New Mexico State University

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. 

We currently have two program options: 

1. Our BSW-Main Campus is a site-based program at NMSU's main campus in Las Cruces. Some classes are offered online, many core courses require your in-person attendance. 
2. Our BSW-Global Campus is a fully online program at Global Campus.

Admission Criteria 

The BSW program admits new students every fall. The application cycle for Fall 2025 is now open!

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-Main campus program is a site-based program at NMSU’s main campus in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Some classes are offered online; however, many core courses require your in-person attendance. 
• Our BSW-Global Campus program is a fully online program 
• 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 https://catalogs.nmsu.edu/nmsu/health-education-social-tranformation/social-work/social-work-bsw/#requirementstextLinks to an external site. . 
• 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 

BSW-Main Campus 

• If you are a student transferring to NMSU, please follow the steps here (Links to an external site) before beginning your BSW application. You need to be tentatively accepted to NMSU-Main Campus to be considered for the BSW Program. 
• Transfer students should schedule an advising appointment with the undergraduate academic advisor by calling (575) 646-2941 or emailing Letty Gallegos or Nikki Solano with NMSU Central Advising as early as possible to determine which 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. 

BSW-Global Campus

• If you are a student transferring to NMSU, please follow the steps here (Links to an external site.) before beginning your BSW-Global application. You need to be tentatively accepted to Global Campus to be considered for the BSW-Global Program. 
• Transfer students should schedule an advising appointment with the undergraduate academic advisor emailing Jared Gonzalez or Megan L. Boyd with Global Campus 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 the Canvas Course once you meet with your academic advisor. This application includes: 

• 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 
• A Star Degree Audit 

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered for admission. The deadline to be considered for admission has been extended to April 30th!

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. 

If you have any general questions about the BSW program, please reach out to one of our student program coordinators:

Maribel Lopez
Sr. Student Program Coordinator
mkeeper@nmsu.edu
(575) 646-7599

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 BSW-Main Campus: 

Nikki Solano
Academic Advisor
nsolano@nmsu.edu
Center for Academic Advising and Student Support
(575) 646-2941 

Advisors for Global Campus:

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