Social Work
Undergraduate Program Information
The BSW degree (CSWE accredited) 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 work in social service agencies, mental health centers, hospitals, schools, neighborhood organizations, probation offices, and private agencies. 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 School of Social Work offers the undergraduate program in Las Cruces and Online leading to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree.
Graduate Program Information
The School of Social Work offers full-time and part-time Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate study options. These are available in Las Cruces as well as through our online Global Campus. The program provides academic and practicum education focusing on Advanced Generalist Practice with an emphasis on Populations of the Southwest. It is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Admission to the program follows the general regulations of the Graduate School, which require applicants to have a completed undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. Applicants must apply separately to both the Graduate School and the School of Social Work. The School of Social Work application specifies additional admission requirements, including an internal application, a written statement, a current resume, and personal references. Before starting the MSW program, applicants must complete a Basic Statistics course and a course covering Human Biology content. The program does not award academic credit for work or life experience as a substitute for social work courses or practicum education.
The School of Social Work is committed to ensuring a culturally diverse student population to enhance the social work profession at both state and national levels. To meet this goal of diversity, the school makes an effort to recruit from historically underrepresented groups.
Applicants who qualify for advanced standing may complete the program with 30 credits rather than 60 credits. Admission to the advanced-standing program is for highly qualified applicants who have a Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW) from a social work program accredited by the CSWE and earned within five years of beginning the advanced standing program, a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and a minimum GPA of 3.5 in core Undergraduate Social Work courses.
Degrees for the School
Bachelor Degree(s)
Master Degree(s)
- Master of Public Health/Master of Social Work - Dual Degree
- Social Work - Master of Social Work (Full-Time Advanced)
- Social Work - Master of Social Work (Full-Time Advanced) (Online)
- Social Work - Master of Social Work (Full-Time)
- Social Work - Master of Social Work (Full-Time) (Online)
- Social Work - Master of Social Work (Part-Time)
- Social Work - Master of Social Work (Part-Time) (Online)
Graduate Certificate(s)
Director: Mary Nienow, PhD, LISW
Professor Díaz Associate Professor de la Rosa, Finno-Velasquez, Gergerich, Gherardi Assistant Professor Knox, Lopez, Sanchez College Assistant Professors Brown, Facio, Nieto, Nunez, Palomino Pantoja, Stracener, Tellez College Associate Professor Montoya
M. Nienow, PhD (Minnesota), LISW- policy, advocacy, research, analysis and community organizing, macro practice; H. Diaz, PhD (Illinois)- social welfare policy and community socio-economic development; I. de la Rosa, PhD (Michigan), LMSW-program evaluation, research; M. Finno-Velasquez, PhD (California), LMSW-child welfare, immigration; E. Gergerich, PhD (Arkansas), LCSW-gerontology; S. Gherardi, PhD (Illinois), LCSW-school social work; K. Knox, PhD (New Mexico), LCSW- special education; A. Lopez, PhD (Massachusetts, Mexico)-Latino immigrant families and children; L. Sanchez, DSW (New Orleans), LCSW-clinical, research and administration/leadership, psychotherapy practice; S. Brown, DBH (Arizona), LCSW- behavioral health, severe mental illness, psychotherapist; S. Facio, MSW (New Mexico), LMSW- medical healthcare, mental health care, grief adjustment and counseling; T. Nieto, MSW (Las Cruces), LCSW-public schools and private practice; M. Nunez, MSW, LCSW- medical and rehabilitation; P. Palomino Pantoja, MSW (New Mexico) LMSW- health care and private practice; M. Stracener, DrPH, LCSW- mental health, crisis assessor, policy practice; M. Tellez, MSW (New Mexico)- serious mental illness, criminal justice system; M. Montoya, MSW (New Mexico), LCSW- child welfare.
Please see faculty page for full faculty bios: https://socialwork.nmsu.edu/staff-resources1/directory1.html
Social Work Courses
SOWK 2110G. Introduction to Human Services & Social Work
3 Credits (3)
This course is for students who are interested in social welfare issues and/or are considering entering a social service profession. The course presents an overview of social problems, issues and trends, and the network of social agencies developed to address these concerns. The course examines the influence of personal and professional values and ethics on the helping relationship. The concept of social welfare will be discussed from a social work perspective (with an emphasis on social justice), and students will gain a basic understanding of social work in U.S. society, social work career opportunities, and contemporary issues facing social workers. Approaches relevant to work with individuals, families, groups and communities are presented, with special emphasis on Hispanic and Indigenous populations of New Mexico and the Southwest. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the interactions of social institutions, cultural factors, dimensions of identity, and environment with the human development and behavior of individuals.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the social work profession’s focus on addressing contemporary social issues in the United States.
- Describe the mission and services provided by social service agencies at the regional, national, and global levels.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the social work profession, its history, career opportunities, and contemporary issues facing social workers in the United States today.
- Recognize how students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes impact their competence as helping professionals.
SOWK 3110. Sociocultural Concepts
3 Credits (3)
Theoretical and sociohistorical perspectives on racism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism, classism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination and oppression. Cultural diversity, strengths, and Southwest and border issues are examined. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Examine the role culture, gender, sexual orientation, and socio-economic class play in the way people think, feel, and behave.
- Examine how diverse populations have been oppressed and exploited by dominant groups throughout U.S. history.
- Analyze the effects of stereotypes, fallacies, and misconceptions about groups that experience oppression such as the LGBTQIA2S+ community, the Elderly, People with Disabilities, BIPOC and people from low socio economic backgrounds and other socially marginalized groups.
- Recognize theoretical models that describe various forms of discrimination, oppression, privilege and power.
- Be familiar with relevant knowledge regarding the Southwest, border issues, Native American and Latinx/Chicanx/Hispanic content.
- Recognize and implement anti racist, anti oppressive, and practice decolonization/indigenization and cultural humility in social work practice and social justice.
SOWK 3120. Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
3 Credits (3)
Major theories of human behavior and the life span from conception to adolescence.
Learning Outcomes
- Students demonstrate knowledge of human development, diversity, and identity formation.
- Students will explain how racism and oppression impact human behavior and the social environment.
- Students will examine environmental systems (families, groups, organizations, and communities) and the complex interplay of biological, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural dimensions that impact the social work engagement process.
- Students will assess developmental theories to assess the complex interplay of biological, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural.
- Students will apply knowledge of major theories of infancy, childhood, and adolescent development to social work interventions.
SOWK 3130. Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
3 Credits (3)
Continuation of SOWK 3120. Major theories of human behavior and the life span from young adulthood through old age. Restricted to: S WK majors.
Prerequisite: SOWK 3120.
Learning Outcomes
- Assess human behavior and the environment at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels to understand clients needs.
- Critique the major theories of human behavior and development processes in the social environment.
- Apply knowledge of major theories of human behavior and development processes in the social environment.
- Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and humility for human diversity in micro, mezzo, and macro practice.
- Apply knowledge of biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of human development and the social environment.
SOWK 3140V. Introduction to Social Policy: History
3 Credits (3)
Historical overview of the economic, political, and cultural impact on social welfare policy, institutions, and professions with international content. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will use reflection and self- regulation to manage personal values as they engage in discussion and written reflection around underlying values in social welfare.
- Students will apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the macro level through written reflection.
- Students will apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies through self-reflective discussions.
- Students will apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to analyze social policy and advocate for just policies.
- Through policy analysis and review of policy research, students will Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services; assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services, and apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
SOWK 3150. Social Work Research
3 Credits (3)
This undergraduate course is designed to prepare students to be effective consumers of research and to evaluate their own practice. Students will learn to read, critically evaluate and use the research of others to select interventions that are based on evidence of effectiveness. Students will demonstrate the knowledge, values and skills to be critical consumers of research for effective and ethical practice as well as possess the basic skills necessary to evaluate their own social work professional practice. Restricted to Social Work majors.
Prerequisite: MATH 1350G or STAT 2350G.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a) understanding of core principles or scientific research and b) methods of analyzing and applying scientific research in social work practice.
- Demonstrate and apply the integration of social work values and ethics within application of research principles and practices.
SOWK 3210. Social Work Practice Skills
3 Credits (3)
Introduction to generalist social work practice. Interpersonal skills, values, and ethics required in the helping relationship. Taught in a small-group format. Restricted to: S WK majors.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will explain the role of ethics, values, and principles in generalist social work practice.
- Students will demonstrate promotion of human rights and social justice in the generalist social work context.
- Students will demonstrate social work skills of engagement.
- Students will demonstrate social work skills of assessment with clients.
- Students will demonstrate social work skills of intervention with clients.
- Students will demonstrate social work skills of evaluation of practice with clients.
SOWK 3220. Social Work Practice with Individuals
3 Credits (3)
Generalist social work practice theory and skills in engagement, information gathering, assessments, planning, interventions, evaluation, and termination with individual client systems. Restricted to: S WK majors.
Prerequisite: SOWK 3210.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply skills in ethical and professional standards of the NASW Code of Ethics.
- Exercise social work direct practice skills of engagement (for example, person-in-environment, human behavior, interprofessional conceptual frameworks, and interpersonal skills).
- Assess the human behavior, environment, and culture of clients and constituents to understand needs.
- Critically select appropriate interventions to meet client and constituent needs.
- Evaluate the results of interventions and goals for change.
SOWK 3230. Social Work Practice with Families
3 Credits (3)
Generalist social work practice theory and skills in engagement, information gathering, assessments, planning, interventions, evaluation, and termination with multicultural family systems.
Prerequisite: SOWK 3210.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will engage in critical reflection around the value base of social work and its ethical standards as they are applied to work with families.
- Students will describe how personal experiences in their families of origin impact their professional judgement and behavior.
- Students will explain how engagement is an ongoing component of the dynamic process of social work with families.
- Students will demonstrate strategies for engagement with diverse families in order to advance practice effectiveness.
- Students will demonstrate strategies for assessment with diverse families in order to advance practice effectiveness.
- Students will demonstrate strategies for intervention with diverse families in order to advance practice effectiveness.
SOWK 4110. Social Welfare Policy: Legislation
3 Credits (3)
Policy practice related to the formation of current social welfare policies that promote social and economic justice. Emphasis is on the development and influences of social policy, policy analysis, and the policy change process. Restricted to: S WK majors. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the social policy development and influence process.
- Apply a framework for the analysis of current and proposed social policy.
- Identify and discuss current legislation which addresses social and economic justice.
- Articulate gaps and/or problems in existing social welfare policies and in social welfare programs.
- Identify strategies which are appropriate to baccalaureate level practice that may influence policymakers on behalf of people in need.
SOWK 4210. Generalist Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities
3 Credits (3)
This course focuses on generalist social work values, knowledge and skills regarding practice with larger systems. Course content will include theories of community and organizational assessment and intervention. Strategies for advocacy and change, leadership for community and organizational change. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze various macro theories and apply two or more to a particular issue within a local community or organization.
- Describe the historical context/foundation of macro practice in social work and identify its application in the community.
- Identify ethical principles related to macro practice.
- Describe the use of macro level practice in empowering diverse and oppressed populations
- Describe an evidence-based practice framework for social work intervention with communities and organizations.
SOWK 4220. Generalist Social Work Practice with Groups
3 Credits (3)
Generalist social work practice skills with group client systems focusing on the planned change process and the empowerment of oppressed populations. Restricted to: S WK majors. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will compare foundational concepts of group work practice in social work.
- Students will examine how diversity shapes clients life experiences in group practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
- Students will differentiate the group process in social work, including group development, roles, norms, and dynamics.
- Students will apply generalist social work practice knowledge, values, and skills when engaging diversity and difference in practice with group client systems.
- Students will demonstrate skills of engagement, planning, intervention, and evaluation with group client systems.
SOWK 4230. Family and Child Welfare Practice
3 Credits (3)
Current issues and interventions in child protection, foster care, family preservation and support, family reunification, adoption and permanency planning. Course required for Child Welfare Scholarship Program students.
Learning Outcomes
- Self-assess professional strengths and limitations as a helping professional.
- Critically examine biases and assumptions through reflective practices.
- Describe child welfare practices and trends.
- Apply trauma-informed engagement practices with diverse child welfare populations.
- Conduct trauma-informed and culturally responsive assessment and intervention with diverse child welfare population.
SOWK 4240. Professionalism in the Field of Social Work
3 Credits (3)
Students will use the field experience as the backdrop for assessing their own progress toward entry level generalist social work practice; to integrate coursework and field experience to develop their professional foundation. Restricted to: S WK majors.
Corequisite: SOWK 4321.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written and electronic communication.
- Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes.
- Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations.
- Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
- Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies.
- Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels.
- Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.
- Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services.
- Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. 1
- Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies. 1
- Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies. 1
- Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies. 1
- Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes. 1
- Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo and macro levels.
SOWK 4310. Practicum I
3 Credits (3)
Supervised professional practice in a community social service agency, providing experiential learning and instruction. 240 clock hours required. Restricted to: S WK majors.
Corequisite: SOWK 4311.
Learning Outcomes
- Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
- Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations.
- Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication.
- Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes.
- Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior.
- Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels.
- Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
- Apply self-awareness and self- regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies. 1
- Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research. 1
- Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings. 1
- Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery. 1
- Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services. 1
- Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services. 1
- Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. 1
- Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in- environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies. 1
- Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies. 1
- Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies. 1
- Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in- environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies. 2
- Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies. 2
- Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in- environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies. 2
- Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes. 2
- Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies. 2
- Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals. 2
- Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes. 2
- Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in- environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes. 2
- Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes. 2
- Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
SOWK 4311. Practicum Seminar I
3 Credits (3)
The practicum seminar course will provide students the opportunities to integrate coursework and field practice experience learning to develop social work competencies. Restricted to: S WK majors.
Corequisite: SOWK 4310.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify real-world applications of social work competencies.
- Develop individualized learning goals for your practicum experience that align with the social work competencies.
- Demonstrate evidence of ethical and professional behaviors in your practicum experience that are aligned with the social work competencies.
- Reflect on the practice skills of professional social workers in your practicum setting.
- Valuate the development of your personal practice skills in your practicum setting.
SOWK 4320. Practicum II
3 Credits (3)
This course is a continuation of a supervised professional practice in a community social service agency, providing experiential learning and instruction. 240 clock hours required. Restricted to: S WK majors.
Corequisite: SOWK 4321.
Learning Outcomes
- Recognize course expectations, practicum requirements and procedures.
- Recognize social work competencies, and requirements of learning contract goals.
- Develop learning goals as related to Practicum.
- Demonstrate Ethical and professional behavior.
- Critically reflect on their practicum experience.
- Explain the importance of ethics in social work.
- Utilize knowledge of culture and background as it relates to documentation and reflection.
- Articulate how differences in culture impact social work.
SOWK 4321. Practicum Seminar II
3 Credits (3)
The practicum seminar course will provide students the opportunities to integrate coursework and field practice experience learning to demonstrate social work competencies. Restricted to: S WK majors.
Corequisite: SOWK 4320.
Learning Outcomes
- Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics within the profession as appropriate to the context; The Nine Social Work Competencies 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
- Demonstrate professional behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication.
- Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes.
- Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior.
- Apply research findings to inform and improve practice, policy, and programs.
- Identify ethical, culturally informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive strategies that address inherent biases for use in quantitative and qualitative research methods to advance the purposes of social work.
- Demonstrate anti-racist and anti-oppressive social work practice at the individual, family, group, organizational, community, research, and policy levels.
- Demonstrate cultural humility by applying critical reflection, self-awareness, and self-regulation to manage the influence of bias, power, privilege, and values in working with clients and constituencies, acknowledging them as experts of their own lived experiences.
- Advocate for human rights at the individual, family, group, organizational, and community system levels. 1
- Engage in practices that advance human rights to promote social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. 1
- Select and use culturally responsive methods for evaluation of outcomes. 1
- Critically analyze outcomes and apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 1
- Use social justice, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive lenses to assess how social welfare policies affect the delivery of and access to social services. 1
- Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. 1
- Apply knowledge of human behavior and person-in-environment, as well as interprofessional conceptual frameworks, to engage with clients and constituencies. 1
- Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to engage in culturally responsive practice with clients and constituencies. 1
- Apply theories of human behavior and person-in-environment, as well as other culturally responsive and interprofessional conceptual frameworks, when assessing clients and constituencies. 1
- Demonstrate respect for client self-determination during the assessment process by collaborating with clients and constituencies in developing a mutually agreed-upon plan. 1
- Engage with clients and constituencies to critically choose and implement culturally responsive, evidence-informed interventions to achieve client and constituency goals. 2
- Incorporate culturally responsive methods to negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of clients and constituencies.
SOWK 4510. Family and Child Welfare Policy
3 Credits (3)
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the history and evolution of child welfare policies, initiatives and factors that influence advocacy and practices within the child welfare system. Child welfare policies and services specific to the state of New Mexico are infused throughout the course. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
SOWK 4996. Special Topics
3 Credits (3)
Specific subjects to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be used as a mandatory practice elective. Junior or above standing, majors or consent of instructor. Restricted to: S WK majors. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Varies
SOWK 4997. Independent Study
1-6 Credits (1-6)
Individual studies directed by consenting faculty with the prior approval of the department head. May be repeated up to 6 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Varies
SOWK 5110. Sociocultural Concepts and Populations of the Southwest
3 Credits (3)
Theoretical and sociohistorical perspectives on racism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism, classism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination and oppression. Cultural diversity, strengths, and Southwest and border issues emphasized. This course examines the social and cultural landscape of the U.S. Southwest, with a focus on the diverse populations that call this region home. The historical and contemporary experiences of marginalized communities, analyzing the impact of discrimination, oppression, and economic deprivation on their lives will be explored.
Learning Outcomes
- Correlate the implications of cultural diversity and competent Social Work practice.
- Apply theories and perspectives on oppression within diverse individuals, groups, and populations.
- Discuss cultural identities and how intersectionality of social factors affects individuals.
- Articulate the importance of a cultural competency perspective in Social Work practice.
- Reflect on your individual cultural identity and experiences and how they influence your approach to culturally grounded Social Work practice.
SOWK 5135. Human Behavior in the Social Environment
3 Credits (3)
The major theories of human behavior and the life span from conception through adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Focuses both on the areas of concern and risk for client systems and on the opportunities and strengths in the social environment.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks.
- Evaluate the functioning of individuals, families, and groups through biological, psychological, spiritual, and cultural dimensions.
- Apply conceptual/theoretical frameworks to assess the functioning of individuals (children, adolescents, and adults), families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Analyze the ways in which social systems facilitate or impede health and well-being of individuals and families.
- Evaluate the complex interplay of the environment (family, groups, communities, and organizations) and developmental factors on infants, children, adolescents, and adults of diverse communities.
- Evaluate theories and their role in assessment with children, adolescents, adults, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
SOWK 5155. Social Policy Issues, Analysis and Change
3 Credits (3)
An overview of social and economic problems in the United States and the historical and current social welfare policies aimed at alleviating these problems. Emphasis on developing an awareness and ability to create, analyze, and change policies that impact vulnerable populations.
Learning Outcomes
- Comprehend the values, institutional, political, and economic forces that drive social problems and social welfare policy in the US.
- Analyze past, current, and future social policies developed to respond to social problems from a lens that considers the historical, social, cultural, economic, organizational, environmental, and global influences on social problems and the impact on diverse populations of the Southwest.
- Evaluate how social work values, ethics, and research impact social policy development, evaluation, and implementation of social policy.
- Apply a multilevel policy advocacy framework to advocate for policies that promote human rights, social and economic justice and addresses culturally influenced barriers to services presented by practitioners, organizations, and larger systems for populations of the Southwest.
SOWK 5165. Generalist Social Work Practice
3 Credits (3)
An introduction to generalist social work practice skills, focusing on the theoretical foundations of social work as a profession and implementing the planned change process with individual, family, group, community, and organizational client systems within a social work values and ethics framework.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the just practice framework for social work practice.
- Analyze the value of critical self-reflection as a foundation for social work practice.
- Apply the ethical principles and standards in the NASW code of ethics to frameworks for ethical decision making.
- Critically select theoretical orientations to address client needs.
- Apply the planned change process to a range of client systems (individuals, groups, families, communities, and organizations).
- Demonstrate skills for engagement and assessment with single-client systems.
- Evaluate the results of intervention/action and evaluation plans of change.
SOWK 5180. Generalist Practicum Experience I
3 Credits (3)
Supervised professional practice in a community social service agency, providing experiential instruction and learning. 225 clock hours required. Seminar required. Restricted to: MSW majors.
SOWK 5181. Generalist Practicum Seminar I
3 Credits (3)
This practicum seminar assists students in integrating knowledge, skills, values, and ethical principles gained in practice and theory courses into social work practice settings. This seminar also aids students in integrating social work practice processes in service planning and delivery. Students explore skills of collaboration and consultation by presenting practicum case examples.
Corequisite: SOWK 5180.
Learning Outcomes
- Increase awareness of personal strengths and challenges as a developing social work practitioner.
- Employ knowledge, skills, values, and ethical principles from practice and theory courses in social work practice.
- Demonstrate application of research findings to social work practice.
- Collaborate and consult effectively with peers and practicum liaison.
- Generalize the Council on Social Work Education's core competencies to social work practice.
SOWK 5190. Generalist Practicum Experience II
3 Credits (3)
Supervised professional practice in a community social service agency. 225 clock hours required. Seminar required. Restricted to: MSW majors.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5180.
SOWK 5191. Generalist Practicum Seminar II
3 Credits (3)
This practicum seminar builds on learning from Generalist Practicum Seminar I and assists students in integrating knowledge, skills, values, and ethical principles gained in practice and theory courses into social work practice settings. This seminar also aids students in integrating social work practice processes in service planning and delivery. Students explore skills of collaboration and consultation by presenting practicum case examples.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5180 and SOWK 5181.
Corequisite: SOWK 5190.
Learning Outcomes
- Increase awareness of personal strengths and challenges as a developing social work practitioner.
- Employ knowledge, skills, values, and ethical principles from practice and theory courses in social work practice.
- Demonstrate application of research findings to social work practice.
- Collaborate and consult effectively with others.
- Generalize the Council on Social Work Education's core competencies to social work practice.
SOWK 5210. Core Components for Trauma Informed Practice
3 Credits (3)
This course facilitates students’ acquisition of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to effectively use 12 common trauma-informed practice elements in interventions for and the treatment of traumatized children and their families. The course conceptualizes a trajectory of intervention that considers the impact of trauma, intervention objectives, and the practice elements needed to facilitate the intervention objectives. This course is taught using an inquiry-based learning (IBL) pedagogy to enhance students’ engagement and learning using full-length cases to exemplify a range of different clients a clinician might encounter.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate cultural humility by applying critical reflection, self-awareness, and self-regulation to manage the influence of bias, power, privilege, and values in working with clients and constituencies, acknowledging them as experts regarding their own lived experiences.
- Apply knowledge of human behavior and person-in-environment, as well as interprofessional conceptual frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies.
- Demonstrate respect for client self-determination during the assessment process by collaborating with clients and constituencies in developing mutually agreed-on goals.
- Engage with clients and constituencies to critically choose and implement culturally responsive, evidenced-informed interventions to achieve mutually agreed-on plans and increase the capacities of clients and constituencies.
SOWK 5230. Applied Social Work Research
3 Credits (3)
Introduction to skills for research-informed practice and practice-informed research, including problem formulation, research designs, measurement, instrumentation, data collection and analysis, use of human participants in research, and application of research knowledge and professional ethics to social work practice. Focus on the critical analysis, interpretation, and application of existing research and use of data to inform practice and advance the field across a range of client systems.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe key concepts, theories, and methodologies used in social work research, including qualitative and quantitative approaches.
- Apply ethical and cultural considerations in social work research and how these apply to working with vulnerable populations.
- Critically evaluate existing social work research, identifying potential biases, limitations, and areas for improvement.
- Develop comprehensive research, integrating theory, ethical standards, and appropriate methods to address real-world social work problems.
SOWK 5240. Leadership in Public Health Social Work
3 Credits (3)
This course explores the integrated application of Public Health Social Work (PHSW) models and theories of practice, addressing community and organizational assessment and intervention, interpretation of contexts of power and influence, capacity for conflict and alliances, and strategies for advocacy to promote community and organizational transformation. This course will emphasize assessing and sustaining culturally-sustaining, critical trauma theory-informed rural, tribal, and border area systems response to critical PHSW issues. This course is also designed to prepare students graduating in May 2022 for their MSW Final Program Examination and MPH Competency Exams.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply Public Health Social Work competencies to social work and public health practice settings.
- Demonstrate culturally humble, trauma informed public health social work knowledge, skills and values in social work and public health practice settings.
- Examine culturally- and identity-relevant public health social work practice considerations when serving in border area, tribal and rural communities.
- Design and implement community and organizational assessment through an integrated public health social work framework.
SOWK 5260. Leadership Action Project
1 Credit (1)
This skills-based course prepares MSW students for management in government and nonprofit organizational contexts, including how to prepare and analyze organizational budgets, develop grant proposals and reports and develop a leadership platform.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify a problem that can be addressed through new programming, policy change, or collective action.
- Assess needs and assets through the collection and/or analysis of multiple data sources.
- Create a proposal to address an identified problem through policy, programming, or collective action.
- Demonstrate leadership to persuade stakeholders of the relevance and feasibility of a proposal.
SOWK 5270. Social Work Ethics
1 Credit (1)
A bridge course for Advanced Standing students intended to provide a firm foundation in ethical practice before entry into the advanced year. May be repeated up to 2 credits.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5180 and SOWK 5190.
Corequisite: SOWK 5281.
Learning Outcomes
- Learners will analyze the social work code of ethics.
- Learners will apply frameworks for ethical decision making.
SOWK 5271. Social Work Policy
1 Credit (1)
A bridge course for Advanced Standing students intended to provide a firm foundation in policy practice before entry into the advanced year. May be repeated up to 2 credits.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5180 and SOWK 5190.
Corequisite: SOWK 5281.
Learning Outcomes
- Learners will describe key policies impacting social work practice.
- Learners will analyze policy.
- Learners will articular policy recommendations and steps for engagement in policy practice.
SOWK 5272. Social Work Research
1 Credit (1)
A bridge course for Advanced Standing students intended to provide a firm foundation research-informed practice and practice-informed research before entry into the advanced year. May be repeated up to 2 credits.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5180 and SOWK 5190.
Corequisite: SOWK 5281.
Learning Outcomes
- Learners will critically analyze existing research for application to practice.
- Learners will demonstrate skills for collecting data to inform practice.
SOWK 5280. Advanced Generalist Practicum Experience I
3 Credits (3)
Supervised professional practice in a community social service agency providing experiential learning in advanced generalist practice. 250 clock hours required. Seminar required. Restricted to: MSW majors.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5190.
SOWK 5281. Advanced Generalist Practicum Seminar I
2 Credits
This practicum seminar builds upon students’ knowledge, skills, values, and cognitive and affective processes attained in their generalist year to apply, analyze and evaluate advanced generalist social work service planning and delivery with diverse populations. Students develop professional social work practice knowledge in micro, mezzo, macro, and multidisciplinary settings.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5190 and SOWK 5191.
Corequisite: SOWK 5280.
Learning Outcomes
- Incorporate the Council on Social Work Education's core competencies with social work practice skills and behaviors.
- Analyze and evaluate the efficacy of social work interventions.
- Perform critical reflectivity and skills of cultural humility to serve diverse populations competently.
- Integrate complex critical thinking with various theories and interventions to address complex and diverse practice contexts.
SOWK 5290. Advanced Generalist Practicum Experience II
3 Credits (3)
Supervised professional practice in a community social service agency providing experiential learning in advanced generalist practice. 250 clock hours required. Seminar required. Restricted to: MSW majors.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5280.
SOWK 5291. Advanced Generalist Practicum Seminar II
2 Credits
This practicum seminar builds on learning from Advanced Practicum Seminar I and students’ knowledge, skills, values, cognitive and affective processes attained in their generalist year to apply, analyze and evaluate advanced generalist social work service planning and delivery with diverse populations. Students develop knowledge of professional social work practice in micro, mezzo, macro, and multidisciplinary settings.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5280 and SOWK 5281.
Corequisite: SOWK 5290.
Learning Outcomes
- Incorporate the Council on Social Work Education's core competencies with social work practice skills and behaviors.
- Analyze and evaluate the efficacy of social work interventions.
- Perform critical reflectivity and skills of cultural humility to serve diverse populations competently.
- Integrate complex critical thinking with various theories and interventions to address complex and diverse practice contexts.
SOWK 5310. Social Work Mental Health Practice
3 Credits (3)
This course is designed to add to the practice sequence for Masters Level students in Social Work. It addresses social work assessment of major mental health issues across the life span with an emphasis on resiliency and coping skills. Culturally responsive practices are applied to the major issues of mental health. Basic psychopharmacology, neurobiology and the ways in which Social Workers interact with clients to aid education and effective treatment of medical interventions will be a prominent part of this course. Evidence-based practices useful for work in various disorders will be incorporated.
Learning Outcomes
- Critically analyze the concepts of mental health and psychopathology.
- Assess social, political, and economic conditions which interfere with mental health, focusing on populations at risk for discrimination and oppression.
- Conduct assessments of mental and emotional functioning using approved models and tools.
- Apply DSM 5 criteria across a range of diverse populations.
- Differentiate culturally based behaviors from psychopathology.
- Recognize connections between psychopharmacological interventions, symptom reduction, and side effects.
- Identify evidence-based practices for work with clients exhibiting a range of mental disorders.
SOWK 5320. Advanced Practice with Individuals
3 Credits (3)
This class builds on Foundation Year Practice courses by integrating theory and practice, and advancing skills in selecting, applying and evaluating practice interventions in a culturally sensitive manner with individuals.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5165.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate professional behavior, appearance, and oral, written, and electronic communication.
- Apply cultural understanding, intersectionality, and anti-oppressive social work theories to direct practice with individuals.
- Assess individuals through the lenses of client self-determination, theories of human behavior, person-in-environment, and culturally responsive conceptual frameworks.
- Provide culturally responsive, evidence-informed interventions in direct practice with individuals.
- Evaluate principles of direct practice with individuals.
SOWK 5330. Advanced Practice with Groups
3 Credits (3)
This course will address the knowledge, values and skills needed to work effectively with diverse populations in group settings. The course will build on Foundation Year courses by integrating theory and practice, and advancing skills in selecting, applying and evaluating practice interventions in a culturally sensitive manner with social work groups.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5165.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct a group.
- Apply a theoretically informed knowledge base of group development as it is executed across systems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the variety of roles that group leaders and participants need to address in accomplishing the successful mission of the group.
- Establish a process that encourages clients to embrace the mutual aid function of groups, embracing an attention to multiple helping relationships.
- Advocate for a democratic process within all groups, encouraging a mutual emphasis on empowerment.
- Apply skills for social work assessment to group assessments.
SOWK 5340. Advanced Practice with Families
3 Credits (3)
This class builds on Foundation Year Practice courses by integrating theory and practice, and advancing skills in selecting, applying, and evaluating practice interventions in a culturally sensitive manner with families. Restricted to: MSW majors.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5165.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate professional behavior, ethical conduct, and effective communication in all aspects of family practice.
- Apply cultural humility and intersectionality to assess and engage with diverse family systems.
- Conduct comprehensive family assessments using person-in-environment and systems-based approaches.
- Implement evidence-based interventions that address the unique needs of diverse family systems.
- Reflect on and evaluate professional practice to ensure growth and improve client outcomes.
SOWK 5350. Advanced Practice with Communities and Organizations
3 Credits (3)
This class builds on Foundation Year Practice courses by integrating theory and practice, and advancing skills in selecting, applying, and evaluating practice interventions in a culturally sensitive manner with organizations and communities. Restricted to: MSW majors.
Prerequisite: SOWK 5165.
Learning Outcomes
- Integrate professional values, ethical standards, relevant laws and regulations into practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels, involving ethical decision-making and principles of critical thinking in practice, research, and policy.
- Apply frameworks to understand their role in relationship to other professions, leaders and connectors in engaging in interprofessional teams in various settings.
- Use self-reflection and self-awareness while engaging with diverse client populations using a range of social work practice roles in ethnically diverse communities.
- Identify at-risk populations to determine their needs within community and organizational settings and determine what social and economic forces affect those persons at risk.
- Analyze communities from both systems and ecological perspectives and apply ethnographic methods to conduct a community assessment project.
- Apply policy knowledge and macro practice skills to advance human rights and social justice within practice settings at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
- Identify at-risk populations to determine their needs in community and organizational settings and determine what social and economic forces influence those persons at risk.
- Engage effectively in “asset mapping” that identifies existing and needed services for populations in a community settings and organizations.
SOWK 5510. Family and Child Welfare Policy
3 Credits (3)
This course will enhance students’ ability to offer child welfare services that respect cultural differences, reflect current policy knowledge concerning child maltreatment, build on the advocacy and protective capacities of individuals, families and communities and encourage permanency for children and preservation of families. Required basic knowledge of child welfare and assessment skills. Outside majors require instructor permission. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
SOWK 5530. Family/Child Welfare Practice
3 Credits (3)
Current issues and interventions in child protection, foster care, family preservation and support, family reunification, adoption and permanency planning.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will identify and analyze approaches to child protection, foster care, family preservation and support, family reunification, adoption and permanency planning.
SOWK 5540. Introduction to School Social Work Practice in Diverse Communities
3 Credits (3)
An introduction to school social work in diverse communities beginning with systems of service for children with disabilities ages 0-3, continuing into early childhood and emphasizing services in pk-12 settings. The course explores school social work history and roles, ethics for school-based practice, Family support engagement, theoretical frameworks for school-based practice including critical disability theory, major education policies which impact school social work, schoolwide approaches to supporting student wellbeing, and approaches to targeted behavior interventions in schools. Emphasis is placed on culturally and linguistically relevant approaches to practice with diverse communities throughout.
Learning Outcomes
- Critically analyze the role of the school social worker and how it is distinct from other social work roles.
- Analyze the role of key federal, state, and district policies on school social work ethics and practice.
- Apply critical disability theory to analyze approaches to school social work practice and intervention.
- Describe and evaluate key approaches to school social work practice for students aged birth to twenty one.
- Analyze the role of culturally and linguistically responsive family engagement and advocacy in school social work practice.
SOWK 5560. Advanced School Social Work Practice: Diverse Students and Families with Special Needs
3 Credits (3)
Advanced policy and practice for school social workers supporting students receiving special education services beginning in early childhood and continuing through primary and secondary school settings. The curriculum will include culturally and linguistically appropriate knowledge, assessment, and interventions for diverse children and families with disabilities. The curriculum that is to be developed will include culturally relevant interventions for students with disabilities, special education policy, writing IEP reports and goals, and engaging in culturally and linguistically engaged family support and advocacy based on scientifically based information. The course will also provide a strong focus on special education specific policy and regulations. Assignments will be created to align with competency knowledge and application (Prerequisite SOWK 5540).
Prerequisite: SOWK 5540.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of Related Service Providers (RSP) working with diverse populations.
- Apply special education policy to practice in schools.
- Connect culturally responsive advocacy skills and practices to related service social work.
- Illustrate EBP to engage and assess needs of diverse children with disabilities and their families.
- Implement and Evaluate EBP for diverse children with disabilities and their families.
SOWK 5994. Final Exit Project
1 Credit (1)
Final Exit Project. This 1-credit course is the School of Social Work’s competency examination. The final exit project is non-thesis summative examination of students’ ability to apply the Council on Social Work Education’s core competencies to a case study. Students may only enroll in this course during the final semester of their MSW Program. May be repeated up to 2 credits.
Prerequisites: 45 Credit Hours and SOWK 5190.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply Council on Social Work Education's core competencies to a case study.
SOWK 5996. Special Topics
1-3 Credits (1-3)
Specific subjects to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Open to graduate students in related disciplines and to community professionals in related disciplines and to community professionals in related fields. May be repeated up to 99 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Varies
SOWK 5997. Independent Study
1-3 Credits (1-3)
Individual study to augment depth of knowledge in area related to course of study. May be repeated up to 6 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Varies
SOWK 5999. Graduate Thesis
1-6 Credits (1-6)
Required for thesis option. May be repeated up to 6 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Varies
Office Location: Health and Social Services Bldg. Suite 210
Phone: (575) 646-2143
Website: http://socialwork.nmsu.edu