The interdisciplinary undergraduate minor in Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) provides students majoring in social work, public health, nursing, criminal justice, psychology, education, family and child science, counseling and community psychology, and other disciplines with evidence-based, culturally relevant knowledge and skills to improve the outcomes for maltreated children in New Mexico or wherever their paths may take them.

The core courses, worth three (3) credits each, will be focused on the needs specific to New Mexico and will adhere to both statewide and national best practice standards on the welfare of children. The remaining nine (9) out of the total of 18 required credits will come from courses that the students chooses from a list of selected courses being taught across campus. View the Child Advocacy Studies Program Overview & Contacts for more information.

If you are interested in the CAST minor, complete the CAST Application and submit it to the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Gerald Thomas Hall, Room 308.

If you have already completed the CAST requirements and are ready to declare your minor, complete the Certification Form for the Undergraduate Minor in CAST.

Contact Information

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences administers the CAST minor, but it is coordinated by a steering committee with representatives from a variety of disciplines at NMSU.

If you have question you may contact any of the people listed below, regardless of your academic department. Your academic advisor must sign off on any minors you complete.

Questions regarding the status of your application and to email or your application contact:
Julia Maciel, CAST@nmsu.edu, 575-646-3785

Counseling and Community Psychology:
Elsa Arroyas

Criminal Justice:
Andrea Joseph

Curriculum and Instruction:
Sara Melendrez

Family and Consumer Sciences:
Merranda Marin
Kourtney Vaillancourt
Brooke Stanley Tou

Public Health:
Sue Forster-Cox

Social Work:
Maria Ortiz