WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY
CATALOG
2003-04

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER

Director: Shook

Academic Advisor/Counselors: Horn, Hughs

The Academic Support Center provides a variety of services leading to the academic success of WNMU students including workshops, academic advising, personal counseling, academic and peer mentoring and other related services.

Academic Advisement

Academic Support Center advisors assist students in defining academic goals and career planning. They provide guidance with appropriate class scheduling, so students can meet their desired goals.

Staff also provide individual and group instruction in study habits and techniques, time management skills, reducing test anxiety as well as other areas devoted to student success.

Undergraduate Advisement

All degree-seeking students are required to see an advisor before pre-registering for classes. Registration forms are available at the Registrar’s Office, as well as the Academic Support Center.

Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) are available through your assigned Academic Advisor or the Academic Support Center. PIN numbers are used for entry into Western New Mexico University’s “Web for Students” module. Access to this module can be found at www.wnmu.edu and includes Web Registration.

New freshmen, and transfer students, will begin their advisement at the Academic Support Center in the Juan Chacon Building.

Complete Withdrawal From WNMU

Students who wish to withdraw from ALL of their courses on or after the first day of classes may do so at the Academic Support Center. A grade of ``W’’ will be awarded from the third Friday of Fall and Spring semester through the last day of regularly scheduled classes.

When students leave WNMU during a semester and do not withdraw according to the standard withdrawal procedures, they become liable for grades of F in their classes, even though they may be passing their courses at the time of leaving. Such students are responsible for tuition and fees associated with the course or courses. Students must complete the appropriate form in order to withdraw; non-attendance in class does not result in withdrawal.

Counseling Services

Short-term, confidential counseling is available to support students in developing a clear sense of self and creating a fully balanced life. Students can initiate seeing a counselor or be referred by faculty, staff, friend or family member at any time. Services are available by appointment or walk-in basis.

Staff members can provide consultation and crisis intervention. Staff are also available to conduct classroom presentations, seminars, and workshops on mental health related topics. Contact the Academic Support Center for complete details.

Declaration of Major (Undergraduate)

Undergraduate students are required to declare a major no later than the semester in which they complete 48 credit hours. Continued enrollment is contingent upon the declaration of a major. Students who wish to declare a major in a program that has a formal admission process such as Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Education or Social Work must be admitted to the program before declaring it as a major.

To declare a major, students complete a Declaration/Change of Major Form at the Academic Support Center. Students wishing to change their major may initiate the process from their current major department by filling out a Declaration/Change of Major Form.

Early Alert Program

This academic support program “alerts” students who may be having academic difficulty, and offers tailored solutions to help them succeed. Instructors of 100 and 200 level courses are asked to identify students who might need assistance in their classes. Identified students are contacted suggesting several possibilities for obtaining help. Student mentors and Academic Advisors assist students in developing individualized action plans to improve their class performance. Mentoring, academic advising, personal counseling, computer assistance, and other university services may be part of a student’s action plan. The student’s progress is monitored throughout the semester. Students can be helped with basic skills such as note-taking, stress management, test-taking strategies, and time management.

Learning Resource Center

Computer Lab

Computers are available to students for working on class assignments and term papers. Equipped with integrated software packages including word processing, database, spread sheet, and graphics, all computers have internet access. Peer Mentors are available to assist students using the lab.

Academic Mentoring

Any WNMU student is eligible for free tutoring in many subject areas including mathematics, science, business, accounting, modern languages, and writing. The demand for the subject matter will determine the availability of tutors. Study skills assessment and tutoring are available in the Learning Resource Center.

Walk-in: This service is offered daily, weekends, and evenings as scheduled each semester. The purpose of this service is twofold: 1) to help students with immediate needs, and 2) to identify problems that require long-term tutoring. Tutoring for walk-in students may take only 5 to 10 minutes. If the student needs more help, he or she is a good candidate for additional tutoring.

Long-term: Extended tutoring on an appointment basis may be available if students need more help than can be given in the walk-in service. Such appointments may be scheduled based upon a tutor’s availability.

Supplemental Instruction: Some students would best be helped by participating in group sessions. Peer Mentors hold Supplemental Instruction Sessions as needed by the students. Areas covered include those subjects with high dropout and failure rates. Supplemental Instruction Sessions vary from semester to semester depending on courses offered and demand for instruction in certain subjects.

Testing

Credit by College-Level Examination (CLEP)

Students may contact the Academic Support 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.

Contact the Academic Support Center for CLEP tests available and corresponding WNMU Courses approved for credit.

Cost: One Examination, $58.00

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:

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 Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.) is a terminal degree in nursing. The program requires 72 credit hours that include the following: (a) nursing courses, (b) general education support courses, and where applicable, (c) developmental coursework. Students who complete the program are eligible to take the licensure examination for Registered Nurses.

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

Automotive Technology
Business Administration
Computer and Network Technology
Construction Technology
Criminal Justice
Drafting and Design Technology
Early Childhood Education and Family Support
Educational Assistant
Electrical Technology
Graphic Design
Law Enforcement Training (Police Academy)
Liberal Studies
Nursing
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Office Technology

Baccalaureate Degrees (four-year)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is traditionally the primary undergraduate degree in higher education. The degree enables a student to widen intellectual horizons, to explore new subjects and deepen insights into old ones, and to find areas of learning where dominant interests lie. During the freshman and sophomore years, a B.A. student is expected to complete the foundations of a liberal education by studying a foreign language.

During junior and senior years, the student is expected to think constructively about a major field and attain some measure of competence. Meanwhile, elective courses are taken to add breadth and depth to the student’s education.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) like the Bachelor of Arts, is a degree offering a variety of majors and minors, but does not have a foreign language requirement. The B.S. requires an additional six credit hours of mathematics or computer science above those used to meet general education requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) is a baccalaureate program designed for students who already possess a license to practice as an RN. The student will complete general education requirements and upper division nursing courses. The graduate will be prepared to provide health promotion and health restoration care for individuals, families, and group in a variety of institutional and community settings. This program has been approved and is pending funding.

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, 252 or another upper level Spanish course.

Bachelor of Applied Science in Career and Technical Teacher Education (B.A.S.) will prepare students for a career teaching technical 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.

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.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) is a professional undergraduate program that prepares students as artists to exhibit technical competence in the visual arts. Students learn a broad knowledge of art and art history, sensitivity to style, creative and critical thinking, insight into the role of art in the life of humankind, and the ability to solve problems. Students seeking a BFA degree, enter by special application only. The 83 Credit hours in art will provide professional specialization in studio art. Students will be prepared for graduate school to pursue the MFA degree and to practice art professionally.

Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) is an individualized program of study designed to meet a student’s particular needs. The minimum requirements for this degree include the general education core and 54 upper-division credit hours. English 101 and ENGL 102 must be passed with a grade of C or better. This degree reflects a major in General Studies with no minor.

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Non-Degree Courses

Courses numbered 444 or 544 (See Professional Development, Teacher Education Programs listed in School of Education Section) 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 Applied Science in Career and Technical Teacher Education (B.A.S.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), 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 54 credit hours of upper level courses (300-400 series). Six credit hours of the upper level courses must be outside of the major and minor. Twelve credit hours must be from designated writing intensive courses.

2. Successful completion of General Education requirements (normally 43-46 credit hours), major (30 or more 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 214, SPAN 252 or any upper division 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.A.S. degrees): Students must complete six credit hours of mathematics and/or computer science and/or GEOG/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 and 102 or attaining an acceptable score on an authorized proficiency test, prior to graduation.

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 Fine Arts Degree (additional requirements)

In addition to the above listed requirements, a candidate for the B.F.A. degree must meet the following WNMU degree requirements and is subject to the following WNMU regulations:

1. The student must be admitted to the B.F.A. Program. Admission packets and information are available at the Expressive Arts Department. A student must have a 3.0 grade point average in all art classes previously taken and have completed the Art &Design courses (27 credit hours) to be eligible to apply to the program.

2. Application requires a portfolio of the student’s work (20 labeled 35-mm slides or a CD-PC Adobe Photoshop compatible), list of works, statement of BFA goals and art philosophy, and sponsorship from a member of the art faculty.

3. B.F.A. students must successfully complete 83 credit hours in art as follows: 27 credit hours in Art &Design courses, 12 credit hours in introductory Studio courses, 24 credit hours in upper division Studio courses, 13 credit hours in Art History (including 1 credit for the Art History Visual Thesis), and 7 credit hours of additional BFA required courses.

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. 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.

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 in residency beyond the requirements for the first degree (equivalent of two semesters);
3. Meet all degree requirements of the new degree. There are no minor requirements for a second bachelor’s degree.

The Bachelor of General Studies degree may not be used as a second undergraduate degree. Completion of a second major under the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science program is recorded on a student’s permanent record, but as a second major. A second degree is not awarded for an additional major (or for an additional 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.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Western New Mexico University recognizes its obligation to insure that each student acquires the foundation necessary to function fully in our complex and evolving society. The University believes the development of the educated person goes beyond the foundation and must include an appreciation and understanding of broad aspects of human knowledge. Through the General Education Program the University encourages each student to explore the world in which he or she lives from a variety of perspectives. The University seeks to develop each student as a whole person capable of contributing to society and appreciating its diversity.

The goals of the General Education Program at the University are as follows:

1. Provide each student with opportunities for critical thinking and reasoning, communication of ideas and information to others, numerical analysis and decision-making, and insure personal and emotional well-being.
2. Ensure that graduates of the University possess the skills necessary to interact positively and productively in society.
3. Develop personal, social, and cultural awareness that values cultural diversity and recognizes the commonalities that bind peoples of the world.
4. Instill an appreciation for the variety of perspectives that are used to interpret the world in which we live and that provide the foundation for solving the problems that confront society.

Based on these goals, the following objectives are incorporated into the General Education Program, with emphasis placed on integrating an appreciation of cultural diversity throughout the curriculum:

a. Critical thinking
b. Creativity
c. Communication (written, oral, and visual)
d. Multicultural perspectives
e. Physical and mental well-being
f. Social responsibility and cooperation
g. Literacy of all types (reading, numbers, consumerism, technology)
h. Intellectual curiosity and wonder (continued learning)
i. Environmental responsibility

The General Education Program requirements are university requirements and cannot be waived at the departmental level. To fulfill these requirements, all students must take 43-46 semester hours of specified lower division (100- or 200-level) courses. Due to the foundational nature of the General Education Program, students are urged to complete these course requirements early in their undergraduate careers. Specific majors or minors may require specific courses, which may be counted in that major or minor. No course may be counted for more than one General Education requirement. All students must complete the requirement for writing-intensive courses. Please refer to departmental sections of the catalog.

All students should familiarize themselves with other degree requirements listed in the Undergraduate Degree Requirements section.

Oral Communication (Area I) (3 hours)

Outcomes
a. Ability to speak effectively in a variety of settings/situations

Courses:
COMM 110; THR 211, THR 250

Written Communication (Area I) (6 hours)

Outcomes
a. Ability to communicate effectively in writing to a variety of audiences
b. Ability to conduct research and appropriately report results in writing

Courses:
ENGL 101, ENGL 102

Requirements for both courses include an exit exam, which will be scored pass/fail by English faculty. Failure of the exam will lower the course grade one letter grade.

Mathematics (Area II) (3 or 6 hours)

Outcomes
a. Increase in mathematical abilities
b. Ability to solve problems using mathematical modeling

Courses:
a. One MATH course numbered 131-299 or two MATH courses below 131.

Laboratory Science (Area III) (8 hours)

Outcomes
a. Experience the scientific method and scientific analysis
b. Understand the biological and physical sciences and their relationships to the everyday world
c. Understand the biological and physical aspects of environmental issues

Courses:
Two courses (including their associated laboratories) are required:
BIOL 101/103 and BIOL 102/104 primarily for non-science majors,
BIOL 111/113 and BIOL 112/114 primarily for science majors;
CHEM 121/123, CHEM 151/153, CHEM 152/154;
GEOG 201/211;
GEOL 101/103, GEOL 102/104, GEOL 201/203;
MVSC 240;
PHSC 101/103, 102/104, PHSC 115/116, PHSC 171/173, 172/174;
PHYS 151/153, PHYS 152/154, PHYS 171/173, PHYS 172/174.

Social and Behavioral Sciences (Area IV) (6 hours)

Outcomes
a. Understand how people are organized, how belief systems develop and how “cultures’’ come to be
b. Understand the dimensions and consequences of human differences with respect to race, ethnicity, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age and/or disability.

Courses
a. Two courses from separate disciplines from the following are required:
ANTH 201, ANTH 202; ECON 200, ECON 201, ECON 202;
GEOG 202, GEOG 205;
POLS 201;
PSY 102;
SOC 101, SOC 102.

Humanities (Area V) (3 hours)

Outcomes
a. Understanding of literature from diverse geographic, ethnic and gender perspectives.

Courses:
One course from the following is required:
ENGL 200, 201, 205, 225, 240, 265, 296, 297, 298, 299; HUM 205

Fine Arts (Area V) (6 hours)

Outcomes
a. Understand the contributions of arts to cultures and life in the broadest sense
b. Develop skills through a hands-on practical experience in the arts

Courses:
a. One of the following is required:
ART 211, MUSC 111, THR 110
b. At least 3 hours from the following are required:
ART 101, 102, 103,107, 205, 210, 221, 230, 241, 251, 261, 271;
MUSC 100, 101, 119, 151;
THR 136, 211, 215, 250

(Note that taking a 4 hour course will increase the number of credit hours to 7.)

History (Area V) (3 hours)

Outcomes
a. Understand the history of the world from a cross-cultural perspective
b. Understand the multicultural history of the United States

Courses:
a. One course from the following is required:
HIST 111, 112, 201, 202

Computer Area (3 hours)

Outcomes
a. Ability to use database, spreadsheet, word processing and data analysis software packages.
b. Increase computer-related consumer literacy

Courses:
One course from the following is required:
CMPS 110 or 160 or passing a challenge examination administered by the department over the material.

Physical and Mental Well-Being Area (2 hours)

Outcomes
a. Improve physical fitness
b. Develop lifetime sports skills

Courses:
a. MVSC 100 is required and is a prerequisite for all other courses
b. One additional course from the following is required:
MVSC 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 112, 113, 118, 119, 121, 124, 125, 134, 135, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 143, 144, 151, 152, 153, 157. or
c. Military service or 2 or more years of college-sponsored participation in an NCAA, NAIA, or NJCAA sport or successful completion of a New Mexico Department of Public Safety Accredited Police Academy (Documentation of military service will be by Form DD 214; documentation of sport participation will be by letter from the WNMU Faculty Athletic Representative; documentation of Police Academy completion will be by a law enforcement officer certificate issued by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. In each case the documentation will be presented to the Registrar). Note: If military service or sport participation or Police Academy completion is substituted for the activity course, 1 less credit hour will be required.

Communication in Written English

Prior to enrollment in any upper division course, students must have passed Composition & Rhetoric I and II (ENGL 101 and ENGL 102) or their equivalent with a grade of C or better.

Twelve credits of writing-intensive courses are required for graduation. These courses are designated as WI in the semester class schedules. ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 do not count as writing-intensive.

Writing-intensive courses require a minimum of twelve pages of typed text or their equivalency (roughly 3,000 words). These writing assignments are part of the student’s final grade and can be a combination of papers and essay exams. Individual departments further determine their policy concerning writing-intensive courses and can set higher standards.

Education Majors

The Teacher Education Program has the following state general education requirements beyond the campus wide general education hours: English - 3 credit hours, History - 6 credit hours, History of New Mexico - 3 credit hours, and Lab Science - 4 credit hours from a third discipline. Also, Special Education and Elementary Education majors will take MATH 301 and MATH 302 for the B.S. degree requirements. This does not apply to majors in Career and Technical Teacher Education.

Please see the specific degree plans in the School of Education section of this catalog for additional detail on General Education and other courses required by each education major.

Foreign Language Requirement for B.A./B.S.W. Students

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree or Bachelor of Social Work must complete two years (or its equivalent) of a foreign language. The foreign language requirement is fulfilled by the completion of Spanish 202 or Spanish 252, or Spanish 214 (for native speakers only), or any upper-level Spanish course.

Students who have studied a foreign language in high school, or those who believe they have some proficiency in a foreign language, may determine the level at which they should begin language study by consulting the Humanities Department Chair.

Math/Computer Science Requirement for B.S./B.B.A./B.A.S. Students

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, or the Bachelor of Applied Science in Career and Technical Teacher Education degree must complete six credit hours of mathematics and/or computer science and/or GEOG/SOC 323, Social Statistics, in addition to the mathematics and computer science requirements listed above (and required of all graduates). These additional hours must be an advanced progression from the hours used in fulfilling the General Education requirements. Elementary Education majors and Special Education majors must take Math 301 and Math 302 for the B.S. requirement.

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, certain 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 intending to transfer to another institution to complete their baccalaureate degree should be aware that some of the courses accepted by WNMU may not be accepted as General Education courses by other New Mexico institutions. Students should consult the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education website (www.nmche.org) or the institution they intend to transfer to, and determine which specific courses are guaranteed to be accepted as General Education courses. 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.