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 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| English Composition - Level 2 | ||
| ENGL 2221G | Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 |
| or ENGL 2210G | Professional and Technical Communication | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| COMM 1115G | Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| or COMM 1130G | Public Speaking | |
| Area II: Mathematics | ||
| MATH 1350G | Introduction to Statistics 1 | 3 |
| Area III: Laboratory Science | ||
| BIOL 1120G & BIOL 1120L | Human Biology and Human Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences (2 courses) | ||
| SOWK 2110G | Introduction to Human Services & Social Work | 3 |
| PSYC 1110G | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Area V: Humanities 3 | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 3 | 3 | |
| General Education Elective | ||
| CEPY 1120G | Human Growth and Behavior | 3 |
| Second Language Requirement - 8 credits | 8 | |
| Spanish I | 4 | |
| Spanish II | 4 | |
| Core Requirements | ||
| HMSV 2110 | Case Management | 3 |
| PSYC 2230 | Psychology of Adjustment | 3 |
| SOCI 1110G | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Other Course Requirements | ||
| FYEX 1110 | First-year Seminar | 1-3 |
| Electives, to bring the total credits to 60. 2 | 8 | |
| Recommended Electives | ||
| Explorations of Counseling & Community Psychology | 3 | |
| Criminal Courts and Procedure | 3 | |
| A Study of Substance Abuse through Learning | 3 | |
| Contemporary Social Problems | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 58-60 | |
- 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.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CEPY 1120G | Human Growth and Behavior | 3 |
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| PSYC 1110G | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| FYEX 1110 | First-year Seminar | 1-3 |
| SOWK 2110G | Introduction to Human Services & Social Work | 3 |
| Credits | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMM 1115G or COMM 1130G | Introduction to Communication or Public Speaking | 3 |
| ENGL 2210G or ENGL 2221G | Professional and Technical Communication or Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 |
| PSYC 2230 | Psychology of Adjustment | 3 |
| SOCI 1110G | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| AREA V: Humanities 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| 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 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 1120G | Human Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 1120L | Human Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| HMSV 2110 | Case Management | 3 |
| SPAN 1120 | Spanish II | 4 |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 58-60 | |
- 1
The New Mexico General Education course list an be found here.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of generalist social work history, framework, values, and advocacy.
- Examine, from a social scientific perspective, selected contemporary social issues (e.g.: racism, poverty, substance abuse, family instability).
- Analyze orally and in writing, social science theory and research.
- Explain the role of human diversity and intercultural difference in shaping the lives, needs, and experiences of individuals and communities.
- Articulate the operations of human service organizations to include historical perspective, differentiation between private/public sector; and contractual entities and requirements.
- Identify the importance of ethical practices (to include legal aspects of the social worker's code of conduct).
- Discuss societal diversity and the needs of various subcultures this entails.
Program Manager: Megan Stoneking
Phone: (505) 287-6679
Email: stmegan@nmsu.edu
Office: Room 113D, Martinez Hall, 2nd Floor