Review of University of Tennessee's MSSW Program (2023)
Kristin is an alumna of The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The University of Tennessee’s Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program is located in Knoxville. The school is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Name: Kristin Moore
In person, online, or hybrid program: Technically in person, but my whole first year of grad school was online through Zoom due to COVID.
Tuition: $751.00 per credit hour for in-state graduate students
Traditional or Advanced Standing: Traditional. I have a BS in Psychology.
Where is your most recent field placement? My last field placement in grad school was at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine in the Veterinary Social Work office. I am currently working as a mental health therapist at Harmony Acres Equestrian Center in Western Colorado.
What made you choose your MSW program? The Veterinary Social Work certificate is the reason I chose the University of Tennessee's MSSW program. I had done research on the human-animal bond in undergrad and was interested in further pursuing that niche.
Who was your favorite instructor? An instructor that I had for two classes and also had the privilege of being my supervisor was Christy Hickman. I would say she is the instructor I got to know the best.
What was your favorite class? I love research, so both my research class with Dr. Bamwine and Dr. Ravi were two of my favorites.
What was your favorite place to study on campus? Libraries are always my favorite place to study.
What was the best thing about your academic program? I loved the research and interdisciplinary aspect of UT. I had the opportunity of doing research with Dr. Ravi and Dr. Strand, as well as audit a class on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and be a part of the College of Veterinary Medicine through my VSW field placement.
What are you listening to today? Strangers No More by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors has been my go-to album recently.
Where do you see yourself in three to five years? What are your goals? Hopefully in three years I will have all my hours completed and have taken the exam to get my LCSW (one thing to keep in mind when moving to another state for clinical work—hours, supervision, and additional exams like jurisprudence may change from the state you get your degree in).
After getting more experience in the field of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP), I hope to be able to go back for my PhD and pursue research and teaching on AAP and the human-animal bond to continue growing and validating the significance of the field.
Advice to applicants: Allow yourself to be heard and listen to understand. We all have different passions and experiences and those are significant in an MSW program, especially at UT. Grad school is just as much about what you can learn from each other as it is about what you learn from textbooks.
For more information: Click here for more information about the Veterinary Social Work Program at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Thank you, Kristin!
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