Why you should consider this program

Florida State University’s College of Social Work is proud to partner with the Peace Corps to offer Returned Peace Corps Volunteers a Coverdell Fellowship. After their service RPCVs are well equipped to succeed in the MSW program. FSU has a long history of working with Peace Corps volunteers and understands the value of bringing students with their skill sets to the College of Social Work.

Students awarded the Coverdell Fellowship will receive tuition credit waiver support to attend the Masters of Social Work program.

Benefits for Coverdell Fellows

	Tuition/fees for Complete Program	Value of Coverdell Fellowship	Net cost *
In state	$ 29,363	$ 21,386	$ 7,977
Out of state	$ 67,878	$ 53,257	$ 14,621

* Net cost is equal to tuition/fees minus fellowship value. For some universities, the fellowship value includes non-tuition/fee benefits such as health insurance or housing—see the first point below for more details.

Where the cost savings value of the Coverdell Fellowship comes from

Students are awarded an 11 hour tuition credit waiver for fall and spring semesters.  They are awarded a 9 hour tuition credit waiver for summer semesters.

Fellowships awarded per year (average)

3

Other benefits or opportunities

Coverdell Fellows are promoted to faculty within the College and across the University who are looking for graduate assistants.  Obtaining a graduate assistantship would add stipend support to the tuition waiver received through the fellowship.

Annual cost of living (estimated)

$ 13,792

Application fee waived?

No

Internship

Over the course of study, Advanced-Standing MSW students will complete a minimum of 512 hours in an internship. Traditional MSW students will complete a minimum of 944 hours over two internships. Interns will be placed in local public or nonprofit organizations. Areas include education, environmental protection, child services, disability services, housing services, medical services, and counseling services. The site of the internship will depend on the program of study and the Fellows' personal experiences and interests.

Jobs for program alumni

FSU MSW Alumni have been successful landing jobs in many different areas of practice to include positions as medical social workers, substance abuse counselors, child welfare case managers, mental health social workers, school counselors, family therapists, program administrators, policy analysts, grant writers, and community organizers.  The education and skills developed during the program provide graduates with a wide array of career opportunities.

Other details

Program length

1 year for advanced standing students, 2 years for traditional students.

Application requirements

1. Have a baccalaureate degree from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university (no exceptions).
2. Be in good standing at the institution of higher learning last attended (if applicable).
3. Complete the College of Social Work application.
4. Submit a statement of purpose (prompts provided on CSW website).
5. Provide the College of Social Work with three references, professional and academic.
6. Submit a current resume.
7. Submit GRE Scores* or verification of MSW Program GRE Waiver Criteria.
   *Please note the GRE is waived for all applicants applying through the 2026 Academic Year
8. Present evidence of a grade point average of at least 3.00 for all hours earned past their first 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours for the baccalaureate degree OR an earned graduate degree from a nationally or regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution.
9. Have a liberal arts foundation, demonstrated by a liberal arts degree or 36 hours of course work in the 18 | MSW following curriculum areas: Area I: Mathematics (6 hours) Area II: English (6 hours) Area III: History/ Social Sciences (6-12 hours) Area IV: Humanities/ Fine Arts (5-11 hours) Area V: Natural Science (7 hours) All offers of admission are conditional upon the completion of these prerequisites.
10. Evidence of paid social services work or volunteer experience may strengthen one’s application.
11. Advanced standing MSW applicants must have earned a BSW from a CSWE accredited institution.

Admissions process

RPCVs can find more information on the College’s website (https://csw.fsu.edu/academics/financial-assistance).To be considered for the Peace Corps Coverdell Fellowship at Florida State University College of Social Work, please email a copy of your Description of Service (DOS) to Jennifer Farinella at [email protected]. The College of Social Work will need to receive a completed MSW program application (including letters of recommendation), and an emailed copy of your service verification by January 15 to be considered for a Fall award. Upon receipt of the DOS, Jennifer will reply with a confirmation email. Students will first receive an admission notice to the Master of Social Work program. Anticipated notification of Coverdell Fellowship award is typically around March 1 for the Fall and separate to the program admission notice. Notice of the Coverdell Fellowship will be communicated electronically.

Program begins

For the Fall Semester, late August.

Non-traditional options

Most classes for the MSW program are available in the evening.  To qualify for the Fellowship, students must be enrolled full-time.

Year Coverdell Fellows partnership started

2018

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Contact

Fran Gomory, Director of the MSW Program