Welcome to New Mexico State University Bachelor of Social Work

Application Process

Thank you for considering NMSU’s School of Social Work as your home to pursue your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. The BSW degree is in high demand in the workforce regionally and nationally. Our program offers strong preparation in generalist social work practice and specializes in populations of the U.S. Southwest.

Here is the information you’ll need to complete an application for Fall, 2023. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our BSW Coordinator, Myra Garcia, at mygarcia@nmsu.edu. She is available by email or zoom to provide you with support throughout your application process.

Our BSW program is currently offered in traditional method where students attend class on main campus.

The NMSU School of Social Work is currently working on the development of a new fully online BSW program and we will soon be accepting applications for it. The projected starting date for this new program is August 2023. The curriculum for the online program will be exactly the same as the curriculum for our on-campus BSW program. If for any reason the start of the NMSU BSW-O program is delayed, all students admitted to BSW-O for fall 2023 will have the option to join NMSU's onsite BSW program, which also offers several online courses. 

Admission Criteria

The School of Social Work will be accepting applications for priority admission from November 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023, for a Fall, 2023, start date. Applications will be considered until April 30, 2023. Please know it may impact your ability to be accepted to start in Fall, 2023 if you submit your application after January 31, 2023. No Spring semester start date is available.

Important to Know!

General Requirements to Apply for the BSW Program

  • To be eligible to apply, you need a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • Our BSW program is a site-based program at NMSU's main campus in Las Cruces. Where some classes are offered online, many core courses require your in-person attendance.
  • We will also be accepting applications for our BSW online program that is projected to start Fall 2023. If for any reason the start of the NMSU BSW-O program is delayed, all students admitted to BSW-O for fall 2023 will have the option to join NMSU's onsite BSW program, which also offers several online courses.
  • We recommend completing 60-65 countable degree credits, including the NMSU general education requirements and School of Social Work requirements. Talk with your academic advisor to determine if those requirements have been met. For the BSW Course Map, see
  • In order to start your social work courses in the Fall of your Junior year, you may not have more than three outstanding prerequisites at the end of your Sophomore year.

Transfer Students

  • If you are a student transferring to NMSU, please follow the steps here before beginning your BSW application: https://admissions.nmsu.edu/how-to-apply/transfer-students/. You need to be at least tentatively accepted to NMSU-Main Campus to be considered for the BSW Program.
  • Transfer students should schedule an advising appointment with an undergraduate academic advisor by calling (575) 646-2941 or emailing lettyg@nmsu.edu or lizrod@nmsu.edu, as early as possible to determine which of their credits will transfer to NMSU and which will count toward a BSW degree. Per our accreditation, no course credit is given for work or life experience.

What is Required for the BSW Application?

A complete formal application is required. The forms necessary to complete your application are included in the BSW Application Canvas course you will be added to once you meet with your academic advisor. This application includes:

  • An application form.
  • Your resume.
  • Your unofficial transcript.
  • A minimum of two (2) letters of reference. Please use the Letter of Reference Form that is available in the BSW Application Canvas course.
  • A personal statement.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered for admission. The deadline to be considered for priority admissions is midnight on January 31, 2023. The final deadline for applications to be considered is midnight on April 30, 2023. It may affect your ability to be admitted to the program for a Fall, 2023, start date if you submit your application after January 31, 2023.

Acceptance into the BSW Program is determined by the NMSU School of Social Work Admission Committee. Acceptance or denial letters will be sent directly from the School of Social Work to the applicant in time for advisement and pre-registration for the Fall semester.

Undergraduate Pre-Social Work Academic Advisor

Students who are interested in Pre-Social Work (PSWK) and the Bachelor of Social Work major should schedule an advising appointment as soon as possible by contacting the Undergraduate Academic Advisor assigned to Social Work: If you have any questions about being ready to apply you can schedule an appointment here.

Advisors for main campus BSW:

Letty Gallegos
Academic Advisor, Ld
Lettyg@nmsu.edu
Center for Academic Advising and Student Support
(575) 646-2941


Liz Rodriguez
Academic Advisor
lizrod@nmsu.edu
Center for Academic Advising and Student Support
(575) 646-2941

 

Advisors for upcoming online BSW:

Megan Boyd
Acad Advisor, Ld
mboyd@nmsu.edu
Digital Learning
(575) 646-2941


Jarod Gonzalez
Acad Advisor, Ld
jarodg@nmsu.edu
Digital Learning
(575) 646-2941