Bachelor of Social Work
Social work is a career that provides students with the opportunity to work with individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities. The professional social worker makes a positive difference by empowering others to improve their lives.
The social work program offers B.S.W. and M.S.W. degrees in three concentrations: Clinical practice, Leadership and Administration, and Bilingual/Bicultural studies. We also have a dual MBA/MSW program for students seeking admission into the two-year M.S.W. program. It takes 52 credit units of combined junior and senior level courses to finish the B.S.W program.
Students are required to complete 448 hours of field practicum during their senior year. This experience provides the chance to work directly with a specific target group as you use what you have learned in class in practical settings. The curriculum’s focus on multicultural practice will give you the knowledge and understanding of cultural and ethnic differences — critical for social workers to help their clients successfully.
Students who achieve high academic standards are eligible to apply to the school’s Advanced Standing M.S.W. honors program. This track will allow you to complete the M.S.W. degree in two or three academic semesters.
Our curriculum prepares students for entry-level generalist practice, and will train you in the skills and knowledge to work in public and private social service agencies. Alumni from the School of Social Work are successfully working in a variety of fields: mental health and health care, substance abuse programs, schools, child welfare, hospice, gerontology and many other areas.
Are you ready?
Social Work Courses and Requirements
Undergraduate Requirements: Social Work
Major in Social Work (undergraduate)
Undergraduate Courses in Social Work
The New Mexico Highlands undergraduate catalog outlines your options and the steps you need to take to complete degree requirements for your chosen major. To ensure the seamless completion of your degree, consult often with your academic adviser and utilize Highlands’ Degree Audit tool to keep track of your academic progress.
Want to continue? Here’s some information about graduate studies:
Administration
Cesar Abarca, Ph.D., MSW
DEAN
Kristin Stephenson
SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Faculty
Rey Martinez, Ph.D.
PROFESSOR
Rebecca Moore, Ph.D., LMSW
PROFESSOR
Judy Barnstone, Ph.D., MSW
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & MSW PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Dolores Ortega, Ph.D.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Erik Rolstad, Ph.D., LCSW
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Annie Allen, Ph.D., LCSW
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Jeannette Baca, DSW, LISW, LCSW
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR & MSW PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Benjamin Bencomo, DSW, LISW/LCSW, Ph.D.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
BSW PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Jedediah Bragg, Ph.D., LMSW, ASCW
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Sreyashi Chakravarty, Ph.D.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Craig Stern, DSW, LSW, MSW
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Rachell Tenorio, Ph.D.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
John M. Tourangeau, Ph.D., MDIV, MBA, LADAC, LCSW
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Caroline Dailey, MSW, LCSW
FULL-TIME CONTINGENT PROFESSOR
Emet Ma’ayan, MSW, LCSW
FULL-TIME CONTINGENT PROFESSOR
Leasa Medina, LCSW
FULL-TIME CONTINGENT PROFESSOR
Frances Ortega, Ph.D.
FULL-TIME CONTINGENT PROFESSOR
Samantha Nelums, MSW, LCSW
FULL-TIME CONTINGENT PROFESSOR
Staff
Marian Vargas, MSW
STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Lawrence Montano, MSW
STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Summer Charley
SOCIAL WORK ADMIN. ASSISTANT- FARM
Sharen Maldonado
SOCIAL WORK FIELD EDUCATION SR. ADMIN. ASSISTANT
Nicole DeHerrera, MSW, LCSW
SOCIAL WORK FIELD EDUCATION COORDINATOR- FARM
Faith Eldridge, MSW, LCSW
MSW FIELD EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Christine Floyd, MSW, MAED
MSW ONLINE FIELD COORDNATOR
Sara Hurtado, MSW, LCSW
FIELD COORDINATOR
Tamara Thiedeman, LCSW
FIELD EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Melissa Williamson, MSW, LCSW
SOCIAL WORK FIELD COORDINATOR- LV AND SF
Patricia Miera
MSW ONLINE INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER
Ruth Sandoval
MSW ONLINE INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER
Janice Dowsett, MA
MSW ONLINE PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Anna Nelson, Ph.D.
DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN SOCIAL WORK
Monica Otero, MSW
SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR, CESW
Joey Jimenez Jr., MSW
SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, CESW
Amber Vilas, MSW
CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE COORDINATOR
Helen Robertson, MIRLS
LIBRARY ASSOCIATE/EVENING COORDINATOR
Melissa Riley, Ph.D.
DIRECTOR,
NATIVE AMERICAN SOCIAL WORK STUDIES INSTITUTE
Elizabeth Garcia, MSW
SWEEP SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR
Velinda Pearson, MSW, LCSW
SWEEP-RAICES OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Our Mission
The New Mexico Highlands University Board of Regents approved, on December 17, 2015, a change in the name to the School of Social Work to honor the founder of the School, Facundo Valdez. The mission of the Facundo Valdez School of Social Work is to educate students to practice social work competently with the diverse, multicultural populations of New Mexico and the Southwest. This context of cultural and regional responsiveness informs the school’s creation and implementation of all its educational programs.
The School has a primary commitment to Hispanic and Native American people. Our curriculum grounds students in core professional social work values and skills and ethical principles and promotes a focused awareness and respect for cultural differences and how poverty affects the well-being of people in the region.