Main Content
Download or view full directories: Personnel and Departments. Request changes to this directory.

Graduate Admissions

Welcome to WNMU - Home of the Mustangs

WNMU offers a variety of graduate programs that meet the needs of these seeking quality education with a customized learning environment. We strive to provide top notch service and ensure one of a kind experience. Our graduate programs are designed to serve the needs of those students who are seeking an education face to face, from a distance or from a fully online platform.

With over 10 Master’s degree programs and over 20 Graduate Certificate options, we are sure to have a program that will suite your needs.

Any student who is interested in obtaining a graduate degree or graduate certificate at WNMU must complete a 2-step admission process. Each of these processes are unique and they have distinct requirements which must be completed by the applicant.

Interested in a WNMU Graduate Program

If you are interested in applying to WNMU, you will need to familiarize yourself with:

  • Application Requirements
    • Required supplemental items specific to the Graduate Admissions process
  • Graduate Degree and Graduate Certificate Programs
    • Required supplemental items specific to the applicants’ intended program
  • Graduate Admission Deadlines and Graduate Program Deadlines
  • We strongly encourage prospective students to apply and send the required documents as EARLY as possible.
    • Students applying for the fall, spring, or summer terms should apply no later than one month prior to the first day of classes for the term in which they seek enrollment (See the Academic Calendar for specific dates https://registrar.wnmu.edu/calendar/). Students who submit applications after the recommended dates are not guaranteed admission into the university for that term. Please note, individual programs have specific deadlines (See program webpage for details).

 

Graduate Programs at WNMU

For More Information on Graduate Programs, click on the specific program indicated below:

Apply

Graduate Admissions Process - Step 1

 

  • Create an account to start an application applying into the university by clicking here: https://wnmu.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Create/
    • Select the term of enrollment
    • Select the appropriate Academic Level that meets your needs
    • Select the Degree or Certificate you intent to pursue
    • Create a Password
    • Select the Create Account button
  • Complete an online application to the university:
    • Select the “start an Application” button
    • Verify your intended term, Academic Level and intended degree choice
    • Follow the prompts to complete the application until the point of payment
      • Application Fees:
        • For a New or Non-Degree Seeking application – $40.00
        • For a Re-Admission application – $20.00
        • For New MSW application – $100.00
        • For a Re-Admission MSW application – $50.00
  • Provide official transcripts:
    • ALL PRIOR Higher Learning Institutions/Colleges/Universities where the applicant has taken courses or obtained credit hours MUST BE LISTED on the initial application. This includes classes that were taken for recreation, dual enrollment, or for any other purpose.
    • Official transcripts showing the award of a bachelor’s/master’s degree from an accredited college or university must be recognized by CHEA (Council of Higher Education Accreditation).
    • If you have previously attended WNMU, you do not have to request a transcript from our university. The Graduate Admissions Office will obtain the transcript from the university Registrar at the time of admission.
    • Official transcripts must come directly from the awarding institution. We cannot accept transcripts by fax or email from the student.
    • We can accept official transcripts by mail from students directly, if the documents are in the ORIGINAL SEALED ENVELOPE from the institutions/colleges/universities that were attended.

Electronic Transfer Transcripts should be sent to: 

gradstudies@wnmu.edu

Paper Transcripts should be sent to:

Graduate Admissions Office, WNMU

1000 W. College Avenue
P.O. Box 680

Silver City, NM 88062-0680

**To ensure the delivery of your transcript, please include both the physical and PO Box in the address**

  • We offer a range of short courses each semester across various disciplines. If you are interested in applying to the university for a short term course at the graduate level, please reach out to us for assistance with the application process. This includes short courses that apply toward all graduate level programs [Master’s Degrees, Alternative Licensures, Graduate Certificates].

Applicants Seeking Re-Admission to WNMU

  • A student wishing to be readmitted to a WNMU graduate program must complete the Application for Readmission (available on-line) and any other necessary requirement(s) as directed by Graduate Admissions. Please note a student is only eligible for readmission if they have previously been admitted into the Graduate Division and have completed at least one course (with a W or grade).

 

  • An M.S.W. student who wishes to be readmitted must complete the M.S.W. application for readmission. She/he will be considered for re-entry into the program based on available capacity. Additional transcripts and updated supplemental application materials may be needed depending on the length of time away from the program. Timeliness of the application is important, as room for students who apply for readmission will be impacted by space in the M.S.W. program and the number of new applicants. Students wanting to apply for readmission should pay close attention to the deadlines of admission for each term. 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 Graduate Admissions as part of the application procedure.

Programmatic Admissions Process - Step 2

  • Admission to a Graduate Program is contingent upon admission to the university. An applicant must have final admission status within Graduate Admissions, as well as meeting all programmatic admission requirements for that specific graduate program. Not all graduate programs have additional admission requirements. However those that do must have admission to a specific graduate program and should be initiated concurrently with admission to the Graduate Division.

International Student Admission

International Graduate Students

(Master’s Level Degrees or Master’s Level Graduate Certificates)

 

The general policies of the University, as outlined in the 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 or who is seeking an F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant visa through WNMU. Legally admitted immigrants and refugees are not considered international students. All students at the graduate level are required to adhere to both university admission and programmatic admission requirements. Please note that programmatic admission acceptance cannot be determined until the student is accepted as a final admit through the university and Graduate Division.

 

Any international student pursuing a graduate degree from WNMU, who resides in their original country or origin, not requesting an F-1 visa through WNMU is welcome to pursue any graduate program through WNMU online/distance. University Admission requirements are different for this process. Please contact Graduate Admissions and Outreach Programs for more detailed information.

 

University Admission Requirements:

APPLICATIONS for admission to the university deadlines:

  • Fall semesters must be received by June 1st
  • Spring semesters by October 15th

All SUPPORTING MATERIALS for university and Graduate Division Admissions deadlines:

  • Fall semesters must be received by July 1st
  • Spring semesters must be received by November 15th

**Materials not received by the deadlines noted above may not be processed nor guaranteed for issuance of I-20’s for that semester. If time does not permit processing for the requested semester, admission and the I-20 will be deferred to the subsequent semester.**

 

 

Required Materials:

  1. NACES approved evaluation sent directly from NACES evaluator (Translations and evaluations submitted without the criteria listed below will not be considered for credit transfer.)
    • Must show equivalency of a US bachelor’s degree or higher an
    • Must contain a course-by-course evaluation in semester credits
    • Must show overall GPA
    • Must show course descriptions
    • Must show identification of class levels (upper, lower, professional, vocational)
  2. English Proficiency Requirement
  3. Financial Statement
  4. Proof of Insurance
  5. Copy of Passport
  6. Copy of Visa
  7. WNMU F-1 Student Responsibility Acknowledgement

TOEFL/English Proficiency Requirement:

WNMU requires that graduate international students establish English proficiency by one of these means:

 

  1. A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of either 550 or higher on the PBT (paper-based) version of the test, or 79 or higher on the iBT (internet) version of the test; or
  2. A score of 6.5 or higher on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System); or
  3. A Duolingo score of 100 or higher

 

English Proficiency Scores:

Scores may be waived for any student who can show proof of a bachelor’s degree from an English-language educational institution. Further, an international student from an English-speaking country who elected to receive a bachelor’s degree from a foreign-language institution may petition for an exemption from the proficiency requirement. The situations are reviewed by Graduate Admissions and Outreach programs on a case-by-case basis and request.

 

A student is deemed proficient in the English language if he or she:

  1. Holds a U.S. high school diploma or U.S. General Equivalency Diploma (GEDR*) or international high school diploma, e.g., U.S. military base, business/diplomat expat community, etc., in which instruction is delivered primarily in English;
  2. Holds the equivalent (evidenced by credential evaluation) of a U.S. high school diploma from overseas institution in which instruction is delivered primarily in English;
  3. Completes (with passing grades in all courses) a minimum of two (2) academic terms at a regionally or nationally accredited U.S. post-secondary institution in which instruction is delivered primarily in English;
  4. Completes (with passing grades in all courses of ‘C’ grade or higher) English 101 and 102 at a regionally or nationally accredited U.S. post-secondary institution in which instruction is delivered primarily in English;
  5. Presents acceptable English Language Proficiency test scores meeting the minimum required levels set forth below.

 

Graduate Program Admissions Requirements:

Programmatic Admissions Requirement vary from graduate program to graduate program. Programs can be contacted directly for more detailed information regarding admissions for each individual program. Specific Graduate Program deadlines may impact university deadline application processes. Consult with the program directly to understand specific program application deadlines.

 

Graduate Programs that currently Support International Students (face-to-face) on F-1 visas:

  1. MBA degree (Masters of Business Administration)
  2. MA-IDST degree (Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Sociology, Kinesiology and Business Administration)
  3. MAT- SCND EDUC (Master of Arts in Secondary Education)
  4. Requests for other graduate programs offered at WNMU will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility.

 

Financial Aid at WNMU

The Office of Financial aid administers all financial aid and is responsible for monitoring student eligibility, such as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and loan limits. Financial aid is disbursed onto student accounts and applied toward charges. Student account balances and credits are maintained by the Business Affairs Office. While WNMU offers affordable tuition, we understand that students often need financial assistance.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens on October 1st and our priority deadline is March1st. We encourage all students to apply by the priority deadline, as some sources of funding are limited. Every school the student has applied to or taken classes at (this includes withdrawals & drops), must be reported on the WNMU application for admission. Failure to report this information may result in a delay of the Financial Aid process. While we try to assist students equally, there are time pressures that can cause problems if you wait until the last minute.

Essential Things to Know:

  • Complete the FAFSA application early. WNMU’s Federal School Code is 002664.
  • If transferring from another school, cancel any pending federal aid disbursements. Pending disbursements can affect your aid eligibility at WNMU.
  • Funds cannot be released until a student has submitted all required documents in a timely manner. Even for students who have been granted FINAL admission status, it is important to keep your student file (e.g., transcripts) up-to-date if you happen to take courses elsewhere.
  • If a student is receiving financial aid to cover the cost of the semester, please know that they must be actively involved in the process of accepting their funding AND having it applied to their billing statement. Students should communicate with their Financial Aid Counselor and use their Mustang Express account to review all information.
  • Taking care of financial responsibilities with WNMU is essential to hold your spot in the courses for you are enrolled in.
  • If financial aid is pending before the first week of the semester, students must contact the Business Affairs Office and set up payment arrangements immediately while they await the loan. Contact the Office of Financial Aid and/or Business Affairs Office for clarification, if needed.
  • Non-Degree Seeking applicants are not eligible to receive federal funding from WNMU.
  • Please check with the intended program Advisor and the Financial Aid Office to find out if your program is eligible for financial aid through WNMU.

Business Affairs at WNMU

The Business Office at WNMU is the office that assesses bills, and will help facilitate payment plans for students. This office accepts payments from personal accounts, credit cards and loans.

Once a student has planned and followed procedures with the Financial Aid Office, they will need to contact the Business Affairs Office to finalize” their account. The Business Affairs Office and Financial Aid Office are two separate entities. If both offices are not contacted directly, the students’ account will remain incomplete.

Essential Things to Know:

  • To review an account balance, including authorized (expected) Financial Aid:
    • Log in to Mustang Express and select the Student tab.
    • Below the Student Services heading (upper left), select the Pay Now! link, select Online Payments, and click Go to Bill Payment site.
      • o   If “Balance Including Estimated Aid” is a negative amount, Financial Aid funds fully cover your term charges.
      • o   If “Balance Including Estimated Aid” is a positive amount, a balance is still due
  • To make payment online, click Make Payment
  • To enroll in a Payment Plan, choose the Payment Plans tab
  • Payment can also be made in person or by mail.

 

To Obtain a WNMU Student ID card after being admitted to WNMU:

  • To obtain a WNMU ID Card, please contact the Card Services Department at 575-538-6156. WNMU ID Cards are available to all students, including those located at a distance.
    • Benefits of the card include…
      • Access to WNMU facilities (gym, pool)
      • Funds placed on the card can be used at the Einstein Bros. Bagels, or dining hall located on WNMU’s campus
      • Reduced admission at most movie theaters
      • Verification of student status for travel, such as Student Universe

Accreditation at WNMU

WNMU is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the Professional Standards Commission of the State of New Mexico, and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) at the national and state levels. WNMU is fully accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) to offer the Master of Business Administration degree. The Master of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

 

 

 

WNMU Catalog

Transfer Credit Hour Policy and Time Limit Policy

 

Time Limit

All graduate credit, including transfer credit, must have been earned within the seven years prior to issuance of the graduate degree unless a Petition for Validation of Courses over Seven Years Old is submitted and approved. This form may be obtained from the Office of Academic Affairs, Graduate Division, or from advisor or program.

Tour Credit Hours (Graduate)

A maximum of six graduate hours of tour credit, such as travel abroad courses, may be applied toward a master’s degree.

Transfer Credit and Resident Requirement

Individual master’s degree programs have the option to approve transfer credits, not to exceed one-third (1/3) of the total required to complete the degree. Any master’s degree program without specific criteria related to transfer credit limit may not exceed the Graduate Division limit of nine (9).

Graduate certificate programs are limited to transfer credits of one-third (1/3) of the total required to complete the degree not to exceed six credits.

The School of Education Alternative Licensure programs are limited to nine (9) credit hours of transfer credit.

Continuing education and extension courses are excluded. Correspondence work will not be accepted for graduate credit.

Any coursework requested for transfer into a degree at WNMU must be reviewed and approved by the student’s advisor(s), Associate Dean/Department Chair and Dean of the College based upon its appropriateness to the student’s degree plan, with final approval by the Director of the Graduate Division. Transfer credits must have been earned no more than seven (7) years prior to the issuance of the graduate degree. (See Time Limit.)

Starting in Fall 2011, only grades earned at WNMU count towards the student’s cumulative G.P.A. Transfer grades will start with a T/ and not count in the G.P.A. (Ex. T/A, T/B, T/C, etc.)

Any student pursuing a second Master’s degree at WNMU with a 6-hour reduction in credits allowed by the Graduate Division is also limited to 1/3 or 9 credits of transfer hours, with the waiver of 6 hours counting as part of those 9 credits or the 1/3 (total waived and transfer-approved hours may not exceed these limits).

If a graduate program has developed specific criteria allowing up to 12 transfer hours toward the 36 hour master’s, then six transfer hours are allowed in addition to the six hour reduction.

Transfer hours should be requested by a student at 1) the time of admission, 2) within the first term of attendance at WNMU, or 3) within one term of completing the hours at the outside institution.

All graduate hours of credit except the permitted transfer hours must be earned from WNMU.

EXAMPLE:

First Masters Second Masters
36 credit hours
-0 transfer credit
36 credit hours residency
36 credit hours
-0 transfer credit
-6 hours waived
30 credit hours residency
36 credit hours
-9 transfer credits
27 credit hours residency
36 credit hours not to exceed the 9 transfer credits
-6 credit hours waived allowed by Graduate Division
-3 transfer credit
27 credit hours residency
36 credit hours
-1/3 transfer credit
24 credit hours residency
36 credit hrs not to exceed the 1/3 of transfer credit
-6 credit hours waived
-6 transfer credit
24 credit hours residency

Transfer Credit Posting:

If a course is equivalent to a course WNMU offers, then it is posted as a WNMU course.

  • Example: MGMT 501 from XYZ University is equivalent to BSAD 550 at WNMU
  • WNMU will post the transfer course as BSAD 550

If a course is not equivalent and WNMU offers the same type of subject codes, and the course seems reasonable then it is posted as XXXX 599.

  • Example 1: PSYCHOLOGY, transfer university code is PSY 501 from XYZ University. WNMU does not have an equivalent course but offers the same type of subject code.
  • WNMU will post the transfer course as PSY 599.
  • Example 2: PSYCHOLOGY, transfer university code is PSY 502 from XYZ University WNMU does not have an equivalent course but could be considered as a subject code within WNMU Psychology curriculum
  • WNMU will post the transfer course as PSY 599.

If a course is not equivalent and WNMU does not have the same type of transferring in subject codes, then WNMU will be post the transfer credit as MISC 599.

  • Example: Animal Science, transfer university code is ANSC 621 from XYZ University. WNMU does not have an equivalent course and does not have same type of transferring subject codes.
  • WNMU will post the transfer course as MISC 599.

Advisors determine what courses will transfer into WNMU. The Office of the Registrar inputs the graduate transfer hours from the approved Degree Plan Change Forms provided by the Advisors, Associate Dean/Department Chair, and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Master of Business Administration

A maximum of one third (1/3) of the total hours needed to complete the M.B.A. program with or without optional concentrations may be transfer credits from appropriately accredited Business program as determined by the Director of the M.B.A. Program.

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership

A maximum of 12 credits, one third (1/3) of the 36 credits may be used for the program.

Master of Arts in Teaching

Credit for Prior Learning

  • Credit will be awarded based on evidence of learning, not for experience or time spent.
  • Determination of credit awards will be made by appropriate subject matter and credentialing experts.
  • Specific assessment and policies and procedures will be implemented for all programs accepting credit for prior learning.

The School of Education recognizes prior learning as achieved by teachers licensed via alternative licensure completed outside of a graduate school setting. Credit will be awarded based on evidence of learning as demonstrated through the completion of a Teaching Event Portfolio. The Teaching Event Portfolio requires applicants to develop and teach an instructional unit, and provides documentation of planning, instruction, assessment, and reflection on student learning. Qualified faculty within the School of Education will evaluate the Teaching Event Portfolio. Applicants may be awarded up to 12 credit hours of graduate credit towards the completion of a Master’s of Arts in Teaching:

Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

A maximum of twelve hours of transfer credits may be applied toward an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies when completed as a 36 hour degree, with transfer hours not exceeding the 1/3 limit for each concentration. For Example, with an 18-hour concentration, 6 hours could be accepted, and with a 9-hour concentration, just 3 hours would be permitted. When completed as a 30-hour degree, transfer credits would be limited to 6 hours, with the 1/3 cap applied to each discipline as mentioned above. All transfer hours must be approved by program faculty and the Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies with regard to content and requested hours.

Master of Science in Nursing

A maximum of nine (9) transfer credits may be applied towards the MSN degree. Of these, only the following combination of courses (equivalent of nine credits hours) may be applied towards the M.S.N. degree:

Master of Arts in Social Work 

A total of 1/3 of the hours needed to complete an M.S.W. degree may be transfer credits from another CSWE accredited M.S.W. program. For the 39 credit hour advanced standing M.S.W. that would mean a possible total of 13 hours. For the non-advanced standing M.S.W. program of 60 credit hours that would mean 17 could be transfer credits. All transferred courses must reflect a grade of “B” (3.0) or higher from the granting institution.

The following courses must be taken at WNMU: SWK 681 and SWK 682.

All transfer hours must be approved by program faculty and the department chair with regard to content and requested hours. In accordance with accreditation guidelines from the Council on Social Work Education, the School.

**If you plan to transfer in credits at the graduate level, you may need to provide copies of syllabi.**

Contact Graduate Admissions Staff

Jessica Enriquez
Director Graduate Admissions and Outreach
Phone: (575) 538-6655
Email:  gradadmissions@wnmu.edu
Location: Juan Chacon Building

Jackie Bunker
Graduate Admissions Counselor
Phone: (575) 538-6655
Email:  gradadmissions@wnmu.edu
Location: Juan Chacon Building

Andrea Chavez
Graduate Admissions Counselor
Phone: (575) 538-6655
Email:  gradadmissions@wnmu.edu
Location: Juan Chacon Building

Let's get started!

Have questions? Need more information?

Have a question?