Prospective MSW students residing in Tennessee who wish to earn their degree online have several options they may wish to consider. There is currently one Tennessee-based university and several out-of-state schools that offer CSWE-accredited online MSW programs that accept students from Tennessee. At present, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is the only university in Tennessee that offers an entirely online MSW program.

UTK offers an online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program with both traditional and advanced standing tracks. (An MSSW program is equivalent to an MSW program in terms of general course content and field education requirements, and is recognized by the CSWE as a Master of Social Work program). The online MSSW program also gives students two concentration options: a clinical social work program in Evidence Based Interpersonal Practice, and a macro social work program in Organizational Leadership. UTK’s traditional standing MSSW program consists of 60 course credits that students complete over two years of full-time study or three to four years of part-time study. The advanced standing track for this program requires students to complete 36 credits over the course of 12 months of full-time study or 18 to 24 months of part-time study.

UTK’s program utilizes both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Students are not required to visit the campus at any point during the program. However as with all MSW programs, students are still required to travel to assigned field agencies to complete their field practicums. Traditional standing students complete 1,024 hours of field education, which is divided into one 352-hour foundation-level field practicum and one 672-hour advanced-level field practicum. Advanced standing students complete one advanced-level 672-hour field practicum.

Please note: All online MSW and MSSW programs require students to complete field practicums at an approved agency in their region.

In addition to UTK’s online MSSW program, dozens of out-of-state universities offer online MSW programs that accept students from Tennessee. Of these programs, most are fully online and require no campus visits. Some do require students to attend a certain number of on-campus intensives. These intensives generally allow students to meet with course faculty and fellow students, and thus may be a good option for students who wish to interact with program participants in person as well. (Note: OnlineMSWPrograms.com defines an online program as any program that requires two or fewer visits to campus annually.)

All online MSW programs require field education at a local health services agency. Programs that are 100% online do not require students to visit the campus during the program.

The Tennessee Board of Social Workers issues four types of social work license: Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW), Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). Below are some common steps to become a social worker in Tennessee, which you should confirm with Tennessee’s board of social workers. Information regarding licensure in Tennessee was last retrieved in August 2020.

For more detailed information on becoming a social worker in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Board of Social Workers. You can also refer to our guides on general requirements for becoming a social worker and becoming an LCSW.

Last updated: September 2020