First year:

• During the first year of the program, students are required to take a total of 31 credit hours of generalist social work practice courses.
• The first-year curriculum and courses provide students with an overview of the social work profession’s historical evolution, including an introduction to the body of social work knowledge, values, and ethical principles.
• In addition, the curriculum addresses the areas of research, policy, and practice knowledge and skills required of all practicing social workers. Working with a diverse, Hispanic and American Indian population has particular emphasis throughout the curriculum.
• During the first year, students apply generalist social work knowledge in a field practicum setting under the supervision of a licensed social work professional.
• The social work courses, combined with field practicum, afford students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in working with individuals, families, groups and communities within a specific agency setting.

Second year:

• During the second year, students take courses in an area of concentration. The required courses build upon the first-year foundation courses, providing students with specific course content and depth in a specific area of social work practice.
• The three areas of concentration offered include: clinical practice; leadership and administration; and bilingual/bicultural clinical practice. The clinical practice concentration, leadership and administration, and the Dual Degree MSW/MBA are offered at all sites.
• NMHU in Albuquerque offers all concentrations including, bilingual/bicultural clinical practice. The Substance Abuse Focus is also offered as complement to the clinical practice concentration only at the Albuquerque location.
• Students admitted to the MSW program are admitted into one of the three areas of concentration and take courses outlined in the program of study. All social work courses at all program locations use the same course syllabi and textbooks, which ensures continuity of content across all sites.
• Students admitted to a specific program location that does not offer their preferred area of concentration may request to transfer during their second year to another NMHU program location.  A transfer to any of the program locations may be requested at any time during the student’s academic enrollment with the approval by the school dean.