East Tennessee State University Social Work Masters

The Department of Social Work at East Tennessee State University is essential to social work education in the Appalachian region. The department sits in the southern Appalachian mountains near North Carolina and Virginia. It operates as a regional program that works with community members and service providers throughout northeast Tennessee, western North Carolina, and southwest Virginia. The faculty and students represent the culturally rich geographic landscape of this region, which creates a diverse learning environment.

ETSU’s School of Clinical Sciences houses the department and provides fully accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has continuously accredited the BSW degree since 1974, when BSW programs first received accreditation status. The 100% online BSW program earned its accreditation in April 2023, making quality social work education more accessible.

The MSW program, 20 years old, prepares students to become autonomous clinical practitioners through its targeted curriculum. The program’s greatest asset is its faculty – professionals who bring extensive experience and expertise to the classroom. ETSU stands out because full-time faculty teach most courses. Students learn from experienced educators who have professional social work practice experience.

The field program and Community Advisory Committee help build strong community relationships. These connections improve practical learning experiences, especially during field placements where students apply their classroom knowledge in real-life settings.

The social work field offers excellent career growth potential. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections shows:

• 16% growth in overall social worker employment
• 14% growth in child, family & school social work positions
• 20% growth in healthcare & medical social work positions
• 19% growth in mental health & substance abuse positions

MSW graduates can earn $13,000 more per year than BSW holders, which shows the financial benefits of advanced education in this field.

The Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) helps students stay connected through monthly meetings and acts as a strong advocacy voice for the department and profession. Students participate in the annual Legislative Conference and serve on faculty committees, which are great ways to get professional development and networking opportunities.

ETSU’s Department of Social Work’s steadfast dedication to quality education, experienced faculty, and strong community connections has made it a respected institution that prepares tomorrow’s social work professionals.

Programs offered

ETSU’s Master of Social Work program provides specialized clinical training to prepare you for independent practice. The program’s MSW stands out with its exclusive focus on clinical concentration. You’ll gain advanced therapeutic skills needed for direct practice settings.

Students can choose from multiple paths to earn their MSW degree based on their background and schedule. The program offers two main entry points:

The Traditional Entry Program requires 63 credit hours for students with undergraduate degrees in other fields. This two-year curriculum starts with foundation courses in generalist social work practice before moving to specialized clinical training. Students can finish this program full-time in two years or part-time in four years.

Students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program earned after 1984 can join the Advanced Standing Program. This faster option needs only 37 credit hours. Students complete it in about 12 months (full-time) or two years (part-time).

Both tracks help students meet these learning goals:

• Developing knowledge, values, and clinical practice skills
• Engaging in competent and responsible clinical practice within public and private agencies
• Using ethical research to boost and advance social work practice

Each program track has its own curriculum structure. Traditional students start with foundation courses in generalist practice during their first year. They move to clinical specialization in the second year. Advanced standing students begin with clinical concentration courses right away.

Domestic students can now enroll in ETSU’s 100% online MSW option. This flexible format blends synchronous and asynchronous learning to fit working professionals’ schedules. Students attend synchronous classes during late afternoons and evenings. The online program maintains the same high academic standards and clinical focus as on-campus classes.

Field education plays a vital role in both tracks. Traditional students complete 480 hours of foundation field experience and 600 hours of advanced practice placement. Advanced standing students finish 600 hours of field education. These supervised placements spread across two semesters each academic year and give students extensive hands-on clinical experience.

Students can also earn a certificate in Clinical Addiction Studies Counseling for specialized training in substance use treatment. Those interested in school social work can take extra courses toward their school social work license.

About the online program

ETSU’s 100% online MSW program got full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education in 2021. Students can now access quality social work education from anywhere. The program keeps the same high academic standards as on-campus classes but gives working professionals and non-traditional students more flexibility.

Students experience an engaging mix of live and self-paced learning in the online program. Live class meetings happen during late afternoons and evenings. This schedule works well for students who have jobs. Students move through the program as a group, which helps them build strong connections with classmates even in the virtual setting.

The online program delivers the same educational content as the on-campus version – only the way it’s taught is different. Faculty members stay committed to giving personal attention. Each student meets with their assigned advisor every semester to track progress and get support. This means online students receive the same high-quality education that makes the ETSU MSW program stand out.

Students learn practical skills they can use in real life. The program’s success shows in its impressive licensure exam rates:

• Masters-level licensure pass rate: 73% (compared to North American average of 61%)
• Clinical-level licensure pass rate: 62% (compared to North American average of 61%)

Students complete all coursework online, but field education needs in-person participation at agency settings. These placements usually follow regular 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM working hours. The program offers some flexibility through:

• Limited alternative hour placements outside regular working hours
• Options for employment-based field placements

Students with jobs and family commitments benefit most from the online format. MSW graduates can look forward to better career prospects. They earn about $13,000 more yearly than those with just a BSW.

The program focuses heavily on professional growth. Students can attend two annual conferences: the Self-Care Conference and Social Work Professional Development Conference. Teams from Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Nutrition, Public Health, and Speech-Language Pathology work together to emphasize interprofessional education.

Students need a laptop or PC for the program, and there’s no GRE requirement for admission. ETSU’s online MSW program stays true to educational excellence while making quality education available to more students through this well-laid-out yet flexible approach.

Accreditation

Quality assurance in social work education has accreditation as its foundation. The Master of Social Work program at ETSU holds full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This establishes the program’s alignment with the profession’s highest standards.

ETSU’s MSW program has managed to keep continuous CSWE accreditation since fall 2003. This achievement spans nearly two decades of recognized excellence in social work education. The university received full accreditation from CSWE to offer its MSW program online in March 2021. This expanded accreditation status shows the university’s dedication to high educational standards across all teaching formats.

CSWE accreditation is the gold standard in social work education. Your professional experience will benefit in several ways:

• You must graduate from a CSWE-accredited program to qualify for social work licensure examinations
• Your curriculum will meet nationally recognized quality and rigor standards
• Future employers get assurance about your educational preparation quality
• You can move smoothly between academic institutions for continuing education

ETSU’s MSW program reached several key milestones in its accreditation. The program earned candidacy for accreditation in 2004 after its 2003 establishment. The original accreditation came in 2007. ETSU has showed ongoing compliance with CSWE’s strict educational standards since then.

East Tennessee State University holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This allows the university to award baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. This institutional accreditation further verifies the university’s academic quality.

ETSU shows its dedication to preparing qualified social work professionals through both traditional and online programs. CSWE accreditation will give a clear path to meet educational requirements for professional licensure. This matters greatly when planning your career path toward becoming a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

The Department of Social Work at ETSU tracks Student Learning Outcomes regularly as part of its continued accreditation and program management. This ongoing assessment maintains program quality and keeps student education relevant to current professional needs.

Admission Requirements

ETSU’s MSW program admission combines requirements from both the Graduate School and Social Work Department. Students can submit their applications through the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies.

The key dates you need to remember are: February 1st for full consideration and funding, and March 1st as the final deadline for summer and fall admission. Most admission decisions take about a month after submission.

The Graduate School requires:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (3.0 for international students)
• One official transcript from each college attended
• Non-refundable application fee ($55 for domestic students, $65 for international)

The MSW Program looks at your academic preparation and professional potential with these additional requirements:

You need a GPA of 3.0 or higher in your last 60 semester credit hours (or 90 quarter hours), with an overall GPA of 2.75. Your education should include a liberal arts foundation with courses in English composition, literature, mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, and social/behavioral sciences.

You’ll need three reference letters that speak to your abilities and potential for graduate studies and professional practice. A detailed résumé showing your educational background, work/volunteer experience, and professional affiliations is required. The program also asks for a 150-300 word essay about your interest in ETSU’s MSW program.

Non-native English speakers must prove their language skills through these minimum test scores: TOEFL (79), IELTS (6.5), Duolingo (115), or PTE (53).

Your application should specify if you want Advanced Standing (for BSW holders from CSWE-accredited programs) or Traditional entry (for non-BSW degree holders). You also need to choose between the 100% online or main campus format.

The Graduate School won’t process incomplete applications. Make sure you submit all materials before the deadline.

Tuition

The cost of an MSW degree at ETSU needs careful financial planning. The program charges per credit hour, with rates that depend on where you live. Tennessee residents pay $672.00 per credit hour. Students from other states who enroll in the 100% online format pay a special eRate of $835.50 per credit hour instead of the standard out-of-state rate of $1513.00 per credit hour.

Your program track determines the total tuition cost. Tennessee residents in the Traditional Entry program need 63 credit hours and pay about $42,336 in tuition. Tennessee residents in the Advanced Standing track complete 37 credit hours and pay around $24,864 in tuition.

ETSU’s estimated total graduate costs for 2025-2026 range widely. In-state students living with family pay $27,123, while those living off-campus pay $38,503. Out-of-state students pay between $42,243 and $53,623 based on their living arrangements. These estimates include tuition for 9 credit hours per semester, living costs, books, transportation, and personal expenses.

Students have several ways to get financial help. ETSU provides some form of financial aid to 90% of its students. The Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship Initiative is a chance to receive up to $15,000 yearly. This scholarship helps Tennessee residents who pursue behavioral health master’s degrees.

Students from specific border counties pay reduced tuition. This benefit applies to residents from Virginia’s Grayson, Lee, Scott, and Washington counties. North Carolina residents from Ashe, Avery, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey counties also qualify.

Graduate students should plan for these yearly expenses beyond tuition:

• Books and supplies (estimated $1,170)
• Transportation costs (approximately $4,500)
• Personal expenses ($3,600-$6,984 based on living situation)

The MSW program requires a substantial investment. However, its shorter timeline and many financial aid options help make this career advancement step more achievable.

Additional Information

ETSU provides significant resources to support your MSW education. Student Support Services (SSS), a federally funded TRiO program, helps qualifying students with free tutoring and academic assistance. Students need to submit their recent tax returns or accurate income details if they haven’t filed taxes.

The university hosts two annual conferences that are a great way to get professional development experience: the Self-Care Conference and Social Work Professional Development Conference. These events help students connect with peers from Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and related healthcare fields.

Several scholarships can help reduce your financial costs. The Claude Green Jr. Memorial Scholarship offers $1,000 annually to students who need financial support. Students committed to serving underserved areas can apply for the Northeast Tennessee Behavioral Health Workforce Scholarship. Non-traditional women students can receive the Ellyn Lancaster Scholarship, a one-time award of $2,400.

Graduate assistantships provide tuition support and monthly stipends for nine months. Students can work in teaching, research, or administrative roles through these competitive positions.

Faculty members support students from their first day until graduation and beyond. ETSU really prepares students for professional practice, with masters-level licensure exam success rates at 73% compared to North America’s 61% average.