New Mexico · Verified September 2026
MSW Programs in New Mexico
Where Can You Earn an MSW in New Mexico, and How Do You Get Licensed?
5 schools in New Mexico offer 7 MSW programs we verified, including Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus, New Mexico Highlands University and New Mexico State University-Main Campus. 4 can be taken online and 6 offer advanced standing. Estimated tuition runs from $19,020 to $33,075 before fees. After the MSW, New Mexico's clinical license is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the LMSW
- Log supervised clinical hoursNot less than two years of post-graduate supervised social work experi…
- Earn the clinical license (LCSW)Independent clinical practice
- programs in New Mexico
- 7
- schools
- 5
- CSWE-accredited schools
- 3
- offer advanced standing
- 6
- online programs
- 4
The New Mexico Social Work License Path
New Mexico Social Work Licenses
New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners, Regulation and Licensing DepartmentLicensed Baccalaureate Social Worker
- Degree
- Bachelor's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Exam
- ASWB Bachelors
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Master Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited graduate program
- Exam
- ASWB Masters
- Independent practice
- No, practice under supervision or in an agency
Licensed Independent Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program; must hold an LMSW license
- Exam
- ASWB Advanced Generalist
- Supervised experience
- Not less than two years of post-graduate supervised social work experience as an LMSW: 3,600 hours accumulated over no more than 60 months, with 90 hours of supervision (one hour per 40 hours worked; at least 70 hours direct supervision; no more than 20 hours group supervision)
- Independent practice
- Yes
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Degree
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program; must hold an LMSW license
- Exam
- ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience
- Not less than two years of post-graduate supervised social work experience as an LMSW: 3,600 hours accumulated over no more than 60 months, with 90 hours of supervision (one hour per 40 hours worked; at least 70 hours direct supervision; no more than 20 hours group supervision); experience is direct/clinical
- Independent practice
- Yes
- State exam
- New Mexico jurisprudence examination required for all license levels (16.63.9.8, 16.63.10.8, 16.63.11.8 NMAC); the board's application manuals allow 3 attempts
From New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners, Regulation and Licensing Department, reviewed 2026-09-30. Rules change; confirm with the board before you plan your supervised hours. Plan your own timeline with the license pathway planner.
New Mexico Schools Compared
| School | Programs | Formats | CSWE | Advanced standing | Lowest est. tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Highlands UniversityLas Vegas · Public | 2 | Campus, Hybrid, Online | CSWE | Yes | $20,686 |
| New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces · Public | 2 | Campus, Online | CSWE | Yes | $26,664 |
| Western New Mexico UniversitySilver City · Public | 1 | Online | CSWE | Yes | $20,638 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusPortales · Public | 1 | Online | Candidacy | Yes | $19,020 |
| University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque · Public | 1 | Campus | Pre-candidacy |
From each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. CSWE status from CSWE's directory. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published total.
Every MSW Program in New Mexico
7 programs in New Mexico
- FormatOnline900 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$20,638$344/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Las Cruces Campus) at New Mexico State University-Main Campus
New Mexico State University-Main Campus · Las CrucesFormatOn campusCredits60Est. tuition$9,305per year · resident rateAccreditationCSWEOnline Master of Social Work (NMSU Global Campus) at New Mexico State University-Main Campus
New Mexico State University-Main Campus · Las CrucesFormatOnline950 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$26,664$444/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus · PortalesFormatOnlineCredits60Est. tuition$19,020$317/credit · resident rateAccreditationCandidacyMaster of Social Work (Las Vegas Main Campus and Five New Mexico Centers) at New Mexico Highlands University
New Mexico Highlands University · Las VegasFormatOn campus, HybridCredits63Est. tuition$20,686$328/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEOnline Master of Social Work in Clinical Practice at New Mexico Highlands University
New Mexico Highlands University · Las VegasFormatOnlineCredits63Est. tuition$33,075$525/creditAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work at University of New Mexico-Main Campus
University of New Mexico-Main Campus · AlbuquerqueFormatOn campusCredits–Est. tuition–AccreditationPre-candidacy
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed September 2026. Estimated tuition is the published per-credit rate times the stated credits, before fees, or the school's published program total; "resident rate" means the school charges nonresidents more. CSWE status comes from CSWE's directory of accredited programs.
What an MSW Costs in New Mexico
5 New Mexico programs publish enough to estimate tuition before fees, from $19,020 at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus to $33,075 at New Mexico Highlands University. The New Mexico median is $20,686, against $40,180 nationally.
| Program | Credits | Est. tuition | With advanced standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 60 | $19,020 | $9,510 |
| Western New Mexico University: Master of Social WorkMaster of Social Work | 60 | $20,638 | $13,414 |
| New Mexico Highlands University: Master of Social Work (Las Vegas main campus and five New Mexico centers)Master of Social Work (Las Vegas main campus and five New Mexico centers) | 63 | $20,686 | $10,507 |
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus: Online Master of Social Work (NMSU Global Campus)Online Master of Social Work (NMSU Global Campus) | 60 | $26,664 | $13,332 |
| New Mexico Highlands University: Online Master of Social Work in Clinical PracticeOnline Master of Social Work in Clinical Practice | 63 | $33,075 | $16,800 |
Public universities' figures are usually the in-state rate. Turn any program into a full cost and loan estimate with the MSW cost and loan calculator.
Largest MSW Programs in New Mexico
By MSWs awarded in 2022-23 (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS), Western New Mexico University has New Mexico's largest program, followed by New Mexico State University-Main Campus. Size tells you how many classmates, alumni and field placement partners to expect, not how good a program is.
| School | MSWs awarded, 2022-23 |
|---|---|
| Western New Mexico University | 179 |
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus | 83 |
Online MSW Options for New Mexico Residents
You aren't limited to schools in New Mexico: 257 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide. Before you apply, confirm the school can enroll New Mexico residents online and arrange your field placement in New Mexico.
| Lowest-cost CSWE-accredited online programs elsewhere | Est. tuition |
|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University: Master of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced StandingMaster of Social Work - 100% Online Advanced Standing · Florida | $11,155 |
| Appalachian State University: Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online)Master of Social Work, Advanced Standing (App State Online) · North Carolina | $11,359 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro: Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / PresencialMaestría en Trabajo Social (MSW), Especialidad en Trabajo Social Clínico - Online / Presencial · Puerto Rico | $12,939 |
| University of North Alabama: Master of Social Work (online)Master of Social Work (online) · Alabama | $14,850 |
| University of Arkansas: Online Advanced Standing Master of Social WorkOnline Advanced Standing Master of Social Work · Arkansas | $15,151 |
| East Carolina University: Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing)Master of Social Work, part-time online (Regular Pathway and Advanced Standing) · North Carolina | $16,624 |
Compare every option on the online MSW programs page, or let the program matcher rank them for you.
Social Worker Pay in New Mexico
| Occupation | New Mexico median | U.S. median | Jobs in New Mexico |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,160 | $59,550 | 2,990 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $65,930 | $67,880 | 1,200 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $65,640 | $60,280 | 800 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $90,820 | $71,900 | 250 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. A high median on few jobs describes a small market. What you can do with an MSW.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many MSW Programs Are in New Mexico?
We verified 7 MSW programs at 5 schools in New Mexico; 3 of those schools are listed as accredited in CSWE's directory.
What Social Work Licenses Does New Mexico Issue?
New Mexico's board (New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners, Regulation and Licensing Department) issues LBSW, LMSW, LISW and LCSW. Clinical practice requires the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), after Not less than two years of post-graduate supervised social work experience as an LMSW: 3,600 hours accumulated over no more than 60 months, with 90 hours of supervision (one hour per 40 hours worked; at least 70 hours direct supervision; no more than 20 hours group supervision); experience is direct/clinical.
Can New Mexico Residents Earn an MSW Online?
Yes. Beyond New Mexico's own programs, 257 online MSW programs at schools in other states accept students nationwide; confirm each school can enroll New Mexico residents and place you in a field practicum in New Mexico. Online MSW programs.
How Much Does an MSW Cost in New Mexico?
Estimated tuition for New Mexico programs that publish a rate and their credits runs from $19,020 to $33,075 before fees. Public universities usually charge nonresidents more, and advanced standing cuts the total for BSW graduates.
Nearby States
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of the 5 New Mexico schools listed, reviewed September 2026
- New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners, Regulation and Licensing Department
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), directory of accredited programs
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025