Your guide to MSW programs in New Mexico

This guide covers the requirements to become a licensed, professional social worker in New Mexico. We’ll look at some of the socioeconomic factors that shape the role of social workers in New Mexico. And we’ll also explore in detail the MSW programs within New Mexico. Finally, we’ll review average salary data and job prospects for those wanting to pursue a career in social work in New Mexico.

CONTENTS OF THIS GUIDE

• Social Work in New Mexico
• MSW programs
• Online MSW programs
• How to become a social worker
• License requirements
• Social work jobs salary
• Job outlook

Social work in New Mexico

Social workers’ lives vary from state-to-state, primarily because of the wide variety of socioeconomic forces that shape the profession. New Mexico has its own unique set of factors that influence the demand for social workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 4,250 social workers in New Mexico. Let’s explore how the social work profession has been shaped by New Mexico’s unique economy and demographic data.

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• New Mexico’s unique geographic location and proximity to the southern border of the United States is one of the most influential socioeconomic factors. Almost 10 percent of the population is made up of immigrants. Of that number, nearly 70 percent of those immigrants come from Mexico. As the US continues to witness an influx of immigrants from the Southern border, the immigrant population of New Mexico will continue to grow. If you’re interested in pursuing life as an immigration social worker, New Mexico is one of the best states to maximize your career opportunities.
• New Mexico’s economy is dominated by oil drilling, mineral extraction, agriculture and ranching, and lumber milling. The state is divided between large swaths of unoccupied, rural areas and large urban centers. The opportunities for social work are as varied as the geography and economy of New Mexico. Because of its diversity, there will continue to be a growing demand for social workers who specialize in advocacy and community organization, child welfare, justice and corrections, and occupation and employee assistance programs (among others). 
• Almost 50 percent of New Mexico’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. Additionally, 34.8 percent of all households speak some language other than English at home. This trend is projected to grow over the next decade. For this reason, social workers who specialize in immigration or who speak a second language will become particularly valuable and in-demand. 
• There are nearly 150,000 veterans living in New Mexico. The significant presence of the veteran population provides a wide variety of professional opportunities for social workers that specialize in veteran affairs. Compared to the national average, a veterans’ affairs social worker in New Mexico earns about 23 percent more per year than the national average.

MSW programs in New Mexico

Before you can dive into your social work career, you’ll need to complete the formal education requirements set forth by the New Mexico Board of Social Work. The good news is that New Mexico has several in-state colleges that offer CSWE-accredited master of social work (MSW) programs. Let’s look at the three options:

• New Mexico Highlands University – New Mexico Highlands University offers a dual-degree MSW/MBA program so students can pursue both degrees simultaneously. Their MSW program offers three different areas of specialization: clinical, leadership and administration, and bilingual/bi-cultural clinical practice (Spanish/English). There is also an advanced standing MSW program for students who have completed their BSW within the last five years from an accredited school. The advanced standing program can only be completed as a full-time program.
• Western New Mexico University – The CSWE-accredited MSW programs at Western New Mexico University boast small class sizes. They offer both a standard and an advanced standing MSW program. To qualify for the advanced standing program, students need a BSW from a CSWE accredited institution within the last eight years. 
• New Mexico State University – New Mexico State University offers a CSWE accredited MSW and BSW programs. This MSW program was designed with an advanced generalist focus to help prepare students for a wide variety of professional opportunities. New Mexico State University offers four different courses of study for their MSW program: full-time, part-time, advanced standing, and part-time advanced standing.

Online MSW programs in New Mexico

While attending classes in-person is the more traditional form of higher education, online, hybrid, and asynchronous classes can offer increased flexibility. The increased scheduling flexibility is valuable for students who are already working or who have other personal time commitments that may otherwise prevent them from returning for higher education. 

Currently, only one school in New Mexico offers an online MSW program. Western New Mexico University offers both traditional on-campus and online MSW programs for maximum flexibility. Students will need to complete at least 60 credit hours to graduate with an MSW in both cases.

How to become a social worker in New Mexico

Understanding the exact steps you need to take to get your license in New Mexico can be confusing. According to the New Mexico Board of Social Work, there are three different licensure levels that you can apply for: licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW), licensed master social worker (LMSW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). To help clarify the process, we’ve outlined a list on how to obtain each of these licenses in New Mexico

LBSW

• Obtain your BSW from a CSWE accredited university.
• Apply for your LBSW license.
• Receive a one-year provisional license. During this time frame, you’ll need to take and pass the ASWB Bachelor’s exam.
• Complete New Mexico cultural coursework and submit proof of completion to the New Mexico Board of Social Work.

LMSW

• Obtain your MSW from a CSWE accredited university.
• Apply for your LMSW license.
• Receive a one-year provisional license. During this time frame, you’ll need to take and pass the ASWB Master’s exam.
• Complete New Mexico cultural coursework and submit proof of completion to the New Mexico Board of Social Work.

LCSW

• Obtain your MSW from a CSWE accredited university.
• Complete 3,600 hours of supervised experience. This must be completed within two to five years.
• Apply for your LCSW license.
• Receive a one-year provisional license. During this time frame, you’ll need to take and pass the ASWB Advanced Generalist or Clinical exam.

Social work license requirements in New Mexico

No matter which license you pursue, New Mexico does require some type of higher education for each level. The LBSW is the only license you can obtain without having an MSW. And while none of the license levels specifically requires a PhD in social work, have your DSW can significantly boost your job and earnings potential.

New Mexico does offer limited reciprocity licensure for those who have already been licensed in another state. To qualify for reciprocity, you need at least five years of out-of-state licensure and complete an application form that demonstrates that you meet New Mexico’s licensing requirements. Additionally, you will also need to provide evidence of taking a New Mexico cultural course before you can become licensed in New Mexico.

Social worker jobs and social worker salary in New Mexico 

The demand for social workers in New Mexico will continue to grow, especially as its population grows and continues to diversify. Currently, there are 4,250 social workers employed in New Mexico. The salary range for social workers in the state is $44,430 and $58,720 a year. Of those 4,250, the following numbers show how they break down into specializations according to BLS data:

Child, family, and school social worker — There are 2,000 child, family, and school social workers in the state. The average annual salary for this group is $44,430.

Healthcare social worker — There are 1,420 healthcare social workers in New Mexico. This type of social worker makes an average salary of $58,700 a year in the state.

Mental health and substance abuse social worker — There are 380 mental health and substance abuse social workers making an average salary of $49,220.

All other social workers — There are 450 social workers in this group which includes administrators, private practice, etc. The average salary for this group is $57,500.

Social work outlook in New Mexico

According to the BLS, New Mexico has a higher concentration of (and demand for) social workers when compared to the national average. From 2014 to 2024, the health care and social assistance industry is expected to lead job growth across the state. So much so that this growth will represent over 43 percent of overall employment growth during this decade. You won’t need to worry about finding a job after you graduate and obtain your license; there is no end in sight for the explosion in demand for social workers in New Mexico.

Social Work Programs in New Mexico

In this Section:
BSW programs
Online BSW programs
MSW programs
Online MSW programs