Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Tennessee - Campus and Online

Nine schools in Tennessee currently offer Master of Social Work (MSW) degree programs. All nine of these schools have at least one traditional track and one advanced standing track. Traditional MSW programs are designed for bachelor’s program graduates who did not major in social work. The advanced standing designation applies to MSW programs that are designed specifically for students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree conferred by an undergraduate program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Students may pursue MSW programs with concentrations in advanced generalist social work practice, clinical social work, school social work, and more.

All of the Tennessee schools that offer traditional and/or advanced standing MSW programs are, as is noted in the list below, either fully accredited by the CSWE or in the candidacy phase of the CSWE accreditation process.

• Austin Peay State University (Accredited)
• East Tennessee State University (Accredited)
• Middle Tennessee State University (Accredited)
• Southern Adventist University (Accredited)
• Tennessee State University (Accredited)
• The University of Memphis (Accredited)
• The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (Accredited)
• The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (Accredited)
• Union University (Accredited)

Details about the individual MSW programs offered by the schools listed above are provided below, with programs grouped according to their admissions requirements (traditional vs. advanced standing) and by instructional mode. Campus-based program and programs that utilize some online instruction but that require students to attend a significant number of campus classes (i.e., hybrid programs) are grouped under campus-based programs. Programs that are offered fully or primarily online and do not require students to attend more than two campus visits per year are grouped under online programs.

• Traditional Campus-Based MSW Programs in Tennessee
• Traditional Online MSW Programs in Tennessee
• Advanced Standing Campus-Based MSW Programs in Tennessee
• Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs in Tennessee
• Directory of All MSW Programs in Tennessee

Traditional MSW Programs in Tennessee

Traditional MSW programs are full-length master’s degree programs that provide training in both foundational and advanced social work practice. Students in a traditional program are generally required to complete the equivalent of four full-time semesters (two years) of coursework and field education. Part-time enrollment for traditional students can lead to graduating in three to four years. As part of a traditional MSW curriculum, students are required to complete at least 900 hours of site-based field education in addition to didactic courses.

All nine of the schools in the state of Tennessee offer MSW programs with traditional tracks that can be completed through a campus-based and/or hybrid program. Four of these schools also offer online traditional MSW programs.

Traditional Campus-Based MSW Programs in Tennessee

Austin Peay State University (APSU) offers a traditional, campus-based MSW program with a specialization in Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice. This 60-credit program has both full-time and part-time options, with full-time students typically completing the program in two years, and part-time students taking three or more years to earn their degree. In addition to didactic coursework in clinical and macro practice social work, traditional students are required to engage in 1000 hours of field education while earning their degree. The APSU MSW program utilizes a hybrid model in which students attend an average of one class meeting per week on campus and receive additional instruction online.

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) offers a traditional MSW program with a concentration in Clinical Social Work. Students in the program complete a 63-credit curriculum that includes 1080 hours of field education. This is a fully campus-based program with classes that meet at ETSU’s main campus in Johnson City. Full-time students can graduate from the program’s traditional track in two years. Part-time students follow a four-year completion plan.

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers a 60-credit MSW program for traditional students with an Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice specialization that provides training and instruction in clinical and macro practice social work. The program utilizes a mix of campus-based classes, online instruction, and site-based field internships. Traditional students engage in 400 hours of foundation-level field education and then complete 500 hours of advanced field internships (for a total of 900 hours). Full-time students can graduate from MTSU’s traditional MSW program track in two years. Part-time students follow a four-year completion plan.

Southern Adventist University (SAU) offers a traditional MSW program in a campus-based format that holds in-person classes twice per month on Sundays and provides students with additional instruction online. The program has an advanced generalist curriculum that allows students to choose from three specializations: Mental Health Practice in Social Work, School Social Work, and Trauma and Emergency Management. Traditional students in the SAU program complete a 61-credit curriculum that includes 900 hours of site-based field education.

Tennessee State University (TSU) has a campus-based MSW program with a 60-credit Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice curriculum for traditional students. The Advanced Generalist curriculum provides training and instruction in clinical and macro practice social work and incorporates 900 hours of required field education. Students in the program receive most of their didactic instruction in person at TSU’s Nashville campus, although some of the program’s coursework is offered online. The time to completion for students in the program is two years of full-time enrollment, although students can also pursue their degree through part-time enrollment and graduate in four years.

The University of Memphis offers a traditional, campus-based MSW program with an Advanced Practice Across Systems specialization that provides advanced generalist training in clinical and macro practice social work. Students in the program can further tailor their degree by earning a graduate certificate in Clinical Social Work, School Social Work, or Substance Abuse. The University of Memphis’ traditional MSW program consists of 60 credits, inclusive of 900 hours of field education. Students can complete the program in two years of full-time enrollment. Part-time students take between three and four years to earn their degree. This program allows students to take all of their courses on campus or to opt for a hybrid mix of online and campus-based instruction.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) offers a traditional MSW program that utilizes a hybrid model of instruction, combining in-person evening classes with online coursework. The program has an Advanced Social Work Practice specialization that provides training and instruction in clinical and macro practice social work. UTC’s 60-credit traditional MSW program track includes 900 hours of field education and is designed to be completed in two years of full-time enrollment. Part-time enrollment in this program generally leads to graduating in three to four years.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) offers a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program that is accredited by the CSWE and that is largely equivalent to an MSW degree. The program is offered in a traditional format at UTK’s main campus in Knoxville, as well as at UTK’s Nashville campus. Both campuses utilize a mix of on-site classes and online instruction. The UTK MSSW program has an Evidenced-Based Interpersonal Practice (clinical) specialization that allows students to earn a certificate in Forensic Social Work, Gerontology Social Work, School Social Work, Trauma, or Veterinary Social Work. The program also offers a macro-practice Organizational Leadership specialization. All students in the UTK program are required to complete 60 graduate credit hours and 1000 hours of field education to earn their degree. Full-time students can complete the UTK program in two years; part-time students can take up to four years to earn their degree.

Union University offers a traditional MSW program in a campus-based format at two locations: the university’s main campus in Jackson; and its Germantown campus in the suburbs of Memphis. The program has a 60-credit track for students that can be completed in two years of full-time enrollment or three years of part-time enrollment. The specialization offered by Union University is Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice, which is designed to prepare students for work in clinical and macro settings. While this program is offered in an entirely campus-based format, students enrolled in the program have the option of taking some courses online.

Traditional Online MSW Programs in Tennessee

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) offers its MSW program in a fully online format that does not require any campus visits. Students who enter the program without a BSW degree complete a 63-credit curriculum that incorporates 1080 hours of site-based field education. The program has a Clinical Social Work concentration that prepares students for careers in clinical social work with individuals, families, and groups. Students who enroll in the program on a full-time basis can earn their degree in two years. The program takes four years for part-time students to complete.

Southern Adventist University (SAU) offers its traditional MSW program in a fully online format that holds virtual class meetings twice per month on Sundays. This is a 61-credit program that provides advanced generalist training in clinical and macro practice social work. Students in the program can choose from three areas of emphasis: Mental Health Practice in Social Work, School Social Work, and Trauma and Emergency Management. While online students do not have to attend any campus visits, they are required to engage in 900 hours of site-based field education.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) has a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program, which is largely equivalent to an MSW program. The program is offered in a fully online format that does not require any campus visits but that does require students to engage in 1000 hours of site-based field education. The program has two concentration options: Evidenced-Based Interpersonal Practice (clinical social work); and Organizational Leadership (macro social work). The program also allows students to complete a graduate certificate in one of five areas while earning their degree: Forensic Social Work, Gerontology Social Work, School Social Work, Trauma, and Veterinary Social Work. UTK’s traditional MSSW program track can be completed in two years by full-time students. Part-time students generally earn their degree in four years.

Union University has a 60-credit traditional MSW program that is offered in a fully online format that does not require any campus visits. The program has an Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice curriculum that provides training and instruction in clinical and macro practice social work. Students in the program are required to engage in 900 hours of site-based field education prior to graduating. The time to completion for this program is two years for full-time traditional students, and three years for students who opt for part-time enrollment.

Advanced Standing MSW Programs in Tennessee

Advanced standing MSW programs are master’s degree programs in social work that are designed for students who have already completed foundational training in social work via a CSWE-accredited BSW program. BSW program graduates who attended a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program have already completed all or most of the coursework and field practicums that comprise the first year of a full-time traditional MSW program. Advanced standing programs allow these students to begin their MSW studies without repeating coursework completed at the BSW level. As a result, students who are granted advanced standing status are typically able to earn their MSW degree in one year of full-time enrollment or two years of part-time enrollment.

Most MSW program require advanced standing students to have earned their BSW degree within the last five to ten years. In addition, advanced standing applicants are commonly required to have achieved a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale in their BSW program. Alternately, some MSW programs required advanced standing applicants to have achieved a grade of B or better in all social work major courses at the undergraduate level. BSW graduates who are not granted advanced standing status can still apply to an MSW program with a traditional standing track.

Nine schools in Tennessee offer advanced standing program options, and five of those schools have advanced standing programs that can be completed online.

Advanced Standing Campus-Based MSW Programs in Tennessee

Austin Peay State University (APSU) has an MSW program with an advanced standing track for students who hold a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a four-point scale. The program combines campus-based classes with online instruction, utilizing a hybrid model that is designed to allow students to earn their degree while attending an average of one campus-based class per week. Advanced standing students complete a 30-credit Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice curriculum that includes 600 hours of required field education. The advanced standing program track offered by APSU can be completed in one year of full-time enrollment or in two years by part-time students.

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) offers a campus-based MSW program with a Clinical Social Work concentration. The program has an advanced standing track that is designed for BSW program graduates who earned their degree from a CSWE-accredited program, achieved a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher, and have a 3.0 or higher GPA in their most recent 60 credits of college coursework. Advanced standing students in the ETSU program complete a 37-credit curriculum that includes 600 hours of field education. Full-time advanced standing students can earn their degree in one year (three consecutive semesters), while part-time advanced standing students generally take two years to graduate from the program.

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers an advanced standing MSW program track that consists of 30-credits of coursework and includes 500 hours of field education. To qualify for advanced standing status, applicants must hold a BSW degree conferred by a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Advanced standing students can complete the program in one year of full-time enrollment or two years of part-time enrollment. The MTSU MSW program utilizes a hybrid mode of instruction that combines campus-based classes with online learning.

Southern Adventist University (SAU) has a campus-based MSW program with an advanced standing track for qualified applicants who hold a BSW degree conferred by a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program. Advanced standing applicants are also expected to have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale. SAU’s School of Social Work requires advanced standing students to complete 33 credits prior to graduating, inclusive of a 500-hour field practicum. Students in the program have the choice of specializing in Mental Health Practice in Social Work, School Social Work, or Trauma and Emergency Management. SAU’s campus-based MSW program utilizes a hybrid format in which students attend in-person classes twice per month on Sundays and receive additional instruction online.

Tennessee State University offers an MSW program with an advanced standing track for CSWE-accredited BSW program graduates whose cumulative undergraduate GPA is 2.75 or higher on a four-point scale. The program has an Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice concentration that prepares students for careers in clinical and/or macro practice social work. Advanced standing students must complete 30 credits prior to graduating. This includes 500 hours of field education. While most of the TSU program’s required coursework is delivered via campus-based instruction, some courses incorporate online instruction. Full-time advanced standing students can earn their MSW from TSU in one year, while part-time students follow a two-year completion plan.

The University of Memphis has an advanced standing MSW program track that is designed for BSW graduates whose degree was conferred by a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program within the last five years. In addition, advanced standing applicants are expected to have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher with a minimum GPA of 3.3 in all social work courses. Advanced standing students in this program complete a 37-credit curriculum that includes 500 hours of field education. The program has an Advanced Practice Across Systems specialization that gives students the option of earning a graduate certificate in Clinical Social Work, School Social Work, or Substance Abuse. Advanced standing students also have the option of taking all of their courses on campus, enrolling in a mix of campus-based and online courses, or completing their degree entirely online. The completion time for advanced standing students is one year of full-time enrollment. Students who attend part-time can earn their degree in two years.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has an MSW program that it offers in a hybrid format, with students attending campus-based classes in the evenings while receiving additional instruction online. BSW program graduates whose degree was conferred by a CSWE-accredited program within the last seven years and who attained a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in all social work major courses may qualify for the program’s 36-credit advanced standing track. The program has an Advanced Social Work Practice curriculum that is designed to prepare students for clinical and/or macro practice social work. Advanced standing students in this program must complete 500 hours of field education and can graduate in one year of full-time enrollment.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) has an advanced standing MSSW program track that is designed for students who hold a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program, provided the degree was conferred within the last seven years and that the applicant attained a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale. (The MSSW curriculum is equivalent to an MSW curriculum.) UTK’s program gives students the choice of specializing in Evidenced-Based Interpersonal Practice (clinical social work) or Organizational Leadership (macro social work). Additionally, students can opt to earn a graduate certificate in Forensic Social Work, Gerontology Social Work, School Social Work, Trauma, or Veterinary Social Work while completing the 37-credit advanced standing track. Students who are granted advanced standing status can earn their degree in one year of full-time enrollment, which includes 600 hours of field education. The time to completion for part-time advanced standing students is two years. This program utilizes a hybrid instructional format, combining online coursework with in-person, campus-based classes at either UTK’s main campus in Knoxville or at its Nashville campus.

Union University has an advanced standing MSW program track for qualified students who hold a BSW degree from program accredited by the CSWE provided those students have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale. BSW graduates who are granted advanced standing status begin the program with a three-credit summer bridge course prior to their first fall semester. They must then complete a 30-credit Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice curriculum that includes 600 hours of field education. The program is designed to take full-time students two semesters to complete, while part-time students can earn their degree in approximately two years. Union University’s MSW program is offered in a campus-based format at the school’s main campus in Jackson and at its Germantown campus in the Memphis suburbs. Students can take all of the courses on campus or enroll in a mix of campus-based and online courses.

Advanced Standing Online MSW Programs in Tennessee

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) offers its advanced standing MSW program in a fully online format for qualified students who hold a BSW degree conferred by a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program. Advanced standing applicants are also required to have an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their most recent 60 credits of college-level coursework. The ETSU MSW program has a Clinical Social Work concentration that requires advanced standing students to complete 37 credits, including 600 hours of site-based field education. Full-time students can complete the program’s advanced standing requirements in one year, while part-time students generally take two years to earn their degree.

Southern Adventist University (SAU) offers its advanced standing MSW program in a fully online format that combines synchronous virtual class meetings twice per month on Sundays with asynchronous online instruction and 500 hours of site-based field education. Online students are not required to attend any campus visits. The MSW program offered by SAU’s School of Social Work has three specialization options: Mental Health Practice in Social Work, School Social Work, and Trauma and Emergency Management. To qualify for advanced standing status, applicants must hold a BSW degree conferred by a CSWE-accredited program with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale.

The University of Memphis has an advanced standing MSW program track that allows students to take all of their didactic courses online while engaging in 500 hours of site-based field education. To qualify for advanced standing status, applicants must hold a BSW degree conferred by a CSWE-accredited program within the last five years, as well as a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale and a GPA of 3.3 or better in all social work major courses. Advanced standing students complete a 37-credit Advanced Practice Across Systems curriculum that is designed to be completed in one year of full-time enrollment or two-years of part-time study. As part of the curriculum, students can earn a graduate certificate in Clinical Social Work, School Social Work, or Substance Abuse.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) has a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program that is accredited by the CSWE and is largely equivalent to an MSW degree. The program is offered in a fully online format with an advanced standing track that requires applicants to have earned a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program in the last seven years, and to have graduated from that program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students granted advanced standing status must complete 37 credits, inclusive of a 600-hour field practicum. Full-time advanced standing students can earn their degree in one year, while part time advanced standing students generally take two years to graduate. The UTK MSSW program offers specializations in Evidenced-Based Interpersonal Practice (clinical practice) and Organizational Leadership (macro practice). It also gives students the option of earning a certificate in one of five areas of practice: Forensic Social Work; Gerontology Social Work; School Social Work; Trauma; or Veterinary Social Work

Union University offers its MSW program in a fully online format that does not require any campus visits. The program has an advanced standing track for students who hold a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program and who completed their undergraduate studies with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Students granted advanced standing status take a three-credit summer bridge course at the start of the program and then progress through a 30-credit Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice curriculum that incorporates 600 hours of field education. Full-time advanced standing students can complete this program in one year; part-time advanced standing students generally take two years to earn their degree.