Master of Social Work

Las Cruces Campus and Albuquerque

The Concentration

The specialization in the Master of Social Work Program at New Mexico State University is advanced generalist social work practice with populations of the Southwest. Building on the liberal arts' perspective and foundation courses, students develop advanced skills and knowledge in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. These advanced skills and knowledge incorporate cultural responsiveness to the needs of populations of the Southwest, and addresses client systems in the context of social, cultural, community, and other environmental factors. This, collaborative practice approach is built on the foundation of social work values.

Social work education is built on two components, classroom education and field practice experience. Students need to be aware of the time commitment required to attend school.

• Students in the full time program will have four academic courses each semester and a practicum.
• Part time students take two academic courses per semester and in their last two years fulfill the practicum requirements.
• The field practice component requires students to spend specified hours in a social service agency each week.
• First year students are in the field for a total of 450 hours over two semesters.
• Second year students are in the field for a total of 500 hours over two semesters.
• This breaks down to approximately 15-18 hours a week in their field practice experience.

Thus, given the demands of 24 hours per week doing direct school work and time needed for studying, part time students will find it difficult to worka full 40 per week job.

If these are issues you have questions about, you are urged to discuss them with the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Alice Chornesky (575) 646-2846 in advance of your completing the application. While we do not want to discourage students from making application to our programs, we do want to fully inform you of the heavy time demands for both full time and part time students.

The curriculum has been designed according to the requirements of the Council on Social Work Education. The educational model upon which the Program is built proposes that there are two levels of social work education foundation and an advanced concentration. A common core of social work values, knowledge and methods unifies practice at both levels. The foundation is centered on values, knowledge, and skills central to generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits the MSW Program at NMSU.

About the Program

The MSW program is offered on a full-time and part-time basis at both the NMSU main campus in Las Cruces and at the NMSU Center in Albuquerque. The School of Social Work and the Department of Health Science offer a joint MSW/MPH degree program. The two degrees are: Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Public Health (MPH) in Community Health Education. MSW/MPH joint degree program

The MSW program is offered on a full-time and part time basis at both the NMSU main campus in Las Cruces and at the NMSU Center in Albuquerque. The MSW program includes both the full time two year program and the Advanced Standing program. Advanced standing is offered only to graduates of CSWE accredited BSW programs who meet specific admissions criteria ( See Admissions page for listing of criteria). Students enrolled in the part-time MSW program take a reduced number of courses each semester and complete the program over a three-year period. Full-time and part-time students begin their MSW program in the fall semester.

Advance Standing Program
Advanced standing students can complete their MSW degree by taking 36 credit hours [over approximately 15 months]. Advanced standing students begin in Summer Session II.

For a current schedule of courses, program information, and advisement please contact the graduate program coordinator, Dr. Alice Chornesky by email at achornes@nmsu.edu or by calling (575) 646-2846. You may also receive this information from the NMSU School of Social Work by calling Student Services at (575) 646-3529 or e-mail at socwork@nmsu.edu.

Admission Application Process

Admission is a two-step process. All applicants must be admitted to the Graduate School at New Mexico State University before being considered for admission to the MSW program. Regular admission or provisional admission by the Graduate School does not indicate admission to the School of Social Work. The final decision regarding admission to the MSW program rests with the School of Social Work.

In order to be admitted to the MSW program you will need to fill out applications for both the Graduate School and the School of Social Work. You are encouraged to immediately complete the Graduate School application first as the School cannot process your application without a referral from the Graduate School. It is best if your Graduate School Application is completed at least two months prior to the submission of your application to the School of Social Work. Complete information about the admission and application process is contained within the School of Social Work Application Packet (see below to download packet).

Application Deadline

The deadline for complete applications is January 15th of each year. However, early applications received by November 28th will be given first consideration for Graduate Assistantships. Late applications that are complete will be considered when received between January 16th and May 15th on a space available basis. If you have any questions concerning your application, please contact Maria Ortiz at (575) 646-3529.

Graduate School Application

The easiest way to apply to the Graduate School is to complete an on-line application. . In order to apply in this manner, you will need to provide a credit card number to pay the application fee.

You may also request Graduate School applications in writing or by downloading an Adobe Reader PDF version to send by mail. Requests may be made to:

Graduate School,
P.O. Box 30001, MSC 3G
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
Telephone: (575) 646-2736
E-mail: gradinfo@nmsu.edu

You may go to the Graduate School's website to view the site, choose catalog, citizen application or foreign application, etc.

School of Social Work Application

The School of Social Work MSW Program Application Packet must be obtained and all materials filled out for admission consideration. We require you to send your application as one complete packet that also includes your letters of reference. Please send your complete application packet to the address specified in the application.

Download the Master of Social Work Program Application for the 2010-2011 Academic Year.

School of Social Work,
P.O. Box 30001, MSC 3SW
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
Telephone: 575.646.3529
Facsimile: 575.646.4116
Contact Person: Irma Hernandez, Student Services Coordinator
E-mail: irhernan@nmsu.edu