GRADUATE STUDIES

Policies and Procedures

WNMU offers the Master of Arts, the Master of Arts in Teaching, and the Master of Business Administration degrees. The Graduate Division of WNMU provides an opportunity for advanced study for meaningful research and for development of mature scholarship. Programs are intended to serve those students with maturity, professional motivation, and enhanced intellectual curiosity.

Western New Mexico University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the Professional Standards Commission of the State of New Mexico, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The student who has completed the teacher education program is fully prepared to teach in public schools. Western New Mexico University, through its Department of Business, Economics and Public Administration, is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs to offer the Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Accounting and Business Management and Master of Business Administration degree.

The Graduate Council develops policy for the Graduate Division and Council acts as an advisory body to the Director of the Graduate Division. The Director of the Graduate Division administers overall graduate policy. Graduate programs are administered by the chairs of the departments offering the programs and the Dean of the School of Education. Each graduate student works under the supervision of an advisor, who is appointed by the department chair or Dean.

Graduate students enrolled in the Gallup Graduate Studies Center are bound by the same degree and program requirements as stated in this catalog. Information and applications may be secured by contacting the Center in Gallup at (505) 722-3389.

M.A. and M.A.T. graduate work at WNMU continues throughout the year. In certain programs, graduate work is concentrated during summer sessions. M.B.A. graduate work at WNMU continues throughout the year with the majority of the course work provided during the fall and spring semesters and a limited number of elective courses offered during summer sessions. Graduate students should be familiar with the requirements of the 500 level graduate courses in their areas of specialization.

Graduate Degrees

The Master of Arts (M.A.) is the basic graduate degree which offers specialized study beyond the baccalaureate degree. The M.A. is offered in a variety of disciplines. The M.A. may be completed with or without a thesis.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) has no thesis option. The purpose of the program is to add to the competence of educators in academic, pedagogical and research skills. Previous teaching experience is not required for the M.A.T. program.

The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) is designed for persons who wish to become management generalists. The M.B.A. program does not require a thesis.

Graduate Admission

Regular Graduate Student Admission

A regular graduate student is one who meets all Graduate Division and program requirements for admission as a graduate student.

To be admitted as a regular graduate student, an applicant must

1. Complete the form, “Application for Graduate Admission to the University” through the Admissions Office;

2. Provide the Admissions Office with copies of official transcripts showing the award of a bachelor’s/master’s degree from an accredited institution recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation (COPA) and the last 36 hours of undergraduate/graduate work. These transcripts must be on file before an applicant is admitted to graduate study;

3. M.A. and M.A.T. applicants with an overall grade-point average of at least 3.20 for the last 36 credit hours of undergraduate/graduate work will be admitted on REGULAR status and will not be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Applicants who have a GPA of between 3.00 and 3.19 for the last 36 credit hours of undergraduate/graduate work will be admitted on regular status if they provide evidence of having earned combined scores of at least 720 for any two of the three sub-tests of the GRE.

Applicants who have a GPA of between 2.75 and 2.99 for the last 36 credit hours of undergraduate/graduate work will be admitted on provisional status if they provide evidence of having earned combined scores of at least 720 for any two of the three sub-tests of the GRE. A student may take up to nine credit hours while on provisional status. Upon completion of nine hours of graduate work with a grade of B or better in each course, the student must request a review of his/her admission status.

4. M.B.A. program M.B.A. applicants must provide evidence of having earned a minimum score of 400 on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). The GMAT score must be on file with the Graduate Division and the Business Department office before an applicant will be admitted to graduate study or permitted to enroll in any 500 level M.B.A. courses that apply toward the M.B.A. degree. Generally, acceptance to the program is based on the following formula: Undergraduate G.P.A. x 200 + GMAT score = 950 or higher.

At the discretion of the M.B.A. advisor, a GRE score less than six years old may be submitted in lieu of the GMAT score for entry into the M.B.A. program. The minimum acceptable GRE score will be in the same percentile as a comparable quantitative and verbal GMAT score of 400.

Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may petition the Department of Business Administration Graduate Admissions Committee to be admitted on special consideration. The petition must include a written statement as to why the applicant believes that he/she will be able to complete the M.B.A. program. M.B.A. applicants who do not meet the 950 qualifying score requirement must meet with the M.B.A. Graduate Admissions Committee for a personal interview. The purpose of the interview is to enable the Committee to assess the applicant’s potential for successfully completing the M.B.A. program. No more than 20% of candidates selected for the M.B.A. program will be admitted with a qualifying score lower than 950/ in any one year.

Provisional Graduate Student Admission

M.A. and M.A.T.

A provisional graduate student is one who does not meet the regular graduate admissions standards of the Graduate Division. This classification is for a beginning graduate student who lacks a grade-point average of at least 3.00 out of a possible 4.0 for the last 36 credit hours of undergraduate and graduate work, but whose grade-point average is at least 2.75. To remedy a grade-point deficiency, the student who has completed the bachelor’s degree requirement 3 (see above for regular graduate student admission), must complete nine credits of graduate work designated by his or her graduate advisor with a grade of B or better in each course, and provide the designated GRE score. Failure to meet these requirements will preclude further progress toward a graduate degree.

A student admitted with provisional status must complete requirements 1 through 4 above for regular admission as a graduate student.

Once the student has completed the nine credits of graduate work designated by his or her graduate advisor with a grade of B or better in each course, and submitted appropriate GRE scores, the student must request, in writing, to have the file reviewed by the Director of the Graduate Division for a change in status. A maximum of nine credit hours of graduate work with a grade of B or better while on provisional status may be counted toward a master’s degree at WNMU.

M.B.A.

There is no provisional graduate student admission for the M.B.A. program.

Conditional Graduate Student Admission

A conditional graduate student is one whose file is not complete.

An M.A. or M.A.T. student may take a maximum of nine hours of course work in the first semester of attendance while on conditional status. The student may not register for additional course work until the file is complete and student has met all requirements for regular graduate admission (see Regular Graduate Student Admission 1-4).

M.B.A. students who have not submitted GMAT scores will be admitted conditionally until GMAT scores are on file with the Graduate Division. Failure to do so within the first semester of enrollment will preclude further progress toward the M.B.A. degree.

Non-degree Graduate Student Admission

A non degree student is one who is not admitted to a graduate degree program at WNMU. If a non degree graduate student later chooses to transfer to a graduate degree program, he or she must apply to the Graduate Division. When such a transfer is accomplished and has been approved by advisor, a maximum of six credit hours of graduate work earned as a non degree graduate student may be applied toward a master’s degree.

To be admitted as a non degree graduate student, an applicant must

1. Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution recognized by the Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation (COPA);

2. Complete requirements 1 and 2 for regular graduate student admission.

International Students

The general policies of the University, as outlined in this catalog, apply to international students as well as students who are United States citizens. Certain policies necessitated by federal laws are applicable only to international students.

An international student is any individual attending WNMU who holds an F-1 or M-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 a score of 550 written or 213 on computer-based version or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for all international students.

Admissions All application materials, including the application for admission and letters of recommendation; all transcripts or national examination scores and/or transcripts from colleges or universities (with an English translation); all test scores, including the TOEFL; proof of adequate financial support; and health examination form must be on file in the Admissions Office by the following dates:

Fall semester June 1

Spring semester October 1

Applications not received by the cutoff dates will be processed for the following semester.

International students are required to show proof of adequate health insurance or to purchase such insurance. The policy must include emergency evacuation or repatriation to their home country.

Graduate Policies

Procedures for Completing a Graduate Degree

A student seeking to obtain a graduate degree at Western New Mexico University should follow these steps:

1. Apply for admission to the Graduate Division through the Admissions Office.

2. Comply with the provisions outlined under Graduate Admission. This includes passing the required entry exams by no later than the end of the first semester of attendance.

3. Develop a graduate degree plan with the assigned graduate advisor. The advisor will forward the degree plan to the Department Chair/Dean for review. The Department Chair/Dean then sends it to the Graduate Division Office for final approval. A copy of the degree plan is then sent to the Registrar’s Office. Progress on degree plans of all graduate students are reviewed at the end of each semester and summer sessions by the Graduate Division Office, by the respective advisor, and by the Department Chair/Dean. A non-thesis graduate degree plan requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate course work; a thesis graduate degree plan requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate course work, except for the Interdisciplinary major which requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of graduate course work, and a thesis of six credit hours.

4. Submit application for a degree audit to the Registrar’s Office, the semester before expected graduation date.

5. Apply for permission to take the comprehensive examination at the beginning of the semester in which the examination is to be scheduled. A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit must have been completed or in progress during the semester in which the examination is scheduled. The examination shall include six questions from six different courses; its administration will be the responsibility of the Dean and/or Department Chair and the student’s advisor. This examination may be repeated only once. Written comprehensives are scheduled three times a year in March, July and November.

6. Pass a comprehensive examination over the graduate program. A specialty test may be taken in lieu of university administered written comprehensives in some areas; students should check with their advisors for clarification. (Students seeking degrees in the area of Educational Leadership, Elementary Education, Reading, and Counseling may achieve the state minimum score on the Praxis National Teacher Examination (NTE) Specialty Test. An original copy of the Praxis scores will be provided to the Registrar’s Office by the student. This examination should be taken the semester before the student expects to graduate.

NOTE: Steps 5-6 apply to M.A. and M.A.T. candidates only.

7. The student must file an advisor approved degree plan with the Registrar’s Office and an application for a degree audit and pay graduation fees in the Business Office by the deadline listed in class schedule. Completion of the degree plan prepares the student for receiving the graduate degree.

Independent Study Courses

Independent study courses may be made available by special arrangement between the individual student and the professor.

There are three types of arranged independent study.

1. A Tutorial Reading is to be used when a student must take a regularly offered class on an independent basis (this course is numbered 595).

2. A Directed Study is to be used when the student wishes to study some subject not regularly offered (this course is numbered 585).

3. A Directed Research course is to be used when the student is performing research under the direction of a faculty member (this course is numbered 590).

Independent Studies (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.

Readmission

A student wishing to be readmitted to a WNMU graduate program must complete the Application for Readmission form, available at the Admissions Office, and any other necessary requirement as directed by that office.

Any student who has attended other colleges or universities prior to application for readmission to WNMU must submit complete academic transcripts from those institutions to the Admissions Office as part of the application procedure. Students should provide the Admissions Office with a copy of relevant pages of each institution’s catalog to match the transcripts.

Registration

The University’s academic year is divided into two semesters and two summer sessions. Graduate students may enter the Graduate Division at the beginning of any period. They are expected to register prior to or on the days set aside for that purpose. Late registration and absences are counted from the day of registration.

Residence Requirement

The minimum residence requirement for the completion of the M.A. degree is one academic year or two semesters. Five five-week summer sessions will be accepted as equivalent to two semesters. All 36 hours of credit except the permitted transfer of six credit hours must be earned in residence.

Tour Credit Hours (Graduate)

A maximum of six graduate credit hours of tour credit may be applied toward a Master’s degree.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of six credit hours of graduate work may be transferred and applied toward the master’s degree at WNMU. Continuing education and extension courses are excluded. The work accepted must be approved by the advisor and department chair/Dean based upon its appropriateness to the student’s degree plan, and must have been earned no more than seven years prior to the issuance of the graduate degree.

Correspondence Work (Graduate)

No correspondence work will be accepted for graduate credit.

Time Limit

All graduate credit, including transfer credit, must have been earned within the seven years prior to issuance of the graduate degree.

Prerequisites, Undergraduate Credit Hours

To pursue a graduate major in a subject for secondary teaching, the student must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours of undergraduate work in that subject.

Graduate Credit

Only graduate students are admitted to 500-level courses. Admission may be granted to seniors at WNMU who have less than 12 credit hours to complete the bachelor’s degree, a grade point average of 3.20, and expect to complete the bachelor’s degree during the same semester. Students may be admitted to a maximum of six graduate credit hours while completing the undergraduate degree. Students who are deficient in certain undergraduate courses in the major field will be expected to remove these deficiencies without graduate credit. When it is apparent that further work in auxiliary subjects may make a substantial contribution to the M.A. and M.A.T. graduate program, the student may be allowed to take up to six credit hours of courses at the undergraduate 400-level. Registration for such courses must have the approval of the student’s advisor, the Department Chair/Dean in which the courses are offered, and the Director of the Graduate Division. The instructor is required to submit to the Dean of the Graduate School an outline of all extra work undertaken by the graduate student to justify graduate credit in a 400 level course.

When the student registers for a course numbered below 500 for graduate credit, he/she must make certain that the registration form carries official notation of the fact.

School of Education
Policy on Professional Development Credit

Professional Development Credit (PDC) will be offered by Western New Mexico University (WNMU) for the purpose of professional development, enrichment, and salary advancement credit (T & E.). PDC will be accepted only in special cases, for a maximum of six hours of WNMU degree credit toward program electives, with prior approval from the Professional Education Committee (PEC), the Dean of the SOE, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. PDC courses are not part of WNMU’s approved programs nor are they appropriate substitutes. Professional Development Credits are not recommended for licensure and endorsement purposes. Transcript credit will identify PDC by the numbers 444 (undergraduate credit) or 544 (graduate credit) and a listing of the course title as Professional Development: “Title of Course.”

Enrollment Certification (Graduate)

WNMU certifies a student’s enrollment status as to full-time or half-time, according to the guidelines below. The guidelines are used primarily to verify graduate assistantships, financial aid and loan deferments.

Course-load guidelines:

I. Academic Year

Graduates

a. Full-time: nine or more graduate credit hours per semester

b. Part-time: one to eight graduate credit hours per semester

II. Summer Session

Graduates

a. Full-time: three or more graduate credit hours per summer session

b. Part-time: one to two graduate credit hours per summer session

Load Limitations

The graduate student is limited to taking 12 credit hours during each semester of the regular academic year. During each five-week summer session, the student is limited to six credit hours. Graduate assistants are limited to between six and twelve graduate credit hours during a regular term. Enrollment for fewer than nine graduate credit hours (three in summer) results in reduced remuneration for the graduate assistant.

Grade Requirements

No more than three credit hours with a grade of C will count toward fulfillment of the requirements for the master’s degree. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation.

Graduate students may enroll in workshops, independent studies, and regular courses that are not core courses in the master’s degree program on a pass/fail grading basis for up to six credit hours.

Academic Disqualification - The academic records of all graduate students are reviewed at the end of each semester and summer session. A student whose cumulative grade-point average at the end of any semester or summer session is less than a 3.0 will be warned and placed on probationary status. If the student fails to maintain a 3.0 average and to show substantial improvement in the quality of work, as determined by the Director of the Graduate Division, during the next enrollment period after warning, the student will be disqualified from Graduate School. A student who receives more than two grades of C or lower in his/her graduate work will be disqualified from the Graduate School.

A student who is disqualified from a graduate program must serve a one calendar year suspension prior to being admitted into another program.

Students who are pursuing two programs at the time of their disqualification must serve the one year suspension prior to working on either degree.

Earning a Second Master’s Degree

A second master’s degree requires completion of at least 30 credit hours beyond the original master’s degree.

Graduate Assistant Program

The purpose of the Graduate Assistant (GA) program at WNMU is to provide graduate students with a supplemental learning experience which enhances their graduate education program.

Graduate students who have been admitted as regular students to the graduate school are eligible to apply for a GA position. In addition to meeting the Graduate School’s academic standards, a GA must also achieve a 3.0 GPA each semester. Failure to maintain a 3.0 GPA jeopardizes the graduate assistantship, which may be revoked upon review by the Director of the Graduate Division.

Graduate assistantships are offered in two categories: academic (nine-month contracts usually beginning in the fall semester); and administrative (twelve-month contracts beginning at the start of the fiscal year, July 1). Graduate Assistants normally enroll for nine graduate credit hours, and may not take more than 12 or fewer than six graduate credit hours each regular semester. Final approval of graduate assistants and terms and conditions are approved by the Director of the Graduate Division.

Enrollment for only six graduate credit hours results in reduced remuneration for the graduate assistant. Enrollment in three graduate credit hours each summer session is required to maintain a graduate assistantship.

Master’s Degrees

In addition to all other specified degree/graduation requirements, a candidate for the Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, or Master of Business Administration degree is subject to the following regulations:

1. File an advisor approved degree plan and application for degree audit by September 1 for spring graduation or February 1 for summer or fall graduation with the Registrar’s Office. The student will be advised in writing of the results.

2. The student must complete a graduation application and pay a graduation fee of $55.

3. The student must have removed any indebtedness to WNMU and completed all coursework and required examinations prior to the last day of the semester. NTE and comprehensive test scores must be posted in the Registrar’s Office by the last day of the semester in which the student wishes to graduate.

Advisement

1. Advisement with regard to the student’s major is provided by a faculty advisor in the department or school in which the program is offered.

2. The graduate student and his/her assigned advisor will develop the student’s degree plan, which must be approved by the advisor, the Department chair/Dean, and the Director of the Graduate Division. The plan is a working agreement among the respective parties. Copies of the signed degree plan will be filed in the offices of the Director of the Graduate Division, the Registrar, and the advisor. A copy will be returned to the student.

3. An approved degree plan must be filed at the Graduate Office prior to the completion of the first 15 hours of graduate work.

Gallup Graduate Studies Center

Programs in Educational Leadership, Counseling and Special Education are graduate programs offered at the Gallup Graduate Studies Center. All graduate admissions requirements apply to students attending the Gallup Graduate Studies Center.

Graduate Degree Requirements

School of Education

For disciplines in the School of Education, students must meet with a discipline advisor for specific requirements.

Master of Arts (non-thesis) Requirements:

EDUC 500 Methods of Research (3)

EDUC 506 History and Philosophy of Education (3)

PSY 505 Psychology of Learning (3)

27 credit hours in subject areas

Master of Arts (thesis) Requirements:

EDUC 500 Methods of Research (3)

EDUC 506 History and Philosophy of Education (3)

PSY 505 Psychology of Learning (3)

27 credit hours in major subject

(A thesis of 6 credit hours)

1. Candidates for the M.A. will confer with their major advisor and select a thesis topic before completing 24 credit hours.

2. The M.A. thesis committee is appointed by the Department Chair/Dean. The student is responsible for completing the following:

a. Identifying two instructors who agree to serve as additional members of the committee;

b. Obtaining in writing the Department Chair/Dean’s approval of the M.A. thesis committee. Forwarding the recommended thesis committee to the Director of the Graduate Division for approval;

c. Submitting to the advisor the thesis outline six months prior to anticipated completion of the graduate program;

d. Submitting to the advisor the first draft of the thesis in word processor form 90 days prior to the date of graduation;

e. Submitting the final copies and abstracts 30 days before the graduation date two copies of the thesis must be submitted to the Director of the Graduate Division for library reference on sixteen-pound bond or heavier weight paper;

f. Submitting ten copies of a 200-word thesis abstract at the time of submission of the thesis;

g. Passing satisfactorily an oral examination on the thesis, as well as other examinations which may be required.

Master of Arts in Teaching (non-thesis) Requirements:

Nine credit hours of the Education/Psychology Core

EDUC 500 Methods of Research

EDUC 506 History and Philosophy of Education

PSY 505 Psychology of Learning

Elementary: 27 credit hours including 15 hours in a teaching field area and
12 hours in a second teaching field or related areas;

Secondary: 27 credit hours including 21 hours in one teaching field and 6
hours of advisor approved electives.

Special Education: 30 credit hours of specific coursework in Special Education.

Master of Arts in Teaching (for students who have no
undergraduate professional education preparation)

Advisor approval for Secondary, Elementary and Special Education majors

Nine credit hours of the Education/Psychology Core

27 credit hours (as described later in this catalog.)

30 credit hours in Special Education

The Interdisciplinary Major

A minimum of 36 hours is required for the degree, with at least 18 non-thesis credit hours in one discipline and a minimum of 15 non-thesis credit hours in each additional discipline. A six-credit thesis may be written with the interdisciplinary major. A minimum of 39 hours is required for the degree, if a thesis is written. The degree plan requires signatures from the Department Chair/Dean of both areas of study. Oral or written comprehensive examinations are required in both subject areas.

The Department of Business, Economics, and Public Administration offers curriculum support for interdisciplinary masters degree programs in fields of study in which business administration and management studies will enhance marketability. A minimum score of 400 is required on the Graduate Management Aptitude Test for admission to this program.

The business portion of an interdisciplinary degree is as follows:

BSAD 500 Survey of Business I 3

BSAD 501 Survey of Business II 3

BSAD 540 Analysis for Marketing Planning 3

BSAD 550 Management and Organizational Theory 3

Business or Economics Elective 6

Total 18

Some programs in the School of Education may also be part of the Interdisciplinary program.

Master of Business Administration Requirements:

Thirty-six credit hours of graduate level courses. Specific requirements for the M.B.A. are listed under Business Administration.

Graduate Programs

Business Administration

Western New Mexico University, through its Department of Business, Economics and Public Administration, is nationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs to offer the Master of Business Administration degree (M.B.A.).

The M.B.A. degree is designed for persons intending to pursue careers as management generalists. The graduate courses in Business Administration are designed to develop analytical skills and provide in-depth knowledge of modern business management. The case method is emphasized to better prepare students for responsible positions in the business environment.

The following policies apply to the M.B.A. program:

1. No area of specialization or concentration is available under the M.B.A. program.

2. The M.B.A. program does not require a thesis.

3. No more than three credit hours with a grade of C can count toward the M.B.A. degree.

4. Two grades of C or lower will result in dismissal from the program.

5. The M.B.A. Program accepts students with or without prior business administration coursework. Two options are available to students entering the M.B.A. program.

Option 1. An undergraduate degree that includes the following courses or equivalents:

ECON 201, 202 Principles of Macro and Microeconomics

BSAD 230, 231 Financial and Managerial Accounting

BSAD.340 Principles of Marketing

BSAD 350 Principles of Management

BSAD 370 Principles of Finance

MATH 321 Statistics

Proficiency in basic word processing, College Algebra, basic elements of Calculus and spreadsheet programs is expected.

Option 2 An undergraduate degree in a non-business field.

The Master’s degree programs in business require a minimum of 36 semester credit hours of graduate level work beyond the common professional component. The common professional component may be completed in either undergraduate courses as in Option 1 above or graduate courses. With the advice of the M.B.A. advisor the common professional component requirement can be met with a combination of graduate and undergraduate courses and in unusual situations by work experience and CLEP tests. The following graduate courses are designed to meet common core course requirements:

BSAD 500 Survey of Business I (3 Semester hours)

BSAD 501 Survey of Business II (3 Semester hours)

BSAD 502 Survey of Math and Statistics for MBA’s (3 Semester hours)

Courses above are graduate level courses but will not count toward the 36 hours required for the M.B.A.

Specific requirements for the M.B.A. are:

BSAD 510 Social Responsibility and Ethics in Business 3

BSAD 530 Advanced Managerial Accounting 3

BSAD 540 Analysis for Marketing Planning 3

BSAD 550 Management and Organizational Theory 3

BSAD 552 Human Resource Management 3

BSAD 556 Production and Operation Analysis 3

BSAD 560 Advanced Business Statistics 3

BSAD 570 Managerial Finance in Theory and Practice 3

BSAD 586 Advanced International Business 3

BSAD 590 Managerial Policy and Strategy 3

ECON 512 Comparative Analysis Using Managerial Economics 3

ELECTIVES Graduate Electives approved by advisor 6

Total credit hours 39

School of Education

The purpose of programs within the School of Education at WNMU is “to ignite and nurture a spirit of learning for both educator and student.” Western New Mexico University is committed to preparing professional educators. The curriculum that prospective teachers, counselors and administrators in the WNMU graduate program follow is organized around two tenets: School of Education programs 1) maximize opportunities for student thinking and achievement and 2) facilitate active, participatory decision making.

The continued professional development needs of educators is at the forefront of the graduate programs at WNMU. Developing advanced knowledge in content and pedagogy is one function of the WNMU graduate education programs. The advanced program emphasizes action or applied research. Graduate students are expected to take a leadership role in efforts to bridge differences through collaboration among the greater learning community.

The courses offered within the School of Education at the graduate level are designed to enhance expertise in teaching, administration, and counseling. The master degree curriculum allows the student to meet competencies related to an advanced degree in the chosen field.

Six graduate degree programs are available. The Master of Arts degree (MA) is offered in Educational Leadership and Counseling. The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is offered in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, and Reading.

Master of Arts in Counseling
(Degree requirements may be completed at both the
Silver City Campus and the Gallup Graduate Center)

The MA program in Counseling is offered with field experience (internship) in either agency or school counseling. Students should meet with their advisor during the first semester of enrollment to begin planning their field experiences. In addition to all Graduate School Admission requirements, the student in this program must also:

1. Provide three letters of recommendation by persons who are prepared to evaluate the prospective student in terms of suitability to the field of counseling. The letters are to be received by the School of Education prior to scheduling the intake interview.

2. Schedule a structured intake interview with two or more members of the graduate faculty, including at least one counseling program advisor. The student will be notified within a week of the intake interview as to its outcome.

3. Enroll in COUN 501, Introduction to the Profession of Counseling, during the first semester. The intake interview is generally not scheduled until the latter part of the first semester, when the student has become well versed in ethical and legal issues of counseling.

4. Provide a writing sample.

All entrance requirements must be completed before a degree plan may be approved. Students must complete COUN 501, Introduction to the Profession of Counseling, and at least nine other required credit hours in the Counseling program before enrolling in COUN 507 Internship. Satisfactory completion of the internship experience will determine continued eligibility in the Counseling program.

COUN 533 The Advanced Counseling Internship, follows the completion of a minimum of 27 credit hours of course work in the program and is generally taken in the final semester. It represents a culmination of the field experience in the counseling program.

Internship placement should be arranged and approved by the internship instructor by November 15 for the spring semester and by April 15 for the fall semester.

Students must pass either a written comprehensive examination or the Praxis, Specialty Examination, for Guidance Counselors. The comprehensive examination or the Praxis is normally completed during the final semester or summer session of course work. In addition to the degree, three years experience in either teaching, educational administration or counseling is required for licensure as a school counselor.

Counseling Degree Requirements

Prerequisites:

*PSY 412/512 Psychopathology 3

*PSY 420/520 Diagnostics and Evaluation 3

*PSY 425/525 Theories of Personality 3

Graduate core:

COUN 500 Methods of Research 3

COUN 501 Introduction to the Profession of Counseling 3

COUN 505 Multicultural Counseling 3

COUN 507 Internship in Counseling 3

Other Required Counseling Courses:

COUN 531 Theories/Techniques of Counseling 3

COUN 532 Program Development and Management 3

COUN 533 Advanced Internship in Counseling 3

COUN 534 Life Themes and Stages 3

COUN 535 Topics in Counseling 3

COUN 536 Working with Drug Abusers 1

COUN 546 Working with the Elderly 1

COUN 548 Working with the Abused 1

COUN 586 Career and Vocational Counseling 3

COUN 587 Seminar in Group Processes 3

COUN 596 Marriage and Family Counseling 3

TOTAL 48

*If the prerequisite courses have not been completed as an undergraduate, they must be taken for graduate credit. Students who are not seeking to become a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and who have completed the prerequisite psychology requirements at the undergraduate level must complete at least 39 hours of graduate counseling courses to receive their degree. Students who are seeking to become a National Certified Counselor (NCC) must take a minimum of 48 graduate hours as one of their requirements to become a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Therefore, students who have completed the prerequisites at the undergraduate level and who intend to pursue National Certification must complete an additional nine hours at the graduate level in counseling and/or related areas.

Additional graduate credits are available via additional advanced internship. The Drug and Alcohol Institute, special courses and workshops, independent studies, and other advisor approved related courses.

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
(Degree requirements may be completed at both the
Silver City Campus and the Gallup Graduate Center)

The 36 credit hour Master of Arts in Educational Leadership is designed “to ignite and nurture a spirit of learning...”. It prepares teachers and other education professionals by building increased awareness, knowledge, and skill for a variety of leadership roles as professional educators including licensure as educational administrators. Leadership, communication, curriculum, assessment, and technology development, opportunities for student thinking and achievement will be maximized while facilitating active, participatory decision making. The State of New Mexico Administrator Competencies and best education-leadership practices developed by the National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), as well as other learned educational societies, will be met and established.

NOTE: An applicant for administrative licensure in New Mexico must hold a level II teaching license. (Minimum of three years teaching experience).

In addition to Graduate School Admission requirements, the graduate candidate in this program must:

1. Develop an Admission Portfolio, including: a) the Letter of Graduate School Admission (Regular or Provisional ); b) three letters of recommendation from current principal, supervisor, colleagues, and other persons who are qualified to assess the leadership, scholarship, and professional potential of the graduate candidate; and c) a writing sample to be taken on-site at WNMU.

2. The EDL 591 and EDL 592 Internships are the culminating courses in the program with a minimum of 180 hours of supervised field work. The graduate candidate must have completed at least 18 credits of the required EDL courses to qualify for the internship. The graduate candidate in Educational Leadership must successfully complete a formal interview and orientation as part of the application for the internship experience. No thesis is required, but candidates must successfully complete the licensing program, including research and leadership course work, a comprehensive portfolio assessment, the NTE Praxis test for Educational Leadership or the WNMU comprehensive Graduate Exams, and the NTE Praxis Core Battery (for New Mexico administrative certification).

Graduate Core: (9 credits)

EDUC 500 Methods of Research 3

EDUC 506 History and Philosophy of Education 3

PSY 505 Psychology of Learning 3

Required EDL Courses: 21 credits Administration courses:

EDL 520 Curriculum, Instruction, and Program Leadership 3

EDL 523 Professional Development and Assessment 3

EDL 524 Characteristics of Effective Leadership 3

EDL 525 Education in a Pluralistic Society 3

EDL 526 Educational Leadership in the Public Domain 3

EDL 591 Beginning Internship in Educational Leadership 3

EDL 592 Advanced Internship in Educational Leadership 3

Electives: Pre-approved by advisor: 6 credits (see below) 6

Two EDL electives from the list below OR a pre-approved 500-level course in bilingual education, computer technology, counseling, reading, special education, or business administration.

EDL 530 Resource Management 3

EDL 545 Current Educational Issues and Trends 3

EDL 560 Legal Aspects of Education 3

Total Credits: 36

Master of Arts in Teaching
(for students who have appropriate undergraduate
professional education preparation)
Elementary Education (36)

Teachers pursuing a degree in Elementary Education must complete a nine-credit hour graduate core, plus 27 hours, with 15 in a Teaching Field area and 12 in a second Teaching Field or related areas.

Secondary Education (36)

Teachers pursuing a degree in Secondary Education must complete a nine-credit hour graduate core and 20-21 credit hours in one subject area. The remaining six to seven hours must be advisor approved electives. Subject area concentrations include art, business marketing, language arts, history, mathematics education, music, social sciences, psychology, TESOL, bilingual and movement science. The student will have an advisor in the School of Education and on advisor from the department of the teaching field.

Special Education (39)

Teachers pursuing a degree in Special Education must complete a nine credit hour graduate core and 30 graduate credit hours in Special Education. The Master of Arts in Teaching is awarded after successful completion of the 39 credit hours listed below. The program includes the required list of courses for state licensure in Special Education. Students must follow regular policies and procedures for admission to graduate school, and must consult with a Special Education advisor to file a degree plan.

Graduate Core

EDUC 500 Methods of Research 3

EDUC 506 History and Philosophy of Education 3

PSY505 Psychology of Learning 3

Required Special Education Courses

SPED 508 Introduction to Exceptional Children 3

SPED 542 Practicum in Special Education 3

SPED 551 Behavior Management App. with Exceptional Children 3

SPED 553 Curriculum and Methods in Special Education 3

SPED 554 Evaluation & Assessment of Exceptional Children 3

SPED552 Parent, School, Community Relations &the Exceptional Child 3

SPED 556 The Culturally Diverse Exceptional Child 3

SPED 569 Nature and Needs of the Mentally Retarded 3

SPED 570 Nature and Needs of the Learning Disabled 3

SPED576 Nature and Needs of Behavior Disordered Persons 3

Total required 39

Special Education courses may be used as part of the MA Interdisciplinary degree. Check with your advisor for specific courses.

Reading Education Program (36)

The Master of Arts in Teaching is awarded after successful completion of the 36 credit hours listed below. Included within the program are 24 credit hours of course work needed for New Mexico licensure. Flexibility in selections of the electives affords the graduate student the opportunity to pursue subjects of interest or need within the several facets of reading. Students who pursue a master’s degree in reading must complete the nine credit hour graduate core, the 15 graduate credit hour reading core, and 12 graduate credit hours of related electives, with advisor approval. In lieu of written comprehensives, the graduate student will take the NTE Reading Specialist exam during the semester before graduation. Required reading core may be used as part of the MA Interdisciplinary degree.

Graduate Core

EDUC 500 Methods of Research 3

EDUC506 History and Philosophy of Education 3

PSY 505 Psychology of Learning 3

Required Reading Courses:

RDG 511 The Teaching of Reading 3

RDG 513 Corrective Reading Instruction 3

RDG 514 Theoretical Models of Reading 3

RDG 561 Reading Skills in Secondary Education 3

RDG 596 Practicum in Reading 3

Four of the following

RDG453 Children’s Literature Materials (taken for graduate credit) 3

RDG 512 Diagnosis and Prescription of Reading for Diverse Learners 3

RDG 515 Remedial Reading 3

RDG 517 Early Childhood Reading 3

EDL 523 Professional Development and Assessment 3

EDL 524 Characteristics of Effective Leadership 3

RDG 579 Seminar in Reading 3

RDG 580 Workshop in Reading 3

RDG 537 Literacy: Teaching Applications 3

Total required 36

Master of Arts in Teaching
(for students who have no undergraduate professional
education preparation)

This degree is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than professional education. The student can earn an MAT degree and simultaneously qualify for teacher licensure. Licensure in New Mexico also requires successful completion of the New Mexico Teacher Assessments. Each teaching field requires 24-36 competency-based credit hours. Students considering this program should have their transcripts audited relative to licensure requirements in a specific field, as well as undergraduate requirements. If undergraduate deficiencies are discovered they should be included as addenda to the planned course of study in order to assure eligibility for licensure. Students who have undergraduate equivalent courses must select advisor-approved substitutions.

Graduate Admission Standards and Procedures

All students must meet regular admission requirements in the WNMU graduate program as described in this catalog.

1. All teacher education candidates must pass the New Mexico Teacher Assessments. See advisor. Note for January 2001, (Spring Semester): Prior to enrolling in Exploratory Field Experience and School, Self & Society, students must submit passing scores for Basic Skills and General Knowledge of the New Mexico Teacher Assessment.

2. Students seeking provisional admittance to the graduate division must meet the expectations for provisional admission for the M.A. and M.A.T. as described in this catalog and have approval from the Director of the Graduate Division.

3. Students who do not meet entry requirements, or who are denied admission following the initial enrollment semester, must petition the SOE Professional Education Committee for provisional admittance. The petition must be in the form of a written request. The committee will mandate numerous activities which include, but are not limited to, additional coursework, tutoring, additional advisement, career counseling, test coaching, additional documentation, retesting, volunteer field experience, and a reflective log of activities. The response provided by the admission committee is a plan of action for remediating any weaknesses identified through the admissions process and must be approved by the Director of the Graduate Division.

Elementary Education (36)

Graduate Core:

EDUC 500 Methods of Research 3

EDUC 506 History and Philosophy of Education 3

PSY 505 Psychology of Learning 3

Required Education Courses:

EDUC 505 Exploratory Field Experience - Elementary 3

EDUC 534 Integration of Technology into Curriculum 3

EDUC 570 Elementary Curriculum and Instruction 6

RDG 511 Teaching of Reading 3

RDG 513 Corrective Reading 3

EDUC 536 Classroom Interactions and Strategies 3

EDUC 592 Practice Teaching - Elementary 3-6

Note: For New Mexico state licensure, students must also qualify for a competency-based teaching field (24-36 credit hours). All other required core courses must be completed prior to taking the last block of hours, EDUC 592.

Secondary Education (36)

Graduate Core:

EDUC 500 Methods of Research 3

EDUC 506 History and Philosophy of Education 3

PSY505 Psychology of Learning 3

Required Education Courses:

EDUC 507 Exploratory Field Experience - Secondary 3

EDUC 534 Integration of Technology into Curriculum 3

EDUC 571 Secondary Curriculum and Instruction 3

EDUC 574 Classroom Assessment 3

RDG 561 Reading Skills in Secondary Education 3

Electives (based on competencies; with advisor approval) 3

EDUC 536 Classroom Interactions and Strategies 3

EDUC 594 Practice Teaching - Secondary 3-6

Note: For New Mexico state licensure, students must also qualify for a competency based subject field (24-36 credit hours). All other required core courses must be completed prior to taking the last block of hours, EDUC 594.

Special Education (48)

Graduate Core:

EDUC 500 Methods of Research 3

EDUC 506 History and Philosophy of Education 3

PSY 505 Psychology of Learning 3

Professional Core:

EDUC 534 Integration of Technology into Curriculum 3

EDUC 536 Classroom Interactions and Strategies 3

EDUC 507 Exploratory Field Experience 3

Required Special Education Courses:

SPED 508 Introduction to Exceptional Children 3

SPED 541 Practice Teaching - Special Education 3-6

SPED 542 Practicum in Special Education 3

SPED 551 Behavior Management Applications with Exceptional Children 3

SPED 553 Curriculum and Methods in Special Education 3

SPED 554 Evaluation & Assessment of Exceptional Children 3

SPED 552 Parent, School, Community Relations & Exceptional Child 3

SPED 556 The Culturally Diverse Exceptional Child 3

SPED 569 Nature and Needs of the Mentally Retarded or 3

SPED 570 Nature and Needs of the Learning Disabled or 3

SPED 576 Nature and Needs of Behavior Disordered Persons 3

Total required 48

Note: For New Mexico state licensure, students must also qualify for a competency based subject field (24-36 credit hours). EDUC 536 must be taken in semester prior to Practice Teaching. TESOL and Bilingual Education attach to any license (Elementary, Secondary, Special Education, Vocational Education).

Teaching Fields - Approved Disciplines for the MAT in Elementary, Secondary, and Special Education

The following content areas may be used in the interdisciplinary degree or as teaching field requirements for the MAT in Elementary or Secondary Education (for students who have undergraduate professional education preparation).

Art

The art program offers graduate instruction to enhance the student’s artistic knowledge and skills, and to develop teaching capabilities in art.

Although the MA is not granted in art specifically, courses may be applied to either the Master of Arts in Teaching or the Interdisciplinary Masters degree. A minimum of 23 hours (the art minor equivalent) is required in the master’s level program.

English

The graduate courses in English provide an opportunity for study of literary periods, literary movements, individual authors, groups of authors, or various aspects of the English language. The courses aim to develop maturity, critical thinking and insight into the scholarship that has shaped the literary and linguistic disciplines. To this end, courses for graduate students are intensive, with attention paid to bibliographical materials, types of literary criticism and linguistic concepts.

The courses in English language and literature may be used to complete requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching.

A student electing English for the major field of concentration is expected to have completed the equivalent of an undergraduate major in English. A student electing English as a minor field of concentration is expected to have completed the equivalent of an undergraduate minor in English.

History

Graduate courses in history are designed to enrich of the undergraduate program, to improve professional competence, develop critical thinking and the necessary competence for successful teaching, to acquaint the graduate student with recent developments in formal scholarship in special disciplines, and to provide the means for keeping up with current research.

The graduate student has the opportunity to work toward an interdisciplinary or group major in the Master of Arts in Teaching degree program. A qualifying examination may be required of those majoring in history.

Mathematics

Mathematics courses may be applied to the Master of Arts in Teaching degree.

Movement Sciences

The objective of the program is to provide graduate courses which will improve teaching and supervision of movement sciences and athletics. These courses give the student a background in materials which will enrich the movement science curriculum by utilizing research study of current problems and desirable administrative practices.

Instruction is offered toward completion of the requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching degree.

A course in a related area may be accepted with the approval of the Chair of the Department of Wellness and Movement Sciences.

Music

The music program offers graduate instruction to enhance the musical knowledge and skills with the aim of improving teaching capabilities in music.

400- and 500 level music courses may be applied to the Master of Arts in Teaching degree.