University of Tennessee, Knoxville Online MSW Program

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) College of Social Work offers an online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program. An MSSW is equivalent to an MSW, and UTK’s program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The online program is taught by the same faculty, held to the same standards and leads to the same degree as the on-campus MSSW program.

UTK offers online MSSW pathways for regular standing and advanced standing students. Students may choose from two concentrations: Clinical Practice, for students interested in becoming therapists or clinicians, and Organizational Leadership, for students interested in nonprofit, government, community or organizational leadership roles.

Courses in the online MSSW program use both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Real-time classes are offered in the late afternoon and evening, while asynchronous coursework allows students to complete work on their own schedule between live sessions. Online students also complete field placements, which allow them to apply classroom learning in real-world social work settings.

The full-time regular standing pathway requires 60 semester hours and can be completed in two years. The Extended Study pathway is a part-time option that requires 60 credit hours and can be completed in three or four years. Advanced standing students complete 36 semester hours and may finish full time in 12 months or part time in 24 months.

UTK’s online MSSW program does not require campus visits, but students must complete field placement requirements. The university’s current program page lists 400 generalist field hours for regular standing students, plus concentration field hours. UTK notes that concentration field requirements are 600 hours in academic year 2025–26 and 500 hours in academic year 2026–27. Advanced standing students complete one field placement.

Learn More: Interview with Professor Kate Chaffin – Director of the Online MSSW Program at UT Knoxville
“People should consider UTK because we are flexible, affordable, cutting-edge and we provide individualized attention.” Read more from Professor Kate Chaffin’s interview.

Learn More: Interview with Professor Sarah Keiser – Coordinator of Field Services for the Online MSSW Program at UTK
“We work closely with our students to provide them with a quality field placement that will meet their professional goals. . .” Read more from Professor Sarah Keiser’s interview.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville Online MSW Program: Overview

Department: University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Social Work

Degree Types: Regular Standing and Advanced Standing

Concentrations: Clinical Practice; Organizational Leadership

Program Structure: Online with field placements; no campus visits required.

Instruction Methods: Both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Synchronous classes are generally offered in the late afternoon and evening.

Program Information – Regular Standing Students

Program Overview

• Program Name: Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW), Online MSSW Program
• Phone Number: (865) 974-1000

Program Requirements

• Field Education Requirements: Regular standing students complete a generalist field placement and a concentration field placement. The university currently lists 400 generalist field hours, plus concentration field hours of 600 hours in academic year 2025–26 or 500 hours in academic year 2026–27.
• Number of Credits Required: 60 semester hours.

Program Length

• Program Options: Full-time and Extended Study part-time options
• Program Length: Full time is two years; Extended Study is three or four years.
• Program Start Dates: UTK lists fall and spring starts for full-time students and fall and spring options for Extended Study students.

Admission Requirements

• GPA: U.S. degree holders must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7, or a minimum GPA of 3.0 during the senior year. Applicants with previous graduate coursework must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0.
• GRE Information: GRE scores are not required for admission to the MSSW program.

Program Information – Advanced Standing Students

Program Overview

• Program Name: Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW), Advanced Standing

Program Requirements

• Field Education Requirements: Advanced standing students complete one field placement. UTK’s current program page notes 600 hours in academic year 2025–26 or 500 hours in academic year 2026–27.
• Number of Credits Required: 36 semester hours.

Program Length

• Program Options: Full-time and part-time options
• Program Length: Full time can be completed in 12 months; part time can be completed in 24 months.
• Program Start Dates: Summer term.

Admission Requirements

• BSW Requirement: Applicants must have a BSW or BSSW from a CSWE-accredited program, or an international degree deemed equivalent through CSWE’s evaluation process.
• GPA: Applicants must meet the MSSW admission GPA requirements; UTK’s current advanced standing program page states that applicants need a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 to be considered.
• GRE Information: GRE scores are not required for admission to the MSSW program.

Please contact the program to determine if the program is available for your state of residence.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s MSW program information was last updated in July 2026. For more information, visit the university’s website above.

If you have additional information about this program, email us at contactus@onlinemswprograms.com.