Online Social Work Programs in New Mexico

Professionals seeking social work jobs in New Mexico can expect to find about 4,500 positions spread throughout the Land of Enchantment, according to a May 2017 data set collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Job titles among these New Mexico social work positions include child, family, and school social worker; mental health and substance abuse social worker; and healthcare social worker.

New Mexico’s rural areas provide particularly fertile areas for the profession. According to data from the BLS, the southwestern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area houses the fourth-most concentrated employment area for social workers of all of the nation’s nonmetropolitan areas. As such, New Mexico provides plenty of opportunities for social workers who want to live and practice in rural areas.

This guide provides a ranking of online social work programs in New Mexico in addition to education and licensure requirements.

Social Work Programs by Degree Level


Online Bachelor’s in Social Work Programs

Online Master’s in Social Work Programs


Education and Licensure Requirements for Social Workers in New Mexico

The New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners oversees social work licensure in the state. The board currently offers three types of social work licenses: licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW), licensed master social worker (LMSW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

Education Requirements

To apply for LBSW licensure — the initial professional certification for social workers in New Mexico — candidates need a bachelor of social work degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). LMSW and LCSW candidates need a CSWE-accredited master’s or doctoral degree. All candidates also need completion of a three-credit course on New Mexico cultures; completion of a board-approved course, workshop, or seminar on New Mexico Cultures; or proof of passing the New Mexico cultural examination.

Exam Application Process and Requirements

LBSW candidates must pass a 30-question jurisprudence exam and the Association of Social Work Boards bachelor’s exam ($230). LBSW application fees total $70. LMSW candidates must pay an application fee of $100 and pass the ASWB master’s exam ($230). LCSW candidates must pass the advanced generalist or clinical exam ($260). They need 3,600 hours of supervised professional experience to sit for the exam. They must also pay an application fee of $125.

All ASWB examinations consist of 170 multiple-choice questions. Graders score 150 of those questions. Students can register for ASWB exams through the association’s website.

Continuing Education and Licensure Renewal

All New Mexico social workers must renew their license every two years by the July 1 deadline. LBSWs must pay $100 for renewals, while LMSWs pay $150 and LCSWs pay $200. During each two-year renewal period, all New Mexico social workers must complete 30 hours of continuing education courses, including six hours of cultural awareness courses.


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Why Choose an Online Social Work Program in New Mexico?

Students interested in social work jobs in New Mexico may wish to complete their degrees online for several reasons. With two bachelor’s and two master’s programs, New Mexico offers more online social work options than many other states of its size. Online learning typically provides the flexibility for students to continue working while pursuing their degree, reducing the overall cost of the degree. Online learners also save on some of the expenses that on-campus students incur, such as housing and commuting costs.

Ranking Methodology

Here is our list of online social work degree programs in New Mexico as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics. We cover online bachelor’s in social work, online master’s in social work, and online doctorate in social work programs. All programs are regionally and CSWE accredited, and all are available entirely online.


Online Social Work Programs in New Mexico

Eastern New Mexico University

Located in Portales, Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) is a public university with over 30 online degree programs, including the Department of Health and Human Services’ online bachelor of social work.

With other degree programs in nursing, communicative disorders, and emergency services, ENMU’s Department of Health and Human Services prepares students for problem-solving and disaster response in their communities. The experienced social work faculty specialize in areas such as child welfare, corrections, trauma treatment for children, mental health, military social work, and gerontology.


ENMU’s Online Bachelor of Social Work

  • Credits and Courses: Each student must complete 120 credit hours of coursework to graduate, with 38 credits in general education, 61 credits in social work core requirements, and additional electives. Some courses run asynchronously, while others require a regular virtual meeting.
  • Completion Time: Full-time students can complete the social work portion of the degree in two years.
  • Field Education: The program requires each student to take part in 480 hours of fieldwork, spread across two semesters.
  • Other Requirements: Each student must complete a senior capstone seminar to integrate the knowledge they have gained in the program with their individual career plans.
  • Transfer Policies: Undergraduate credits from accredited institutions may transfer with the permission of department faculty. ENMU provides a transfer credit tool on its admissions website, where students can assess which of their courses may transfer.
  • Online Student Support: ENMU provides many resources for its online students, including access to writing center assistance, specialized library services, tutoring, and online counseling.
  • Cost: $167/credit in-state; $250/credit out-of state.
  • Admission Requirements: Each applicant must possess a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. ACT or SAT scores are required.

Eastern New Mexico University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Eastern New Mexico University’s online social work programs are CSWE-accredited.

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New Mexico State University

Located in Las Cruces with a satellite campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico State University (NMSU) boasts over 70 online programs. The School of Social Work offers an online master of social work, as well as online and hybrid certificate, associate, bachelor’s, and doctoral degrees.

The experienced faculty members are well-versed in a diverse array of research subjects, including mental health, social justice, child welfare and immigration policy, cultural competence, school-based mental health policy, and community engagement.


NMSU’s Online Master of Social Work

  • Concentrations: NMSU’s master of social work comes with a focus on advanced generalist social work practice with populations of the Southwest.
  • Credits and Courses: Each student must complete 60 credit hours to graduate. Advanced standing students complete 30 credit hours. Courses may run synchronously or asynchronously.
  • Completion Time: Full-time students can complete the program in two years. Advanced standing students can complete the program in one year.
  • Field Education: Each student must complete 950 hours of practicum.
  • Transfer Policies: Students may transfer a maximum of nine credit hours into the 60-credit program.
  • Online Student Support: Students receive academic support and advising through their programs and technical assistance via the Canvas course platform.
  • Cost: $400/credit
  • Admission Requirements: Each applicant must possess a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Admission may be granted on a provisional basis to students with GPAs of 2.5.

New Mexico State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). New Mexico State University’s online social work programs are CSWE-accredited.

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Western New Mexico University

Located in Silver City, Western New Mexico University (WNMU) is a public institution that takes pride in its many online offerings. WNMU’s School of Social Work offers an online bachelor’s degree in social work, as well as an online master of social work with advanced standing for students who have earned a recent CSWE-accredited bachelor’s in social work. Both degree programs are also available in person.

WNMU’s faculty boast many research interests, including disability rights and advocacy, policy-informed practice, human trafficking, LGBTQIA+ rights, cultural and spiritual diversity in social work, and chronic disease.


WNMU’s Bachelor of Social Work

  • Credits and Courses: 120 credit hours are required for graduation, with 44 credits in core social work courses, 41 credits in general education, 18 credits in supporting coursework such as psychology, 9 credits in guided electives, and 8 open credits. Aside from practicum seminars, all online courses run asynchronously through the Canvas course platform.
  • Completion Time: A full-time student can typically complete the program in four years.
  • Field Education: Each enrollee must complete 553 field hours, split between two semesters of practicum courses. Fieldwork practicum seminars run synchronously, so students must be available for video conferencing. Learners are responsible for finding and securing their own placements, though assistance is available through the program if needed.
  • Transfer Policies: Students can typically transfer credits towards general education or elective requirements. With faculty approval, students may transfer credits from CSWE-accredited programs into the social work major.
  • Online Student Support: WNMU provides several resources for online learners, including 24/7 Canvas support, orientation videos, and electronic tutoring.
  • Cost: $263/credit in-state; $323/credit out-of-state. Online students pay an additional fee of $30/credit.
  • Admission Requirements: Students must possess a 2.5 cumulative GPA for admission.

WNMU’s Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing)

  • Credits and Courses: Each student must complete 39 credits to graduate. Credits are spread across 13-14 courses, depending on the number of electives. With the exception of practicum seminars, online courses run asynchronously through the Canvas course platform.
  • Completion Time: Full-time students can complete the degree in one year, though most take 18 months.
  • Field Education: Students must complete 450 field hours, typically spread across two semesters. Advanced standing students must have completed at least 450 hours during their undergraduate studies.
  • Online Student Support: WNMU provides several resources for online learners, including round-the-clock Canvas support, orientation videos, and electronic tutoring.
  • Cost: $276/credit in-state; $341/credit out-of-state. Online students pay an additional fee of $30/credit.
  • Admission Requirements: Applicants must exhibit a 2.75 cumulative GPA on the most recent 64 credit hours their coursework for admission. GRE and GMAT scores are not required.

Western New Mexico University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Western New Mexico University’s online social work programs are CSWE-accredited.

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