There are nine schools that offer MSW programs in Tennessee. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville has the most popular program by number of graduates, with 243 people completing the program in 2021.
The most cost-effective MSW program in Tennessee is offered by the Austin Peay State University with a total tuition of $27,420 or $457/credit.
In this guide- MSW programs
- Online MSW programs
- How to become a social worker
- License requirements
- Social worker jobs and salary
- Job outlook
- Expert advice
Campus-based MSW programs
One of the most important factors when considering a MSW program is the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation. The CSWE acts as an oversight body for the field of social work, ensuring that certain standards are met both in the workplace and at universities teaching social work.
Many employers will only consider hiring an applicant from a CSWE certified program so it’s highly advisable that students take a degree from a certified university.
Tennessee offers a number of different MSW programs, giving students a range of options for where they pursue their master’s degree. For instance, the Mid-Tennessee Collaborative Master of Social Work (MTC-MSW) Program allows students to take their MSW degree from one of three universities,
- Austin Peay State University
- Middle Tennessee State University
- Tennessee State University
The programs are available full time or part time, thus catering to students who may wish to continue working while they’re studying. All of the programs place a special emphasis on diversity, the promotion of client well-being and social justice through the improvement of public resources.
Another option is the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK). UTK offers more than half a dozen social work education programs, everything from a bachelor’s degree to a PhD in social work. The UTK MSW program is available on campus or as an online degree (more information on this in the following section).
MSW school listings
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville & Springsfield, TN
Credits: 60
Cost per credit: $457 in-state | $734 out-of-state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends/Evening
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- APSU Social Work offers fully accredited BSW and MSW programs, providing a unique educational experience
- Facilitated by a diverse faculty from three countries, enriching the educational journey
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TNCredits: 63
Cost per credit: $613 in-state | $841 out-of-state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends/Evening
Areas of specialized practice: Clinical or Direct Practice
Certification: Addictions
Program Highlights:- Fully Accredited by CSWE since 2003
- Offers a high quality MSW program with a clinical concentration
Middle Tennessee State University
Clarksville, Murfreesboro & Nashville, TNCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $536 in-state | $1,483 out-of-state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- MTSU-MSW program prepares students for Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice
- Agency-based internships are a vital part of MSW students’ learning
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, TNCredits: 61
Cost per credit: $715
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- MSW Program offers 3 areas of emphasis to focus on
- Chattanooga's metropolitan setting opens a world of practicum and internship partners
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TNCredits: 63
Cost per credit: $533 in-state | $1,115 out-of-state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends/Evening
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- TSU-MSW Program promotes social justice by educating students to serve in vulnerable populations
- Offers a full-time or part-time over the course of 1-4 years
Union University
Jackson & Germantown, TNCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $630
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Dual Degree Options: Business Administration, Theology or Divinity
Program Highlights:- Union's MSW can prepare you to serve as a competent and effective leader in advanced practice
- Advanced Standing and Traditional Standing programs can be completed online
University of Memphis
Memphis, TNCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $606 in-state | $818 out-of-state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Children, Youth, and Families
Program Highlights:- The goal of the MSW is to provide social workers with the abilities necessary for evidence-based practice
- Dedicated to advancing the knowledge base of Social Work profession
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TNCredits: 66
Cost per credit: $566 in-state | $1,238 out-of-state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Aging and Gerontological Practice
Program Highlights:- The MSW-UTC program prepares students for diverse communities
- Hones students' social work knowledge, values, and skills for areas of practice
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Knoxville, Memphis & Nashville, TNCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $716 in-state| $1,740 out-of-state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Leadership
Dual Degree Options: Law
Certification: Gerontology, Other, School Social Work, Trauma, Forensic Social Work
Program Highlights:- The MSSW program aims to educate students in a changing global context.
- Offers field practicum with more than 400 agencies
Online MSW programs in Tennessee
When considering online MSW programs it’s important to note the difference between a hybrid program and a full online education. With a hybrid program some classes are viewed online while other lectures must be taken on campus. With a full online education 100% of the classes are taken over the internet and there is no requirement to visit the campus.
The University of Tennessee Knoxville’s MSW program is available fully online without the need to visit campus. The program is CSWE accredited and is taught by the same professors who teach the campus-based MSW classes.
Just like the campus-based program the online program can be taken part time or full time. There is also an advanced program for students who have an undergraduate degree in social work. All classes take advantage of sophisticated online tools to encourage discussion between students and professors. Some classes are pre-recorded while other classes are live and must be viewed as they happen.
Austin Peay State University also offers a hybrid online program for students who want to take their MSW education online. This degree is part of the Mid-Tennessee Collaborative program, mentioned in the previous section.
Online MSW programs
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville & Springsfield, TNCredits : 60
Cost per credit: $457 in-state | $734 out-of-state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends/Evening
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- APSU Social Work offers fully accredited BSW and MSW programs, providing a unique educational experience
- Facilitated by a diverse faculty from three countries, enriching the educational journey
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TNCredits: 63
Cost per credit: $613 in-state | $841 out-of-state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Weekends/Evening
Areas of specialized practice: Clinical or Direct Practice
Certification: Addictions
Program Highlights:- Fully Accredited by CSWE since 2003
- Offers a high quality MSW program with a clinical concentration
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, TNCredits: 61
Cost per credit: $715
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing, Multiple cohorts per year
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Program Highlights:- MSW Program offers 3 areas of emphasis to focus on
- Chattanooga's metropolitan setting opens a world of practicum and internship partners
Union University
Jackson & Germantown, TNCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $630
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Advanced Generalist
Dual Degree Options: Business Administration, Theology or Divinity
Program Highlights:- Union's MSW can prepare you to serve as a competent and effective leader in advanced practice
- Advanced Standing and Traditional Standing programs can be completed online
University of Memphis
Memphis, TNCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $606 in-state | $818 out-of-state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Children, Youth, and Families
Program Highlights:- The goal of the MSW is to provide social workers with the abilities necessary for evidence-based practice
- Dedicated to advancing the knowledge base of Social Work profession
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Knoxville, Memphis & Nashville, TNCredits: 60
Cost per credit: $716 in-state| $1,740 out-of-state
Plan of Study: Full-Time, Part-Time, Advanced Standing
Areas of specialized practice: Leadership
Dual Degree Options: Law
Certification: Gerontology, Other, School Social Work, Trauma, Forensic Social Work
Program Highlights:- The MSSW program aims to educate students in a changing global context.
- Offers field practicum with more than 400 agencies
How to become a social worker in Tennessee
Unlike other states Tennessee allows bachelor degree holders to be employed as social workers. However, the role is limited and most of the work must be supervised. For the purpose of this article we’ll focus solely on graduate degree holders. The following is a brief overview of the steps that a person should take to become a social worker in Tennessee.
- Complete an MSW or PhD program in social work. A majority of social work positions require the candidate to have a master’s degree or higher.
- Pay a $230 fee and take the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam. The exam consists of 170 questions, of which only 150 are graded. A social worker should score 75 percent or higher on the exam.
- Pass a background check.
- Submit a license application form to the state social work board. The fee for the license application varies based on the license type.
- Wait for the license to be granted. Once that happens the social worker may begin to seek employment.
A PhD is a great degree for any social worker who aspires to manage a community center, have a hand in crafting policy or perform detailed statistical analysis. Anyone interested in learning more about a PhD program in social work can find all of the information they need on our doctorate degree page. Also included on the page is a list of PhD social work programs that are currently available in the United States.
Social work license requirements in Tennessee
The best source of information about social work licensure in Tennessee is the state’s Board of Social Workers. It’s advisable to get information directly from the state website as licensing requirements can change at any time.
Tennessee has three different types of licenses for social workers with a graduate’s degree.
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
This license allows a person to practice social work only under appropriate supervision. The license is also sometimes called a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). To qualify for this license an applicant must have a master’s or Ph.D. degree and pass the ASWB exam with a score of 75 percent or higher.
Licensed Advanced Practitioner Social Worker (LAPSW)
A LAPSW license holder can engage in non-clinical social work without being supervised. Clinical social work is possible with this license but only under supervision.
In order to qualify for a LAPSW license the candidate must complete 3,000 hours or more of non-clinical social work. There is a requirement that at least 100 of these hours must be supervised. The candidate must also score at least 75 percent on the ASWB test.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
A social worker holding the LCSW license is permitted to practice unsupervised clinical social work. They may work in a private practice or for a public institution. This is the highest level of licensure available to social workers employed in Tennessee and LCSW licensed social workers typically earn the highest salary.
In order to qualify for a LCSW license the applicant must complete at least 3,000 hours of clinical social work, 100 of which must have been supervised work. The applicant will also need to take the ASWB and score 75 percent or higher on the exam.
Social work license renewal in Tennessee
Regardless of which license they have a social worker must renew their credentials once every two years. Each license has its own set of requirements that must be met before it can be renewed, (for example, continued education and a renewal fee). More information about license renewal is available here.
Social worker jobs and social worker salary in Tennessee
BLS data indicates the the average salary for a social worker employed in the state of Tennessee is $45,557 per year. That’s an average salary for social workers of all occupations. The salary range for a social worker in Tennessee is $39,980 at the low end and 53,000 at the high end.
It’s also possible to break down social work salaries and the number of social work jobs in Tennessee by sub-field. The following are the average yearly salaries for four different types of social workers.
- Child, family, and school social workers in Tennessee number 5,780 in this field and make an average annual salary of $46,280.
- Mental health and substance abuse social worker in the state account for 740 employed social workers and make an average salary of $41,190 a year.
- Healthcare social workers comprise 7,440 members of the work force and make an average salary of $52,920.
- Social workers all other – There are 1,950 social workers in Tennessee that don’t neatly fit into one of the other categories, including social workers that are employed in management, research, or private practice. They make an average of $48,350 a year.
Job outlook
Social workers in Tennessee have it good when it comes to future job prospects. Even social workers who are only starting their undergraduate education now can expect to find a good job after graduation.
That level of job growth rate for social workers is well above the national average and indicates that social work is a high demand field with more jobs than there are candidates to fill them. This is especially true for MSW and PhD social work graduates, as a graduate degree is mandatory for many social work positions.
Career Advice
Find the latest social work career advice from people working directly in the field in Tennessee. Learn more about all the different pathways and opportunities available in social work today.
- What are the most important factors for students deciding on an MSW program in Tennessee?
- What are the challenges or opportunities for becoming a social worker in Tennessee?
- What does the future of social work look like in Tennessee?
- What types of jobs are MSW graduates finding in Tennessee?
- Do you have advice or guidance for MSW graduates pursuing a license in Tennessee?