Program Quick Facts
A Respected Program
We’re New Mexico’s only R2 university for social work and a national leader in the field.
100% Online
Flexible, online classes make it easier to reach your goals while balancing work and family life.
Affordable Tuition
NMSU Global Campus offers competitively priced tuition and scholarship opportunities.
Advance Your Career with an MSW Online Degree and Serve Diverse Communities
The Master of Social Work (MSW) online degree program at NMSU Global Campus provides the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for advanced social work practice in a multicultural society. Our MSW program is designed to equip you with the tools to create social policies, analyze organizational leadership, and foster positive change for individuals and communities.
As a student in our social work master’s degree program, you’ll receive a comprehensive education through an advanced generalist curriculum, which prepares you to serve in a variety of social work settings. You’ll develop the expertise to work with diverse populations, and engage with complex social issues, while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those you serve.
Graduates of this online program have gone on to work for esteemed organizations, including the Veterans Administration, New Mexico’s Department of Health, Behavioral Health Services Division, and the Children, Youth, and Families Departments. Many also find fulfilling roles in community behavioral health organizations, where they step into leadership positions and contribute significantly to social well-being.
Apply NowMSW Career Pathways
Graduates of the MSW online degree program at NMSU Global Campus have gone on to achieve successful careers in social work across various sectors. Our alumni have held influential roles, such as serving as the executive director for the New Mexico Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and working at the NMSU Center for Immigration and Child Welfare in research, policy development, and analysis.
Other NMSU Global Campus graduates have even become adjunct instructors in NMSU’s School of Social Work. Here are a few of the possible job opportunities for you:
- Child and Family Social Workers
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- School Social Workers
“I decided to go back to school because I wanted to obtain my MSW in order to continue my passion of working with the military in resiliency.”
Stephanie M., Class of 2024
The Master of Social Work degree from NMSU Global Campus provides academic and fieldwork education in advanced generalist practice. Through the integration of theoretical perspectives, empirical evidence, and skills-based experience, you’ll develop multidimensional social work practice that’s vital to your professional development.
With a culturally responsive focus on vulnerable populations in multicultural settings, our program prepares you for the rewarding work of applying ethical practices in rapidly changing environments, all while maintaining a professional commitment to social justice. Read one recent MSW grad’s Student Success Story here.
Delivery Format: 100% online with some synchronous requirements
Program Credits: 60 credits (30 for advanced standing students)
Program Length: 1 year for advanced standing students; 2 years full-time (15 credits per semester); 3 years part-time (9-12 credits per semester)
Cost Per Credit Hour: $444.40**
Active Military Cost Per Credit Hour: $250*
College: Health, Education, and Social Transformation
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The Master of Social Work typically consists of 60 credits, but if you’re accepted for advanced standing, the program consists of 30. Admission requirements include:
- A bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA (or 2.5 for provisional), including biology and statistics undergrad courses
- Transcripts from each university you’ve attended
- A resume
- A personal statement
- Two letters of reference
If you’re applying for advanced standing, you must also have:
- A Bachelor of Social Work earned within the last five years
- A minimum GPA of 3.5 in your social work courses
- A case study
- Working knowledge of the biopsychosocial model
- Signed copies of your field evaluation
| Sample Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| SOWK 5110: Sociocultural Concepts and Populations of the Southwest | 3 |
| SOWK 5130: Human Behavior and the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SOWK 5250: Policy Analysis and Change | 3 |
| SOWK 5340: Practice with Families | 3 |
| SOWK 5220: Social Work Research II | 3 |
View Full-Time Courses
View Part-Time Courses
An integral part of a graduate social work program is completing practicums. At NMSU Global Campus, you’re offered a wide range of practicum sites from which to choose, though you should be prepared to travel some distance and be responsible for your own transportation costs.
If you’re enrolled in the two-year and three-year programs, two practicum placements totaling 950 hours will be required. If you’re entering the program with advanced standing, one practicum placement is required, totaling 500 hours in the field.
Please note: this program is currently unavailable to students in Delaware.
At NMSU Global Campus, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
Students enrolled in the Master of Social Work degree program at NMSU Global Campus have the opportunity to participate in the Child Welfare Scholar Program (CWSP). This program offers unique scholarship opportunities for MSW students interested in working for the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department – Protective Services Division (CYFD) upon graduation. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply to the CWSP.
NMSU and NMSU Global Campus students are also eligible for loans and grants. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about financial aid opportunities at NMSU.
Contact Financial Aid
Phone: 1-888-729-6678
Email: globalFA@nmsu.edu
Accreditation
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.
*Terms and conditions apply.
**For NMSU Global Campus programs and courses, the per credit hour cost is listed above. Special tuition agreements (Western Undergraduate Exchange, Descubre, etc.) are not applicable to NMSU Global Campus programs. Course fees still apply and are charged separately. Textbooks, uniforms, equipment, etc., are additional program costs. Additional per credit costs might be charged by the program, department or college.