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- Online MSW Programs in Tennessee: In-State & Out-of-State
Online MSW Programs in Tennessee (TN)
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.
University Name | Live Classes | Traditional and Advanced Standing Options | Field Placement Services | No Campus Visit Required |
---|---|---|---|---|
University of Denver Master of Social Work |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
Fordham University Master of Social Work |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
Simmons University Master of Social Work |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
University of Southern California (USC) Master of Social Work |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
Syracuse University Master of Social Work |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
Case Western Reserve University Master of Science in Social Administration |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
Baylor University Master of Social Work |
yes | yes | yes | yes |
Sponsored
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.)
Online MSW Programs that Accept Students from Tennessee
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.How to Become a Social Worker in TennesseeThe 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.Pathway to Become an LAPSW in Tennessee
- Complete a bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Master of Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Following graduation, complete no less than two years of practice with 3,000 hours of experience in a non clinical setting, 100 hours of supervision and 60 hours of one-on-one supervision.
- Pass the Advanced Generalist Social Work Licensing Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
- Apply to the Tennessee Board of Social Workers.
Pathway to Become an LBSW in Tennessee
- Complete a Bachelor of Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Pass the Bachelors Social Work Licensing Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
- Apply to the Tennessee Board of Social Workers.
Pathway to Become an LCSW in Tennessee
- Complete a bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Master of Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Following graduation, complete no less than two years of practice with 3,000 hours of experience in a clinical setting, 100 hours of supervision and 60 hours of one-on-one supervision.
- Pass the Clinical Social Work Licensing Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
- Apply to the Tennessee Board of Social Workers.
Pathway to Become an LMSW in Tennessee
- Complete a bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Master of Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Pass the Masters Social Work Licensing Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
- Apply to the Tennessee Board of Social Workers.
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
University Name | Program Structure | Program Options |
---|---|---|
Adelphi University | Limited Campus Visits Required | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Arizona State University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Baylor University Sponsored |
100% Online | Traditional FT & PT |
Boise State University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Boston University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
California State University, Northridge | 100% Online | Traditional FT |
California State University, San Bernardino | Limited Campus Visits Required | Traditional PT |
Campbellsville University | 100% Online | Traditional FT, Advanced FT & PT |
Capella University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Case Western Reserve University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Columbia University | 100% Online | Traditional FT & PT, Advanced PT |
Delaware State University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT |
Edinboro University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT |
Florida State University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Fordham University Sponsored |
100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
George Mason University | 100% Online | Traditional PT |
Humboldt State University | Limited Campus Visits Required | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Indiana University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Louisiana State University | 100% Online | Traditional FT & PT, Advanced FT |
Loyola University Chicago | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Metropolitan State University of Denver | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
New Mexico State University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT |
Ohio State University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Ohio University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Our Lady of the Lake University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Portland State University | Limited Campus Visits Required | Traditional PT, Advanced FT |
Rutgers University | 100% Online | Traditional PT, Advanced FT |
Samford University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
San Jose State University | Limited Campus Visits Required | Traditional PT |
Simmons University Sponsored |
100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Syracuse University Sponsored |
100% Online | Traditional PT, Advanced FT & PT |
Temple University | 100% Online | Traditional PT |
Texas State University - San Marcos | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
The Catholic University of America | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Tulane University | 100% Online | Traditional FT & PT, Advanced FT |
University at Buffalo (SUNY) | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
University of Arkansas | 100% Online | Advanced FT |
University of Central Florida | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
University of Denver Sponsored |
100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
University of Georgia | 100% Online | Traditional PT |
University of Houston | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
University of Kentucky | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT |
University of Louisville | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
University of Nevada, Reno | 100% Online | Traditional 8 Semesters, Advanced 4 Semesters |
University of New England (UNE) | 100% Online | Traditional PT, Advanced Accelerated & PT |
University of New Hampshire | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT |
University of North Dakota | Limited Campus Visits Required | Traditional/Advanced PT |
University of South Florida | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
University of Tennessee at Knoxville | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley | 100% Online | Advanced FT |
West Virginia University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced PT |
Western New Mexico University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
Winthrop University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT |
Yeshiva University | 100% Online | Traditional/Advanced FT & PT |
How to Become a Social Worker in Tennessee
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.
Pathway to Become an LAPSW in Tennessee
- Complete a bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Master of Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Following graduation, complete no less than two years of practice with 3,000 hours of experience in a non clinical setting, 100 hours of supervision and 60 hours of one-on-one supervision.
- Pass the Advanced Generalist Social Work Licensing Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
- Apply to the Tennessee Board of Social Workers.
Pathway to Become an LBSW in Tennessee
- Complete a Bachelor of Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Pass the Bachelors Social Work Licensing Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
- Apply to the Tennessee Board of Social Workers.
Pathway to Become an LCSW in Tennessee
- Complete a bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Master of Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Following graduation, complete no less than two years of practice with 3,000 hours of experience in a clinical setting, 100 hours of supervision and 60 hours of one-on-one supervision.
- Pass the Clinical Social Work Licensing Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
- Apply to the Tennessee Board of Social Workers.
Pathway to Become an LMSW in Tennessee
- Complete a bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Master of Social Work degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Pass the Masters Social Work Licensing Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards.
- Apply to the Tennessee Board of Social Workers.
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
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