Academic Programs
Associate Degrees (two-year)
Associate of Arts (A.A.) is a two-year degree. The program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours. This degree is designed for students who plan to pursue a baccalaureate degree at WNMU or elsewhere with minimal loss of credit.
Associate of Science (A.S.) is a two-year degree which emphasizes a technical program of study. The program requires 60-74 credit hours that includes the following: (a) vocational courses, (b) technical support courses, and (c) electives. The Associate of Science degree enables a student to transfer to another institution or pursue a higher level degree at WNMU with minimal loss of credit.
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) is a terminal degree with a heavy emphasis on technical courses and practical experience so that the graduate is prepared for technical level positions in the field. The program requires 60-70 credit hours distributed to include (a) vocational coursework, and (b) technical support courses.
Associate Degree Majors and Certificate Programs
Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences, A.A.
Business Administration, A.S.
Construction Technology Certificate
Construction Technology, A.A.S.
Criminal Justice, A.S.
Early Childhood Education and Family Support, A.A.
Early Childhood Education and Family Support Vocational Certificate
Electrical Technology Certificate
Electrical Technology Fast Track Certificate
Electrical Technology, A.A.S.
Geographic Information System Science, Certificate
Graphic Design, A.A.
Graphic Design, A.A.S.
Human Services, A.A.
International Commerce and Trade Undergraduate Fast Track Certificate
Law Enforcement Training Certificate
Mathematics - Pre-Engineering, A.S.
New Mexico Transfer-Ready Certificate
Pharmacy Technician Certificate
Teacher Education in Elementary/Special, A.S.
Teacher Education Secondary, A.A.
Welding Technology Certificate
Welding Technology Fast Track Certificate
Welding Technology, A.A.S.
Wildland Fire Science, Fast Track Certificate
Wildland Fire Science, Certificate
Wildland Fire Science, A.A.
Wildland Fire Science, A.S.
Yoga Teacher Training Fast-Track Certificate Program (Approved by Higher Learning Commission 11/14/2023 - Pending Department of Education, Financial Aid approval)
Baccalaureate Degrees (four-year)
Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) will prepare students for careers in technical and professional fields. This degree requires an additional six credit hours of mathematics or computer science above those used to meet general education requirements. B.A.S. in Rehabilitation Services requires any combination of six credits (beyond General Education) in the areas of Statistics, Math, Biology, Chemistry, and/or Kinesiology.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is traditionally the primary undergraduate degree in higher education. The degree enables a student to widen intellectual horizons, to explore new subjects and deepen insights into old ones, and to find areas of learning where dominant interests lie. During the freshman and sophomore years, a B.A. student is expected to complete the foundations of a liberal education by studying a foreign language.
During junior and senior years, the student is expected to think constructively about a major field and attain some measure of competence. Meanwhile, elective courses are taken to add breadth and depth to the student’s education.
Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) is the undergraduate Business Administration degree. It provides a broad base of liberal education courses, a core of business courses and areas of emphasis in accounting, business management. This degree requires six hours of mathematics or computer science above those used to meet general education requirements.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) is a professional undergraduate program that prepares the student to exhibit competence in an area of the visual arts or choose a blend of visual and performing arts. In either program, students spend a large portion of preparation time in the studio practicing the craft(s) chosen. In addition, students work with eminent practitioners in the field, learning techniques and methods and attending lectures. Students seeking a B.F.A. degree enter by special application within the Expressive Arts Department.
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) is an individualized program of study designed to meet a student’s particular needs. The minimum requirements for this degree include the general education core and 42 upper-division credit hours. ENGL 1110 and ENGL 1120 must be passed with a grade of C or better. This degree reflects a major in Interdisciplinary Studies with no minor.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) like the Bachelor of Arts, is a degree offering a variety of majors and minors, but does not have a foreign language requirement. The B.S. requires an additional six credit hours of mathematics or computer science above those used to meet general education requirements.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) is a baccalaureate program designed for students who already possess a license to practice as an RN. The student will complete general education requirements and upper division nursing courses. The graduate will be prepared to provide health promotion and health restoration care for individuals, families, and group in a variety of institutional and community settings.
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) will prepare students for a career in the field of social work.
Bachelor Degree Majors
Accounting, B.B.A.
Art, B.A.
Art, B.S.
Biology, B.A.
Biology, B.S.
Botany, B.A.
Botany, B.S.
Career and Technical Education, B.A.S
Cell and Molecular Biology, B.A.
Cell and Molecular Biology, B.S.
Chemistry, B.A.
Chemistry, B.S.
Criminal Justice, B.S.
Early Childhood Care and Education, B.A. (Non-licensure)
Early Childhood Care and Education, B.S. - (Non-Licensure)
Early Childhood Education, B.S.
Elementary Education, B.S.
English, B.A.
English, B.S.
Fine Arts, B.F.A.
Forest WildLife, B.A.
Forest WildLife, B.S.
Forest Wildlife Law Enforcement, B.A.S
General Business, B.A.S
General Science, B.A.
General Science, B.S.
History, B.A.
History, B.S.
Interdisciplinary Studies, B.I.S.
Instructional Technology Design, B.A.
Instructional Technology Design, B.S.
Kinesiology, B.A.
Kinesiology, B.S.
Management, B.B.A.
Marketing, B.B.A. .
Mathematics, B.A.
Mathematics, B.S.
Medical Technology (Laboratory Science), B.S.
Nursing Pre-Licensure, B.S.N.
Nursing RN to BSN, B.S.N.
Physical Education, B.S.
Political Science, BA
Political Science, BS
Psychology, B.A.
Psychology, B.S.
Rehabilitation Services, B.A.S
Science Education, B.A.
Science Education, B.S.
Secondary Education and Math, B.A.
Secondary Education and Math, B.S.
Secondary Education and Science Education, B.A.
Secondary Education and Science Education, B.S.
Secondary Education, B.A.
Secondary Education, B.S.
Social Science, B.A.
Social Science, B.S.
Social Work, B.S.W
Sociology, B.A.
Sociology, B.S.
Special Education, B.S.
Special Education, B.S. (3/2 Program)
Sustainable Development, B.A.
Sustainable Development, B.S.
Teaching and Learning, B.A.
Teaching and Learning, B.S.
Zoology, B.A.
Zoology, B.S.
Undergraduate Minors
Accounting Minor
American Indian Studies Minor
Applied Spanish Minor
Art Minor
Behavioral Health Minor
Biology Minor
Botany Minor
Business Administration Minor
Cell and Molecular Biology Minor
Chemical Dependency Counseling Minor
Chemistry Minor
Coaching Minor
Communication Studies Minor
Computer Science Minor
Criminal Justice Minor
Criminal Psychology Minor
Digital Forensics Minor
Early Childhood Education and Family Support Minor
Earth and Environmental Science, Minor
Economics Minor
Education Minor
English Minor
Entrepreneurship Minor
Ethnic Studies Minor
Finance Minor
Geographic Informations Systems Minor
Geography Minor
Health Science Education Minor
History Minor
Human Resource Management, Minor
International Commerce and Trade Minor
Kinesiology Minor
Latin American Studies Minor
Marketing Minor
Mathematics Minor
Music Minor
Outdoor Leadership Studies Minor
Philosophy Minor
Political Science Minor
Pre-Law Minor
Psychology Minor
Public Administration Minor
Rehabilitation Services Minor
Social Justice, Minor
Sociology Minor
Special Education Minor
Sports Management Minor
Sustainable Development Minor
TESOL Minor
Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Minor
Zoology Minor
Educational Teaching Endorsement Fields
Art Education - Teaching Field (Elementary Only)
Art Education Teaching Field - (Secondary Only)
Bilingual Education - Teaching Field
Business Administration - Teaching Field
Classical Language - Spanish
General Science - Teaching Field (Earth & Space, General. Life, or Physical)
Health Science Education - Teaching Field
Language Arts - Teaching Field
Mathematics - Teaching Field
Psychology - Teaching Field
Reading - Teaching Field
Social Studies - Teaching Field
Technical Studies - Teaching Field
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages TESOL - Teaching Field
Contract Minor
Baccalaureate degree seeking students may pursue a contract minor when the circumstances warrant such an option. A contract minor provides students the opportunity to pursue a minor in a field, or related fields, not listed as majors or minors in WNMU’s catalog.
The following conditions and guidelines apply:
- The contract minor must not duplicate any existing program at WNMU;
- The program must be approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee and the department chair(s) of the department(s) through which the contract minor is offered;
- To gain approval the student is required to write a proposal which must include, but is not limited to, the following:
- A full, detailed description of the course of study and rationale for allowing the program;
- Faculty advisor(s) who will be charged with overseeing the program. Contract minor advisors must be full time WNMU faculty;
- The names of all faculty, full time or otherwise, who have agreed to work on the program, including their qualifications and a rationale for their inclusion in the program;
- A list of clearly stated expected outcomes, special skills, expertise, etc. which the student would obtain from such a program.
- The student must prepare a detailed learning agreement including program objectives, methods of evaluation, reading lists, cognitive skills to be acquired, and any other component central to the program’s academic integrity;
- Both the proposal and the learning agreement must be approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee, the faculty advisor(s), and the department chair(s) of participating faculty;
- The semester prior to graduation, a meeting will take place among the faculty advisor(s), the faculty working on the program, and the student. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the anticipated graduation, possible deficiencies, and other issues pertinent to completion of the program;
- At the program’s completion, the student must submit to his/her faculty advisor(s) a program summary assessing the program’s success, a summary of its benefits, and if appropriate, a discussion of its shortcomings or failings;
- When all requirements are met and all work is completed, the faculty advisor(s) will submit a recommendation of completion to the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee, for final approval. The student must also submit required documentation to the Office of the Registrar for a degree evaluation (see graduation requirements).
Developmental Studies
Western New Mexico University offers two levels of developmental coursework in each of the areas of writing, and mathematics. These courses are offered for those students who are underprepared for college coursework in one or more of these areas. Students are placed into a developmental course on the basis of their ACCUPLACER placement test score. The ACCUPLACER test is a computerized placement test that all first-time entering freshmen and some transfer students are required to take before they register for classes at WNMU, unless the students have a HSE, ACT, or SAT qualifying score
Developmental Studies courses are also excellent “brush-up” courses for students returning to college after an extended absence. These courses do not meet General Education requirements, nor do they count toward the completion of any degree. They do however count as institutional credit for the purpose of Financial Aid qualification and grade point average determination. Students who need to take several developmental courses should plan on taking more time to graduate than students who do not take developmental courses.
Learning Goals by Degree Level
Undergraduate Certificate
- Applies tools, technologies and methods common to the field of study to selected questions, problems, projects or situations.
- Demonstrates literacy skills appropriate to the discipline.
Associate Degree
- Applies tools, technologies and methods common to the field of study to selected questions or problems.
- Identifies and frames a problem or question in selected areas of study and distinguishes among elements of ideas, concepts, theories or practical approaches to the problem or question.
- Describes how knowledge from different cultural perspectives might affect interpretations of prominent problems in politics, society, arts and letters, or global relations.
- Describes prominent ethical issues and problems, and shows how ethical principles or frameworks help to inform decision making with respect to such problems.
- Presents accurate interpretations of quantitative information appropriate to the field of study.
- Demonstrates effective communication by developing cogent, coherent, and substantially error-free writing and through structured oral presentations to general and specialized audiences.
Bachelor’s Degree
- Constructs a summative project, paper, performance or application that draws on current research, scholarship, and techniques in the field of study.
- Differentiates and evaluates theories and approaches to selected complex problems within the chosen field of study.
- Describes, explains and evaluates the sources of his/her own perspective on selected issues in culture, society, politics, arts and letters, or global relations and compares that perspective with other views.
- Analyzes prominent ethical issues and problems, articulates the ways in which at least two different ethical perspectives influence decision making concerning the problems, and develops and defends an approach to address the ethical issues productively.
- Constructs logical or mathematical expressions of quantitative information appropriate to the field of study.
- Demonstrates effective communication through discussion by listening actively and responding constructively and through the development of coherent arguments/narratives presented through informal and formal error-free writing and structured oral presentations.
Millennium III Honors Program
The WNMU Millennium III Honors Program serves students in all majors and minors with enriched courses based on experiential and interdisciplinary learning and provides activities for bright, highly-motivated students. The program focuses on active rather than passive learning thereby offering its students a richer return on their investment of time, money and effort as well as extended opportunities for intellectual and academic growth. Honors courses are intended to be more stimulating, challenging and exciting than regular courses. Occasional social and cultural events are offered, as well.
Some of the features of the Millennium III program are:
- Honors versions of required courses;
- Interdisciplinary courses;
- Independent research;
- Social events;
- Opportunities to mix with professors;
- Special distinction at Commencement;
- Letters of recommendation from Honors Director;
- Network of former honors colleagues.
Admission requirements
- ACT score of 24 or better; or
- combined SAT score of 1180 or better; or
- graduation in the top 15% of high school class; or
- a high school cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or better; or
- completion of at least 15 college credit hours with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 or better.
Provisional Status
Students who do not meet admission requirements will be allowed to join the honors program if they have at least a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0. Such students will need approval from the Director of the Honors Program. Upon admittance, they will be required to increase their G.P.A. to a 3.3 by the time they are seniors to insure that they have the chance to graduate through the program successfully with an overall G.P.A. of 3.5.
Interested students must apply to the Director of the Honors Program.
Community participation: The honors program also encourages non-honors students, faculty, staff, and administration to participate in program activities and class field trips (with special fees that may apply).
WNMU Honors Curriculum (18 credit hours)
Requirements for Graduation with Honors through the Millennium III Honors Program.
Three basic requirements are:
- To complete 18 credit hours of honors courses
- Three of these credits are to represent the one-credit-hour Honors Seminars that are offered each semester**
- To maintain a composite 3.5 grade point average
Honors courses regularly offered include:
BCIS 1110 and ENGL 1110 are offered every Fall; COMM 1130 and ENGL 1120 are offered every Spring.
Honors courses are also offered in the following fields:
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**These seminars, which usually involve off-campus travel, explore a variety of stimulating subjects. The emphasis is on active, collaborative learning while fostering relationships among the honors students. There is an alternative service-learning format through which honors students can perform 15 hours of supervised volunteer work in a field of interest as a substitute for one of the three required one-hour Honors Seminars.
Generally, a three-credit, upper division honors seminar is offered each fall. These seminars are interdisciplinary, enabling students to approach a common subject from the perspectives of their individual majors as they conduct research and lead class discussions.
In addition to earning credits through scheduled honors courses, students may contract for honors credit through any course by arranging with their instructor to take on some additional responsibilities (such as teaching a class) and completing an Honors Contract Course form which must be signed by the Director of the Honors Program.
All of the completed honors courses are listed as such on the student’s transcript. At graduation, each student receives a plaque and a stole for the Commencement ceremony, representing Western New Mexico University’s highest academic honor: graduation through the Millennium III Honors Program.
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