New Mexico MSW Degree Programs

School	Program	Admissions
Our Lady of the Lake University	Online Master of Social Work No GRE Required, CSWE Accredited, 12 month program for BSW holders.	Website
Arizona State University	Online Master of Social Work CSWE accredited, prepares you to work with individuals, families, communities.	Website

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Click to view online MSW programs that are taking applications for 2024.

New Mexico State University and Western New Mexico University have online, accredited programs in the Master of Social Work. They give professionals an ability to become a Licensed Master Social Worker or Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of New Mexico.

New Mexico CSWE Accredited MSW Programs

Three institutions provide a Master of Social Work that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). There is flexibility to pursue these programs at multiple locations, such as New Mexico Highlands University, which is based in Albuquerque, having opportunities at Farmington, Rio Rancho, Roswell, and Santa Fe.

All three universities also provide an education at the undergraduate level in social work, and that program is exclusive to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.

Are there online MSW programs in New Mexico?

Yes, there are colleges in New Mexico with an online Master of Social Work degree program. Consider a featured online MSW program that is taking applicants right now, or move on to the list.

Click to see more accredited online MSW programs that are taking applications for 2024.

List of online MSW programs in New Mexico that are CSWE accredited

Finding a Campus and Online Based New Mexico MSW Program

The Master's degrees with an online opportunity are at New Mexico State University and Western New Mexico University. WNMU is available to all students across the United States with courses distributed through the Poly-com platform.

NMSU has various formats that are available with no campus visitation requirements and is open to states that are in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement.

New Mexico State University's Online MSW

The School of Social Work provides the Master of Social Work with specialization as an advanced generalist to work with individuals, family members, and communities. They will gain the skills needed to research evaluation techniques and promote social justice when working with a culturally diverse group of clients. This program can be completed in one to three years based on the format selected.

Program Formats

Part-time students will need to the full three years to complete the degree, either on campus or online. Full-time students are able to complete more courses in each semester, giving them to years to complete the curriculum. Those with advanced standing, which is earned by completing an accredited Bachelor's degree in social work, can complete the degree in one or two years based on full-time or part-time enrollment respectively.

The generalist curriculum consists of coursework in policy and identifying societal problems. In addition, research methods in social work and human behavior tendencies in evaluation are explored. Advanced topics in these subjects are also available when pursuing the advanced generalist specialization later in the program.

Field Requirements

In field work, at least 950 hours are needed in practicum sessions. This is divided up nearly equally in foundational and specialization work, with 500 hours needed in the latter. Those 500 hours are also needed for students that are eligible for advanced standing.

Western New Mexico University's Online MSW

Accredited for over 25 years by the CSWE, the School of Social Work provides the Master of Social Work with flexible online opportunity. This education will prepare social work professionals for positions in private practice, treatment centers, and government agencies. Students will gain the ability to evaluate patients and treatment procedures through evidence-based research.

Program Tracks

Programs are separated between advanced standing and non-advanced standing, with the former providing a quicker curriculum for those with experience in social work. In order to qualify for this version of the degree, students must have at least a 2.75 GPA over their recent 64 credit hours in the Bachelor of Social Work. This degree must have been obtained from a CSWE-accredited school and earned in the last eight years.

In addition to the core curriculum, electives are added to further customize the program to a student's career needs. Examples of courses that can be taken with this program include Advanced SW Practice with the Military, Psychopharmacology for Social Workers, and Human Trafficking. These courses are not available every semester and students should review their schedule to graduate on time.

Online requirements include having a modern computer that is capable of running videoconferencing software and students should have basic computer proficiency. Field placements should be completed at least one semester before they take place to ensure proper advancement in the program. Students are not able to use their current employment to satisfy field practicum requirements.

Review of campus-based New Mexico MSW programs

Social Work Careers, Licensures, and Salaries in New Mexico

Similar to many locations in the western portion of the United States, New Mexico sees average salaries for health care social workers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state salary average is approximately $58,720, which is on par with neighboring states like Colorado, Texas, and Arizona. This is also one of the top states in terms of concentration relative to population, which is based in the Rochester metropolitan area.

New Mexico Social Work Licensure Requirements

Earning a Master’s degree in social work will provide a pathway for New Mexico residents to receive a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) designation. The LMSW licensure is for non-clinical social work that no longer requires supervision and professionals can handle more tasks.

Within the process, a jurisprudence exam must be passed in addition to the exam from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Cultural coursework for the state of New Mexico must also be taken and approved by the board. Students completing a degree in a New Mexico school will already have credit for this requirement.

Hours of Experience Requirements

The LCSW licensure requires 3,600 hours of supervised experience that must be completed in a span of two to five years. This must be supervised by a licensed professional, but those still holding a Licensed Independent Social Worker license are no longer qualified to do so. Either the advanced generalist or clinical ASWB exam must be passed prior to gaining the license.

Renewal of the licensure must be done before July 1st every two years. 30 hours of continuing education is needed prior to renewal, which includes six credit hours of cultural awareness courses. Licenses can be recognized from other states as long as they have been held for longer than five years and meet similar requirements as New Mexico.