Bachelor of Social Work

Are you looking for a career that promotes social change, social action, and respect of cultural and language differences? If you want to help improve the life of others, your career in social work begins at New Mexico Highlands University.

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?

Photo: Five young adults are sitting at a picnic table outside on a fall day. They are smiling and chatting.

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:

Master’s degree in Social Work

Graduate courses in Social Work

Administration

Cesar Abarca, Ph.D., MSW

DEAN

cabarca@nmhu.edu@nmhu.edu

P: 505-260-6183

Kristin Stephenson

SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

kstephenson@nmhu.edu

P: 505-260-6181

Faculty

Rey Martinez, Ph.D.

PROFESSOR

rcmartinez@nmhu.edu

P: 505-566-3047

Rebecca Moore, Ph.D., LMSW

PROFESSOR

rmmoore@nmhu.edu

P: 505-426-2053

Judy Barnstone, Ph.D., MSW

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & MSW PROGRAM COORDINATOR

jebarnstone@nmhu.edu

P: 505-260-6188

Dolores Ortega, Ph.D.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

ortegad@nmhu.edu

P: 505-454-3567

Erik Rolstad, Ph.D., LCSW

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

erolstad@nmhu.edu

Annie Allen, Ph.D., LCSW

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

annie@nmhu.edu

Jeannette Baca, DSW, LISW, LCSW

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR & MSW PROGRAM COORDINATOR

jmbaca@nmhu.edu

P: 505-426-2054

Benjamin Bencomo, DSW, LISW/LCSW, Ph.D.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
BSW PROGRAM COORDINATOR

bbencomo@nmhu.edu

P: 505-454-3326

Jedediah Bragg, Ph.D., LMSW, ASCW

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

jebragg@nmhu.edu

Sreyashi Chakravarty, Ph.D.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

schakravarty@nmhu.edu

P: 505-260-6189

Craig Stern, DSW, LSW, MSW

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

castern@nmhu.edu@nmhu.edu

Rachell Tenorio, Ph.D.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

rachelletenorio@nmhu.edu

John M. Tourangeau, Ph.D., MDIV, MBA, LADAC, LCSW

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

jtourangeau@nmhu.edu

P: 505-454-3515