COLLEGE of HEALTH and SOCIAL SERVICES
SOCIAL WORK
School of Social Work
Stephen C. Anderson, director; Lisa Dalton, BSW Coordinator
Professors Anderson, Sallee, Sandau-Beckler; Associate Professors Barnett-Queen, Barney, Blair, Chornesky, Coggins, de la Rosa, DeRoos, Peralta; Assistant Professors Dalton, Meek, Roditti, Whittlesey-Jerome; College Assistant Professor Villalobos
Student Services Coordinator, Maria Ortiz
(575) 646-2143
DEGREE: Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)
The B.S.W. degree allows you to join a profession dedicated to helping people in personal and social situations. As a unique and challenging field, social work addresses the complexity of human behavior and the ever-present needs and potential of people. From rural communities to inner cities, social workers are at work in social service agencies, mental health centers, hospitals, schools, neighborhood organizations, probation offices, and private agencies—just about anywhere there are people. Social work roles are varied and flexible. Social workers practice in areas such as child abuse, community organization, direct services with individuals and families, mental health, group work, and the administration, planning, and development of social programs. With each consumer group and in every agency setting, social workers help to correct the causes or alleviate the results of poverty, racism, poor health, mental illness, or any condition that prohibits people from reaching their potential.
The B.S.W. program prepares you for a beginning professional level of generalist social work practice with an understanding and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the Southwest.
To be admitted as a B.S.W. candidate, you must formally apply for admission to the program. A 2.5 grade-point average is required for admission. Consult the pre-social work major advisor, located in the School of Social Work in the College of Health and Social Services. The deadline for submitting applications is the last Friday in January. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and all students have access to copies of the Curriculum Policy Statement.
General Education Requirements
Students need to complete the New Mexico State University general education requirements before applying to the Bachelor of Social Work program. The School of Social Work requirements include S WK 221 and two semesters of a second language. Once accepted into the program, students also need to meet a Cultural Emphasis requirement.
Students may choose one of three tracks to complete a minimum of 6 credit hours.
- Take two more semesters of any language.
- Take an approved language immersion program.
- Take two approved upper-level courses with a multicultural emphasis (you can get the approved list of courses from your social work advisor).
If the cultural emphasis classes are also Viewing a Wider World classes, you still need to complete the total number of specified upper-division credits necessary for graduation. Highly recommended electives for social work students include courses in sociology, history, Spanish, psychology, family life, child development, English, philosophy, anthropology, computer science, criminal justice, government, and economics. Electives must be sufficient to bring total credits to 128, including 54 upper-division credits, for graduation.
Departmental Requirements
Preparation for entry-level professional social work requires a thorough knowledge of theory and skills; therefore, the high number (51) of core social work credits is required. The course work may be completed in four years by full-time students, but most students benefit from taking no more than 12 to 15 credits per semester, therefore five years is a recommended time frame to complete the 128 required credits.
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (16-18 credits)
| ENGL 111G/111H, Rhetoric and Composition | 3-4 |
| Lab Science | 4 |
| Communications | 3 |
| Second language | 3-4 |
| Elective | 3 |
Spring Semester (15-16 credits)
| MATH 121G, 112G, 210G, 142G, STAT 251, STAT 271 | 3 |
| Social/Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Lab Science | 4 |
| Second language | 3-4 |
| S WK 221G, Introduction to Social Welfare | 3 |
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (18 credits)
| ENGL 203G, ENGL 211G, or ENGL 218G, | 3 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 |
| Social/Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Elective (Recommended E ST 311G or STAT 251) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
Spring Semester (18 credits)
| Viewing a Wider World | 3 |
| Viewing a Wider World | 3 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
NOTE: Students need to submit a formal application packet to the School fo Social Work in January and be accepted into program before they can take junior or senior year courses.
Junior Year
Fall Semester (15 credits)
| S WK 300, Social Work Practice Skills | 3 |
| S WK 309, Sociocultural Concepts | 3 |
| S WK 311, Human Behavior and the Social Environment I | 3 |
| S WK 331G, Introduction to Social Policy: History | 3 |
| Cultural Emphasis elective* | 3 |
Spring Semester (15 credits)
| S WK 312, Human Behavior and the Social Environment II | 3 |
| S WK 313, Social Work Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| S WK 314, Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| S WK 352, Social Welfare Policy: Legislation | 3 |
| Cultural Emphasis elective* | 3 |
Senior Year
Fall Semester (15 credits)
| S WK 400, Social Work Practice with Groups, Community, and Organizations | 3 |
| S WK 401, Field Experience I | 6 |
| S WK 467, Social Work Research I | 3 |
| Elective (recommend STAT 251) | 3 |
Spring Semester (15 credits)
| S WK 402, Field Experience II | 6 |
| S WK 420, Social Welfare Policy: Administration | 3 |
| S WK 468, Social Work Research II | 3 |
| Mandatory Practice elective** | 3 |
NOTE: A grade of C or better is required for all social work courses.
*See list from advisor.
**See Course of Study for elective options.
Five-Six Year Bachelor of Social Work Program
For those students who work more than 20 hours per week and/or have family obligations, the BSW core courses may be completed in three years. Students submit a formal application after completing 66 credits of general education requirements, prerequisites and electives. Once admitted into the social work program, you will take the following courses.
Junior Year
Fall Semester (9 credits)
| S WK 300, Social Work Practice Skills | 3 |
| S WK 311, Human Behavior and Social Environment I | 3 |
| S WK 331G, Introduction to Social Policy: History | 3 |
Spring Semester (9 credits)
| S WK 312, Human Behavior and Social Environment II | 3 |
| S WK 313, Social Work Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| S WK 352, Social Policy: Legislation | 3 |
Senior Year-Fourth Year
Fall Semester (9 credits)
| S WK 309, Sociocultural Concepts | 3 |
| Cultural Emphasis elective* | 3 |
| Elective (recommend STAT 251) | 3 |
Spring Semester (9 credits)
| S WK 314, Social Work Practice with Families | 3 |
| S WK 420, Social Welfare Policy: Administration | 3 |
| Cultural Emphasis elective* | 3 |
Senior-Fifth Year
Fall Semester (12 credits)
| S WK 400, Social Work Practice with Groups, Community, and Organizations | 3 |
| S WK 401, Field Experience I | 6 |
| S WK 467, Social Work Research I | 3 |
Spring Semester (12 credits)
| Mandatory Practice elective** | 3 |
| S WK 402, Field Experience II | 6 |
| S WK 468, Social Work Research II | 3 |
NOTE: A grade of C or better is required for all social work courses.
*See list from advisor.
**See Course of Study for elective options.