7 Top MSW Programs in Nashville: Career-Focused Guide 2026

MSW Programs in Nashville create a path to one of today’s most dynamic professional fields. Social work professionals will see a 7% growth from 2023 to 2033, which outpaces most other occupations. The timing is perfect for new graduates, as social workers now earn a median annual wage of $61,330 as of May 2024.

1. Belmont University MSW Program

Belmont University brings a fresh face to Nashville’s social work education scene with its Master of Social Work (MSW) program. The first class will start in fall 2025 at the university’s Jack C. Massey Center. This new program answers the call from alumni and community partners who want quality social work education in Tennessee.

Program Overview

The Belmont MSW program gets students ready to work in social work settings of all types while they help different populations and tackle complex social issues. Students learn through an advanced generalist program that gives them the knowledge and skills to work in mental health agencies, healthcare facilities, schools, and community organizations. The program helps social workers meet the many needs of individuals, families, and communities through a complete curriculum of 60 credit hours.

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences created this program to fit both recent graduates and working professionals. Students can choose full-time or part-time options that match their schedules. College graduates can join with or without a Bachelor of Social Work degree, which makes the program available to professionals from many educational backgrounds.

Program Special Features

Belmont’s MSW program focuses on trauma-informed care and leadership in advocacy practice. This special focus shows Belmont’s dedication to developing professionals who can meet critical needs in healthcare and social services.

The program’s location in Belmont’s healthcare corridor creates opportunities for working with many health and social science disciplines. Students also use the university’s cutting-edge 60,000 square foot Center for Interprofessional Engagement and Simulation, where they experience:

• hands-on scenarios in controlled environments
• Collaborative training with other healthcare practitioners
• Proactive problem-solving in interprofessional teams

This fresh approach lines up with Belmont’s mission to develop “leaders of purpose, character, wisdom and transformational mindset, eager and equipped to make the world a better place”.

Fieldwork Opportunities

Field education is the foundation of Belmont’s social work curriculum and gives essential hands-on experience. Traditional MSW students complete two year-long field placements at different community-based organizations – one during their generalist year and another in their advanced generalist year. Advanced standing students complete one advanced generalist placement.

Students begin fieldwork as soon as they start their academic courses. This creates a learning experience that connects classroom theory with application. Each semester needs 225 clock hours of field instruction, adding up to 450 hours over the course of a year. Students get supervision from qualified social work professionals who have BSW or MSW degrees throughout their experience.

Admission Requirements

The program welcomes applicants from many academic backgrounds for standard admission. Advanced standing is only available to students who have a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited school, earned within seven years of enrollment.

Advanced standing applicants might need to submit course syllabi to help review equivalency to Belmont’s MSW generalist courses. Transfer students can ask to transfer up to 15 graduate credit hours for the two-year MSW program or up to 9 credit hours for advanced standing. Transfer coursework must have at least a ‘B’ grade and come from CSWE-accredited MSW programs.

The admissions committee reviews each application individually. The Chair for the School of Social Work approves all course equivalency and transfer decisions.

Program Accreditation

Belmont University’s MSW Program has reached candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation. This status shows the program has made progress toward meeting quality standards through peer review.

Candidacy shows commitment to meeting accreditation standards but doesn’t mean full compliance yet. Students who join during or after the academic year when candidacy status starts will be recognized as graduates from a CSWE-accredited program once initial accreditation happens. The candidacy process usually takes about three years.

Career Outcomes

Belmont’s MSW program graduates can work well in many professional settings. Students learn skills for mental health agencies, healthcare settings, schools, and community organizations.

The focus on trauma-informed care and leadership helps graduates become effective team and organizational leaders who can use trauma-informed approaches. The curriculum also gets social workers ready to create meaningful social change, matching the program’s mission to “create conditions that help realize human rights and eliminate poverty”.

This MSW program adds value to social work education in Tennessee. It meets critical workforce needs in behavioral health and prepares graduates to lead in their profession.

2. Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) MSW Program

The Master of Social Work program at Middle Tennessee State University gives students the skills they need to boost human well-being and advance social justice. MTSU’s MSW has become essential to social work education in Tennessee through its unique approach and complete curriculum, setting it apart from newer Nashville programs.

Program Overview

MTSU’s MSW program shapes students into advanced generalist practitioners who can serve in many roles from clinical practice to advocacy and policy-making. Students complete a well-laid-out 60-semester hour curriculum that combines in-person classes, online components, and intensive internships.

Students go through two educational phases. They complete 30 credits of generalist education first, then move on to 30 credits of advanced generalist coursework. This approach helps graduates build both basic knowledge and specialized skills to tackle complex social challenges in settings of all types.

The program’s flexibility is notable. Students can choose full-time (12-15 credit hours per semester) or part-time (6 credit hours per semester) study options. This means working professionals and recent graduates can earn their MSW degree while keeping up with other responsibilities.

Special Features

The curriculum lines up with Council on Social Work Education standards through an advanced generalist practice framework. We focused on these key areas:

• Creating culturally informed, community-focused professionals
• Advancing social justice and respect for diversity
• Developing research and critical thinking abilities
• Encouraging ethical decision-making skills

MTSU’s program serves both rural and urban communities while leading the development of social service delivery systems. The program champions core social work values: service, social justice, dignity and worth of individuals, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

Students learn from outstanding faculty scholars who work on innovative research projects that address complex community challenges. This mix of academic learning and real-life applications creates a rich educational environment.

Fieldwork Opportunities

Field education is vital to MTSU’s graduate-level social work program. Students complete an intensive 900-hour practicum experience that includes:

1. A 400-hour foundation placement (for traditional entry students)
2. A 500-hour concentration placement (required for all MSW students)

These placements happen at organizations of all types throughout central Tennessee, including Nashville (about 30 miles from campus), which provides rich hands-on learning opportunities. Students get weekly guidance from qualified social work professionals. Supervisors must have an MSW degree with two years of experience after graduation.

The practicum lets students use classroom knowledge in real client situations. They develop their professional identity and deepen their understanding of social work values and ethics.

Admission Requirements

MTSU takes applications for spring and fall entry, with deadlines on October 15 and January 31. The admission process works like this:

Students must first apply to the College of Graduate Studies, then submit their MSW application through the graduate portal. They need:

• A minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA
• A complete application with official transcripts
• Three recommendation letters
• A personal essay answering specific questions
• An up-to-date resume

For Advanced Standing, applicants should have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program with at least a 3.0 GPA. These students get credit for generalist curriculum requirements and start with advanced coursework right away.

The MSW program doesn’t ask for GRE scores.

Program Accreditation

The MTSU Master of Social Work program earned full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation in 2021. The program was part of a three-university collaborative with CSWE accreditation for 11 years before this.

• Graduates can get state licensure as social workers
• Graduates can join professional groups like NASW
• The program has enough resources to fulfill its mission
• Students know they’re getting quality education

Career Outcomes

A newer study, published in 2022 by the Department of Labor shows social work jobs will grow by 19% overall through 2022. In Tennessee, mental health and substance abuse social workers are among the top two careers requiring a master’s degree.

Graduates can choose from many career paths:

• Clinical social worker or therapist
• Child and family social worker
• Healthcare, geriatric, or medical social worker
• Mental health and substance abuse social worker
• School social worker

They work in many places—mental health clinics, schools, child welfare agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, residential treatment programs, and private practices. MTSU’s MSW program prepares graduates to make meaningful contributions to social justice and community well-being.

3. Tennessee State University (TSU) MSW Program

Tennessee State University features a unique Master of Social Work program. Nashville’s only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) with CSWE accreditation makes this program special. The program excels at serving African American communities among other vulnerable populations through its advanced generalist approach.

Program Overview

TSU-MSW Program helps enhance human well-being, diversity, and social justice by developing better public social service systems. Students complete two main components: a 30-credit foundation curriculum and a 30-credit concentration curriculum. The foundation teaches students generalist social work practice and builds knowledge of theories and methods they’ll need in various roles. Students learn to combine ethics, research, policy, and theoretical points of view into the generalist intervention model.

Students can choose between full-time and part-time study options. Full-time foundation students finish in two years, while part-time students might need up to four years. Students with BSW degrees can opt for advanced standing, completing the program in just one year full-time or two years part-time.

Special Features

The program’s advanced generalist concentration makes it stand out. This builds on foundation-level knowledge but needs more sophisticated theoretical and methodological understanding. Graduates can work in both direct and indirect service roles instead of being limited to clinical or administrative positions. The program has six core goals:

• Preparing diverse students for advanced generalist practice based on professional values
• Promoting social policies that reduce poverty, oppression, and discrimination
• Developing analytical skills and critical thinking
• Promoting multiple theoretical orientations applicable across system sizes
• Providing understanding of diversity with emphasis on social justice
• Socializing students to evidence-based professional practice

Students can balance multiple responsibilities thanks to a hybrid delivery model that combines traditional classroom experiences with online components.

Fieldwork Opportunities

Field education is a vital part of TSU’s MSW curriculum. Foundation students complete a 400-hour internship during Spring semester or spread it across Spring and Summer semesters. This first practicum helps students learn generalist social work practice in selected human service agencies.

The concentration phase includes a more intensive 500-hour internship with similar scheduling options. This advanced practicum provides individual-specific, educationally focused experiences in advanced generalist social work practice. Students already working in social work settings can pursue employment-based internships if these placements create new learning opportunities.

Admission Requirements

The foundation program needs a minimum 2.75 GPA. Applicants must submit:

• A completed MSW Application Form including an essay
• Three letters of recommendation from professionals who can speak to the applicant’s interest in social work
• Evidence of potential success in the program and professional practice

Advanced standing applicants need a Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program with a minimum 3.0 GPA in undergraduate coursework. TSU doesn’t require GRE scores for admission.

Program Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education granted the TSU-MSW Program full accreditation in February 2022. This accreditation is vital because social workers need it for future licensure. The program was previously part of the Mid-Tennessee Collaborative Master of Social Work Program.

Career Outcomes

Graduates can work in mental health facilities, schools, hospitals, and public child welfare agencies. They also find opportunities in unexpected places like veterinary offices, libraries, law firms, human resources departments, and pharmacies.

The program’s focus on serving populations vulnerable to discrimination gives graduates special expertise with diverse client groups at multiple practice levels. After graduation, students can take the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) exam and pursue clinical or administrative licensure through supervised experience.

4. University of Tennessee Knoxville MSSW Program (Nashville Campus)

The University of Tennessee Knoxville runs a resilient Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program at its Nashville campus. Middle Tennessee students can now access the state’s flagship university education. The program’s success shows in its numbers – a 94% combined retention rate for BSSW & MSSW programs.

Program Overview

Students at UT’s Nashville campus can choose between two concentrations. The Clinical Practice concentration suits those interested in therapy and clinical work. The Organizational Leadership concentration is Tennessee’s only macro program. This lets students shape their education based on their career goals.

Students can pick full-time or extended study options that fit their schedule. The program starts with foundation courses before moving to specialized classes. Students can boost their expertise with certificates in Treatment of Trauma, Veterinary Social Work, Forensic Social Work, and Gerontology.

Special Features

Working professionals will find the Evening Hybrid format particularly useful. This format combines cohort-based in-person learning with online components. Students attend evening classes every other week and complete remaining coursework online.

The Nashville location gives students a chance to work in policy settings, medical environments, and with international populations. The Nashville campus and community are full of opportunities both on and off campus.

The College of Social Work’s dedication to making education available shows in its $189,707 scholarship awards for 2023/2024. The program also connects students to a network of 6000+ alumni throughout Tennessee.

Fieldwork Opportunities

Field education serves as the crucial internship component. Traditional standing students complete:

• One foundation level 352-hour field practicum
• One advanced level 672-hour field practicum
• Total of 1,024 hours of supervised field education

Advanced standing students complete only the 672-hour advanced field practicum. The College works with more than 400 agencies, including schools, courts, hospitals, nursing homes, and mental health centers.

Field coordinators match students with placements that fit their educational goals and life needs. Most placements happen during business hours, but students working in social service agencies might qualify for employment-based placements.

Admission Requirements

Students need to submit:

• Academic transcripts from all previous institutions
• Professional statement
• Three professional/academic references
• Resume

The program doesn’t require GRE scores, making it available to more qualified applicants. Students with a BSW/BSSW from a CSWE-accredited program can apply for advanced standing. Students should check field placement requirements before applying since most opportunities run during business hours.

Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits the UT MSSW program. This accreditation confirms the program meets quality standards through peer review. Graduates can apply for social work licensure and join professional organizations.

Career Outcomes

The program prepares graduates for various roles. Common career paths include:

• Therapists and clinicians
• Program developers and evaluators
• Administrators and community organizers
• Grant writers

Graduates work in mental health facilities, government agencies, schools, hospitals, VA medical settings, prisons, public defender offices, homeless shelters, and disability services. UT’s Nashville MSSW program gives graduates the tools to tackle complex social challenges in many settings through academic excellence and hands-on experience.

Online MSW Program at University of Tennessee

The University of Tennessee’s online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program gives working professionals the schedule flexibility they need. Students get the same quality education as campus-based programs, just in a different format.

Program Overview

The Online MSSW Program follows a similar curriculum to the on-campus program. Students complete 60 credit hours over three to four years through the Extended Study Program. Students with BSW degrees qualify for advanced standing and need only 37 credits. They can finish in 12 months full-time or 18-24 months part-time. The program uses a cohort model that creates a supportive learning community even in the virtual environment.

Special Features

The program stands out with its innovative blended learning approach. Students join synchronous (live) sessions in late afternoons and evenings. These sessions combine with self-paced components that let students study independently. This balanced approach gives students both structured interaction and flexibility. Live online discussions with professors and peers alternate with independent assignments. Students must have a laptop or desktop computer since phones or tablets won’t meet coursework requirements.

Fieldwork Opportunities

Field education is the substance of the online MSSW experience. Students in the traditional program complete two placements that total 1,024 hours. This includes 352 hours at foundation level and 672 hours at advanced level. Advanced standing students complete the 672-hour advanced placement only. Field coordinators help students find agencies that align with their career goals. Students can work in schools, courtrooms, hospitals, nursing homes, emergency shelters, mental health organizations, and addiction treatment centers.

Admission Requirements

The admission process requires:

• Bachelor’s degree with appropriate social sciences preparation
• Minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA
• Online graduate application
• Three letters of reference
• No GRE required

Students whose native language isn’t English need TOEFL scores of at least 550 (paper test) or 80 (internet-based), or a 6.5 overall band score on the IELTS.

Program Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits the online MSSW program. This recognition means the program meets professional standards and graduates can pursue licensure and join professional organizations.

Career Outcomes

Online MSSW graduates can pursue the same career paths as on-campus students. They work in mental health facilities, healthcare settings, schools, government agencies, and community organizations. Many become therapists, program developers, administrators, and community organizers. The online format offers all the professional benefits of the traditional program. This makes it perfect for students who need to balance their education with other life commitments.

Advanced Standing MSW Program at Belmont

Belmont University’s Advanced Standing MSW Program gives BSW graduates a faster path to career advancement in today’s competitive job market. Qualified social workers can complete their master’s degree in much less time compared to traditional programs.

Program Overview

Belmont’s Advanced Standing program creates a simplified path for students who have a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited institution. The program prepares graduates to work in settings of all types and helps them address complex needs of individuals, families, and communities. Students can complete their MSW degree in just one year through this true two-semester format, without any summer bridge coursework. This faster option keeps the same advanced generalist focus on trauma-informed care and leadership in advocacy practice that makes Belmont’s MSW offerings unique.

Special Features

The Advanced Standing program has several advantages over traditional MSW paths:

• Half the completion time (12 months versus 24 months)
• Lower overall tuition costs and living expenses
• Immediate focus on specialized, advanced coursework
• Integration of license exam preparation into courses

These benefits are especially appealing to budget-conscious students who want to minimize time between degrees while maximizing their professional development.

Fieldwork Opportunities

Field education is at the heart of the Advanced Standing curriculum. Students complete one yearlong advanced generalist placement at a single community-based organization or agency. They accumulate 250 hours per semester for a total of 500 field hours. Advanced standing students begin this concentrated fieldwork right away since they skip the generalist-level placement.

Admission Requirements

Advanced Standing eligibility is limited to candidates with:

• A CSWE-accredited BSW degree
• A CASWE-accredited baccalaureate social work degree (Canadian)
• An ISWDRES-evaluated international degree comparable to a BSW

The degree must be earned within seven years of enrollment. Students might need to submit course syllabi so we can evaluate equivalency to Belmont’s generalist courses. Advanced standing students transferring from another MSW program can request transfer of up to 9 credit hours with minimum “B” grades.

Accreditation

Belmont’s MSW Program has achieved candidacy for accreditation with the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation. Students who join during or after the academic year of candidacy will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-accredited program once initial accreditation is achieved.

Career Outcomes

Graduates qualify for the same career opportunities as traditional MSW holders. The College of Pharmacy & Health Science shows that 97% of graduates find employment, continue education, or enlist in military within six months of graduation. The program excels at preparing students for leadership roles in trauma-informed services and social change initiatives.

Hybrid MSW Program at UT Nashville

The Evening Hybrid MSSW Program at University of Tennessee Nashville offers the perfect mix of flexibility and structure for social work professionals. This program has become a popular choice for career growth while you retain your full-time job.

Program Overview

The UT Nashville Hybrid MSSW Program combines in-person learning with online components that students can complete at their own pace. Students can choose from Advanced Standing, Full-Time, and Extended Study options. Advanced Standing students start their classes in summer, while Extended Study students begin in August. Students can pick between Clinical Practice and Organizational Leadership concentrations—similar to those at other UT campuses.

Special Features

The program is known for its cohort-based learning model. Students attend in-person evening classes at the Nashville campus every other week. They complete online activities between these sessions. This schedule creates a steady pattern that working professionals can plan around. The program delivers quality education with high standards just like the traditional format. The same professors teach both formats, and the Council on Social Work Education fully accredits the program.

Fieldwork Opportunities

Field education plays a vital role in the MSSW experience. Students must complete practicum hours at agencies like schools, courtrooms, hospitals, mental health organizations, and addiction treatment centers. Most field placements happen during business hours, with limited evening and weekend options. Students who work at social service agencies might qualify for placement at their workplace. Field coordinators handle all placement arrangements.

Admission Requirements

Students need to submit their complete application by December 15 for spring semester entry. The application package must include:

• Graduate School online application and fee
• Official transcripts
• Personal statement
• Three MSSW reference evaluation forms
• Resume or CV

Advanced Standing applicants must have a BSW/BSSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program. The program doesn’t require GRE scores.

Program Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits the program. This accreditation means graduates can get professional licenses and join professional organizations. Students learn according to CSWE’s ethical standards and values.

Career Outcomes

The program boasts a 95% employment rate within six months of graduation. Graduates work in mental health facilities, healthcare organizations, schools, and community agencies. They develop skills to work as therapists, program developers, administrators, or community organizers through training in clinical practice and organizational leadership.

Find the Best Nashville MSW Program

Nashville has seven top-rated MSW programs that give you great options as an aspiring social worker. You can choose between traditional classroom learning, online classes, or a mix of both – whatever works best for you. These programs will give you plenty of hands-on experience through fieldwork that prepares you for real-life challenges.

The right MSW program for you comes down to your career plans and life situation. MTSU and TSU are 50-year-old programs with deep community roots, while Belmont’s newer program specializes in trauma-informed care. UT gives you choices with its traditional, online, and mixed format options.

BSW graduates can finish their MSW degrees nowhere near the usual time through advanced standing tracks at these schools. This saves both money and time. Most programs have dropped their GRE requirements, making it easier than ever to start graduate school.

Now is the perfect time to get your MSW degree. Social work jobs are growing faster than most fields, and Tennessee just needs more mental health and substance abuse specialists. Once you graduate, you’ll find jobs in healthcare, schools, community organizations, and government agencies.

The coursework might be challenging, but it’s worth it. Most people land jobs within six months and enter a field that pays well and helps others. Since these programs are CSWE accredited, employers and licensing boards will recognize your degree throughout your career.

Nashville’s MSW programs keep up with what employers want while keeping their standards high. These programs give you specialized knowledge, practical experience, and professional connections that you’ll need to succeed in social work’s growing opportunities – whether you’ve just finished college or you’re already working and want to move up.