Best MSW Programs in Tennessee (2026)
Every CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program in Tennessee for 2026, with in-state tuition, LCSW licensure requirements, salary data, and field placement details.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee has 9 CSWE-accredited MSW programs spread across the state, from Memphis to Johnson City, with multiple online and hybrid options for working professionals.
- In-state tuition ranges from $426/credit at Austin Peay (most affordable) to $749/credit at UT Knoxville among public schools. Private options like King University and Union University charge $610-$712/credit regardless of residency.
- Tennessee has no state income tax, which means your take-home pay as a social worker is significantly higher than in neighboring states like North Carolina (4.5%) or Georgia (5.39%).
- The LCSW requires 3,000 supervised clinical hours (minimum 2 years) after your MSW, plus the ASWB Clinical exam and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision.
- Tennessee has 97 mental health shortage area designations covering over 3.1 million residents, with only 13.3% of mental health need currently met. The NHSC Loan Repayment Program offers up to $55,000 for LCSWs who serve in these shortage areas.
Tennessee offers one of the most accessible paths into social work in the Southeast. With 9 CSWE-accredited MSW programs, no state income tax, and a critical shortage of mental health providers across most of the state, the combination of affordable education and strong demand makes Tennessee a compelling place to pursue an MSW. Programs range from the highly ranked University of Tennessee system to affordable public options at Austin Peay and MTSU, plus fully online programs at King University and ETSU for students who need maximum flexibility.
Every MSW program in Tennessee prepares you for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), which is the credential you need for independent clinical practice, private practice, and the highest-paying social work roles. The path after graduation: obtain your LMSW, complete 3,000 supervised clinical hours over at least 2 years with 100 hours of face-to-face supervision, pass the ASWB Clinical exam, and apply through the Tennessee Board of Social Workers.
Tennessee is also home to major healthcare employers like Vanderbilt University Medical Center (the largest private employer in Middle Tennessee with 28,000+ employees), HCA Healthcare (headquartered in Nashville), and the Tennessee Department of Children's Services. The state's healthcare industry is concentrated in Nashville, which is often called the "Healthcare Capital of the World" due to the number of hospital management companies headquartered there.
CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Tennessee
All 9 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Tennessee — Knoxville | $749/credit | On-campus | |
| 2 | University of Memphis | $552/credit | On-campus | |
| 3 | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | $556/credit | Hybrid | |
| 4 | East Tennessee State University | $526/credit | On-campus and Online | |
| 5 | Austin Peay State University | $426/credit | Hybrid | |
| 6 | Middle Tennessee State University | $565/credit | Hybrid | |
| 7 | Tennessee State University | $525/credit | On-campus with some online courses | |
| 8 | King University | $610/credit (private, flat rate) | Fully online | |
| 9 | Union University | $712/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus |
University of Tennessee — Knoxville
In-State
$749/credit
Out-of-State
$1,786/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900 (foundation + advanced)
Concentrations
- Flagship UT program with CSWE accreditation since 1943, among the oldest in the South
- Available at three locations: Knoxville campus, Nashville campus (193 Polk Ave), and fully online
- Offers an MSSW (Master of Science in Social Work), which is equivalent to an MSW for licensure
- Dual degree options including MSSW/JD and MSSW/MDiv
- Coverdell Fellows program for returned Peace Corps volunteers
University of Memphis
In-State
$552/credit
Out-of-State
$785/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900 (400 foundation + 500 advanced)
Concentrations
- Only CSWE-accredited MSW program in the Memphis metropolitan area
- Two distinct specializations for clinical practice with different populations
- Located in a major urban center with extensive field placement opportunities
- Extended study track available for working professionals
- Strong partnerships with Memphis-area hospitals, community mental health centers, and DCS offices
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
In-State
$556/credit
Out-of-State
$1,064/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Hybrid evening format designed for working professionals
- Only CSWE-accredited MSW program in the Chattanooga region
- Advanced Social Work Practice concentration covers both clinical and macro skills
- Strong connections to Chattanooga-area agencies including Erlanger Health System
- Affordable public university option in southeast Tennessee
East Tennessee State University
In-State
$526/credit
Out-of-State
$806/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Fully online option available with reduced out-of-state tuition rate
- Located in the Appalachian Highlands, serving a historically underserved rural region
- Clinical focus prepares graduates specifically for LCSW licensure
- Strong emphasis on rural and community-based social work practice
- Accredited since 2003 with a track record of preparing licensed clinicians
Austin Peay State University
In-State
$426/credit
Out-of-State
$630/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
1,000
Concentrations
- Most affordable MSW program in Tennessee at $426/credit for in-state students
- Unique trauma-focused concentration in addition to advanced generalist track
- Located near Fort Campbell, with strong connections to military-affiliated populations
- Fastest-growing university in Tennessee with expanding social work resources
- 1,000 field placement hours, among the highest requirements in the state
Middle Tennessee State University
In-State
$565/credit
Out-of-State
$1,564/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900 (400 foundation + 500 advanced)
Concentrations
- Emphases available in Mental Health Practice, School Social Work, and Crisis/Emergency Management
- Located 30 minutes from Nashville with access to the metro area job market
- Advanced generalist model prepares graduates for both clinical and macro roles
- No GRE required for admission
- Hybrid delivery combines campus instruction with online coursework
Tennessee State University
In-State
$525/credit
Out-of-State
$1,107/credit
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900 (400 foundation + 500 advanced)
Concentrations
- Historically Black university (HBCU) with a strong commitment to social justice and equity
- Located in Nashville with access to state government agencies and healthcare employers
- Advanced generalist concentration prepares students for clinical and macro practice
- Lower GPA minimum (2.75) makes the program more accessible
- Discounted tuition available for out-of-state students within a 250-mile radius
King University
In-State
$610/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$610/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
22 months (60 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Fully online CSWE-accredited MSW accessible from anywhere in the country
- Clinical Advocacy concentration integrates micro, mezzo, and macro practice
- Accelerated 22-month full-time completion timeline
- Field placements can be completed in your local community
- Presbyterian-affiliated institution with a faith-informed social work perspective
Union University
In-State
$712/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$712/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900
Concentrations
- Available on-campus at Jackson and Germantown (Memphis suburbs) or fully online
- Christian-centered social work education integrating faith and professional practice
- Advanced generalist model prepares graduates for leadership in direct service and administration
- Tennessee Baptist Convention-affiliated institution
- Germantown campus location provides access to the Memphis-area job market
Social Work Licensure Requirements in Tennessee
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Tennessee Board of Social Workers (Department of Health)
615-741-5735
Tennessee issues four social work license types through the Board of Social Workers under the Tennessee Department of Health: LBSW, LMSW, LAPSW, and LCSW. MSW graduates typically start with the LMSW (which requires no supervised experience beyond the degree) and then work toward either the LAPSW or LCSW depending on whether they pursue non-clinical advanced practice or clinical practice.
The LCSW is the credential most MSW graduates pursue. It allows you to diagnose and treat mental health conditions independently, open a private practice, and bill insurance directly. The LAPSW is for advanced non-clinical social work practice in settings like hospitals, agencies, and policy organizations.
Licensed Master Social Worker
Non-clinical social work services within an agency or organization, or clinical services under LCSW supervision
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: ASWB Masters
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Independent clinical practice, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, psychotherapy, private practice
Hours
3,000
Duration
2 years
Exam: ASWB Clinical
Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker
Advanced non-clinical social work practice including administration, supervision, consultation, and program development
Hours
3,000
Duration
2 years
Exam: ASWB Advanced Generalist
Tennessee offers licensure by reciprocity for social workers licensed in other states. To apply, you must reside or be employed in Tennessee and provide a copy of your current out-of-state license, a renewal certificate, ASWB exam scores forwarded to the board, and license verification from your current state. The license you apply for must be equivalent to the one you hold in your current state. The Tennessee Board of Social Workers reviews each application individually and may require additional documentation if your state's requirements differ from Tennessee's. Contact the board at Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov for specific questions about your situation.
Social Worker Salary in Tennessee
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
Tennessee social workers earn below the national average across most specialties, but Tennessee has no state income tax, which significantly narrows the effective pay gap. A social worker earning $55,000 in Tennessee takes home more than someone earning the same salary in neighboring North Carolina (4.5% state tax), Georgia (5.39%), or Arkansas (4.4%). Nashville-area social workers earn the highest salaries in the state, with healthcare social workers in the Nashville metro earning a median of $65,900. All salary data below is from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
National median: $58,570
Top metro: $57,790 (Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin)
Healthcare Social Workers
National median: $68,090
Top metro: $65,900 (Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin)
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
National median: $60,060
Top metro: $55,910 (Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin)
Tennessee Social Work Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
Tennessee has 97 mental health Health Professional Shortage Area designations covering over 3.1 million residents, with only 13.3% of mental health care need currently being met. An estimated 252 additional practitioners are needed to remove these shortage designations entirely. Roughly 95% of Tennessee counties have some form of mental health HPSA designation, making the need for licensed social workers acute across virtually the entire state.
Major employers include Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) (largest private employer in Middle Tennessee with 28,000+ employees), HCA Healthcare (headquartered in Nashville, the largest for-profit hospital operator in the country), the Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS), Tennessee Valley Authority healthcare facilities, Erlanger Health System (Chattanooga), Baptist Memorial Health Care (Memphis), Ballad Health (northeast Tennessee), and four VA medical centers in Nashville, Memphis, Mountain Home (Johnson City), and Murfreesboro. Nashville's status as the "Healthcare Capital of the World" means social workers have access to an unusually dense concentration of healthcare employers and corporate health organizations.
Loan Repayment & Scholarship Programs
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program — Up to $55,000 for full-time behavioral health providers (including LCSWs) who serve at NHSC-approved sites in Health Professional Shortage Areas for 2 years. Continuation contracts available to pay off remaining debt.
NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program — Up to $100,000 in loan repayment for 3 years of full-time service at approved rural sites, or $50,000 for half-time service.
NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program — Up to $120,000 for students in their final year of a qualifying program who commit to 3 years of full-time service in a HPSA after graduation.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers at state agencies (DCS, TDMHSAS), VA hospitals, VUMC, and nonprofit health systems all qualify for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments.
How to Choose an MSW Program in Tennessee
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
Tennessee has 9 MSW programs spread across every major region of the state, so geography, format, and cost are the biggest decision factors. Whether you are in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, or rural Appalachia, there is a program within reach.
If you are a Tennessee resident on a budget: Austin Peay at $426/credit is the most affordable MSW in the state. ETSU ($526/credit), Tennessee State ($525/credit), and University of Memphis ($552/credit) are also strong public options.
If you want the strongest name on your diploma: UT Knoxville is the flagship program with CSWE accreditation since 1943, dual degree options, and three delivery locations including a fully online track.
If you need a fully online program: King University, ETSU, UT Knoxville, and Union University all offer CSWE-accredited online MSW options. King's 22-month accelerated timeline is the fastest online option.
If you are in the Nashville area: UT Knoxville's Nashville campus, Tennessee State University, and MTSU (30 minutes south in Murfreesboro) all serve the Nashville market. TSU is the most affordable Nashville-based option.
If you are in the Memphis area: University of Memphis is the only CSWE-accredited MSW program in the metro. Union University's Germantown campus is a nearby alternative if you prefer a private, faith-based institution.
If you want to work with military populations: Austin Peay in Clarksville is located near Fort Campbell and has strong connections to military-affiliated communities and veteran service organizations.
If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: Most Tennessee programs offer 1-year advanced standing tracks. King University's advanced standing is the fastest at 12 months fully online.
Related Pages
Best Online MSW Programs
National ranking of top online MSW programs
Best Online BSW Programs
Undergraduate social work programs
Best Online DSW Programs
Doctoral programs for experienced social workers
Clinical Social Worker Career Guide
What LCSWs actually do day-to-day
Clinical Social Worker Salary
Salary data by state and experience level
MSW Programs by State
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