Why choose an MSW from WNMU?
Why choose an MSW from WNMU?
Our MSW graduates develop the advanced knowledge, professional values, and clinical and macro practice skills needed to serve diverse populations across the lifespan. Whether providing therapy and case management, leading community interventions, or engaging in advocacy and policy work, our graduates are prepared to make a meaningful impact and improve the well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
Our MSW program is nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). At the graduate level, social workers are prepared for advanced generalist and specialized practice in a wide range of professional settings, including:
- hospitals and healthcare systems
- schools and university support services
- government and public service agencies
- non-profit and community-based organizations
- correctional and justice settings
- community mental health clinics
- nursing and long-term care facilities
- child welfare and family service agencies
- substance use treatment programs
- outpatient and integrated care clinics
- and many more
Wherever individuals and communities face challenges, professional social workers are there to provide support, leadership, and change.
Our program emphasizes the core social work values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. We foster a supportive learning environment with small class sizes and faculty who are licensed professional social workers with real-world experience. Our professors bring their practice expertise into the classroom and are committed to mentoring students as they prepare for advanced professional roles in the field.
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
The NASW is the largest professional organization for social workers in the U.S., and it does many great things:
Sets professional standards and ethics (including the NASW Code of Ethics)
Advocates for social workers and social justice at the state and national level
Provides career resources, continuing education, and licensing support
Educates the public about what social workers do and why the profession matters
Find out more about Social Work career opportunities and career resources at the NASW website.
But don’t take it from us – hear what some of our graduates say… “The professors genuinely care about the social work profession, students, and the college. It’s an awesome program, and I would recommend it to any of my peers!” (graduate, class of 2012) “The social work program prepared me to work in so many places, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for WNMU Social Work!” (graduate, class of 2010)
Our Mission Statement
Grounded in a global perspective and respect for human diversity, the WNMU MSW Program equips graduate students for advanced generalist practice through scientific inquiry, self-reflection, and guided practice experiences. Through this program, students cultivate the knowledge, skills, values, cognitive and affective processes, and cultural humility required to improve the well-being and quality of life for all individuals as champions of social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
Requirements
Applying to the MSW program, applicants to the program should meet the following criteria:
- have at least a 2.75 grade point average on the most recently-taken 64 hours of college or graduate coursework.
- complete the MSW Application (click near bottom of page, below). This one application is for BOTH WNMU and MSW program.
Degree Plan
MSW Core Curriculum
Click on any of the courses to see a description of the course and the credit hours associated with it.
Provides students with conceptual basis for cross-cultural social work interventions. Explores dynamics of and provides historical context for understanding oppression/discrimination. Focuses on multicultural environments as they affect human development, communication, assessment, problem solving processes, and interventions appropriate for effective service delivery. 3 credit hours
This course provides students with an overview of the concept of advanced generalist social work, including the various roles that can be performed by social workers with this degree path. It also provides an overview of professionalism and social work ethics, including the core values of Service, Social Justice, Dignity and Worth of the Person, Importance of Human Relationships. 3 credit hours
Examines behavior within the context of families, groups, organizations, communities, and cultures. Includes developmental stages of individual with particular focus on diversity. Human behavior is examined within the context of multiple social systems. Paradigms of human behavior are explored. Provides students with an exposure to environmental assessment tools. 3 credit hours
Designed to provide students with an introduction to knowledge, values, and skills necessary for effective social work interventions from ecological social systems perspective. Emphasizes empowerment and cultural competency. Develops skills in engagement, communication, decision-making, interviewing, case planning, documentation, recording, assessment, and problem solving for generalist social work practice. 3 credit hours.
Focuses on improving the professional writing skills of students, with particular emphasis on the student’s area of professional interest. Because of the diverse range of opportunities for specific practice areas in social work, this course provides an opportunity for students to become more proficient in practice-area specific writing methods and documentation to help them prepare for professional social work practice in their chosen area. Through this course, students will also build a strong foundation for academic writing and writing for publication, including developing an understanding of the correct use of APA format. *Core requirement for degree plans/catalog years from Summer 2020 forward. 3 credit hours
Provides an introduction to social work group work practice, including dynamics of group interaction, stages of group development, and group types. Different type of clinical groups, working with marginalized groups, committees, task groups, and self-help groups are explored, as are group processes. 3 credit hours
Introduces theories and models of intervention that underlie the practice of clinical social work. Students learn a variety of theories and intervention methods central to clinical social work practice. This course emphasizes application of theory and techniques to clinical social work practice, in culturally diverse environments. 3 credit hours
Focuses on applied skills, k knowledge, and values for generalist level social work practice. Student will complete 225 hours of the 900 hours of practicum experience required for graduation. Prerequisite: Admission to the
M.S.W. Program and SWK 501, 502, 510, and 511. 3 credit hours.
Continues to focus on applied skills, knowledge, and values. Students complete an additional 225 hours of practicum. The emphasis is on continued application of human behavior and social theories, and social work values and ethics, along with the development of practice skills and an integrated professional self. Prerequisite: SWK 581. 3 credit hours.
This course emphasizes the knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes that support leadership development and clinical supervision in social work. The course includes content on leadership and supervisory models and styles, competencies required to provide clinical supervision, culturally appropriate behaviors, the role of technology, and how to apply social work core values and ethical standards in supervisory and leadership situations. 3 credit hours.
Focuses on the clinical process of assessment and diagnosis from a social work practice perspective. Includes examination of theories within the bio-psycho-social paradigm and explores micro and macro issues related to the delivery of mental health services. 3 credit hours and only available in Spring and Fall semesters.
Focuses on knowledge, values, and skills for advanced integrated micro/mezzo level social work practice. An empowerment perspective is reinforced. Content includes theories of practice within the Bio-Psycho-Social paradigm in varied settings with diverse populations. 3 credit hours and only available in Spring and Fall semesters.
Focuses on knowledge, skills and values of advanced macro level social work practice with a focus on complex skills in community development, economic development, and organizational change. 3 credit hours
Focuses on policy analysis and evaluation with emphasis on skills in policy practice. Develops skills and knowledge for the policy practitioner as a change agent in legislative, community, and organizational arenas. Students will link practice skills to policy, advocacy, and barriers to social change. 3 credit hours.
Teaches skills for evaluation of social work practice across client system levels; provides historical and value context for practice evaluations. Focuses on evaluation of social programs and one’s own professional practice. 3 credit hours
Focuses on advanced applied social work skills, knowledge, and values for direct practice; provides students with experiential learning experiences. Emphasis in the 225 hours of practicum is on the application of practice milieu skills. Students delve deeper into issues pertinent to the geographical area in which they complete their practicum. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW Program. 3 credit hours
This course of 225 field practicum hours focuses on integration of social work skills, knowledge, and values for advanced generalist practice. Emphasis is on application of skills at micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice. This course is the capstone course required by the Graduate School.
Prerequisites: SWK 681. 3 credit hours
Social Work Electives
The social work department offers a wide range of electives to support student learning in their areas of interest. While students may select elective courses from any academic area, students may also take any of the social work electives listed below, in addition to social work workshop courses, which provide variety and focused learning experiences from semester to semester. The electives below are not taught each semester, consult the course schedule to see what electives are being taught the particular semester in which you are interested. Some of the available social work electives are listed here:
Explores the social, psychological, biological and spiritual changes that occur from middle age to elderly to death. Issues that need to be addressed with this population and ways to be supportive of caregivers will be explored. Students will also be encouraged to view this population from the strengths perspective and share their current knowledge of elders. Diversity will be addressed as we explore how different cultures and ethnic groups care for the oldest family members. Types of social work intervention will be studied. 3 credit hours
A follow-on course to Introduction to Social work Practice with the Military. The course provides students an opportunity to conduct detailed research into military social work topics of interest to them. 3 credit hour
Covers knowledge and skills essential to effective social work practice in schools. Topics include evolution of social work in schools, theory, assessment, and interventions for use in schools and education law related to special education. Content on multiculturalism, social justice and change are integrated into the course. 3 credit hours
Presents advanced knowledge and skills for school social work. Topics include evolution of school social work, school social work theoretical approaches, advanced assessment, and interventions in school settings. Teaches advanced social assessment for educational planning, formulation of goals and objectives, record keeping, accessing school resources, and external referrals. Prerequisite: SWK 506. 3 credit hours
This course presents advanced knowledge and skills essential to providing effective school social work interventions. Students will learn to identify, select and apply evidence-based prevention and intervention methods for use with individuals, groups, families, school personnel, and communities to enhance student learning, development, and school success. Student learning will include social justice practice skills, trauma informed practice models, positive behavior supports for school wide programs and individuals, crisis prevention, planning, and intervention, behavior intervention planning; mediation, conflict resolution, and collaborative problem-solving methods. 3 credit hours
To introduce and familiarize students with our military population, increase awareness of Veterans’ needs, and focus on current advocacy efforts. Students will be exposed to multiple therapy options including Integrative Therapeutic Techniques that are currently being studied and utilized to enhance PTSD treatment outcomes and success for our returning service members. 3 credit hours
Is an introduction to human trafficking from a human rights perspective which examines the scope (global, national, state and local) and types (labor and sex) and explores laws, protocols and conventions against human trafficking. Students will learn ways they can help in the effort to combat human trafficking. 3 credit hours
Focuses on the empowerment of people with disabilities. Provides students with information on the history of disability perspectives and policy and builds understanding of the practice of social work with
people with disabilities. 3 credit hours
Psychotherapeutic drugs and the pharmacologic basis of medicines for psychiatric disorders will be discussed from the perspective of Social Work practice. 3 credit hours
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of social work practice within a variety of health care settings. The aim of this course is to integrate previously learned human behavior and practice knowledge with advanced analysis of theory and research for social work practice in health care settings that serve diverse populations. The content of this course will include current and emerging health and behavior theory, research, and practice specific case studies related to a variety of health settings and populations. 3 credit hours
This course will provide an introduction to Infant Mental Health in Social Work practice. Students will explore developmental perspectives, impacts of trauma and mental health diagnoses of parents and infants on Infant Mental health, assessment and intervention within the parent-child relationship, and how Infant Mental Health paradigms are applicable to various populations and fields of practice including infants, children, youth, students, adults, family systems, and more. 1 credit hours
This course presents an integrated approach to understanding issues in sexuality and the range of human sexual expression within an interactional framework in social work practice. It examines human sexuality issues from a bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspective and explores sexual issues presented to social workers within a variety of social work practice settings and various models of practice. Social work theoretical bases for study in the field of sexuality are explored. A professional approach to using appropriate modalities and practices in social work is explored. The course provides an overview of the social worker’s role in counseling individuals, couples, families, agencies and organizations with sexuality-related concerns. 1 credit hours
This course is focused on both micro and macro perspectives of spousal/intimate partner violence and is grounded in race, class and gender theory. This course provides the opportunity for students to apply and share their skills related to cultural competence, knowledge, experiences and self-awareness. Readings, videos, assignments and discussions support cultural competent practice by exposing students to effective interventions with multicultural groups and individuals. The course supports students in their work with victims and perpetrators of family violence who have diverse identities related to ethnicity, culture, language, socioeconomic class, gender, gender identity, sexual preference, age, physical characteristics, learning challenges, physical challenges, health and mental functioning. Students will also have the opportunity to explore and analyze at risk populations and look at how the criminal justice systems (state and federal) address issues of family violence in terms of social justice. 1 credit hours
Introduces students to the relationship between social work macro theories and rural communities, the meaning of macro social work, “rurality,” and how theories undergird this practice. Emphasizes Native American and Hispanic cultural applications management theories to rural community development. 3 credit hours
Outdoor behavioral health in the 21st century can be seen as a specialized form of mental health treatment and can also be understood in the context of western and indigenous cultural traditions. This course will explore the application of mental health and substance abuse treatment in outdoor settings with adolescents and discuss therapeutic uses of wilderness experiences for recreation, personal growth and reflection, physical and emotional challenge, and to enhance counseling, assessments, and social work interventions. We will examine research on the benefits of green spaces and outdoor experiences on stress reduction, restoration of attention, enhanced self-concept and sense of mastery, cognitive development, treatment of emotional and substance abuse disorders, and promotion of personal meaning. The course will include assigned outdoor and experiential activities in addition to conventional assignments and online discussions. Experience with wilderness therapy or the outdoors is not required. 3 credit hours
This course will provide students the opportunities to learn theory, research and practice of Adventure Therapy and other related modalities. The topics covered in this course will include history, psychotherapeutic foundation, nature’s role. AT models, assessment, risk management, competencies, supervision, ethics as well as research and evaluation. 3 credit hours
This course approaches policy and practice though an eco-centric perspective, highlighting the complexity of the person in physical environment construct. While emphasizing social justice issues and dysfunctional patterns of behavior and thinking related to environmental degradation. The course will also teach students about eco-psychological/eco-therapeutic concepts, and other experiential practices to intervene with clients. This course may include video conferencing, depending on group consensus but will not be required. 3 credit hours
This course explores various ways social work practitioners incorporate spirituality into their professional practice using an inclusive and integrative approach. Course content emphasizes many of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards core competencies related to Council of Social Work Education accreditation. Specific emphasis is placed on investigating practitioner identity, understanding ethical concepts, developing analytical thinking, and expanding cross-cultural awareness. Stagers of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation will also be addressed through course discussions and assignments. 3 credit hours
Explores the research area of program evaluation. Building upon quantitative and qualitative research methods, program evaluation is the systematic analysis of current or proposed social programs aimed at remedying a specific issue. Students will apply program evaluation concepts to a project that builds throughout the course; the final product will be a complete program evaluation report. 3 credit hours
Familiarizes the student with issues, policies, procedures, basic competencies, and proficiencies pertaining to child welfare and permanency planning. It provides an overview of child abuse and neglect, family preservation and reunification, out-of-home placements, and the consequences of long-term maltreatment. 3 credit hours
Workshops vary by semester.
This course facilitates students’ understanding of the learning experience through critical reflection on field practicum experiences. It is designed to offer a structured environment in which to integrate theoretical material learned in the classroom with field experiences. The structure facilitate the synthesis of theory, research, policy, and practice plus encourage exploration of the profession’s ethics as they relate to beginning generalist practice. The completion of class discussions the student develops a basic understanding of the social work profession, including values, ethics, social work roles, key theoretical and practice concepts, the use of self, the integration of personal and professional values, and advocacy. 1 credit hours
The course provides students’ opportunities to explore, conceptualize and practice some of the skills necessary to understanding Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, an evidenced based treatment that has been heavily researched and found to be effective for a number of serious mental health problems. However, DBT is a highly complex treatment modality, this course is designed to familiarize students with the basic concepts and techniques, so that they are able to follow a discussion of the modality in a work setting or to assist a student in deciding if they are interested enough in DBT to pursue the lengthy and arduous task of undertaking a formal training program. 3 credit hours
Clinical and practical reasoning requires broad knowledge, good judgement, and disciplined analysis. The ability to effectively use clinical reasoning in decision-making is a complex process requiring practitioners to be aware of multiple functions and dynamic contexts, to use a diverse knowledge base, and to deal with multiple variables and individuals. The Clinical Reasoning and Case Formulation Modules address key concepts for building a reasoning and formulation process in practitioners. Key concepts covered include the differences between a clinical diagnosis and clinical case formulation and discerning an appropriate sequence and race to case work by working form urgent to strategic, form practical to clinical, and from operationally defined outcomes to precise intervention strategies. 3 credit hours
MSW Field Practicum Information
Learning Outcomes (ASM5)
School of Social Work Student Handbook
Child Welfare Stipend Program
Social Work Licensing Information
Frequently Answered Questions
The Social Work Program at WNMU is currently accepting MSW applications!
MSW application deadlines:
Spring Semester Deadlines:
For those planning to begin in January, apply by October 1
For those planning to begin in March, apply by December 27
Notification of applicants admissions status via email targeted to begin two months after deadline.
Summer Semester Deadline:
April 1st
Notification of applicants admissions status via email targeted to begin one month after deadline
Fall Semester Deadlines:
For those planning to begin in August, apply by May 1
For those planning to begin in October, apply by July 3
Notification of applicants admissions status via email targeted to begin two months after deadline.
Additional Information:
Our MSW program has selective admission, such that a small number of the strongest applicants will be admitted for a limited number of spots.
We strongly encourage prospective students to apply and send the required documents as EARLY as possible to the School of Social Work. Individuals applying for the fall, spring, or summer terms must apply no later than four months prior to the first day of classes for the term in which they seek enrollment; however, other deadlines may apply, so check our online content for updated information. (See the Academic Calendar for specific dates.) Individuals who submit applications after the identified deadline will NOT be considered for admission to the MSW Program during the term in which the application deadline has passed. Additionally, to be considered for a future term, a new application would be needed.
In-person interviews are not conducted during the standard application process. In the event additional information is required, applicants will be contacted by a WNMU representative and arrangements will be made to exchange information via email, phone, or video conference.
Transcripts:
Transcripts can be sent to gradadmissions@wnmu.edu or
Graduate Admissions
Western New Mexico University
1000 W. College Ave
PO Box 680
Silver City, NM 88062
Application Fees:
- $100 non-refundable for new application
- $50 non-refundable for re-admission
Re-Admission student who has attended other colleges or universities prior to application for readmission to WNMU must have official academic transcripts sent from those institutions to the School of Social Work as part of the application procedure.
The application requirements for our MSW program:
- Receipt of official transcripts showing the award of a bachelor’s/master’s degree from an accredited college or university recognized by CHEA (Council of Higher Education Accreditation)
- Receipt of completed application form containing contact information for 3 professional/academic references willing to complete an online survey about the candidate.
- Professional reference: An individual who supervised your performance in a work, field practicum, or volunteer setting.
- Academic reference: A college professor or academic advisor.
- Personal statement essay and a professional resume (Please list all of your work and volunteer experiences in your resume).
Your application will be considered incomplete if:
- Application form is incomplete
- A minimum of 3 completed Professional/Academic reference responses are not received after two weeks of application having been submitted (Incomplete forms, or references from family members/personal friends/co-workers are not counted toward the minimum requirement)
- Missing personal statement by deadline listed above or it does not meet the requirements as stated in the application
- Missing professional resume by deadline listed above
- No Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university recognized by CHEA.
If you have any questions about the personal statement or concerns about any of the above topics or other issues relating to admissions, please call us at 575-538-6421, or email msw@wnmu.edu.
Join the MSW Program
Note: For Applicants to the Social Work Program: PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CLOSELY BEFORE PROCEEDING!
You must start a NEW application in order to apply to the MSW program. Returning to an application that you started earlier will result in you doing the wrong application! At the end of the app, your fee will be $100 (or $50 for returners), so you will know if you are in the correct application if you see the correct fee. Questions, please call us at 575-538-6421.
All applicants must read and agree to each of the following statements in order to be considered for admission into the MSW program.
Please Note: All required MSW program supplemental items (Personal Statement, Resume, Professional References/Academic References) will be uploaded after the submission of this application. After the submission of this application, applicants will need to log back into their active MSW application in their RECRUIT account to upload the required documents.