gave me a quality education that has greatly enhanced my knowledge in Social Services and propelled my career. I have gained the necessary skills to be a successful Social Worker and acquire well paying jobs."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | FAU offered quality classes, knowledgeable professors, flexible classes, good library and computer resources, supportive student services and student career center. In addition, the University offered a variety of student activities. The education I have acquired at FAU has been a valuable asset in my personal and professional life. I cherish the memories I have as a student at FAU and feel a great sense of achievement being a post graduate student who has achieved successful employment in a variety of fun and well paying Social Work related professions. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | FAU is regionally accredited and is known for offering high quality education. Employers that have interviewed me and hired me respect my graduation from FAU and feel I have attained a wide array of knowledge and skill in the social services arena. |
| Program Quality | 8 | Florida Atlantic University (FAU) offered a wide variety of interesting educational classes for the Social Services program. The professors provided a wide range of educational activities that gave a good combination of hands on experience and book learned knowledge. |
| Instruction | 8 | The curriculum at FAU was well coordinated to teach a variety of Social Service skills such as research methods, working in small groups, cultural diversity and public speaking. The professors were from a variety of cultures and backgrounds, the classes cover a wide range of topics and the assignments are created to maximize interest and knowledge in the field of Social Services. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The FAU social services program was slightly above moderately difficult to complete. The tests covered a wide range of lecture and text material and contained a lot of essay questions. There were also a lot of research paper assignments, some labs to participate in and group projects to complete. Public speaking and challenging college level arithmetic classes was also part of the University's curriculum. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The FAU Social Services program offered a mixture of hands-on and book learning. The hands-on learning came from doing role plays in groups, participating in lab activities, and completing group projects and individual research projects. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | FAU offered daytime, evening and weekend classes that were flexible and convenient. The classes were held at several FAU campus locations for convenience. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | FAU had a large library with an extensive variety of media material and computer labs that are available to students on weekdays, weekends and in the evenings. Each University campus had at least one library and one computer lab available for student use. |
| Social Life | 8 | FAU had a variety of student activities. The university held book fairs, student parties, and student outings to visit places of interest in the community. |
| Placement Services | 8 | The FAU student Career Center assisted me with obtaining several good jobs while I was a student. The FAU student Career Center had professional staff and bulletin boards that contain numerous and varied job availability listings. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | The FAU alumni network and support was good. FAU had a student services center and career center that offered a lot of extensive support for students and post graduate students. FAU assisted me in determining the correct sequence of classes to complete for my major in social services. I also received assistance with financial aid and obtaining employment. |
University Of Florida • Gainesville, FL
Studying Psychology (completion in 2003)
• 4/3/2012
"I very much enjoyed my time at UF. The totality of the experience helped to make me the person that I am today."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Anyone attending UF would obtain a high quality education that will benefit them through the course of their life. Additionally, the student will enjoy their time in Gainesville. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | I do not think that UF is a leader in the field of Psychology. With that said, the school itself has an outstanding reputation. |
| Program Quality | 8 | I feel that my school prepared me as best as possible. By the nature of my field, much learning takes place on the job. |
| Instruction | 7 | No major issues with the curriculum. The reality is that there is a difference between book learning & practical application. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I found the difficulty of study to be average. While one or two classes did offer a challenge, I felt comfortable in most of my courses. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of the learning was through books in classroom settings. Not very much hands-on learning transpired in my field. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The school offers classes at all times. Additionally, students can take classes online and abroad. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The school has outstanding support resources for students to access. Generally speaking, the student can make use of these with minimal difficulty. |
| Social Life | 10 | The social atmosphere of the school is a major strength. This is largely due to the sports programs of the school and the school spirit of students. |
| Placement Services | 5 | The school does have many job search resources. Ultimately, however, the individual must take charge and be proactive when making use of this assistance. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | UF has an outstanding alumni network that maintains contact with students. This includes alumni functions around the country and mailed publications. |
Florida State University • Tallahassee, FL
Studying Family And Child Sciences (completion in 2007)
• 4/9/2012
"I was able to have a great college experience. From the school spirit to the enthusiastic teachers and my amazing classmates. I just love my school tremendously and I whole-heartedly believe I made the best choice by choosing to attend Florida State."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Anyone who attends this program will walk away with the knowledge to pursue the career that they choose and the confidence to complete all tasks and goals associated with that career. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | My school has a great reputation for its program because of the knowledge that the students walk away with. This was definitely one of the deciding factors in my choice to pursue this degree. |
| Program Quality | 10 | My school has definitely prepared me for the field that I am currently working in. I completed a practicum at a school for underprivileged teen moms. Without that training I don't think I would be successful in my field at all. |
| Instruction | 10 | I truly believed that Florida State prepared me tremendously. |
| How Difficult | 7 | While when most people would consider the coursework difficult I choose to say that it is challenging which is not a bad thing. It's actually a good thing, because it pushes you to be worker harder and be the best at what you are doing. Work load is no different than any other major but it has to get done in order for you to learn everything that is necessary. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My professors made sure to include both hands on techniques, such as the evaluation of court cases of parents who rights were TPR'ed, and book which they themselves wrote. The balance between the two was excellent. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Most classes are offered during multiple sessions while a slim amount are only offered during one semester or the other. This totally depends on the number of students entering into that program. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The library is the best place for resources and study space. The laboratories are huge and there is plenty of space. I would definitely say that this school has great resources. |
| Social Life | 10 | What can I say except for Go Noles!!!! Anyone who watches college football knows that my has great team spirit, how else would we have such great confidence going up against those Gators. |
| Placement Services | 8 | I would say that this depends on how dedicated you are to pursuing your career. The counselors can only do so much and that goes for any school. Its their job to find the job and yours to land it. |
| Alumni Network | I haven't really participated in any of the alumni activities. I have limited time do to my work load. |
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