MSW Curriculum Overview
Core Curriculum and Degree Maps
The MSW Program is designed to provide academic and fieldwork education with an emphasis on advanced generalist practice in multicultural settings with vulnerable populations. NMSU's MSW program provides an Advanced Generalist concentration, preparing students to practice in a full range of social work roles and settings — from direct practice with individuals to work with families and groups, communities and organizations, and policy. Students may utilize electives to direct their studies in areas of focus while completing the advanced generalist core.
Degree Maps
The following degree maps detail the different MSW Program Pathways available:
Regular MSW — 2-Year Pathway Regular MSW — 3-Year Pathway Advanced Standing MSW — 1-Year Pathway Dual MSW/MPH Degree — 3-Year ProgramGeneralist Foundation Courses
The purpose of the foundation (or generalist) course series is to provide the basic foundation that distinguishes social work from other helping professions. This foundation is taught in terms of knowledge-guided frameworks for effectively managing the various phases of the empowerment process with the multiple levels of client systems with whom we work in direct practice.
Advanced Generalist Concentration Courses
The Advanced Generalist Concentration year prepares social work practitioners to exercise professional autonomy, leadership, and creativity necessary for multidimensional contextual and ethical practice in rapidly changing social environments with populations of the southwest.
Elective Course Options
Students may take electives during either the foundation or concentration portion of their program depending on their degree plan. A wide variety of special topics (SOWK 5996) courses are offered regularly to provide a range of content. Core electives offered include: