Social Work

Overview

Check out these informational videos from the Program Coordinator:

• Why you should pursue a Master of Social Work
• Why you should choose ETSU
• Learn more about the curriculum
  
  
  
  
  
• Learn more about the admissions process and criteria
• Learn more about costs and financial assistance opportunities

The Master of Social Work program offers two tracks for program completion:

Cost

Credits to complete this program: 37 to 63 credit hours depending on entry

Read more about cost, paying for courses, scholarship options and financial aid.

Steps to Apply

• Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

  Step 1   Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option

  

• Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

  Step 2  Sign into the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"

  

• Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields

  Step 3   Choose "Graduate," select your student type (domestic or international), select "Master's," term, then choose  Social Work and complete the remainder of the form.

  

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15+ Things you should know about ETSU's MSW program:

1. Clinical social work concentration available
2. Prepares students for clinical licensure
3. No GRE Required for Admission
4. Operates in a cohort model
5. Mix of asynchronous and evening synchronous learning. A laptop or PC is required.
6. Field experiences incorporated into the learning
7. Will expand your social work knowledge base
8. All faculty have professional social work practice experience
9. Better earning potential! MSW salaries are $13,000+ higher than BSW salaries.
   Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections
   
   
10. Students are prepared to leave and pass licensure exams:
    • 
      
      
      
      Masters-level licensure pass rate total: 73%
    • North American pass rates: 61%
    • 
      Clinical-level licensure pass rates total: 62%
    • North American pass rates total: 61%
11. Social Work is a growing profession:
    
    
    
    • 16% Growth Projected 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
      
      Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections
12. Two conference attendances a year:
    
    
    • Self-Care Conference
    • Social Work Professional Development Conference
13. Department houses certificate in Clinical Addiction Studies
14. Focused on equipping students with tools they can and will use in their careers
15. Faculty conduct research on best practices in the field to better their classroom experiences
16. Interprofessional Education (IPE) - teams with Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Nutrition, Public Health, and Speech Language Pathology

Frequently Asked Questions

• What accreditations apply to this program?

  This program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• What are the job prospects with this degree?

  16% Growth Projected 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

   

  Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections
• Does a student's undergraduate degree have to be related to this field? What are the prerequisites?

  A Bachelor of Social Work is required for the Advanced Track entry. 

  The Traditional Track entry is for applicants with non-Social Work bachelor’s degrees from accredited universities.

• Does this program require the GRE (and/or GMAT)?

  No, the GRE is not required.
• Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous?

  This program is delivered through a combination of asynchronous and synchronous formats. Students must use a laptop or PC to participate and complete assignments.
• What percentage of synchronous courses should I expect to have?

  Most classes will have at least some synchronous meetings, with the advanced practice courses meeting every week. 
• What are the traditional meeting times for the synchronous courses, and how often are they held?

  Typically, the synchronous courses meet at 6:00 p.m. EST approximately once a week.
• Are there any on-campus requirements, meetings, orientations, etc.?

  No, there are no on-campus requirements for this program.
• Does this program require a dissertation, field work, internship, and/or thesis?

  Field work is required. Advanced Standing students (those with a BSW) have one internship of 600 hours over 2 semesters and Traditional students (those without a BSW) have two internships—one for 480 hours over 2 semesters and one of 600 hours over 2 semesters. The 480 hours works out to about 16 hours/week and the 600 hours works out to about 20 hours/week.
• Is this program designed to meet the needs of adults who work full-time and/or have family obligations?

  Since this program can be taken 100% online, it is ideal for those with existing professional and/or familial obligations.
• What is the time to completion for full-time students?

  Full-time students pursuing the traditional entry tract typically take 2 years to complete the program. Those pursuing the advanced standing track typically complete the program in 1 year. 
  
  
• What is the time to completion for part-time students?

  Part-time students pursuing the traditional entry track typically take 4 years to complete the program. Those pursing the advanced standing track typically complete the program in 2 years. 
• Is there a plan of study/course schedule available to review for the full-time and part-time options?

  Yes—please visit the respective tabs above to view the programs of study. 
• Does the college/department offer scholarships? 

  • While the department does not offer scholarships, there are some social-work specific scholarship opportunities through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. 
  • The department has 1 full-time GA (and several part-time) as well as 2 tuition scholarships. Students must be full-time to qualify.
  • Students are also encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.