BSW Certifications and Licensures
Social work is a profession with opportunities in various settings.
LBSW Licensure Information
The Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) is the first level of licensure in the social work profession. This LBSW licensure can assist social work professionals with gaining the experience and subsequent knowledge and skills needed to progress to advanced licensure and practice. Graduates of the UTC BSW program are eligible to apply for this licensure.
Tennessee Licensure Chart→
Board of Social Workers→
TN Child Welfare Initiative
In an effort to strengthen public welfare services in the State of Tennessee, the UTC Department of Social Work supports special educational opportunities that emphasize public welfare practice. Students who wish to work in public child welfare to ensure safe, permanent, and nurturing families for children are encouraged to apply.
Students selected for the program are eligible for a monetary service award per year, but must complete an application to the program and undergo an interview with the selection committee to determine suitability for this work.
Students accepted into the Child Welfare Stipend Program must complete SOCW 3230 and SOCW 4230 as part of the certification process. Stipend students will complete their field education hours in the TN Department of Children’s Services (DCS) agency.
Upon graduation, students are usually employed in a DCS agency within the state of Tennessee. For each year students receive a stipend from DCS, they must complete a year of work for the agency post-graduation. Students interested in pursuing the TN Child Welfare Stipend should talk with the Director of Field in the Social Work program.
Additional Details→
School Social Work Certification
The Social Work program offers the School Social Work & Law course as an upper division elective. This course is required of students seeking the School Social Work certification. Upon completion of the course, students are to compile the following documents and submit to the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies certifying officer. Students that have taken the School Social Work & Law course will be given priority placement in HCDE over students that have not taken the course as placement spots become available in the local school system.
- A completed School Social Work Personal Affirmation form
- Completed information form (attached)
- Documentation of Experience (field placement within a school system, delivery of social work services in an education setting, or experience working with families and children) verified by a reference letter from a supervisor
- Transcripts documenting the receipt of your BSW/MSW degree
- Official electronic PDF transcript from UTC (request to be emailed to the certifying office from Records)
- Official transcripts from all other institutions attended emailed to the Program Director by the institution (preferable) or mailed to Program Director
Gerontology minor
The interdisciplinary minor in Gerontology is designed to help undergraduate students cultivate an understanding of the many facets of the aging process, including the biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of adult development and aging. The knowledge and skills gained through this coursework will equip students to work with older adults, caregivers and community stakeholders in various practice settings. Additional details about the gerontology minor is found on the Bachelors of Integrated Studies webpage.