Admissions

When To Apply

We strongly encourage prospective students to apply and send the required documents as EARLY as possible to the Admissions Office. Students applying for the fall, spring, or summer terms should apply no later than one month prior to the first day of classes for the term in which they seek enrollment. (See the Academic Calendar  for specific dates.) Students who submit applications after the recommended dates are not guaranteed admission to the university for that term.

(Note: The Academic Calendar in the Catalog will reflect exact date deadlines that will reflect the “one month prior to the first day of classes for the term” date.)

Secondary School Preparation

Most students accepted for admission to WNMU have graduated from high school and have taken a college preparatory curriculum. It is recommended that high school students complete at least four units of English, three units of social studies (including U.S. History), two units of science, and three units of mathematics. Those who plan to enter the fields of pre-engineering, pre-pharmacy, pre-dentistry, the sciences, or business administration are advised to include in their preparation at least intermediate algebra and plane geometry.

Experience has shown that students who have below a C average in high school are likely to experience difficulty with university-level work. Students who have not completed all the admissions requirements are admitted conditionally. Students who have not completed admission files during their first term of enrollment will not be allowed to register for any subsequent semester. WNMU reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant for scholastic or other reasons which have been deemed by WNMU authorities as sufficient and proper.

Advanced Standing

WNMU grants admission with advanced standing to exceptionally able students who have participated in the Advanced Placement Program in high school. Students entering WNMU may receive advanced standing and college credits when they are certified by the College Entrance Examination Board as having satisfactorily completed appropriate examinations administered by the Educational Testing Service. In addition, examination scores must be reviewed and approved by the WNMU faculty. Students who are interested in the program should write to the College Entrance Examination Board, Box 592, Princeton, NJ 08540, while they are in high school.

Application for Admission

Regular Admission - First Time Any College

High school graduates or High School Equivalency (GED) holders may be granted regular admission by completing the WNMU application and providing appropriate documentation of one of the following:

1. ACCUPLACER Placement Exam; unless GED scores in reading language arts and math are 165 or better or HiSET scores in reading, writing, and math are 15 or better; or
2. Achievement of an ACT sub-score of 21 or better (or SAT equivalent of 310 in reading and writing or 530 in Math). The ACT/SAT must have been taken in the past five years; or
3. Completion of the ACCUPLACER placement exam in corresponding areas where the ACT sub-score was less than 21 or SAT sub-score in reading and writing was less than 310 or math less than 530.

Applicants must submit an official high school transcript showing graduation completion or an official High School Equivalency (GED or HiSET) transcript to the WNMU Admissions Office and complete admissions/placement requirements listed above to earn final admission.

Students who have not completed admissions requirements may be admitted conditionally for one semester only. Students on conditional admission are ineligible for Financial Aid and participation in intercollegiate athletics.

Regular Admissions - Transfer Students

Students who present transcripts from regionally accredited colleges and universities may be given credit for such work. Students are expected to meet all admission requirements set forth by WNMU until official transcripts have been received directly from the records office of each institution previously attended.

Regular admission for transfer students requires the student to be in good standing at the institution from which he/she is transferring. Transfer students may be granted regular admission by completing the WNMU application form and providing appropriate documentation of one of the following:

1. ACCUPLACER Placement exam; or
2. Submission of a transcript showing completion of a college level writing course with a grade of C or better and mathematics course with a grade of D or better; or
3. Achievement of an ACT sub-score of 21 or better in reading, English, and math (or SAT equivalent of 310 or better in reading, writing and 530 in math). The ACT/SAT must have been taken in the past five years; or
4. GED score of 165 or better in reading language arts, and math or 15 or better in reading, writing, and math for HiSET.
5. Submission of a transcript showing completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution recognized by CHEA (Council of Higher Education Accreditation).

All transfer applicants who have completed less than 24 hours must submit an official high school transcript or an official GED transcript. Students who have not completed admissions requirements may be admitted conditionally for one semester only.

Students on conditional admission are ineligible for Financial Aid. All transfer applicants must submit official transcripts to the Admissions Office from all institutions previously attended to earn final admission.

A transfer student will enter WNMU on the same status as the last institution attended i.e. if a student is in good standing or on probation from the last institution attended, he/she will enter WNMU in good standing or probationary status, respectively. However, transfer students whose combined G.P.A. from all transfer institutions falls below WNMU’s acceptable standards (see sliding scale listed under “Probation and Suspension” in the Academic Regulations section of this catalog) will enter on probationary status regardless of his/her status at the institution from which the transfer was made.

Evaluation of transferable courses will not be completed until the student has supplied the Admissions Office with all documents necessary to complete admission requirements.

A transfer student who has been suspended from another institution is not eligible for admission until he/she has served the required suspension period of that institution.

Academic Probation

A transfer student who is on academic probation from the last institution attended will enter WNMU on academic probation.

Transfer Evaluations

(See Records and Registration  Section)

ACCUPLACER Placement Testing

All undergraduate students new to WNMU must participate in WNMU’s placement testing program unless the GED, HiSET, ACT/SAT sub-score requirements are met. WNMU uses the ACCUPLACER test for this purpose. The ACCUPLACER test is used to assist Student Service Specialists with placement of students in appropriate English, math, and other courses. ACCUPLACER has three parts: math, reading, and Write Placer. ACCUPLACER test scores determine placement in developmental studies or college level courses in Math, and English. Students who have already completed appropriate coursework at another institution may be exempt. Such students should consult an Admissions Officer at the Admissions Office.

The ACCUPLACER should be taken before New Student Orientation, or at other scheduled ACCUPLACER test sessions. It is each student’s responsibility to complete ACCUPLACER. All students identified above must complete the test prior to registration for classes. More information concerning ACCUPLACER testing is available at the WNMU Testing Center in the Office of Admissions, Juan Chacon Building, 2nd floor, room 219.

Non-Degree students and senior citizens may register for certain courses without taking the ACCUPLACER. Students who have already completed appropriate coursework at other accredited institutions may waive ACCUPLACER based upon their transcript evaluation.

Placement methods include the use of one of the following:

1. A comprehensive review of the student’s past records including GEDm HiSET, or ACT/SAT test cores, appropriate CLEP scores or Advance Placement Scores, and college transcripts; or
2. Completion of all or part of the ACCUPLACER. Completion of the ACCUPLACER is required in corresponding areas where the sub-score was less than the ACT sub-score of 21 or SAT sub-scores of 310 in reading and writing and a math sub-score of 530. The ACT/SAT must have been taken within the past five years.

Students who have a 31 ACT sub-score or SAT subscore of 1190 or appropriate CLEP or Advance Placement Scores can receive credit for an equivalent college level course.

Transfer students who have not completed a college level writing course with a C or better, a mathematics course with a grade of D or better or who have not achieved an ACT subscore of at least 21 in reading, English, or math, SAT Subscore of 310 in reading and writing or 530 in math are also required to take the ACCUPLACER for placement into the appropriate course or courses. Placement exam scores are used in initial advising and registration.

Students who score below college proficiency levels on the ACCUPLACER in writing, reading, and/or mathematics must take the appropriate developmental (review) courses beginning their first semester and each semester thereafter until they reach college level competency. Students may enroll in classes meeting certificate and degree requirements at the same time that they are completing their developmental courses. If the developmental course is a prerequisite, it must be completed before enrolling in a higher level course.

ACCUPLACER Placement Testing Waivers

Each student enrolling at WNMU must be assessed in basic skills in writing, mathematics, and reading unless s/he meets one of the following criteria for a waiver:

1. Submission of transcript showing completion of an undergraduate baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution;
2. Achievement of an ACT sub-score or 21 or better (or SAT 310 in reading and writing, and 530 in math). The ACT/SAT must have been taken within the past five years;
3. GED scores in reading language arts, and math of 165 or better, or scores in reading, writing, and math of 15 or better for HiSET.
4. Submission of a transcript showing completion of college level writing course with a grade of C or better or a mathematics course with a grade of D or better;
5. Enrollment in eleven or fewer hours for personal enrichment as a non-degree bound Special Student. Students enrolling in English or Math courses must take the ACCUPLACER for placement purposes.
6. Permission of the department chair to enroll as a high school student in a course offered by that department. Students enrolling in English or Math courses must take the ACCUPLACER for placement purposes.

Students who initially enroll in courses for personal enrichment or job upgrading and who have not participated in a placement program must do so before enrolling in a certificate or degree program unless they meet the second criterion above.

International Students

The general policies of the University as outlined in this catalog apply to international as well as U.S. students. However, some special policies are necessitated by federal laws which are applicable only to international students.

An international student is any individual attending WNMU who holds an F-1, M-1, or J-1 non-immigrant visa. Legally admitted immigrants and refugees are not considered international students.

Information and application materials for admission to WNMU as an international student are available from the Admissions Office.

English Proficiency: WNMU requires that international undergraduate students establish English proficiency by one of these means:

A student is deemed proficient in the English language if he or she:

Presents acceptable English Language Proficiency test scores meeting the minimum required levels set forth below.

1. A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 or higher on the written version of the test or 61 or higher on the Internet version of the test; or
2. A Score of 6 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System); or
3. An ACT English subscore of 21 or higher or an SAT Verbal score of 310 or higher AND demonstration of adequate speaking skills as assessed by an interview conducted by a designee of the Vice President for Academic Affairs; or
4. An ACT English subscore of 17-20 or an SAT Verbal score of 430-490 AND three years of high school English with a 2.5 G.P.A. and demonstration of adequate speaking skills as assessed by an Interview conducted by a designee of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Admissions: Applications for admission for Summer term must be received by March 1; Fall semester received by June 1st with applications for Spring semester received by August 1st. All supporting materials, including national examination scores and/or transcripts from colleges or universities (with an English translation); and evaluation by an independent credentials evaluator; all test scores, including the TOEFL; proof of adequate financial support; and health examination form must be on file in the Admissions Office by:

Materials not received by the deadlines noted above may not be processed nor guaranteed for issuance of I-20’s for that term. If time does not permit processing for the requested semester, admission and the I-20 will be deferred to the subsequent semester. International students are required to show proof of adequate health insurance or arrange to purchase such insurance. The policy must include emergency evacuation or repatriation to their home country. If such proof is not provided, a health insurance policy will be provided by the university with the cost of the policy being the responsibility of the student.

International students will need a certified translation to accompany the official transcripts. See NACES for information http://www.naces.org.

WNMU Foreign Transcript Translation and Evaluation Requirements

Western New Mexico University seeks to afford students with foreign transcripts, every opportunity to transfer as many credits as possible. To that end, WNMU requires students with foreign transcripts to provide a highly detailed translation and evaluation of any foreign transcript being submitted for possible credit transfer. Translations and evaluations must contain:

• Semester Units
• Individual Grade Equivalents
• Over all G.P.A.
• Identification of class levels upper division, lower division, professional, vocational
• Course descriptions

Translations and evaluations submitted without the above criteria will not be considered for credit transfer.

Western New Mexico University requires that students with foreign transcripts use the following firms to translate and evaluate their transcripts:

Educational Perspective: NACES Member since April 2003
P.O. Box 618056
Chicago Illinois 60661
Phone: (312) 412-9300
Fax: (312) 412-9353
E-mail: info@edperspective.org
Website: http://www.edperspective.org

International Academic Credential Evaluators: NACES Member since May 2006
P.O. Box 2465
Denton, TX 76202-2465
Phone: (940) 383-7498
Fax: (940) 382-4874
E-mail: staff@iacei.net
Website: http://www.iacei.net

Span Tran Evaluation Services: NACES Member since April 1996
2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451
Houston, TX 77057
Phone: (713) 266-8805
Fax: (713) 789-6022
E-mail: intake@spantran.com
Website: www.spantran.com

IEEES Foreign Educational Credential Evaluations: Non NACES Member
316 N. Milwaukee Street, Suite 214
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 319-5000
Fax: (414) 319-5003
E-mail: evaluations@edevals.com
Website: http://edevals.com/about.html

Late Application for Admission

WNMU reserves the right to deny registration to any student who is late in applying for admission. A student who is permitted to register without having completed all of the steps for admission does so at his/her own risk, and may be required to withdraw and be subject to the standard refund policies of WNMU.

Readmission

A student wishing to be readmitted to WNMU must complete the Application for Readmission form available online or at the Admission Office and any other necessary requirements as directed by that office.

Any student who has attended other colleges or universities prior to application for readmission to WNMU must have official academic transcripts sent from those institutions to the Admissions Office as part of the application procedure. Students should be prepared to provide the Admissions Office with a copy of each course description to match the transcripts.

Residency

New Mexico Residency for Tuition Purposes

A student is classified as a resident or non-resident for tuition purposes based on information supplied on the application at the time of admission. The residence classification is only changed upon re-application for admission or submission of a petition for New Mexico residency. Non-resident students who believe they have satisfied requirements for establishing New Mexico residency may file a petition in the Admissions Office. No petitions will be accepted after the first day of classes. No petitions will be approved unless all requirements for residency are met before the first day of classes for the semester in which the change in residency status is requested.

Each person must meet the requirements individually. To become a legal resident of New Mexico, four basic requirements must be satisfied.

1. The Twelve Month Consecutive Residence Requirement: A student must physically reside in New Mexico for the twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the semester for which the petition is submitted.
   NOTE: A student whose parents or guardians reside out-of-state cannot begin to complete the twelve-month requirement until after their 18th birthday.
2. The Financial Independence Requirement: A student cannot be approved for residency if he/she is financially dependent upon parents or legal guardian who are not residents of New Mexico. At the time the student applies for residency (if under 23 years of age), a copy of his/her parents’ or guardian’s 1040 or 1040A U.S. income tax for the previous year must be submitted with the application. If the student is shown to be a dependent on this tax form, he/she will not be eligible for residency.
3. The Written Declaration of Intent Requirement: The student must sign a written declaration of intent to relinquish residency in another state and to establish it in New Mexico.
4. The Overt Act Requirement: Residency regulations require the completion of several overt acts which support the student’s declaration of intent to become a permanent resident. Examples of such acts are securing a New Mexico automobile registration, registering to vote in New Mexico, filing a New Mexico state tax return for the previous year, securing full-time employment, purchasing residential or business property, or having a long-established bank account in New Mexico. Other relevant factors may be considered along with those listed above.

Other Residency Regulations

The following are general policy statements under the regulations for New Mexico residence:

• All students are charged resident tuition rates during summer sessions;
• Active-duty members of the armed forces stationed in New Mexico and their dependents are eligible to enroll at WNMU and pay tuition at the resident rate. Re-certification must be made each semester the student is enrolled;
• Non-residents are eligible to apply for residency status after living in New Mexico for 12 consecutive months and satisfying other requirements for establishing residency;
• Students under 18 years of age and students financially dependent upon parents or guardian will be considered to have the same residency as the parents or guardian;
• Spouses and their dependents who move to New Mexico to work full-time, practice a profession, or conduct a business full-time (and who can provide appropriate evidence), or marry a New Mexico resident, are not required to complete the Twelve Month Residence requirement before applying for resident status;
• Students between the ages of 19 and 23 must submit a copy of their parents’ or guardian’s 1040 or 1040A U.S. income tax form for the previous year with their application for residency.
• Residence requirements are mandated by the Higher Education Department and are subject to change.
• Procedures and a brochure explaining all requirements for establishing New Mexico residency for tuition purposes are available at the Admissions Office.

For more information about Residency contact the Director of Admissions.

Non-degree bound Admission

Students desiring to be admitted to WNMU who cannot fulfill the usual requirements will be considered for admission based on the following conditions:

1. Admission by Examination (High School Equivalency): WNMU follows the guidelines established by the New Mexico State Department of Education concerning the Tests of High School Equivalency - General Education Development (GED) or HiSET (High School Equivalency Test). Students who have not graduated from high school may be admitted on the basis of satisfactory scores on the GED or HiSET, administered by the New Mexico Higher Education Department. Information on the tests may be obtained from the New Mexico Higher Education Department, the GED or HiSET websites, or from a local high school. The tests are also administered on the WNMU campus. Registration and payment for the tests are made online through the respective websites. Payment for the seat fee must be made on WNMU’s MarketPlace site. The WNMU Testing Center can help with registration to pay the seat fee. Classes for test preparation are offered through Adult Educational Services. It is WNMU policy that a student must be at least 17 years of age or his/her class must have graduated from high school before the student may be granted admission on the basis of a High School Equivalency diploma;
2. Special Student: A student may be admitted to WNMU to take those courses which are of interest to him/her without meeting the high school graduation requirements. A student with this classification enters with the understanding that courses pursued will not count toward a degree until the entrance requirements for the degree-bound student have been completed. The student must contact the Admissions Office concerning these requirements and procedures for a change of status from special student to degree-bound student. Degree-bound students are subject to course prerequisites. Special Students may register for up to eleven credit hours during a semester. Special Students are not eligible for Financial Aid. Students enrolling in English or Math courses must take the ACCUPLACER test for placement purposes. Special, Non-Degree Bound students are allowed to take, at their own risk, with instructor permission, any undergraduate course offered at WNMU without fulfilling the prerequisite requirement(s) for the course;
3. Concurrent Enrollment: High school students from private schools or home schools in New Mexico may enroll part-time at WNMU while they are completing their secondary education. Students must have permission from their school system even if they are not attending a public high school. A student must be recommended by his or her counselor and principal for the program. Approval of concurrent enrollment by the Admissions Office is required for final admission;
4. Dual Credit: High school students from NM public schools or public charter schools may enroll at WNMU while they are completing their secondary education. Course selection is limited to a specific list of courses provided to each high school. Approval for enrollment into these classes is granted by a designated staff member or administrator at each school. Additional information regarding this program may be obtained by contacting the Director of Outreach Programs at Western New Mexico University.

Academic Advisement

Academic Advising is an integral component of Western New Mexico University. Student Services Specialists (SSS) assist students in defining academic goals and career planning. They provide guidance with appropriate class scheduling, so that students can meet their desired goals.

Most new freshmen and transfer students will begin their advisement at the Admissions Office in the Juan Chacon Building. Below is the Policy Regarding Assignment of SSS. Students in these categories will be advised as follows:

Other

Students may declare a major at any time after registering for their first semester.

Declaration of Major

The Student Services Specialist will initiate the transfer of the student to a departmental advisor, but will continue to assist the student with Financial Aid questions and issues, course registration, and other support services, as needed, throughout the first year of college. Students must contact the Admissions Office and are guided through the process of filling out the “Declaration of Major” form online.

Students are required to declare their major at 30 credit hours. If this is not done at 30 credit hours, the student will be placed on a “Major Declaration Hold”.

The process for declaration or change of major includes:

• Completing the proper catalog year Declaration of Major form online, or completing a new form online if a student changes or adds a major, minor, or area of concentration.
• The student has an assigned advisor in the department; this information is emailed to the student immediately.
• Documentation in “Comments” section of Advising Space.