Tennessee Tech University announced on Mar. 23 that it will introduce a new Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program in fall 2027, alongside the opening of a free mental health clinic aimed at serving the Upper Cumberland region.
The university said these initiatives are intended to address rising needs for mental health and social services while expanding graduate education opportunities for local residents. The MSW program, approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission earlier this year, will be housed in the Department of Sociology and Political Science and led by Steven Seiler, professor of sociology, MSW program director, and director of Tech’s Center for Addiction Prevention and Support.
The new degree will be delivered primarily online in a hybrid format to accommodate working professionals. According to Seiler, “This project is really about making a positive social impact in the Upper Cumberland. The idea is to help fill gaps in access to mental health care while also producing social workers who will serve communities across this region.” He added that “the Upper Cumberland is, in many ways, a social work desert,” noting workforce shortages and growing demand for behavioral health services.
A $2.5 million grant from the Opioid Abatement Council will support both the first years of the MSW program and the community clinic operated by Tech’s Center for Addiction Prevention and Support (CAPS). The clinic is expected to open this fall at CAPS offices located at 10 W. Broad St., Cookeville’s WestSide. It will provide therapy services primarily for adults facing long wait times or financial barriers when seeking care. Graduate students enrolled in the MSW program may gain clinical training experience as supervised therapists within this facility.
In addition to its physical location, Tennessee Tech plans partnerships with organizations such as the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency to offer telehealth counseling throughout agency offices across all 14 counties in the region—particularly targeting rural areas where travel can be difficult.
Graduates from Tennessee Tech’s accredited MSW program are expected to pursue careers across behavioral health organizations, schools, courts, government agencies, healthcare systems, and nonprofits. The proposal received support from regional stakeholders including Putnam County Schools; Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee; Putnam County Regional Office of Children’s Services; among others.
Seiler concluded: “There’s such a need for support for people struggling with addiction and mental health challenges. If we can help provide a lifeline or create new pathways for care and support in this region, then we’re making a difference for our communities.”
