Is Southwestern College accredited?
Yes, Southwestern College is accredited by: the Higher Learning Commission and approved by the American Art Therapy Association.

What degrees does Southwestern College offer?

We offer Masters’ Degrees in Counseling and Art Therapy/Counseling.

Where is Southwestern College located?
Southwestern College is located in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico. The 2.5 acre campus, includes a library, classrooms, administrative offices and an art therapy studio building.

The street address is: 3960 San Felipe Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507.  Directions

To get to Santa Fe you can fly into the Albuquerque airport and drive one hour north on I-25. Exit at 599 N. Turn right at the second light onto Airport Rd. Go to the third light and go left on San Felipe Rd.  You will see our school immediately on the left side, behind an adobe wall. The main lobby is located through the turquoise doors.

Do you require the GRE or other tests for admission into Southwestern College?
No. Southwestern College doesn’t require any entrance exams.

My undergraduate degree is unrelated to psychology or counseling. Will my application be considered?
Yes. We will accept your B.A. or B.S. in any field from an accredited institution.

What are the prerequisite courses required for enrollment?
All of our M.A. programs require abnormal psychology. developmental psychology, and two psychology electives.

The Art Therapy/Counseling Program also requires at least 18 credit hours of undergraduate studio coursework including painting, drawing, ceramics, 3D art, and two studio electives.

If I haven’t completed all the prerequisites, may I still apply and be accepted?
Absolutely. As part of the application process, the Director of Admissions will review your transcripts and advise you on how and when to complete prerequisite courses prior to enrollment.

What are the application deadlines?
To be considered for financial aid the following deadlines are recommended.

For Fall Quarter, June 1.
For Winter Quarter, October 15.
For Spring Quarter, January 31.

What is the quarter system?

A quarter is ten weeks in length. We have four quarters; fall, winter, spring and summer. A quarter unit represents ten hours of classroom time. A typical 3 quarter unit class would then meet for thirty hours during the quarter.  The degree curriculum consists of 91 quarter units. If you are most familiar with semester hours, 91 quarter units translates to about 61 semester hours. 

Electives and Community Education classes are usually 2 quarter units or 20 hours. They may occasionally have more contact hours per quarter unit.

What is the cost of attending Southwestern College?
Tuition for the 2012-13 academic year is $450 per quarter unit. Tuition is subject to change on an annual basis.

How long will it take to earn my degree?
The M.A. programs can be completed in two years of full-time coursework. Many students prefer to extend their studies for a longer time in order to make the most of the learning experience. Part-time options can be created by contacting admissions.

How can I finance my education at Southwestern College?
Financial aid is available to full- and part-time degree program students. Please contact the financial aid office for more information.

How many students are enrolled at Southwestern College?
We are a small school by design with enrollment ranging between 130 and 160 students. Core degree classes range from 8-18 students, depending upon the course objectives.

Can I get licensed as a counselor with an M.A. degree?
Yes! Graduates of Southwestern College may practice under appropriate supervision as a Provisional Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). After successful completion of the National Counselors’ Examination, graduates may practice with supervision as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. After 3000 hours of client contact (including pre-graduation practicum and internship) and successful completion of the National Clinical Mental Health Counselors Examination, graduates are eligible for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) designation. Art therapy graduates are eligible to pursue national certification as an art therapist and the Licensed Professsional Art Therapist (LPAT) designation in New Mexico.

All courses required in the core curriculum for all levels of licensure in New Mexico are offered in both the Counseling and Art Therapy/ Counseling Programs.

Requirements for licensure in New Mexico are subject to change and the College administration mantains a close relationship with the Counseling and Therapy Practice Board in order to remain current. For further information contact the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board at 505-476-7100 or http://www. rld.state.nm.us.

Mental health licensure designations and procedures vary from state to state. If you plan to practice outside of New Mexico, you should contact the appropriate state board for their requirements. For a directory, consult the National Board of Certified Counselors website at http://www.nbcc.org.

May I come visit the college to meet with the Director of Admissions and receive a tour?
Yes, absolutely! Pleae call toll-free 1-877-471-5756, ext. 6815, or e-mail, info@swc.edu

May I speak with Southwestern College students, faculty or alumns?
Yes, if you are interested in talking with current students, alumni or faculty, contact the Director of Admissions for a list and you may contact them directly.

May I sit in on classes to get a feel for what happens?
In order to preserve the confidentiality of student participation, we do not allow visitors to sit in on classes.

Who comprises your student body?
Our students come from all walks of life, and many are pursuing second and third careers. About 75% of our student body come from states other than New Mexico. There is a great variance of age within our student body.