Social Work Degree Programs in New Mexico

social-work-degrees-new-mexicoIf you are searching for social work degrees in New Mexico to help open professional doors in this helping profession, then you will be happy to learn that there are seven programs that have been given the stamp of approval by the highly respected Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) within the state's borders. Situated in the southwestern region of the United States, New Mexico is home to some of the top-ranked universities in the Southwest offering social work degree programs.

Not only does the "Land of Enchantment" offer unparalleled views of breathtaking natural landscapes, the state presents the perfect opportunity for social workers to work with diverse multicultural communities in both urban and rural settings. For those who have received the calling to promote social justice within a vibrant mix of Native American and Hispanic cultures, the following are the undergraduate and graduate social work degrees that are available in New Mexico.

Online Social Work Programs For You

Eastern New Mexico University

Department of Health and Human Services

Based on a 344-acre rural campus in the town of Portales with satellite locations in Roswell and Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University is designated as a comprehensive public Hispanic-serving institution. As the state's largest regional university with a diverse community of over 5,850 students, ENMU is consistently recognized for being in the top 10% lowest tuition of the 81 public colleges in the southwestern region. The Department of Health and Human Services is committed to offering quality programs in the expanding fields of speech-language pathology/audiology, nursing, and social work to meet our society's complex health needs.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

With the mission of preparing graduates to enhance human well-being, alleviate poverty, fight against social injustice, and promote respect for human diversity, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program follows the curriculum guidelines established by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to produce competent, caring, effective, and ethical social work practitioners. The program is designed to provide the basic knowledge and skills needed for entry-level generalist roles in mental health centers, child welfare agencies, community-based organizations, medical facilities, schools, youth services, courts, military bases, and other social service providers. The two-year program for college juniors and seniors is offered on-campus in Portales as well as through distance learning formats, but all students must travel to campus two to three times each semester for in-person class meetings.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)

Contact Information

1500 South Avenue K
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 562-2504
[email protected]
Program Website

New Mexico Highlands University

School of Social Work

Headquartered on a 20-acre rural campus in the city of Las Vegas in San Miguel County with statewide centers scattered across Albuquerque, Española, Farmington, Raton, Rio Rancho, Roswell, and Santa Fe, New Mexico Highlands University is a comprehensive public institution of higher learning in the liberal arts and sciences. As the oldest school devoted to the social work profession in the state and one of the oldest schools accredited by the CSWE in the Southwest, the School of Social Work is nationally acclaimed for offering the 187th best graduate social work degree program in the entire country by the U.S. News and World Report.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Ideal for undergraduate students who are seeking a rewarding career that promotes social change, advocates respect of cultural differences, and makes a difference in improving the well-being of vulnerable populations, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program prepares students for entry-level generalist social work practice. Along with the required 52 credit hours of combined junior and senior-level major courses, students must complete at least 448 hours of supervised field practicum to obtain direct work experience with a specific target population. With a significant focus on multicultural practice, the curriculum provides graduates with the knowledge, skills, values, and ethics needed to become an influential social worker that empowers others for social action in today's ever-changing diverse society.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Grounded in advanced social work values and evidence-based practice to foster strengths as well as respond to human service needs of oppressed communities, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares students to practice social work sensitively and competently in diverse multicultural populations of the Southwest. Although the program is primarily hosted at the Highlands campus in Las Vegas, courses can also be taken at the Albuquerque, Farmington, Rio Rancho, and Roswell locations, which are within close proximity to one or more of the 19 Native American pueblos in the state. Within the 60-credit two-year program, students are given the opportunity to practice social work among Hispanic and Native American cultures, in either rural or urban settings, before graduation.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)

Contact Information

1005 Diamond St.
Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 454-3307
[email protected]
Program Website

New Mexico State University

School of Social Work

Founded in 1888 as the state's elite comprehensive public land-grant research institution, New Mexico State University is based on a vast 3,500-acre urban campus in the heart of Las Cruces within just 50 miles north of the Mexican border. Home to a vibrant mix of cultures with a headcount of over 17,000 students of all ethnic backgrounds, NMSU is currently ranked as the 190th best college and 108th top public school in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the School of Social Work has been distinguished as having the 130th best graduate social work degree programs in the United States.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Intended to provide academic and field work experiences to prepare undergraduate students for beginning entry-level generalist social work practice with an emphasis on the cultural diversity of the Southwest, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is built on the strengths perspective and empowerment principles to promote well-being of all system levels. Within the 128-credit program that requires 54 upper-division social work credits, students will engage in coursework on social work practice, socio-cultural concepts, human behavior, social environments, social policy, social work research, group processes, and service learning. Students must also complete a minimum of 480 clock hours in the same social service practicum over the two semesters of the senior year.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Building on the liberal arts' perspective and foundation courses, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program is focused on advanced generalist social work practice with cultural responsiveness to the unique needs of diverse populations within the Southwest. In order to prepare students with the advanced knowledge and skills needed to work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations, the program requires the completion of at least 60 credits in two years full-time or three years part-time at the Las Cruces and Albuquerque campus locations. Students who have received a BSW degree from an accredited institution within the last five years may also be eligible for Advanced Standing status to complete half the credits and earn the degree in just 15 months.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)

Contact Information

1335 International Mall
P.O. Box 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003
(575) 646-2143
[email protected]
Program Website

Western New Mexico University

Department of Social Work

Established as a comprehensive public co-educational institution to provide affordable and accessible degree programs to over 4,000 students, Western New Mexico University is strategically located on an 80-acre rural campus in Silver City with satellite locations in Deming, Gallup, Lordsburg, and the Gardner Learning Center. Within the College of Health and Human Services, the Department of Social Work is committed to preparing culturally-competent generalist practitioners who are able to effectively understand, address, and overcome the mechanisms of individual and institutional discrimination to advocate for social justice.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) so that graduates have the eligibility needed to sit for licensure in any region of the United States, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is designed to prepare entry-level generalist social work practitioners for providing needed services to diverse multicultural and multilingual populations in the surrounding rural communities. Following the framework provided through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the curriculum aims to deliver the knowledge and skills students will need to promote social and economic justice on behalf of people in the Southwest. Available throughout New Mexico in Silver City, Gallup, Deming, and Lordsburg, the 120-credit program offers courses through a combination of online, face-to-face and live-streaming distance learning formats to meet the needs of all students.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Designed to prepare licensed social workers for more advanced leadership roles in providing social services to individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities, the Master of Social Work (MSW) program is focused primarily on producing rural practitioners for serving the multicultural populations of the surrounding counties. While most of the coursework is provided online, some may be offered in small-class sections via web conferencing or on-campus during evening hours. Students can choose to complete the 66-credit program on a full-time basis within two years or on a part-time basis within three years. Applicants are required to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, paid or voluntary experience in the field, and an undergraduate record of academic achievement for admissions.

Accreditations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)

Contact Information

Phelps Dodge Room 224
1000 West College Avenue
Silver City, NM 88062
(575) 538-6323
[email protected]
Program Website

Earning a bachelor's or master's degree in social work that has been approved by the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) is the most essential step towards obtaining the knowledge, skills, connections, ethics, experiences, and credentials needed to assume in-demand roles in the growing field of social work. Whether you are a native New Mexican or are drawn to the cultural vibrancy of the Southwest, be sure to check out these top-notch social work degrees in New Mexico to start helping diverse at-risk populations in improving their social well-being.