Non-Degree Courses
Courses numbered 444 or 544 (See Professional Development courses, pg. 154) may not be applied toward a degree.
Associate Degrees
A candidate for an associate degree offered by WNMU must meet the specific requirements indicated in the degree program outlined by the major department in this Catalog. In addition, the student is subject to the following WNMU regulations:
1. A minimum of 64 credit hours is required. A minimum of 16 credit hours must be earned in residence at WNMU, including continuing education courses with no more than six credit hours of correspondence credit.The remainder may be acceptable transfer credits earned from fully accredited institutions of higher learning and/or from regionally accredited technical-vocational institutions (see Transfer Students under Academic Regulations).
2. Complete ENGL 101 with a C or better and all courses required for the major with a grade of C or better. The student must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. Developmental Studies courses do not count toward degree completion. They do count toward the G.P.A.
3. 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.
4. Complete a graduation application and pay a graduation fee of $40, by the deadline date published in the schedule of classes and catalog.
5. Remove any indebtedness to WNMU. Complete all coursework prior to the last day of the semester.
Bachelor Degrees
A candidate for a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Bachelor of Science in Vocational Teaching (B.S.V.T.), or Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) offered by WNMU must meet the specific requirements indicated in the degree program outlined by the major/minor department in this Catalog.
Students completing a bachelor’s degree may include a maximum of 44 credit hours earned through the ACT examination, CLEP examination (32 credit hours combined ACT/CLEP maximum), Adult Learning and Education Experiences (44 credit hours maximum), Advanced Placement Program and correspondence work (nine credit hours maximum). This does not include transfer work. Students may use any combination of the above listed programs, not to exceed individual program maximums (which may be more restrictive) or the overall maximum (44 credit hours). In addition, the student is subject to the following WNMU regulations:
1. A minimum of 128 credit hours is required (to include no more than nine credit hours of correspondence credit), with a minimum of 43 credit hours of upper level courses (300-400 series).
2. Successful completion of General Education requirements (51 credit hours minimum), major (30-54 credit hours), and minor (18-24 credit hours). Some majors allow waiver of the minor requirement. Majors that allow waiver of the minor requirement indicate such under the major requirements.
3. Second language requirement (for B.A. and B.S.W. degree): This requirement is fulfilled by the satisfactory completion of one of the following courses: SPAN 202, SPAN 252, SPAN 214 or any upper level Spanish course. Students who have studied a language in high school, or who have proficiency in a language, may determine the level at which they should begin language study by consulting the Chair of the Humanities Department.
4. Mathematics/Computer science requirement (for B.S., B.B.A., B.S.V.T. degrees): Students must complete six credit hours of mathematics and/or computer science and/or SOC 323, Social Statistics, in addition to the six credit hours of mathematics and three credit hours of computer science used to fulfill the General Education requirements.
5. Demonstrate a minimum competence (grade of C) by satisfactorily completing English 101 or attaining an acceptable score on an authorized proficiency test, prior to graduation. Students seeking teacher licensure must satisfactorily complete both English 101 and 102 with a grade of C or better.
6. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required. No grade below a C is acceptable in the major and minor areas. Developmental Studies courses do not count toward any degree completion. They do count toward the G.P.A.
NOTE: Some departments require a GPA higher than 2.0 to graduate. It is the student’s responsibility to meet individual departmental regulations.
7. Residence credit requirement for all candidates for a Bachelors degree:
Regular Students: Twelve of the last eighteen credit hours of course work for the degree must be completed in residence. Students who lack no more than six credit hours to graduate and have met all other requirements may complete their course work in non-residence, provided such course work is completed no later than one year from the last time of residence enrollment and provided the student has requested and received permission from the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs prior to the end of the last semester in residence.
Transfer Students: Thirty credit hours of course work for the degree must be completed in residence, of which 20 credit hours must be satisfactorily completed in the upper level courses (numbered 300-499). At least six credit hours in the elected major and three credit hours in the minor must be completed in residence. Credit is transferred at the level given at the sending institution for four year institutions. Credits earned at two year institutions cannot be used to meet upper division requirements.
8. 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.
9. Complete a graduation application and pay a graduation fee of $40, by the deadline date published in the schedule of classes and catalog.
10. Remove any indebtedness to WNMU. Complete all course work prior to the last day of the semester.
Bachelor of Social Work Degree (additional requirements)
In addition to the above listed requirements, a candidate for the B.S.W. degree must meet the following WNMU degree requirements and is subject to the following WNMU regulations:
1. The student must be admitted to the Social Work program. Admission packets and information are available at the Social Work Department and the Academic Support Center. A student must have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and pass SWK 101 with a C or better to be eligible to apply to the program.
2. Students must be admitted to the program prior to enrolling in SWK 386, Social Work Practice I. Academic credit for life or previous work experience will not be awarded. Demonstrate minimum competency (grade of C) in the following courses: ENGL 101 and 102, COMM 110, MATH 111, MATH 321 and all Social Work professional foundation courses. Developmental Studies courses do not not count toward degree completion. They do count toward the GPA.
3. Students who have completed a degree, must complete 44 credit hours of professional foundation courses, other courses required by the B.S.W. degree, and all other regulations regarding their particular status.
4. B.S.W. students must successfully complete 6 credit hours in Spanish, with at least one course at the 200 level or above.
Bachelor of Academic Studies
A candidate for the B.A.S. degree must meet the following WNMU minimum degree requirements and is subject to the following WNMU regulations. This degree will reflect a major in Academic Studies with no minor.
Students completing a bachelor’s degree may include a maximum of 44 credit hours earned through the ACT examination, CLEP examination (32 credit hours combined ACT/CLEP maximum), Adult Learning and Education Experiences (44 credit hours maximum), Advanced Placement Program and correspondence work (9 credit hours maximum). This does not include transfer work. Students may use any combination of the above listed programs, not to exceed individual program maximums (which may be more restrictive) or the overall maximum (44 credit hours):
1. A minimum of 128 credits hours is required (no more than nine hours of correspondence credit).
2. Successful completion of General Education Requirements (51 credit hours minimum).
3. A minimum of 43 credit hours of upper level courses (300-400 level). Students must pass all upper level courses with a grade of C or better.
4. A cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 is required. Developmental studies courses do not count toward degree completion. They do count toward the G.P.A.
5. Demonstrate a minimum competence (grade of C) by satisfactorily completing English 101 with a C or better or attaining a suitable score on an authorized proficiency test prior to graduation.
6. Residence credit requirement for all candidates for a Bachelors degree:
Regular Students: Twelve of the last eighteen credit hours of course work for the degree must be completed in residence. Students who lack no more than six credit hours to graduate and have met all other requirements may complete their course work in non-residence, provided such course work is completed no later than one year from the last time of residence enrollment and provided the student has requested and received permission from the Vice President for Academic Affairs prior to the end of the last semester in residence.
Transfer Students: Thirty credit hours of course work for the degree must be completed in residence, of which 20 credit hours must be satisfactorily completed in the upper level courses (numbered 300-499). At least six credit hours in the elected major and three credit hours in the minor must be completed in residence. Credit is transferred at the level given at the sending institution.
7. File an advisor approved-degree plan with the Registrar’s Office, along with an application for a degree audit, no later than two semesters prior to the semester of graduation. The student will be advised in writing of the results.
8. Complete a graduation application and pay a graduation fee of $40 by the deadline date published in the schedule of classes and catalog.
9. Remove any indebtedness to WNMU and completed all course work prior to the last day of the semester.
Earning a Second Undergraduate Degree
It is possible for a student at WNMU to earn more than one undergraduate degree. To obtain a second baccalaureate degree, the student must complete the following requirements:
1. Meet admission criteria for the degree;
2. Successfully complete a minimum of 30 additional undergraduate credit hours beyond the requirements for the first degree (equivalent of two semesters);
3. Meet all degree requirements of the new degree, including residence requirements, and minor requirements.
The Bachelor of Academic Studies degree may not be used as a second undergraduate degree. Completion of a second major/minor under the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science program is recorded on a student’s permanent record, but as a second major/minor. A second degree is not awarded for an additional major/minor. Students who have earned a Bachelor of Science degree are eligible to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree as their second degree and vice versa.
The WNMU Millennium III Honors Program serves students in all majors and minors. The Program provides enriched courses and activities for bright, highly-motivated students. The Program focuses on active rather than passive learning thereby offering its students a richer return on their investment in time, money and effort as well as extended opportunities for intellectual and academic growth. The Honors courses are intended to be more stimulating, challenging and exciting than regular courses. Honors social events are also designed to be intellectually engaging. In addition to intellectual achievement, the Honors student would be at a distinct advantage in applying to graduate schools and in job searches.
Some of the features of the Millennium III program are:
-Honors versions of required courses.
-Interdisciplinary courses
-Colloquia and Seminars
-Independent research
-Social events
-Opportunities to mix with professors
-Special distinction at Commencement
-Recommendation letters from Honors Director
-Network of former honors colleagues
Admission requirements
-ACT score of 26 or better, or
-graduate in top 15% of high school class, or
-a minimum of 30 hours college level credit at 3.5 cumulative GPA or better
Interested students must apply to the Director of the Honors Program. Once accepted into the program, freshman must maintain at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors must maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA to remain in the program.
Exceptional students who are not admitted to the Honors Program may occasionally be allowed to enroll in an Honors Course with the permission of the instructor. This will be allowed only if there is space remaining at the beginning of the semester. For this reason, non-Honors students will not be allowed to pre-register in any Honors course. The instructor of the course will establish the criteria to allow a non-Honors student to enroll in an Honors course.
Commencement
Commencement exercises are held at the end of the spring and fall semesters.
Students whose requirements were completed and degrees conferred in preceding semesters, as well as those who have completed requirements in the fall and spring semesters, are invited to attend and have their names printed in the commencement program.
Students who fail to graduate on the selected date and wish to graduate at a later date must update their file. Please see the Registrar’s Office for details.
Graduation with Honors
Baccalaureate degree candidates who have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or above are designated for honors at graduation as follows:
Cumulative GPA Honor 3.90 or better Summa Cum Laude 3.75 or better Magna Cum Laude 3.50 or better Cum Laude