Tennessee · Verified October 2026
Social Work Programs in Tennessee
Where Can You Earn a BSW in Tennessee, and Can You Be Licensed With It?
19 schools in Tennessee offer a CSWE bachelor of social work, including Austin Peay State University, Belmont University and East Tennessee State University. 5 options are online. In-state tuition and fees at Tennessee public universities start at $8,568 a year (2023-24). Tennessee licenses BSW graduates as the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW).
- First years: general education and intro coursesPsychology, sociology, human biology, intro to social work
- Apply to the social work majorUsually in the second year, with a GPA minimum
- Senior field practicumAt least 400 supervised hours in an agency
- License: LBSW (ASWB Bachelors)Or an MSW in about a year with advanced standing
- CSWE BSW schools
- 19
- BSW options
- 21
- online options
- 5
- lowest public in-state tuition, 2023-24
- $8,568
- BSW license
- LBSW
Does Tennessee License BSW Graduates?
Yes: the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- License
- Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- Degree required
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a program accredited by CSWE at the time the degree was granted
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
From Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure (Tennessee Department of Health), reviewed 2026-09-30. Tennessee board of social work · BSW license checker
Tennessee BSW Schools Compared
| School | Formats | CSWE | Tuition and fees, 2023-24 | Transfer or completion | Own MSW with advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State UniversityNashville · Public | Hybrid | CSWE | $8,568$22,284 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville · Public | Campus | CSWE | $8,675$14,219 out-of-state | Yes | |
| Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro · Public | Campus | CSWE | $9,506$29,042 out-of-state | Yes | |
| East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $9,950$13,790 out-of-state | Yes | |
| The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga · Public | CSWE | $10,144$18,208 out-of-state | Yes | Yes | |
| The University of Tennessee-MartinMartin · Public | Campus | CSWE | $10,208$16,248 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| University of MemphisMemphis · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $10,344$14,784 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville · Public | Campus, Online | CSWE | $13,484$31,974 out-of-state | Yes | Yes |
| Freed-Hardeman UniversityHenderson · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $25,000 | ||
| Southern Adventist UniversityCollegedale · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $25,590 | Yes | Yes |
| Lincoln Memorial UniversityHarrogate · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $26,150 | Yes | |
| Tennessee Wesleyan UniversityAthens · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $29,264 | Yes | |
| Trevecca Nazarene UniversityNashville · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $29,790 | Yes | |
| King UniversityBristol · Private nonprofit | Online | CSWE | $34,800 | Yes | Yes |
| Union UniversityJackson · Private nonprofit | Campus, Online | CSWE | $38,450 | Yes | |
| Lipscomb UniversityNashville · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $38,824 | ||
| Milligan UniversityMilligan · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $39,350 | Yes | |
| Belmont UniversityNashville · Private nonprofit | Campus | CSWE | $41,320 | Yes | |
| Le Moyne-Owen CollegeMemphis · Private nonprofit | Campus | Candidacy | $12,076 |
Programs from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026; CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Tuition and fees are the federal figures for a full-time undergraduate year, 2023-24 (NCES College Navigator).
Every BSW Program in Tennessee
21 programs in Tennessee
- FormatOn campus500-hour practicumTuition$11,560per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline500-hour practicumTuition$13,484per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at University of Memphis
University of Memphis school profile · MemphisFormatOn campus, Online400-hour practicumTuition$490per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University school profile · MurfreesboroFormatOn campus425-hour practicumTuition$11,424per year · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University school profile · Johnson CityFormatOn campus, Online430-hour practicumTuition$487per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University school profile · ClarksvilleFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$331per credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE- FormatOnlineTuition$16,000published totalAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga school profile · ChattanoogaFormat–Tuition$10,144per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$41,170per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOnline424-hour practicumTuition$605per creditAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$11,148per year · resident rate · with feesAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$45,200per year · with feesAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University school profile · NashvilleFormatHybridTuition$8,568per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 (in-state) · NCESAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at Southern Adventist University
Southern Adventist University school profile · CollegedaleFormatOn campusTuition$28,900per yearAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Social Work at Freed-Hardeman University
Freed-Hardeman University school profile · HendersonFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$27,050per yearAccreditationCSWEBachelor of Science in Social Work at Trevecca Nazarene University
Trevecca Nazarene University school profile · NashvilleFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$29,790per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campus450-hour practicumTuition$44,486per year · with feesAccreditationCSWE
Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Le Moyne-Owen College
Le Moyne-Owen College school profile · MemphisFormatOn campus400-hour practicumTuition$11,328per yearAccreditationCandidacyBachelor of Science in Social Work at Lincoln Memorial University
Lincoln Memorial University school profile · HarrogateFormatOn campusTuition$27,360per yearAccreditationCSWE- FormatOn campusTuition$31,820per yearAccreditationCSWE
- FormatOn campusTuition$39,350per year, tuition and fees 2023-24 · NCESAccreditationCSWE
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed October 2026. Tuition is the program's own published rate where the school states one; otherwise it's the school's federal undergraduate tuition and fees for a full-time year, 2023-24 (in-state at public universities), from NCES College Navigator. "Resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What a BSW Costs in Tennessee
By the federal figures for 2023-24, tuition and fees at Tennessee's BSW schools run from $8,568 at Tennessee State University to $41,320 at Belmont University; the Tennessee median is $25,000, against $13,212 nationally. Public universities charge residents less: 8 of 19 schools here are public.
| School | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State University tuitionPublic | $8,568 | $22,284 |
| Austin Peay State University tuitionPublic | $8,675 | $14,219 |
| Middle Tennessee State University tuitionPublic | $9,506 | $29,042 |
| East Tennessee State University tuitionPublic | $9,950 | $13,790 |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga tuitionPublic | $10,144 | $18,208 |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin tuitionPublic | $10,208 | $16,248 |
| University of Memphis tuitionPublic | $10,344 | $14,784 |
| Le Moyne-Owen College tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $12,076 | $12,076 |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville tuitionPublic | $13,484 | $31,974 |
| Freed-Hardeman University tuitionPrivate nonprofit | $25,000 | $25,000 |
Full-time undergraduate tuition and required fees, 2023-24 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS). Compare schools side by side with the BSW cost comparison.
From a BSW to an MSW in Tennessee
10 Tennessee schools also run an MSW that admits BSW graduates with advanced standing, usually about a year of study instead of two: Belmont University, East Tennessee State University, King University, Middle Tennessee State University, Southern Adventist University and The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and 4 more. Advanced standing is open to graduates of any CSWE BSW, so you can also move to another school.
How BSW-to-MSW advanced standing works · Find a same-school MSW route
Largest BSW Programs in Tennessee
By BSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), The University of Tennessee-Knoxville has Tennessee's largest program, followed by University of Memphis and Middle Tennessee State University. Size tells you how many classmates and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
Online BSW Options for Tennessee Residents
Beyond Tennessee's own schools, 127 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll Tennessee residents and arrange your field practicum in Tennessee.
| Lowest published per-credit rates, same for every state | Per credit |
|---|---|
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS)Bachillerato en Artes con Concentración en Trabajo Social (BATS) · Puerto Rico | $207 |
| University of the Cumberlands: Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), OnlineBachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW), Online · Kentucky | $220 |
| Avila University: Bachelor of Social Work OnlineBachelor of Social Work Online · Missouri | $300 |
| Charter Oak State College: Bachelor of Science in Social WorkBachelor of Science in Social Work · Connecticut | $329 |
| Briar Cliff University: Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion)Bachelor of Social Work (online degree completion) · Iowa | $340 |
| Capella University: Bachelor of Social WorkBachelor of Social Work · Minnesota | $350 |
Compare every option on the online BSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Pay for BSW Jobs in Tennessee
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median | Jobs in Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,310 | $59,550 | 7,870 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $40,310 | $45,930 | 4,380 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,010 | $66,270 | 2,120 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $88,240 | $80,390 | 2,770 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with a BSW.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many BSW Programs Are in Tennessee?
19 schools in Tennessee run a BSW that CSWE lists as accredited or in candidacy, 21 options in all, each checked on the school's own site in October 2026.
Can You Be Licensed With a BSW in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure (Tennessee Department of Health) issues the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), which requires the ASWB Bachelors exam. It's a license for generalist practice; independent clinical practice needs an MSW, supervised experience and a clinical license.
Can Tennessee Residents Earn a BSW Online?
Yes. 5 Tennessee options are offered online, and 127 online BSW options at schools in other states accept students from many states; confirm each school can enroll Tennessee residents and place you in a field practicum in Tennessee. Online BSW programs.
What Is the Most Affordable BSW in Tennessee?
By federal figures for 2023-24, the lowest in-state tuition and fees at a Tennessee public university with a CSWE BSW are at Tennessee State University ($8,568), Austin Peay State University ($8,675) and Middle Tennessee State University ($9,506). Grants lower most students' price further.
Nearby States
- Social work programs in Alabama15 schools
- Social work programs in Arkansas10 schools
- Social work programs in Georgia11 schools
- Social work programs in Kentucky14 schools
- Social work programs in Missouri15 schools
- Social work programs in Mississippi10 schools
- Social work programs in North Carolina23 schools
- Social work programs in Virginia14 schools
- All States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 19 Tennessee schools listed, reviewed October 2026
- Tennessee Board of Social Worker Licensure (Tennessee Department of Health)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS: 2022-23 completions and 2023-24 tuition and fees
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025