Social Work - Associate of Social Work

The Social Work Associate degree program, addresses the significant history, policies, theories and functional practices applied when working with marginalized individuals, families, groups and communities. Throughout the program students will collect, analyze, and apply data as it relates to social phenomena, including social problems and individual behavior. Core courses teach students how individuals, groups, institutions or segments of societies behave, function, and influence one another.

The curriculum was developed to provide students with the introductory-level knowledge in the field of social work study and to support a seamless transfer to the New Mexico State University Bachelor in Social Work degree (BSW).

60 credits

The Associate degree in Social Work is designed to prepare students for careers in social service or community health agencies as paraprofessionals. In addition, because of the large New Mexico Common Core component, the degree also helps prepare the student for a successful transition into a bachelor’s program in Social Work or other majors.

The bachelor degree requirement for a second language requires a grade of C or better through the 1120 level in any second language. If the student is a native speaker or has taken one or two years of a second language in high school, see an advisor for information in fulfilling the requirement.

Students interested in the Las Cruces campus Bachelor Degree in Social Work program may also be interested in the Associate in Social Work. Students planning to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work must apply for the Social Work Program. Students (particularly transfer students) should contact the Social Work Advisor in Las Cruces for advising and for the application packets. Note: A 2.5 GPA is required for the Bachelor in Social Work degree.

Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.

The New Mexico General Education course list an be found here.

Prefix Title Credits
General Education
Area I: Communications
English Composition - Level 1
ENGL 1110GComposition I4
English Composition - Level 2
ENGL 2221GWriting in the Humanities and Social Science3
or ENGL 2210G Professional and Technical Communication Honors
Oral Communication
COMM 1115GIntroduction to Communication3
or COMM 1130G Public Speaking
Area II: Mathematics
MATH 1350GIntroduction to Statistics 13
Area III: Laboratory Science
BIOL 1120G
BIOL 1120L
Human Biology
and Human Biology Laboratory
4
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences (2 courses)
SOWK 2110GIntroduction to Human Services & Social Work3
PSYC 1110GIntroduction to Psychology3
Area V: Humanities 33
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 33
General Education Elective
CEPY 1120GHuman Growth and Behavior3
Second Language Requirement - 8 credits8
Spanish I4
Spanish II4
Core Requirements
HMSV 2110Case Management3
SOCI 1110GIntroduction to Sociology3
PSYC 2221Applied Psychology3
or PSYC 2230 Psychology of Adjustment
Other Course Requirements
OECS 105Introduction to Information Technology3
or FYEX 1110 First-year Seminar
Electives, to bring the total credits to 60. 28
Recommended Electives
Criminal Courts and Procedure3
Contemporary Social Problems3
Explorations of Counseling & Community Psychology3
A Study of Substance Abuse through Learning3
Total Credits60
1

MATH 1350G Introduction to Statistics is required for the NMSU Las Cruces Bachelor of Social Work.  If students are not planning to pursue a Bachelor's degree, MATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics is acceptable but does not prepare the student for higher level MATH/STAT.

2

Elective credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, and/or certificate coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to at least 60 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.

3

See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

A Suggested Plan of Study

This roadmap assumes student placement into ENGL 1110G Composition I and a College level MATH, such as MATH 1350G Introduction to Statistics, and demonstrates how to complete an Associate degree in two years.  The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English.  It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract.  Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change. Students are advised to earn a C or better in courses to avoid repeating courses. Students may take a Spanish Language test and begin at that point, but must be proficient through the first year.  

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ENGL 1110G Composition I 4
OECS 105
Introduction to Information Technology
or First-year Seminar
3
PSYC 1110G Introduction to Psychology 3
SOWK 2110G Introduction to Human Services & Social Work 3
CEPY 1120G Human Growth and Behavior 3
 Credits16
Spring
ENGL 2210G
Professional and Technical Communication Honors
or Writing in the Humanities and Social Science
3
COMM 1115G
Introduction to Communication
or Public Speaking
3
PSYC 2230
Psychology of Adjustment
or Applied Psychology
3
SOCI 1110G Introduction to Sociology 3
AREA V: Humanities 1 3
 Credits15
Second Year
Fall
MATH 1350G Introduction to Statistics 3
SPAN 1110 Spanish I 4
AREA VI: Creative and Fine Arts 1 3
Electives (two 3 credit hours courses) 6
 Credits16
Spring
HMSV 2110 Case Management 3
BIOL 1120G Human Biology 3
SPAN 1120 Spanish II 4
BIOL 1120L Human Biology Laboratory 1
Elective 2
 Credits13
 Total Credits60
1

The New Mexico General Education course list an be found here.

Program Manager: Megan Stoneking 
Phone: (505) 287-6679 
Email: stmegan@nmsu.edu
Office: Room 113D, Martinez Hall, 2nd Floor