Social Work
Become a skilled social work practitioner, advocate, and leader. Prepare for meaningful impact today!
Social Work, M.S.W.
The Department of Social Work in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences at MTSU prepares students to serve as social work practitioners, scholars, and leaders who assist individuals, families, groups, and communities at the local, national, and international levels. Our faculty seeks to develop culturally informed, community-engaged students who promote social justice and respect for diversity and human rights through research, coursework, fieldwork, and public service.
Social Work program goals:
- To prepare a competent, diverse student population for advanced generalist social work practice based on professional values and ethics to serve client systems within each level of practice
- To provide the knowledge and skills necessary to promote the development of and advocacy for social policies and services that reduce the impact of poverty, oppression, and discrimination, and ensure social, environment, economic justice, and social justice across systems
- To provide a teaching environment that ensures the development of analytical skills and critical thinking as part of social work practice
- Support knowledge acquisition through active participation in the development, evaluation, and improvement of social work knowledge and skills via research aimed at advancing social work practice
- To promote the development of a multiple theoretical orientation applicable across systems and levels of practice that supports competency as advanced generalist social work professionals
- To provide an understanding of diversity and cultural competence, from a lens of cultural humility and with an emphasis on social justice, empowerment, and improving the well-being of people
- To instill in students the history, purpose and philosophical underpinning reflected in the profession of social work and develop professional leadership skills across service delivery systems
News Briefs
MTSU to host anti-human trafficking advocate Celia Williamson March 20
Middle Tennessee State University will host author and social justice advocate Celia Williamson for a public lecture on March 20 as part of the university’s observance of Social Work Month and National Women’s History Month.[ Read More ]
Rep. Behn pushes ‘policy change’ to address societal problems at MTSU lecture
Social work provided a back-door entrance into politics for newly elected state Rep. Aftyn Behn of Nashville, Tennessee, who spoke to a Middle Tennessee State University audience earlier this month about how to effect policy change. Behn, who earned a master’s in social work administration from the University of Texas at Austin, won the District [ Read More ]
News Briefs
MTSU to host anti-human trafficking advocate Celia Williamson March 20
Middle Tennessee State University will host author and social justice advocate Celia Williamson for a public lecture on March 20 as part of the university’s observance of Social Work Month and National Women’s History Month.[ Read More ]
Rep. Behn pushes ‘policy change’ to address societal problems at MTSU lecture
Social work provided a back-door entrance into politics for newly elected state Rep. Aftyn Behn of Nashville, Tennessee, who spoke to a Middle Tennessee State University audience earlier this month about how to effect policy change. Behn, who earned a master’s in social work administration from the University of Texas at Austin, won the District [ Read More ]
Social Work, M.S.W.
The demand for social workers has been projected to grow 19% overall in the decade through 2022 and varies by specialty area of employment. Social workers work in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, schools, child welfare and human service agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, residential treatment programs, and private practices. Mental health and substance abuse social workers are one of the two hottest careers in the state requiring a master’s degree, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor. Some possible professional paths for those with the Master of Social Work include
- Child and family social worker
- Clinical social worker
- Clinical therapist
- Geriatric social worker
- Healthcare social worker
- Hospice and palliative care social worker
- Medical social worker
- Mental health and substance abuse social worker
- School social worker
Employers of MTSU alumni include
- ACLU of Tennessee
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Behavioral Health Services
- Big Brothers and Big Sisters
- Catholic Charities
- Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center (Daniels Center)
- Child Advocacy Center
- Domestic Violence Program
- Drug Court
- Greenhouse Ministries
- Mental Health Court
- MTSU Disabled Student Services
- Murfreesboro City Schools
- Nashville Vet Center
- Planned Parenthood
- Probation and Parole
- Project Help
- Rutherford County Schools
- Sunnington Assisted Living
- Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth
- Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
Master's Degree in Social Work
The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree is offered through a program consisting of in-person classes, online classes, and internships.
Applicants:
- need an overall GPA of 2.75 from undergraduate classes
- should have completed basic liberal arts coursework as an undergraduate, which is usually fulfilled by meeting general education requirements
- are required to submit an essay and three letters of recommendation along with the application and the signed contract
Applications are due by Jan. 31 for prospective students interested in a fall admission.
Applications are due by October 15 for prospective students interested in a spring admission.
Practicum education is an essential element of the graduate-level social work program. Master’s candidates gain intensive experience from a 400-hour foundation placement (for those who enter the program without advanced standing) and a 500-hour concentration placement (for all M.S.W. students).
Students can be considered for advanced standing if they have an undergraduate degree in Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Both the M.S.W. and B.S.W. programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and qualify the graduates for state licensure as a social worker.
Undergraduate
The Department of Social Work also offers the undergraduate Bachelor of Social Work degree. An undergraduate minor is available in Social Welfare, and the department participates in an interdisciplinary minor in Health Care Services.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
The Master of Social Work (MSW) in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Admission to the MSW does not guarantee that students will pass the Association of Social Work Boards Exam (ASWB Exam) or obtain a social worker license. Successful completion of the 60-hour MSW meets the educational requirements to sit for the Association of Social Work Boards Exam (ASWB Exam) and seek licensure as a Master’s Social Worker in Tennessee.
Licensing authorities for each state set and enforce their own requirements and standards, which are subject to change. The MSW disclosure provided on MTSU’s professional licensure disclosure website indicates the states and territories where MTSU has determined, through reasonable and good faith effort, that the program does or does not meet the educational requirements for other US states and territories. Current and prospective students not located in Tennessee or who plan to seek licensure or certification outside the state of Tennessee should contact the appropriate state licensing agency or board and discuss their plans with an advisor before enrolling in the program to ensure they have the most up-to-date information and guidance regarding licensure requirements.
Accreditation
The Middle Tennessee State University Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation.
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact the Council of Social Work Education for information about accreditation.
Core Competencies (Assessment)
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior (Goal 1)
- Engage diversity and difference in practice (Goal 2)
- Advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice (Goal 3)
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice (Goal 4)
- Engage in Policy Practice (Goal 5)
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (Goal 6)
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (Goal 6)
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (Goal 6)
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (Goal 6)
Resources
- Apply to the College of Graduate Studies
- Master of Social Work Admissions Process
- MSW Program Application
- MSW Application Reference Form
- MSW Student Handbook and Practicum Guide
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