University of the Southwest offers a Bachelor of Science in Psychology covering human behavior, development, and psychological theory. The school holds general accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is located in Hobbs, New Mexico, with both on-campus and online options available.
University of the Southwest traces back to a Baptist-founded junior college established in New Mexico in the 1950s. It became the College of the Southwest in the early 1960s after adding bachelor’s degrees, and then took its current name after adding master’s and doctoral programs. Today, the school’s psychology programs are based in Hobbs, New Mexico, and serve a mix of on-campus, commuter, and online students.
Accreditation Details
University of the Southwest holds general accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which allows the university to grant degrees. The school also belongs to the Yes We Must Coalition, the Council of Independent Colleges, and the New Mexico Independent College Fund, and its athletic programs compete through the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
Application Requirements
University of the Southwest uses rolling admissions, so applicants can apply at any point during the year and start classes the following semester. Freshman admission is based on completion of high school or a GED program, and applicants submit a completed online application along with official transcripts. Test scores are commonly included with an application but are not a strict requirement for admission. Homeschooled applicants without traditional transcripts submit a portfolio documenting their high school-level coursework instead. Transfer students must send transcripts from every institution previously attended. The university typically responds to applicants within a few days of receiving a complete application.
Tuition and Financial Aid
University of the Southwest runs on a traditional 16-week semester calendar. Undergraduate tuition is $575 per credit hour for both the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years, which works out to about $6,900 per semester for a full-time load of 12 credit hours. On-campus housing options range from $2,000 to $3,500 per semester, depending on room type, and dorm residents are required to pay a $ 2,000-per-semester dining plan.
Students can apply for federal aid by completing the FAFSA. Dependent students report their parents’ or guardians’ financial information, while independent students use their own. Common aid types include subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans, grants, work-study, and institutional scholarships.
Psychology Programs at University of the Southwest
University of the Southwest’s undergraduate psychology program centers on a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
The BS in Psychology gives students a foundation in human behavior, development, and the mind, covering major theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in the field. Coursework emphasizes critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific method as tools for understanding behavior and mental processes. Graduates leave prepared for further study or entry-level roles that draw on psychological principles, spanning a wide range of career paths for psychology graduates.
Students specifically interested in forensic work should note that USW’s current catalog does not list a dedicated forensic psychology track. Prospective students focused on that specialty can review online forensic psychology degree rankings at schools that offer it directly.
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