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Tennessee · MSW programs by city

Best MSW Programs near Nashville, TN (2026)

Last updated

Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS

Nashville, Tennessee (population 687,788) has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs based in the city , with 2 more accredited programs within about 60 miles. 7 Tennessee programs also offer an online option. Every program below is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the requirement for Tennessee licensure.

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Best MSW programs in Nashville, TN

Accredited programs with a campus in Nashville, TN, ranked by our five-factor model. National and online rank badges appear only for programs in the top 25 (nationally, or among online programs).

  1. #1 In Nashville, TN National #23 Online #23

    University of Tennessee at Knoxville

    Knoxville, TN, TN · CSWE-accredited since 1945  ·  Online or On-Campus

    8.9

    2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option

    Why it ranks here

    University of Tennessee at Knoxville has held CSWE accreditation since 1945, 81 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Knoxville, TN; Nashville, TN). It records 2 concentrations (Clinical or Direct Practice; Organizational Leadership). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 2 dual-degree options and 4 embedded certificates.

    Concentrations

    Clinical or Direct Practice, Organizational Leadership

    Program website CSWE directory

    Five-factor score breakdown

    • Accreditation longevity (30%) 10.0
    • Pathways & laddering (22%) 10.0
    • Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
    • Delivery format (18%) 9.0
    • Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
  2. #2 In Nashville, TN

    Tennessee State University

    Nashville, TN, TN · CSWE-accredited since 2009  ·  On-Campus

    5.5

    1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus Carnegie R2

    Why it ranks here

    Tennessee State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2009, 17 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Nashville, TN). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Its home institution holds a Carnegie R2 classification for high research activity.

    Concentrations

    Advanced Generalist

    Program website CSWE directory

    Five-factor score breakdown

    • Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.0
    • Pathways & laddering (22%) 4.7
    • Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 7.5
    • Delivery format (18%) 4.0
    • Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0

Best MSW programs near Nashville, TN

Accredited programs whose nearest campus is within about 60 miles of Nashville, TN, ranked by our five-factor model. Each card shows the campus city and straight-line distance from the city center.

  1. #1 Clarksville · ~41 mi

    Austin Peay State University

    Clarksville, TN, TN · CSWE-accredited since 2009  ·  Online or On-Campus

    5.9

    2 concentrations ✓ Advanced Standing Online option

    Why it ranks here

    Austin Peay State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2009, 17 years of standing as of 2026. The MSW is offered both online and on campus (Clarksville, TN). It records 2 concentrations (Advanced Generalist; Trauma). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time.

    Concentrations

    Advanced Generalist, Trauma

    Program website CSWE directory

    Five-factor score breakdown

    • Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.0
    • Pathways & laddering (22%) 5.9
    • Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
    • Delivery format (18%) 7.0
    • Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0
  2. #2 Murfreesboro · ~30 mi

    Middle Tennessee State University

    Murfreesboro, TN, TN · CSWE-accredited since 2009  ·  On-Campus

    5.5

    1 concentration ✓ Advanced Standing On-campus

    Why it ranks here

    Middle Tennessee State University has held CSWE accreditation since 2009, 17 years of standing as of 2026. The program is delivered on campus (Murfreesboro, TN). It records 1 concentration (Advanced Generalist). An Advanced Standing track is available for qualified BSW holders. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. The program also offers 1 dual-degree option and 1 embedded certificate.

    Concentrations

    Advanced Generalist

    Program website CSWE directory

    Five-factor score breakdown

    • Accreditation longevity (30%) 4.0
    • Pathways & laddering (22%) 6.5
    • Prestige (Carnegie research tier) (18%) 5.0
    • Delivery format (18%) 4.0
    • Schedule flexibility (12%) 10.0

Online MSW programs available in Nashville, TN

Tennessee-based CSWE-accredited programs with an online option, which Nashville, TN residents can complete from home. See the full online MSW ranking for national options.

Institution Accredited Adv. Standing Natl.
University of Tennessee at Knoxville 1945 Yes #23
University of Memphis 2011 Yes #78
East Tennessee State University 2003 Yes #136
Union University 2008 Yes #162
Austin Peay State University 2009 Yes #200
Southern Adventist University 2010 Yes #213
King University 2021 Yes #309

How much do social workers make in Nashville, TN in 2026?

Nashville, Tennessee sits within the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, the labor market that sets pay and demand for its social workers. Across specialties, the area employs roughly 5,870 social workers , and the best-paid specialty here is healthcare social workers at a $65,040 median. Figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program (May 2025).

Occupation Employed Median wage Typical range (10th–90th)
Healthcare social workers 2,210 $65,040 $44,940 – $85,430
Mental health & substance abuse social workers 800 $48,630 $42,140 – $71,260
Child, family & school social workers 2,240 $55,630 $40,750 – $75,440
Social workers, all other 620 $58,780 $41,520 – $119,290
Social & community service managers (macro) 1,200 $89,840 $62,140 – $148,660

How local pay compares

Child, family & school social workers around Nashville, TN earn a median of $55,630 versus $56,310 statewide in Tennessee and $67,310 nationally. That is below the Tennessee median.

Where do social workers work in Nashville, TN in 2026?

Nashville, Tennessee sits in Davidson County. Organizations in and around the city that commonly employ MSW-level social workers include:

  • Mental Health Cooperative
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center and HCA TriStar Health
  • Metro Nashville Public Schools
  • Centerstone
  • Tennessee Department of Children’s Services

Representative local employers known to operate in the area; illustrative, not an exhaustive or BLS-sourced list.

Nationally, BLS projects social worker employment to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, driven by demand in healthcare and mental-health settings. Macro roles such as social and community service managers are projected to grow alongside them. See pay by role in our career guides.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) for Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN; employment projections from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Wages are annual medians.

What kind of social work license do I need in Nashville, TN?

After an MSW from Nashville, TN or anywhere, these are the Tennessee social work licenses, per ASWB. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for each.

License Education Supervised hours Exam
Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW) Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work 3000 hours Advanced Generalist
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) Bachelor of Social Work — Bachelors
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Doctorate of Social Work or Master of Social Work 3000 hours Clinical
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Master of Social Work or Doctorate of Social Work — Masters

Source: ASWB social work licensure database. Verify current requirements with the Tennessee state board before applying.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many CSWE-accredited MSW programs are in Nashville, TN?
Nashville, Tennessee has 2 CSWE-accredited MSW programs with a campus in the city, plus 2 more within about 60 miles. All are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the prerequisite for social work licensure in Tennessee.
How much do social workers earn in Nashville, TN?
Social work wages in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area vary by specialty. Healthcare social workers are the best paid at a $65,040 annual median, while mental health and substance abuse social workers earn about $48,630. See the full wage table above. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Can I earn an MSW online from Nashville, TN?
Yes. 7 CSWE-accredited Tennessee MSW programs offer an online option you can complete from Nashville, TN, and additional out-of-state online programs are available nationally. Online CSWE-accredited degrees carry the same accreditation and licensure eligibility as on-campus programs.
What license do MSW graduates need in Tennessee?
Tennessee issues the LAPSW and LBSW and LCSW and LMSW. The LCSW requires a CSWE-accredited MSW, supervised post-degree hours, and the ASWB Clinical exam. See the licensure summary above and our credentials guide.

MSW programs in other Tennessee cities

Clarksville, TN 1 in · 2 near Memphis, TN 1 in · 1 near Knoxville, TN 1 in · 0 near Chattanooga, TN 1 in · 0 near

See all Tennessee cities →

Sources

Last updated 2026-06-12. "Near" means a program campus within 60 straight-line miles of the city center.