Tennessee Social Work Masters (MSW) Programs

Are you looking for quality MSW programs? Then think about studying in Tennessee.

Their academic institutions offer MSW fellows advanced training, competency, and ethics in social work. This is to enable them to perform their social work functions effectively.

Your certificate can fetch you a state work permit and LCSW.

Tennessee MSW Programs

Sounds interesting. Then don’t leave this page without going through it.

We’ve discussed the types of MSW entry in Tennessee, the areas of study available, the length of study, course details, delivery methods, and so on.

Once you have read this post, you will know the following line of action. Let’s get on with our discussion right away.

MSW Study Track

There are two research streams available for MSW scholars in Tennessee.

They’re traditional and advanced standing studies. The conventional standing stream of study is designed for students without experience in social work. That’s why there are core courses in their study syllabus.

Learners are to offer these classes as soon as they resume school.

The advanced standing study is designed for scholars with a background or expertise in social work. We speak of people with a BSW obtained from a CSWE-approved institution no longer than five years.

The syllabus for this strand of study does not include introductory courses. Learners are to offer specialty courses throughout their schooling period.

Top Tennessee Colleges for MSW Degree

Masters of Social Work studies in Tennessee aim to prepare prospective students for advanced practice.

Therefore, they train learners to engage in competent and responsible clinical practice within private and public agencies. Additionally, it introduces students to developing and using ethical research to advance and enhance social work practice.

Do you know where to gain such outstanding MSW education? If not, keep reading this article. We’ll list some reputable institutions that offer such classes in Tennessee.

By the end of your reading, you will have decided which school to attend to advance your social work career.

Schools with the Best MSW Programs in Tennessee

Some institutions are renowned for delivering the best social work master’s studies in the state. All these institutions are fully certified by CSWE.

  • East Tennessee State University

This institution has ambitious goals for its prospective MSW students. Their courses are built to prepare learners for independent clinical practice.

Therefore, their objectives and course content were developed with these purposes in mind. One of them is to equip scholars with the values, knowledge, and skills of clinical practice.

Furthermore, scholars can choose between their regular and accelerated routes. If you have a BSW, the accelerated classes will best fit you.

The curriculum speaks only of specialized coursework. You must cover only 37 credits in 12 months or two years. It all depends on which study option you choose.

The traditional entry route is rightfully yours for those with undergrad certificates in other fields. The syllabus entails foundational and specialized coursework.

Students will have 63 credits to be completed in two or three years. In addition to schoolwork, you’ll be required to complete some fieldwork.

  • Middle Tennessee State University

You can also earn your Master of Social Work in this institution.

The advanced social work classes train learners to become social work practitioners and leaders who can assist populations at the national and international levels.

As such, their faculty seeks to develop culturally informed and community-engaged students. That way, they can promote social justice & respect for diversity.

They intend to achieve these goals through research, coursework, and fieldwork.

The school delivers its MSW studies via two entry routes—the extended and accelerated entry tracks. The accelerated path will be suitable for applicants with basic social work knowledge.

The study syllabus entails an average of 30 credits and 500 internship hours. You can finish your studies within one or two years.

However, for those needing more social work backgrounds, the extended classes will suit you. The curriculum contains both foundational and specialized courses.

In addition, you’ll complete at least 900 hours of internships and public service in related agencies within the state.

  • Union University

MSW studies in this institution will prepare you for entry-level professional positions. You can serve in a diversity of public and private settings.

Furthermore, their classes emphasize the importance of liberal arts foundation. Plus, Christian and social work values promote social and economic justice.

If you have social work background, their advanced standing classes will best fit you. You’ll not cover introductory courses in your first semester. All semesters entail areas of specialization.

Therefore, within 12 months to two years, you should be done with school. As for those with no competence in social work, regular studies will fit them.

The study curriculum is extensive because it includes both foundational and specialization coursework. However, you can finish your studies within a year or two.

Some areas you may focus on include child advocacy and welfare, church social work, and medical social work. Others include foster care and adoptions, mental health, geriatric social work, school social work, etc.

Besides school work, you’ll be required to finish some hours of fieldwork. Students are advised to opt for agencies related to their specialization. Plus, centers that are within the state.

  • College of Social Work

Are you in need of flexible MSW studies?

Then consider this institution among your choices. They offer both face-to-face and internet-based classes for MSW students. You can get quality and rigorous education on both tracks.

Furthermore, their programs are made to suit both candidates with a BSW and those without. For those with undergrad credentials in social work, the advanced standing classes will serve you.

The curriculum is less extensive as it includes only specialized courses. You can finish your education within a year of full-time studies and two years of part-time learning.

Some areas you may focus on are evidence-based interpersonal practice and organizational leadership.

Meanwhile, applicants from other fields of expertise will find regular studies appropriate. The curriculum speaks both fundamental and specialized courses.

Depending on your preferred study format, you can finish your studies within two years of full-time studies. However, it may take part-time scholars three years to round up their program.

  • Tennessee State University

This institution is included in the list of the best MSW studies in Tennessee. Their programs enhance human well-being, diversity, and social justice.

Additionally, they aim to develop and improve social service systems, especially for the oppressed. The best way to achieve all these goals is to include generalist social work practice in their graduate studies.

There’re two study options for prospective candidates at this institution. You’ll find one of these options appropriate, depending on your current level of social work competence.

If you have a BSW from a certified institution, consider attending expedited MSW classes. The study route is specifically developed to speed up the education of such scholars.

Therefore, the curriculum features only specialized courses. Within a year or two, you can be done with school.

Those with undergrad degrees from other fields of study can go for regular MSW studies. The curriculum entails both foundational courses and areas of specialization.

Students in this learning track can graduate within two years of full-time studies. But it may take part-time scholars three to four years to finish their program.

Along with coursework, students on both tracks will be required to complete some hours of field education in related agencies within the state.

  • Southern Adventist University

It would be best to consider earning your MSW at this institution for a few reasons.

First, their programs are Christ-centered, have competent professors, have high accreditation, and offer hands-on experience. Secondly, they have suitable classes for applicants with and without social work competence.

If you hold a BSW, consider signing up for their expedited courses. The study syllabus only features specialized classes. As such, you’re likely to graduate within a year or two.

But for those with no social work competence, regular studies will best fit you. It includes both foundational and specialty coursework. In addition to that, you’ll be required to finish some fieldwork before graduating.

Apart from the listed universities, there’re other ones you can earn your social work master’s. They include Austin Peay State University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Knoxville, and more.

You can research more about their programs to know which one to sign up for.

Does It Take Long To Finish An MSW In Tennessee?

The reply to this question depends on a few elements. They include your type of learning path and whether you are a part-time or a full-time scholar.

Advanced standing studies consist of 30-39 credit courses. Researchers who enroll in this study stream full-time are eligible to graduate within one year.

Whereas it will take a couple of years for part-time scholars to complete.

Traditional standing education comprises 60 to 65 credits. As a result, scholars who sign up for this option full-time can get their MSW within two years.

However, part-time scholars will take three or four years to finish.

Class Details

Universities in Tennessee have several engaging coursework in their MSW syllabus. Some of them teach the fundamentals of social work.

Whereas others give, researchers advanced knowledge and skills in social work practice. Below are some of the courses you will likely offer in Tennessee.

  • Social Welfare and Policy
  • Child, family, and school social work
  • Policy Practice and Advocacy
  • Community social work
  • Leadership and social change
  • Aging
  • Child and Family
  • Addictions

Delivery Method

MSW scholars in Tennessee are offered three delivery methods. They’re off-campus, online, and hybrid studies.

On-campus studies require scholars to complete all their courses in the university setting. This means you have to get a place on campus to facilitate schooling. Of course, you know it’ll cost you money.

Studying online is in contrast with on campus. Scholars are expected to complete all courses over the Internet. This will save you the cost of on-campus housing, transport, and other living expenses.

However, there’re challenges associated with this study path.

First of all, you may run into a network or technical failure. Second, time zone variation can affect the timing of presentations, group discussions, and other course activities.

A hybrid study offers a combination of online and off-campus investigations. Researchers will partially complete courses online and on campus.

At some universities in Tennessee, researchers must attend one or two classes on campus and finish the rest online. This allows scholars to benefit from flexible learning and interaction with teachers.

What Does It Cost To Get An MSW In Tennessee?

A few elements determine school fees for MSW studies in Tennessee.

This includes your degree type, university, and residency status. Scholars in private universities pay more than those in government schools.

As well, researchers who are residents pay less than those who live outside the state. Finally, scholars in advanced standing studies are paid less than those in traditional standing education.

Resident MSW fellows are billed approximately $601 per credit course. Next, researchers who live outside the state pay roughly $1,442 per credit course.

If you multiply the fee per credit by your program credits, you’ll get the exact amount you’re paying for tuition.

How About If I Don’t Secure Admission In Tennessee?

Several non-State schools host scholars from Tennessee.

MSW studies in these regions are 100% approved by the CSWE. You don’t need to bother yourself about their authenticity. However, you will spend more money than studying in the state.

That’s because you come as a non-resident.

Job Choices For MSW Grads In Tennessee.

You will be qualified for multiple posts as an MSW grad in Tennessee.

You may become a Military Social Worker, Education Social Worker, Psychiatric Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker, Medical Social Worker, Mental Health Social Worker, etc.

Places where you can work as an MSW grad in Tennessee include hospitals, military facilities, schools, correctional centers, recovery homes, crisis areas, companies, public agencies, and much more.

Classes of Social Worker Licenses in Tennessee

To be a certified social worker, you need a government social worker permit.

There are six types of permits available to MSW scholars in Tennessee. They include LBSW, LSWA, LSW, CMSW, LCSW, and LISW.

Each of these permits has its critical components.

Can I Perform Other Tasks In Addition To Social Work?

Don’t forget that we said earlier that social workers are trained to work in various contexts. Apart from social work, you can embark on a variety of jobs.

These include people, community outreach, academic counseling, advocacy, and more.

You’ll be surprised that some alternative jobs pay more than some social work jobs. If you are not interested in social work jobs, you may consider exploring those other jobs.

Thanks to the skills, values, and ethics you will obtain in your MSW studies.

Tennessee is an excellent spot for earning an MSW study. As you can see above, universities in the province are deeply concerned about MSW scholars.

After earning a verse understanding and proficiency in social work, the province has numerous job options you can take advantage of. All that is required of you is to satisfy the essentials of their entrance.

For sure, you’ll get admitted to one of their universities.

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