Program overview

The Sport Social Work Graduate Certificate is a joint initiative between the College of Social Work and the Sport Psychology & Motor Behavior graduate program. Open exclusively to Knoxville MSSW students, this certificate blends sport science and social work training to prepare graduates for evidence-based support and interventions with athletes. Students gain practical skills for enhancing athlete well-being, addressing challenges in high-pressure environments, and promoting systemic approaches through policy development. This page covers certificate highlights, career outcomes, featured courses, admissions details, and more.

Requirements

The Sport Social Work Graduate Certificate requires 15 credit hours of graduate coursework drawn from at least two different disciplines (Social Work & Sport Science/Kinesiology), plus practical experience supporting athlete well-being in sport-related settings.

Field Component

At least six (6) credit hours must be completed in a field placement or practicum where the student’s individualized learning plan includes assignments and goals connected to sport social work practice. These may involve topics such as athlete mental health, resilience, performance enhancement, youth empowerment, or advocacy within sport-related settings.

While students will develop learning objectives focused on sport social work, placements in agencies that work directly with athletes or sport organizations cannot be guaranteed. As with other certificate programs, agencies select their students and opportunities within sport-specific environments are limited. Students may complete their field hours in a wide range of approved settings, using their learning plan to engage with the unique psychosocial needs present in sport environments or in programs that utilize sport as a tool for positive resilience.

The field learning plan will still include objectives tailored to the student’s interests in sport social work, ensuring meaningful skill development regardless of placement type.

Application Information

Students selected for admission must be formally admitted through the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be currently pursuing a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) degree.
• All 15 required graduate credit hours must be completed at the University of Tennessee within five years of applying for the certificate.

Program Information:

• Students receive details about the certificate program when admitted to the MSSW graduate program.

Application Requirements:
To be admitted, students must:

• Meet the Graduate Admission requirements for certificate programs.
• May take up to 15 graduate credit hours before formally applying for admission to the certificate.
• Submit a departmental application and agree to all program requirements.

Personal Statement:
The departmental application includes a brief personal statement addressing:

• Reasons for participating in the certificate program
• Professional career goals
• Acknowledgement of additional credit hours required beyond those for the MSSW degree

Formal Admission:

• Students selected for admission must be formally admitted through the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Program Chair

Why get a Sport Social Work Graduate Certificate?

Ready to make a real impact in the world of athletics? The Sport Social Work Graduate Certificate at UT Knoxville is your gateway to a rewarding career where you help athletes thrive, on and off the field.

Use Sport as an Intervention:  Leverage sport as an intentional intervention by engaging individuals in structured physical activity, teamwork, and relationship-building. Through these experiences, you can promote resilience, foster social connection, and support both physical and mental well-being. This approach empowers vulnerable or marginalized populations by building on individual strengths and cultivating communities.

Stand Out in Your Field: Gain specialized expertise at the intersection of mental health, athlete development, and performance psychology. This program gives you the skills top organizations are looking for—whether in collegiate sports, professional teams, or community programs.

Transform Lives: Learn to address the unique challenges athletes face in high-pressure environments. You’ll be equipped to support their well-being, foster resilience, and promote inclusive practices that elevate both individuals and teams.

Hands-On Experience: Move beyond theory with practical training—field placements and real-world case studies prepare you to hit the ground running in diverse sport settings.

Expand Your Career Options: Whether you dream of working with elite athletes, leading community initiatives, or shaping policy for sport wellness, this certificate opens doors to impactful roles across athletic organizations, advocacy groups, and more.

Collaborate & Innovate: Join an interdisciplinary program that connects you with experts in social work, sport science, coaching, and administration—building your network while preparing you to lead change.

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