This section of the Catalog is a guide to the academic regulations and curricula of WNMU. Each student is responsible for complying with the regulations of WNMU and of the curricular program he or she selects.
Choice of Catalog
Students pursuing an undergraduate/graduate degree may choose to graduate under the catalog which was in effect when they entered WNMU, or any subsequent catalog, provided the catalog is not more than five years old when the degree requirements are completed. Students may not use more than one catalog to complete degree requirements.
Curricular requirements are established by WNMU and include both general education courses and specific discipline requirements. Each undergraduate/graduate student’s degree plan is individually determined following catalog guidelines and advisor recommendations. Students may request through their advisors, an exception or substitution to the curricular requirements of their degree programs and to the academic regulations established in this catalog. Exceptions and substitutions must be approved by the department chair in the student’s major and (if appropriate) the Dean of School of Education and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
WNMU may make changes and exceptions to curricular and academic policies, provided that administrative and governance procedures are followed and that reasonable consideration is given to individual petitions for exceptions.
Academic Honesty
Each student is expected to observe standards of honesty and integrity in all academic work completed at WNMU. Students will be penalized for infractions that include, but are not limited to the following: representation of the work of others as one’s own, failure to cite sources, unauthorized assistance in any academic work, obtaining and/or using tests unless distributed by the instructor, or copying the work of another.
Any infraction of academic honesty and integrity shall result in an automatic failure of the course. A student may appeal this action pursuant to the appeals procedure set forth in the Student Handbook. For additional information, refer to the Student Handbook.
Academic Programs
Associate Degrees (two-year)
Associate of Arts (A.A.) is a two-year degree. The program requires a minimum of 64 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 64-74 credit hours that includes the following: (a) vocational courses, (b) technical support courses, (c) electives and, when applicable, (d) developmental coursework. 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 64-70 credit hours distributed to include (a) vocational coursework, (b) technical support courses, and when applicable, (c) developmental coursework.
Associate Degree Majors and Certificate Programs
Administration of Justice
Automotive Technology
Computer and Network Technology
Construction Technology
Drafting and Design Technology
Early Care, Education and Family Support
Nursing
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Office Administration
Baccalaureate Degrees (four-year)
The 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.
The 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.
The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) will prepare students for a career in the field of social work. This degree requires an additional six credit hours of Spanish beyond the BA requirement. Three credit hours must be Spanish 202, 214, 257 or another upper level Spanish course.
The Bachelor of Science in Vocational Teaching (B.S.V.T.) will prepare students for a career teaching vocational subjects at the secondary and post-secondary level. This degree requires an additional six credit hours of mathematics or computer science above those used to meet general education requirements.
The 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 and business management. This degree requires six hours of mathematics or computer science above those used to meet general education requirements.
The Bachelor of Academic Studies (B.A.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, English 101 and 43 upper-level credit hours with a grade of C or better. This degree reflects a major in Academic Studies with no minor.
Undergraduate Majors Undergraduate Minors
Academic Studies Accounting
Accounting Addiction Counseling
Administration of Justice Administration of Justice
Art Art
Biology Biology
Botany Botany
Business Administration Business Administration
Chemistry Business Education
Computer Science Chemistry
Elementary Education Coaching
English Communication
Forest/Wildlife Computer Science
General Science Economics
History English
Humanities Geography
K-12 Education Geology
Management History
Mathematics Latin American Studies
Medical Technology Mathematics
Movement Sciences Education Movement Sciences
Music Music
Operations Management and Political Science
Supervision Psychology
Psychology Public Administration
Public Administration, Environmental Sociology
and Resource Management Spanish
Science Education Sports Medicine
Secondary Education Theater
Social Science Wellness
Sociology Zoology
Social Work
Spanish
Special Education
Vocational Teaching
Zoology
Educational Endorsements: See Education Advisor.
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.
1. The contract minor must not duplicate any existing program at WNMU.
2. 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.
3. To gain approval the student is required to write a proposal which must include, but is not limited to, the following:
a. A full, detailed description of the course of study and rationale for allowing the program;
b. Faculty advisor(s) who will be charged with overseeing the program. Contract minor advisors must be full time WNMU faculty;
c. 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;
d. A list of clearly stated expected outcomes, special skills, expertise, etc. which the student would obtain from such a program.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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 Registrar’s Office for a degree audit (see graduation requirements).
Academic Outcomes Assessment Participation
Students are required to participate in WNMU’s learning outcomes assessment program. The University as a whole, as well as each campus unit, uses a variety of assessment activities designed to document aspects of student learning while at WNMU. Participation in course related assessment as well as non-course related assessment program activities is expected of each WNMU student. Students will be given adequate notice of non-course related assessment activities that they are responsible for completing. Failure to participate in these assessment activities can result in administrative action. The consequences can include but are not limited to restricting the student’s enrollment in certain courses, disenrollment from all courses for the semester, or reduction in a course grade if related to course activities.
Placement Testing
All undergraduate students new to WNMU must participate in WNMU’s placement testing program. WNMU uses the COMPASS (Computer-Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System) test for this purpose. The COMPASS test is used to assist advisors with placement of students in appropriate English, math, and other courses. COMPASS has three parts: math, reading and writing. COMPASS test scores determine placement in developmental studies or college level courses in Math, English, reading, and writing. Students who have already completed appropriate coursework at another institution may be exempt. Such students should consult a transcript evaluator at ASC.
The COMPASS test may be taken at New Student Orientation, or at other scheduled COMPASS test sessions. It is each student’s responsibility to schedule in advance a test session to complete the COMPASS. All students identified above must complete the test prior to registration for classes. More information concerning COMPASS testing is available at the Academic Support Center (ASC).
Special students and senior citizens may register for certain courses without taking the COMPASS test. Students who have already completed appropriate coursework at other accredited institutions may apply to Academic Support Center for waiver of test requirements.
General Education Assessment
During the Fall semester of each year an examination is given to certain groups of students identified by the Facilitator for Outcomes Assessment and the Faculty Assessment Committee. The purpose of this program is to provide an assessment tool for WNMU’s general education coursework: Participation of identified students is required. Freshmen and “rising juniors” are required to participate in WNMU’s Assessment program.
Academic Credits
An academic credit hour is the equivalent of one 50-minute standard class lecture per week for a minimum of 15 weeks. Laboratories, physical education,activity classes, music lesson ensembles, and workshops may generate credit hours at a lower rate.
Classification of Students
A student’s undergraduate classification depends upon the number of credit hours earned:
Freshman 0 - 31 credit hours earned
Sophomore 32 - 63
Junior 64 - 95
Senior 96 - up
Special Students Undergraduate students who wish to enroll at WNMU without having to meet regular admissions requirements may request admission with Special Student, Non-Degree Bound, status. Classes taken will not apply towards a degree until all admission requirements are met. Special students will remain on a non-degree status until admission requirements have been met. Special students are not eligible for Financial Aid. The special student registers at WNMU with the understanding that no course will count toward a degree until the entrance requirements have been met. All special student registrations are subject to course prerequisites (See Admissions Office).
Concurrent Student High school juniors and seniors may enroll part-time at WNMU while they are completing secondary school (see Admissions Office).
Numbering of Courses
Courses numbered from 100 to 199 are intended for freshmen, from 200 to 299 for sophomores, from 300 to 399 for juniors, and from 400 to 499 for seniors. Courses numbered in the 500 series are normally open only to graduate students (see Seniors Taking Graduate Courses).
Seniors taking Graduate Courses
Seniors who are within 12 credit hours of graduation, have completed all required courses for the baccalaureate degree, and have an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or above may petition to enroll for graduate credit. Forms may be obtained at the Registrar’s Office. A maximum of six graduate credit hours may be applied to a WNMU graduate program. Courses which are offered at two or more levels with identical titles may not be repeated for credit, with the exception of courses specifically structured for repetition.
Student Course Load
The normal course load for students enrolled in the Fall or Spring semester is between 15-18 credit hours. A student carrying a load of 16 credit hours for each of eight semesters will have completed the necessary credit hours for graduation provided the student followed a specific degree plan without modification. Students who carry less than 16 credit hours for eight semesters may be ineligible for financial aid after the eighth semester of enrollment. Six credit hours is the normal load for students registering in the five-week session of summer school.
The responsibility for formulating and enforcing policies governing the student course load belongs to the student’s advisor, Department Chair/Director/Dean and the Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee. The student’s previous academic record will be taken into account when determining the course load. The advisor also determines, with the student, the appropriate course load to carry during a given semester and indicates the total number of credit hours on the student’s registration form.
A student desiring to carry a course load greater than 18 credit hours may register for additional credit hours if the previous semester’s grade-point average was 3.0 (B) or above and no grades of “I” are outstanding. To carry a course load beyond the 18 credit hour course load the student must petition for permission by completing the Petition for Overload form. The maximum course load in either of the five-week summer sessions including interim or mini-sessions is seven credit hours.
Registration in a one hour movement science course taken to meet General Education requirements, or registration in band, orchestra, chorus, or a Natural Sciences laboratory may be carried as additional hours beyond the normal 18 credit hours in the semester or six in a summer term without petitioning for excess hours.
Students who have a grade of incomplete from a prior semester may be restricted to carrying a normal load less the number of incomplete credits.
Non-credit or audit courses are counted as a part of the student’s load when determining tuition and requirements for overloads. Interim courses also count as part of the 18 hour course load (or six hour course load in summers) for the semester in which they are placed.
Independent Study Courses (Graduate and Undergraduate)
Independent study courses may be made available in most departments by special arrangement between student and professor.
There are three types of arranged independent study:
1. A Tutorial Reading is used when a student must take a regularly offered class on an independent basis. These courses are numbered 195, 295, 395, 495, and 595.
2. A Directed Study is used when the student wishes to study a subject not regularly offered. These courses are numbered 285, 385, 485, and 585.
3. A Directed Research course is used when the student is performing research under the direction of a faculty member. These courses are numbered 490 and 590.
WNMU policy is to prevent the abuse of the Independent Study as it may result in the loss of core-classroom learning, WNMU subscribes to the following general policy statements. Departments within WNMU may impose additional criteria and regulations.
1. Independent study courses (Tutorial Readings, Directed Studies, Directed Research) shall be used primarily for the purpose of academic enrichment. The assignment and approval of Independent Studies for other reasons shall be strictly limited to emergency situations.
2. A student in a baccalaureate program requesting approval for an Independent Study must have successfully completed 60 hours of college work and must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. A student in an associate program must have successfully completed 30 credit hours of college work and must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
3. A maximum of twelve credit hours of Independent Study may be applied toward the graduation requirements at the baccalaureate level. A maximum of eight credit hours of Independent Study may be applied toward the graduation requirements at the associate level.
Co-op Work Experience
The Co-op Work Experience courses are numbered 194, 294, and 494. These courses are arranged through the Co-op Work Experience Office, PE Complex, room 150. This program provides opportunities to supplement course work with practical work experience related to the student’s educational and occupational objectives. The student will work a minimum of 45 hours per credit hour. Co-op Work Experience courses may be taken for one to six credit hours per semester. A maximum of six credit hours of Co-op Work Experience courses may be applied toward an associate or baccalaureate program.
Internships and Practica
Internship courses are numbered 481.
1. There shall be a 45:1 ratio between field hours and credit hours; i.e., for a three credit hour course the student will work 135 hours in the field.
2. A maximum of six credit hours of practicum/internship hours may be applied toward an associate or baccalaureate program except when required by a professional accrediting agency.
3. The activities and duties performed by the student during the practicum/internship shall meet the goals and objectives of the discipline as defined by the department that offers the practicum/internship.
4. The faculty in charge of the practicum/internship shall prepare a written agreement detailing the responsibilities of the student and field agency during the practicum/internship. This agreement shall also specify the criteria for assigning a grade at the end of the practicum/internship. Both the student and field agency shall sign the agreement before the practicum/internship begins. The agreement shall be filed in the student’s advisement file and in the Registrar’s Office.
5. The student, faculty and agency shall evaluate the practicum/internship experience at the completion of the field experience.
6. If students are to receive stipends, per diem allowances, or other remuneration, criteria or guidelines shall be developed by the department which offers the practicum/internship. These criteria or guidelines shall clearly state the situations under which moneys may be paid to a student.
7. A statement shall be filed with the department and Office of Academic Affairs defining the specific goals and purpose of any practicum/internship course listed in the catalog. It shall include a statement of how the above items are addressed.
On-the-Job-Training (OJT)
These courses are limited to associate degree programs and are numbered 196 and 296. The course instructor works closely with the on-the-job supervisor in determining the student’s grade. Students may earn credit for work experience related to their educational and occupational objectives. The student will work a minimum of 45 hours per credit hour. OJT may be taken for one to six credit hours per semester. A maximum of six credit hours of OJT courses may be applied toward an associate degree.
Credit by College-Level Examination (CLEP)
Students may contact the Student Development Center to make arrangements to take the examinations available through College Level Examination Placement. Prior registration is required so that testing materials may be ordered. CLEP examinations are not considered hours in residence.
Up to 32 credit hours may be applied toward a baccalaureate degree from WNMU.
Below is a list of CLEPCollege-Level Examinations and corresponding WNMU courses approved for credit totaling 21 hours, provided the student receives an acceptable score.
Examinations Offered
Test Passing Credit for
Score
English Composition 463 ENGL 101 (3)
Mathematics 450 MATH 105 (3)
Mathematics 500 MATH 105, 106 (6)
Humanities Literature 450 HUM 101, 102 (6)
Introductory Macroeconomics 48 ECON 201 (3)
Introductory Microeconomics 47 ECON 202 (3)
Cost: One Examination, $40.00
Students may receive transfer credits for the CLEP for equivalent WNMU courses in foreign languages upon the successful completion (“C” or better) of a course at WNMU at the next appropriate linguistic level.
Credit for additional courses may be approved on a case-by-case basis. A maximum of 32 credit hours may be applied towards a baccalaureate degree.
Credit Through ACT Examination*
WNMU will grant up to 12 credit hours in two areas to persons with appropriate ACT standard scores. ACT scores used for this purpose must have been earned prior to the student’s first enrollment in any college or university. Students who earned college credits while in high school are also eligible.
Credits will be granted in each area in which the following minimum ACT standard scores or percentiles, whichever is higher, are earned:
Test Standard Percentile Courses
Score
English 31 98% ENGL 101, 102
Mathematics 31 97% MATH 123 (MATH 132 upon consultation with the Chair of Mathematics and Computer Science)
*Students taking the ACT prior to October 1989 must check with the Registrar’s Office for the minimum scores. Credit in any one area may be earned through either ACT or CLEP, but not both. The total number of credits earned may not exceed 32 credit hours and may be in any combination of ACT and CLEP.
Credit by Challenge Examination
The program of credit by examination is available to students who, for reasons of scholarship or past academic experience, possess information and expertise at the same level as students who have completed a comparable course.
Eligibility for credit by examination is limited to students who have established a record of superior performance within a specific discipline or in their studies in general.
The usual set of conditions which justifies a request for establishing course credit by successful examination includes the following:
1. The student has demonstrated evidence of scholarship in the field in which the examination is desired.
2. The student has taken a course involving similar content, but has not established credit for the course at WNMU.
3. The student has had extensive experience of a theoretical and practical nature in a field which relates to the course in which the examination is requested.
4. The student has had private tutoring in the field, such as in music or art.
The following guidelines govern the examination procedures.
1. The examination will be searching in nature (comprehensive), strictly graded, and at least four hours in length.
2. The minimum passing grade shall be C.
3. The courses a student may challenge are determined by academic departments at WNMU. Movement Science activities classes are not open to challenge.
Any currently enrolled student with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher may challenge certain undergraduate courses by examination. The procedure is as follows:
1. Obtain a petition with a “statement of purpose” from the Registrar’s Office;
2. Obtain the signature of the instructor;
3. Obtain the signature of the appropriate Department Chair;
4. Obtain the final approval of the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs;
5. Pay the fee of $15 per credit hour in the Business Office;
6. Make arrangements with the appropriate department chair to take the examination;
7. Complete the petition by mid semester.
No course already recorded on the transcript may be challenged.
No more than 15 credit hours by challenge examination may be recorded on the transcript for a baccalaureate degree. No more than six credit hours may be challenged for an associate’s degree. Credit earned by challenge examination may not satisfy any part of the last 15 credit hours required for graduation.
Recommendations for Adult Learning and Education Experiences
Western New Mexico University will grant credit of up to 44 hours from a variety of off-campus sources as approved by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Council on Postsecondary Education, or the American Council on Education. It is recognized that certain curricula are affected by outside licensing and/or accrediting agencies that prohibit such substitutions or waivers. In such cases the recommended credit may not be applied towards the degree in that discipline.
Transfer Credit from other Institutions (Undergraduate Students)
It is the policy of Western New Mexico University to accept transfer credit from other New Mexico accredited or regionally accredited colleges and universities. Students who are applying for transfer credit earned at an out-of-state college or university must provide the Academic Support Center with a copy of the catalog or certified course description(s) in effect at the time the transferred course was taken.
Transfer credit may be awarded when the following conditions are met:
1. The student must be awarded “final’’ admissions status (see Admissions section).
2. The course carries degree credit at the transferring institution.
3. The student was not suspended from a college or university at the time the course was taken.
Transfer transcripts become the property of WNMU and will not be returned to the student either as originals or as copies. Transfer credit will become part of the student’s record after the student has established a course of record.
All courses with letter grades of A, B, C or D will be posted on the WNMU transcript provided they conform to the above noted restrictions. GPA(s) earned from transferring institutions will be reflected on the WNMU transcript and will serve as the student’s official GPA until such time as it is combined with WNMU coursework/GPA. Courses for which the student has earned a grade of C or better may be used to fulfill requirements in the student’s major and/or minor (refer to individual departments for advisement). D grade work is not considered acceptable in the student’s major and/or minor field of study and may only be used for general education or elective credit.
A student whose cumulative GPA from a transferring institution falls below WNMU’s acceptable standards (see page 47) will be placed on academic probation.
Credits earned in non-technical courses taken at accredited technical institutes, business schools, and other post-high school institutes are initially accepted at WNMU. Once students have enrolled at WNMU, they may request that the Registrar review certain technical courses that are directly applicable to their declared associate or baccalaureate degree. Approval for transfer of Applied Technology courses must be obtained from the department chair of Applied Technology. Grades of P, CR, S, awarded in courses and credited toward graduation at the institution of origin, may be accepted at WNMU, provided they conform to the above noted restrictions. Courses transfer from other institutions at the level offered at those institutions. Hours transferred from two-year institutions cannot be used for upper level (300-400) hours.
A transfer student must complete a minimum of six credit hours in the elected major and a minimum of three credit hours in the elected minor in residence at WNMU. See “Undergraduate Degree Requirements” for specific degree information for transfer students.
International students wishing to receive credit for courses taken at accredited institutions of post-secondary education outside the U.S. must provide WNMU with original transcripts translated into English and evaluated by an independent credentials evaluator. A list of evaluators is available at the Academic Support Center. (JCB 220)
Western New Mexico University treats transfer students the same as students who started at WNMU in awarding credit towards fulfilling degree requirements. The University supports articulation among all public institutions in New Mexico.
PLEASE NOTE: Transfer students are advised to consult an academic advisor and transcript evaluator concerning the state wide Articulation of Lower Division Common Core (general education requirements.) Graduate students should refer to transfer credit-Graduate, page 319.
State Wide Articulation of Lower-Division Common Core
To facilitate transfer of students and course credits among New Mexico’s colleges and universities, the state’s public institutions of higher education are required to accept in transfer courses taken within approved modules of lower-division courses work and apply them toward degree requirements. Several transfer guides have been developed through collaboration of New Mexico’s public postsecondary institutions, consistent with requirements of state law (21-1B, NMSA 1978). Students enrolling for first-year or second-year study at a New Mexico institution and wishing to prepare for possible transfer into a degree program at another institution are advised to take these courses during their freshman and sophomore years.
Student Responsibility
New Mexico’s colleges and universities have collaborated to produce guides to assist students who plan to transfer before completing a program of study. Course modules are designed to help students select courses carefully so that they may transfer with little or no loss of credit. However, planning for effective transfer with maximum efficiency is ultimately the student’s responsibility. Responsible transfer planning includes consultation with the intended degree-granting institution to assure that all pre-transfer coursework will meet the requirements of the desired degree.
Transferable Lower-Division General Education Common Core
Students enrolling for first-year study who have not yet selected either an academic focus or the institution where they wish to graduate are advised to take courses during their freshman year outlined in the Lower Division General Education Common Core. For students enrolled at any public institution in New Mexico, the following courses are guaranteed to transfer to any other New Mexico public college or university, and apply toward associate and baccalaureate degree program requirements. Students should consult advisors at their current institutions regarding which specific courses fit these categories. Students preparing for careers in engineering, health sciences, or other profession -related fields are advised that some of course work may not transfer toward general education requirements but in most cases will apply toward elective requirements.
Lower-Division 64-hour Transfer Modules
Students who have selected a field of study but have not yet selected the college or university where they wish to earn their baccalaureate degree are advised to take courses during their freshman and sophomore years outlined in one of the Lower-Division 64-hour Transfer Modules. For students enrolled at any other public institution in New Mexico, these courses are guaranteed to transfer to any public institution in New Mexico and to apply toward bachelor’s degree program requirements. Students should consult advisors at their current institutions regarding which specific classes fit these categories. Lower division transfer modules presently exist for:
Business Biological Sciences
Engineering Teacher Education
Modules for additional areas of study are being developed. Copies of these Transfer Modules may be obtained from the Academic Support Center or the Office of Admissions.
Lower-Division General Education Common Core
Area I: Communications 9 semester hours
(a) College-Level English Composition 3-4 hrs
(b) College-Level Writing (a second 3 hrs
course building on the above)
(c) Public Speaking (oral communication) 3 hrs
Area II: Mathematics 3 semester hours
(a) College Algebra (or higher level) 3 hrs
(b) Calculus 3 hrs
(c) Other College-Level Mathematics 3 hrs
Area III: Laboratory Science 4-8 semester hours
(a) General Biology, with laboratory 4-8 hrs
(b) General Chemistry, with laboratory 4-8 hrs
(c) General Physics, with laboratory 4-8 hrs
(d) Geology/Earth Science, with laboratory 4-8 hrs
(e) Astronomy, with laboratory 4-8 hrs
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences 6 or 9 semester hours
(a) Economics (Macro or Microeconomics) 3 hrs
(b) Introductory Political Science 3 hrs
(c) Introductory Psychology 3 hrs
(d) Introductory Sociology 3 hrs
(e) Introductory Anthropology 3 hrs
Area V: Humanities and Fine Arts 6 or 9 semester hours
(a) Introductory History Survey 3 hrs
(b) Philosophy 3 hrs
(c) Introductory Course in History, Theory, 3 hrs
or Aesthetics of the Arts or Literature
Common Module Total 35 semester hours
Correspondence Credit (Undergraduate)
A maximum of 44 credit hours of off-campus credit may be applied toward a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of nine credit hours of correspondence credit is accepted toward a baccalaureate degree, and no more than six are accepted towards an associate degree. In accepting off-campus credit, WNMU will be guided by the interpretation of the college from which the credit is transferred. (Graduate students see page 319 - Correspondence Work.)
Attendance
Attendance is expected at all sessions of each course for which the student is enrolled; the responsibility for attendance is placed upon the student. The student is responsible for making up missed assignments and making appropriate arrangements with the instructor. Failure to attend class does not imply withdrawal. Instructors MAY drop a student from the class rolls when the student accumulates unexcused absences in excess of the number of credit hours offered for the course. Students who are auditing a course will be expected to attend class regularly. The instructor has the option of withdrawing a student for not attending class. Non-attendance of classes due to late registration is considered the same as absences after registration.
An instructor may also drop a student who does not meet the prerequisites of a course. Only students enrolled for credit or audit are permitted to attend classes. Students not enrolled may visit classes with the permission of the instructor.
Grading System - Grade Points
The WNMU grading system is expressed in letters, which carry grade points used in calculating the cumulative grade-point average (GPA). Grades awarded in all courses indicate the quality of work completed. Grades of A, B, C, D, and F are earned and recorded at WNMU. In computing the grade-point average, the total of credits in which the grades of A, B, C, D, F have been earned is divided into the total number of grade points computed.
A = 4 grade points per credit hour
B = 3
C = 2
D = 1
F = 0
P Indicates a passing grade in a course with a non-graded option. P is not computed in the GPA.
I Incomplete, indicates work is still pending and is given only when circumstances beyond the student’s control have prevented completion of the course within the official dates of a session. It is not intended as an opportunity to raise the grade in a course. “I” is not computed in the GPA.
IP Indicates work in progress and is to be used for graduate thesis course or senior projects.
W Indicates the course was dropped with the permission of the proper authorities and that the student was passing at the time of withdrawal. Withdrawals are not permitted after the eleventh week of the semester. W is not computed in the GPA.
WF Indicates withdrawal from the course with failing status. The WF will be computed as a failing grade in the student’s GPA.
Repeating a Course (Undergraduate)
An undergraduate student may repeat an undergraduate course previously taken at WNMU in order to improve the grade (including grade of WF). The higher grade in a repeated undergraduate course will be substituted in the calculation of the grade-point average for the final grade earned. All grades earned for the course remain posted on the permanent record, but credit may be earned only once.
Auditing a Course
Students may register for any course as an audit, or without credit. The instructor’s signature is required prior to registration. The fee is the same as for credit. Students who are auditing a course will be expected to attend class regularly. The instructor has the option of withdrawing a student for not attending class. Courses taken for audit may be repeated for credit. Changes in audit status may be made through the eighth week of classes.
Incomplete Grade
The grade of incomplete (I) is given for coursework that could not be completed due to circumstances beyond the student’s control. In no case will a grade of I be used to avoid the assigning of D or F grades for marginal or failing work. A grade of I is requested by the student. A student must remove the I by completing all coursework by mid-semester of the following semester. If the student is not in residence the following semester, the I must be removed by the close of the last day of classes in the following semester. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in automatic conversion from I to F.
Examinations
Examinations other than final examinations are to be given at the discretion of the instructor.
Final examinations are held during the last week of the semester. The schedule of examinations is issued by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and is published in the semester schedule of classes. Any changes in the examination schedule must be approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The arrangements for a make-up examination shall be made by the student in consultation with the instructor.
Mid-Semester Grades
Grades of D and F are reported to the Registrar’s Office according to the WNMU Catalog schedule. These grades are mailed to the student’s local address and are made available to the Academic Support Center and the Financial Aid Office.
If the student receives an unsatisfactory grade because of an apparent error in the registration process, he/she should contact the Registrar’s Office immediately.
Final Course Grades
A final semester grade report is mailed to each student at the student’s mailing address seven to ten days after the official close of the semester. Lists of students’ academic progress are also provided to the Academic Support Center and the Financial Aid Office. The posting of final grades on a student’s permanent record is normally completed within three weeks of the last day of the semester.
Recognition of Academic Achievement
Baccalaureate and associate degree students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours for the current semester and have earned a GPA in the top 15 percent of undergraduate GPA's to be eligible for honors. The top five percent of the honors students will be awarded high honors. The remaining ten percent will be awarded honors. Honors or high honors will be noted on the student transcript for each semester in which the recognition is awarded.
Probation and Suspension
Academic Probation: Academic standing is reviewed at the end of each semester; students who have not made satisfactory progress will be placed on academic probation for the next semester. Satisfactory progress is based on the number of cumulative hours attempted and cumulative GPA according to the following scale.
Cumulative Hours Attempted Cumulative GPA
0-32 1.65
33-48 1.75
49-63 1.90
64 + Hours 2.00
A student on academic probation at another university may be admitted to WNMU but will retain probationary status. Students on academic probation may not participate in WNMU sponsored activities. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will notify by mail any student who is placed on academic probation.
A student on academic probation who maintains a semester GPA of 2.25 or above may continue to enroll at WNMU. The student remains on academic probation until his/her cumulative GPA and cumulative hours attempted meet or exceed acceptable standards (see scale above).
Academic Suspension: A student on academic probation will be suspended at the end of the semester in which the cumulative GPA falls below acceptable standards and the semester GPA falls below 2.25. Students placed on academic suspension are sent a certified letter by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Suspension from WNMU is for one full calendar year from the date of suspension. Students must petition for reinstatement after suspension. Students serving their first suspension must contact the Registrar’s Office for re-admission following the suspension period. Students serving any subsequent suspension must appeal the suspension pursuant to the appeals procedures set forth in the Student Handbook prior to enrolling at WNMU. Admissions Office staff will advise students of the procedures required for reinstatement.
During the period of suspension, a student may not register for classes, live in student housing or participate in student activities at WNMU.
NOTE: Students suspended from another institution are not eligible to enroll at WNMU until they have served the suspension period of that institution.
Good Academic Standing
Students who maintain the minimum academic standards stated in the scale on page 47 will be considered in good standing.
Academic Amnesty Policy
A student enrolling at WNMU after at least a five calendar year period of separation from any accredited institution of higher learning may wish to be considered for academic amnesty. Application for this consideration will be made by the student to the Registrar in the Fall or Spring semester immediately following the semester in which the student completes 24 or more credit hours at WNMU with a GPA of at least 2.50 for these hours. Developmental Studies courses and non-academic vocational courses will not count toward the five year separation requirements or the GPA requirement. Upon granting of the application, all courses prior to the five year separation will be removed from consideration for a degree and will not count toward the G.P.A. but will remain on the student’s transcript. The student’s transcript will be marked “Academic Amnesty Granted.’’ Appropriate courses will be flagged, whether earned at WNMU or elsewhere. The student may not pick and choose which course to remove from consideration. Academic Amnesty may be granted only once and is not reversible.