Master of Social Work (MSW)

Flexible Online Program

Flexible online courses make it easy for you to earn your degree while you balance full-time or part-time work and your personal life.

Affordable Degree

As one of the most affordable degree programs in the Southwest, ENMU allows you to get a degree without a huge burden of debt.

Supportive Program

Many schools say they provide a supportive environment for their distance students. At ENMU, we have years of success in this and student success is our mission.

The MSW can be achieved in as little as one year, or taken on a part time basis. The timeline of your degree is based on your educational history as well as your ability to take part- or full-time course work.

The Full MSW is a two year program if taken full time and is available to those who have completed a Bachelor's degree in an area outside of social work. There are no leveling courses to work into your MSW with a Bachelor's degree. The Advanced Standing MSW is a one year program, available to Bachelor of Social Work graduates from a CSWE accredited program with a GPA of 3.25 or higher. If you feel that full time course work is more than where you are right now, that is okay, we also have part time status available. Courses are online and offered in a hybrid format that can be viewed at a later date or taken live with the instructor.

We have three concentrations for areas of practice to focus on after graduation: Clinical, Clinical Military, and Children, Youth, and Families. In these concentrations you will complete your field work and network for professional connections and employment after graduation. The program has a long history of establishing strong partnerships with agencies for students in their area of interest. We also have the capability to support several students with paid internships during their time with us.

The MSW Program entered accreditation candidacy January 2024 and will complete the accreditation process in the fall of 2027. Students who enter and graduate from our program during that time will be able to test for licensure without issue. We are building on a strong, successful, established, accredited BSW program.

Program Learning Outcomes

In Social Work education we adhere to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policies and Standards. Graduates of accredited programs demonstrate competency in the following areas:

• Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
• Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
• Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
• Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
• Engage in Policy Practice
• Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

We are committed to helping you finance your education. In addition to grants, loans and scholarships offered by Financial Aid and Enrollment Services, there are also many scholarships for current students available through the ENMU Foundation.

Learn more about ENMU scholarships

Learning Format

The program offers a distance education experience with regular faculty contact and classmate interaction.

This concentration includes the following course format(s):

• Courses where recorded and live lectures via Mediasite connect you with professors and other students on your own time (labeled "AW")
• Courses where participation with the professor, other online students and students attending the in-person class on campus may be required in real-time (labeled, “SW”)
• Courses that are completely online and offered through Canvas, with no recorded lecture or in-person students (labeled "WW")

Hands-On Experience/Special Opportunities

While in the program, you will complete field work in the area of social work practice of your choice. Under direct licensed social work supervision, you are afforded the opportunity to grow your skills and confidence in working with clients, communities and organizations.

Faculty and Advising

The program faculty are committed to responsible academic advising. This means we help you schedule the right courses at the right time to help you take the next step in your professional career. Faculty members are specialists in their areas of advising and are current with requirements for admission into the programs they advise so you get the academic advice you need, when you need it.

Academic Help and Resources

We want to make sure you get the support you need. We offer flexible tutoring services, including the ENMU Writing Center which is available to help you improve your writing and help you clearly communicate for written, school-related projects and assignments.

We also have online databases, journal article, and eBooks accessible through the Golden Library. ENMU librarians are available virtually, via phone and email to provide assistance, so you'll always have the help you need to take advantage of library resources, even if you're sitting in front of your computer at home.

See our library services

Service and Mutual Interest Organizations

If you would like to get more involved, ENMU provides the opportunity to use the skills you'll gain while working on your degree to hold leadership positions in our many organizations. At ENMU, you will be able to explore more than 50 student organizations that range from academic, cultural, multicultural, service, special interest and fraternities/sororities.

If you see a need for an organization we don't have, you can even start your own.

See student organization information

Career Opportunities

Social workers have many areas they practice in, they are the largest group of mental health providers in the U.S. The skills gained in a master of social work (MSW) program extend beyond careers traditionally connected to social work. Social workers are practicing in so many areas of society, at the individual, family, group, community and organizational level. Social workers practice in child welfare, government offices, hospitals, military installations, nonprofits, the private sector, and schools.

Some potential careers open to graduates are:

• Child Welfare Social Work
• Military Social Work
• Behavioral Healthcare
• Clinical Case Management
• Healthcare
• Hospice Care
• Aging and Long Term Care
• Community Organization
• Government Lobbyist

Career Services for Students

Career Services offers free job placement assistance to all ENMU students, so if you are looking for a job, we can help you find it.

We offer many resources including various workshops throughout the year covering topics like resume writing, interviewing for jobs, and more! As an ENMU student, if you’re interested in individual help for things like networking, social media for success, resume writing, and mock interviews, our staff is available to help.

Read more about career services for students