Why get a Master’s in Social Work?

Social workers change the world, and if you are looking for a meaningful career with a wide variety of options, we encourage you to consider social work. The fundamental mission of the social work profession is to serve individuals who require assistance and to work towards making social institutions more responsive to human needs. Social work is distinguished from other helping professions by its person-in-environment focus and its strong commitment to well-being.

What can I do with a Master’s in Social Work?

Resources for current students

A CSWE-Accredited, Top-Ranked Program

The Master of Science in Social Work program at the University of Tennessee is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) — the gold standard for social work education in the United States. Ranked among the top 25 graduate social work programs in the country, the UT MSSW combines rigorous academic training with extensive hands-on field education. Our program has been continuously accredited since 1943, making it one of the longest-standing social work programs in the Southeast.

Concentrations

Clinical Practice

Have you always dreamed of becoming a social work clinician or therapist practicing in a community mental health, school, medical, or private practice setting? Our Clinical Practice (CP) concentration prepares students to become skilled practitioners who provide direct, evidence-based support to individuals, families, and groups facing mental health challenges, trauma, or life transitions. This degree path emphasizes advanced training in assessment, counseling techniques, and therapeutic interventions. Graduates are equipped to treat clients across a wide variety of settings — including hospitals, schools, community agencies, and private practices in Tennessee and beyond.

The Clinical Practice concentration prepares you for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure in Tennessee. Upon graduation, you are eligible to sit for the ASWB Masters exam and begin accumulating your supervised clinical hours toward full LCSW licensure.

Organizational Leadership

Have you envisioned yourself as a leader making systemic changes in a nonprofit, policy, or advocacy setting? Our Organizational Leadership (OL) concentration — the only macro social work program in Tennessee — is designed for students who aspire to lead, innovate, and drive positive change within agencies, nonprofits, and community and government organizations. Students are equipped with skills that prepare them to oversee programs, guide teams, and influence policy at the organizational level. Graduates are empowered to become visionary leaders who shape effective services and advocate for lasting improvements across the field of social work.

The OL concentration prepares you for Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW) licensure in Tennessee, as well as leadership roles in nonprofit management, government, and community development throughout the state and nationally.

Graduate Certificate Options

Customize your MSSW with one of five specialized graduate certificates, available to MSSW students at the University of Tennessee. Each certificate adds focused expertise to your degree, giving you a competitive edge in the Tennessee job market and beyond.

Choose Your Path

The University of Tennessee MSSW program offers multiple pathways designed to fit your schedule, your background, and your career goals. All paths lead to the same CSWE-accredited MSSW degree.

Advanced Standing Program

Best for: Students with a BSSW or BSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
The Advanced Standing Program can be completed full-time (12 months) or part-time (24 months) for a total of 36 semester hours. Applicants must have a BSW or BSSW degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 to be considered. Advanced Standing students begin classes in the summer term. Students will have one field placement (600 hours in academic year 25–26 or 500 hours in academic year 26–27).

More about Advanced Standing

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Full-Time Program

Best for: Students who want to complete the MSSW in two years.
Now offering both a fall and spring semester start. Full-time students complete the program (60 semester hours) in two years (four semesters). Students must complete 15 credit hours per semester. Year one (generalist year) includes 400 hours of field placement over two semesters. In year two, students complete the concentration curriculum, including 600 hours of field placement over two semesters (500 hours in academic year 26–27). Applicants must have a 2.7 GPA or higher to be considered.

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Extended Study Program (Part-Time)

Best for: Working professionals or students who need a flexible schedule.
The Extended Study Program is a part-time program that begins in the fall semester. Students take six credit hours per semester (60 credit hours total) and complete the program in three or four years. Extended Study students complete two field placements: the generalist placement (400 hours) during the second year of study and the concentration placement (600 hours in academic year 25–26 or 500 hours in academic year 26–27) in the third or fourth year.

For added flexibility, the Extended Study Program also offers a spring semester start option, allowing students to begin in January rather than waiting until fall.

Please note: All classes for Extended Study students in Nashville and Knoxville are scheduled during regular daytime hours unless you attend the Nashville campus Hybrid Program. Online Extended Study classes meet online in the evenings.

More about Extended Study

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Hybrid Evening Program – Nashville

Best for: Busy professionals in the Nashville area who prefer in-person evening classes.
The Hybrid Evening Class Program was designed for people juggling busy daytime schedules but wanting to learn in person with a cohort of other students. Cohorts meet every other week for in-person, evening, synchronous classes at the Nashville campus. Out-of-class learning takes place online asynchronously.

Please note that most field placement opportunities are only available during business hours, with evening and weekend placements being more limited. If you work in a social service agency, you may be eligible for an employment-based placement. Field Coordinators support students in finding placements that best suit their learning goals and, when possible, their life needs.

Students can apply as Extended Study Hybrid Evening or Advanced Standing Extended Study Hybrid Evening.

More about the Hybrid Evening Program

What can you do with a Masters degree in Social Work after graduation?

An MSSW opens the door to advanced social work careers across a wide variety of settings. Depending on the concentration and career path you choose, employment is available with hospitals, outpatient clinics, mental health facilities, schools, colleges and universities, nonprofit agencies, the legal profession, government agencies, private practices, corporate HR and employee assistance programs, and athletics — to name a few.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social work employment is projected to grow 6% nationally from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the average for all occupations — with approximately 74,000 openings annually.

Tennessee has 97 mental health shortage area designations covering over 3.1 million residents, with only 13.3% of mental health care need currently being met — creating strong job prospects for MSSW graduates across the state.

Learn more about what social workers do