Western New Mexico University

Degree Programs Offered at Western New Mexico University

Western New Mexico University appears in our ranking of the 30 Best Online Bachelor’s in English Degrees. Western New Mexico University offers both traditional and online degree programs at the associate’s and bachelor’s levels. There are also some choices for graduate students. The university’s associate’s degree programs take an average of two years to finish. They’re available from its Community and Workforce Development program. Majors available for students at the associate’s level include:

• business administration
• early childhood education and support
• environmental electrician
• graphic design
• financial services

The university also offers law enforcement training that ends with students receiving a certificate. Digital forensics is just one of the majors offered by the university for traditional undergrads. This program teaches students how to use forensic techniques when tracking illegal online activities and criminal behaviors. The university’s entrepreneurship program focuses on teaching students the skills needed to run a business. This includes how to create a business plan and use employment laws. There are 14 bachelor’s degree programs available online as well, including:

• social work
• nursing
• English
• psychology
• chemical dependency
• business administration with a concentration in marketing

Western New Mexico University’s  nine graduate programs include both online programs and those that involve face to face interaction. The university’s special education and social work programs are available in both formats. This gives students the choice between doing all their coursework online or taking classes in person. The counseling program is only available on the Western New Mexico University campus. It requires that students do internships and counseling practicums. These will help them feel more comfortable around real patients. Other programs for graduate students include tracks in:

• elementary education
• educational leadership
• reading
• secondary education
• interdisciplinary studies

About Western New Mexico University

Western New Mexico University is a comprehensive public university in Silver City, New Mexico.  New Mexico was still just a territory in the 1890s when it opened the New Mexico Normal School. Classes met in a former church. It prepared students for some of the challenges of working as teachers in the emerging west. The board of the school later received a donation of land that it used to build the school’s campus. Though the university still uses that same tract of land, it expanded over the years to include:

• residence halls
• a library
• athletic center
• other buildings

The curriculum today is much more expansive and includes options outside of education. Students can complete degrees at these levels:

• associate’s
• bachelor’s
• master’s
• doctoral

Certificate and training programs are also offered. Quality New Mexico honored the university with its Zia Award in 2003, making it the first four-year university to receive that honor. Also called NMSU, it has an enrollment of around 3,500 students.

Western New Mexico University Accreditation Details

With accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), WNMU can grant financial aid packages to students who show need. They must use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). HLC awarded the regional accreditation that allows the university to grant credits after a review of the transcripts that students submit when they transfer from another school. Among the organizations that also grant accreditation to WNMU include:

• the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Western New Mexico University Application Requirements

WNMU accepts both transfer students and traditional undergrads who never attended college. To apply, students simply need to visit the university’s admissions site and create a new account. They can then pay a $30 application fee and submit an application. The university will send an email confirmation. It includes a of list everything else the student needs to do. WNMU requires both an ACT/SAT score that is no more than five years old and an official high school transcript. Any students who want credit for the courses they already took must submit college transcripts. WNMU also encourages students to submit the FAFSA and apply for housing if they want to live on the campus. Students applying to WNMU Graduate Division programs need to pay a $40 application fee and submit an application. Only after receiving students’ transcripts will the university make an admissions decision. It offers four acceptance levels:

• good standing
• academic probation
• conditional admit
• non-degree admit

Those with a GPA of 3.0 or higher receive good standing acceptance. Those on academic probation will have a GPA of at least 2.75. Students who receive conditional acceptance must take one semester of classes and demonstrate that they can handle those courses. Select programs may have other application requirements, including:

• letters of recommendation
• writing samples
• test scores
• an interview

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergrads who maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher and graduate students who maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 receive a tuition guarantee from WNMU. It states that their tuition will never increase as long as they make progress towards finishing their degrees. The cost for undergrads is $3,413 per semester for New Mexico residents and $7,616 per semester for nonresidents. If students take more or less than 15 credits, they will pay different rates. Graduate students pay $2,391 per semester as residents and $5,167 per semester as nonresidents. This rate lets them take nine credits each semester. WNMU also offers different rates for online students that range from $3,997 to $8,066 per semester for full-time resident and nonresident undergrads. Online grad students pay between $2,841 and $5,527 per semester for full-time enrollment based on whether they are New Mexico residents. Most of the students attending WNMU receive financial aid. The university determines aid based on the FAFSA and sends letters to students that detail all the aid they get. Undergrads can qualify for a Pell grant and borrow more than $5,000 from the federal government each year.  They can also apply for scholarships and work-study. The financial aid packages that go to graduate students usually include employment on the campus and loans. Any student enrolled in a Western New Mexico University degree program can qualify for financial aid.

Related Resources:

Top 10 Low Cost Online Degree Programs

20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Computer Science

Top 50 Best Affordable RN to BSN Online Degrees

50 Most Affordable Online Degree Programs For In-State Students