Programs of Study

Students are admitted to the M.S.S.W. Program in one of the following programs of study: Advanced Standing, Full-time, Extended Study, or Distance Education. Application for admission to all programs is completed through the regular admissions process. The admissions requirements and the degree requirements are the same for all programs with the exceptions indicated for the Advanced Standing program. All programs include field placements.

Full-time Program

Full-time students begin classes in the fall semester of admission and complete the full-time program (60 semester hours) in two years, or four (4) semesters, of full-time study. They complete the foundation curriculum during the first year and the concentration curriculum during the second year.

Extended Study Program

Extended study students begin classes in the fall semester of admission and complete the degree requirements (60 semester hours) in either three or four years depending on individual needs. Students generally take two years to complete the foundation curriculum and one or two years to complete the concentration curriculum. They must complete the foundation curriculum before beginning the concentration curriculum.

Advanced Standing Program

Applicants who have a B.S.W. or B.S.S.W. degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)and a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 may be considered for the Advanced Standing Program. Advanced Standing students begin classes in the summer term of admission and complete the degree requirements (36 semester hours) in three semesters. Students complete six credit hours (a combination of course work and field practice) during the summer term and then begin the concentration curriculum in the subsequent fall.

Distance Education Program

The Distance Education M.S.S.W. program is for students who are unable to come to campus for classes due to their physical location. (The Distance Education program is designed specifically for students who live outside of a 25-mile radius of the Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis Campuses.) The Distance Education program allows students to take courses on a part-time basis (6 hours per semester) and complete their degree in either four years (DE Extended Study - 60 semester hours) or two years (DE Advanced Standing - 36 semester hours). More detailed information may be found on the Distance Education page.

Field Placement Opportunities

The college offers field placement opportunities in over 400 agencies. These settings include schools, courts, hospitals, nursing homes, state agencies, homeless shelters, women's shelters, and mental health centers. Advanced standing students currently complete 912 hours of practicum experience. Full-time and extended study students currently complete 1120 hours of practicum experience.