1996-1997 Undergraduate Catalog

 NMSU


ADMISSIONS

A student may be accepted for undergraduate admission to New Mexico State University as (1) a regular student or (2) a nondegree student under the policies and conditions as set forth in this section.

REGULAR ADMISSION (FIRST TIME ANY COLLEGE)

Requirements for admission as a regular student include the following:

  • Formal application for admission, accompanied by a $15 admission fee. The fee becomes the matriculation fee when the student enrolls, and is nonrefundable.

  • An official seven- or eight-semester transcript of the student's high school credits.

  • Official results of the American College Testing Program (ACT) battery.

    • A transcript is to be sent directly from the high school to the Admissions Office. The ACT results are to be sent directly from the ACT Testing Center to the Admissions Office.

    Qualifications for undergraduate admission to New Mexico State are as follows:

  • Graduation from any state high school or academy in the United States accredited by a regional accrediting association or approved by a state department of education or state universities.

  • High school grade average of at least 2.0 and Enhanced ACT standard composite score of at least 20 (old 18); or high school grade average of at least 2.5; or Enhanced ACT standard composite score of at least 21 (old 20).

  • The following minimum requirements with respect to high school preparation became effective with the class of 1991:
    English 4 units*
    Science 2 units beyond general science
    Mathematics 3 units**
    Foreign languages or fine arts 1 unit

    * Must include at least 2 units of composition, one of which must be a junior or senior-level course.

    ** From algebra I, algebra II, geometry, trigonometry, or advanced math.

    • Provisional Admission

    A New Mexico resident, other than a transfer student, who does not meet requirements for regular admission may be admitted to the College of Health and Social Services under the provisional program. To be admitted to provisional status, students must have minimum high school grade point average of 2.25 and Enhanced ACT composite score of 19 and meet the minimum high school preparation requirements listed above. Such a student must take at least 6, but not more than 12 credits in a regular semester, and at least 3, but not more than 6 credits in a single summer session. A provisional student earning a 2.0 grade-point average or higher in at least the minimum number of credits as stated above will be granted regular admission. Should the provisional student earn less than a 1.0 grade-point average in the first semester, further attendance will be denied.

    A provisional student earning less than a 2.0 grade-point average, but more than a 1.0 grade-point average in at least the minimum number of credits as stated above, in the first semester may continue for one additional semester. However, a provisional student who fails to attain a 2.0 grade-point average during the second semester will be denied further attendance.

    Basic Academic Skills and Admission

    In order to succeed at their college studies, entering students are required to have basic skills in mathematics and writing befitting the university environment. Students are evaluated using ACT test scores or diagnostic testing at the time of registration to determine basic academic competency. Based upon this evaluation, the university will require entering students to correct deficiencies by completing course work in English and mathematics before enrolling in courses numbered 300 and above. Specific regulations regarding this policy are described later in this chapter under "Basic Academic Skills."

    Application Deadlines

    Applications for admission as a regular student should be sent to the Admissions Office at least 30 days before the beginning of the regular semester or summer session for which the student intends to enroll. NMSU programs that have different deadlines for application are
    Nursing March 1 (fall semester)
    August 1 (spring semester)
    Radiologic Technology January 15 (fall semester)

    Admission by GED

    In some cases NMSU will admit students who have not graduated from high school. A student who is 18 years of age or older and/or whose original high school class has graduated may apply for admission. The admission will depend upon satisfactory scores on the General Educational Development (GED) test and the American College Testing Program (ACT) test. If the student's original high school class was 1991 or later, an official high school transcript needs to be submitted to indicate if the above listed high school preparation courses were completed.

    Early Admission for High School Students

    Currently enrolled high school students of superior academic ability may be admitted as regular students prior to high school graduation. Requirements include regular application for admission, recommendation of the high school principal/counselor, parental permission, high school transcript, and ACT scores. A personal interview with the director of admissions is also required.

    Readmission (Degree Seeking)

    Former students of New Mexico State University, or of one of its branches, who have been out of school for a regular semester or longer are required to make formal application for readmission. Applications must be submitted to the Admissions Office at least 30 days before the opening of the semester or summer session for which the student plans to enroll.

    A student who has attended other institutions during an absence must have official transcripts forwarded directly to the Admissions Office by the registrar of each institution and must be eligible to return to the college or university last attended. Transcripts must be received at least 30 days prior to the date of registration. Admission status at the time of readmission will normally be determined by previous NMSU academic standing. However, academic performance at other institutions attended during the applicant's absence from NMSU may be taken into consideration in determining the student's academic admission status.

    NMSU Retention Rates

    The following are retention rates for first-time freshmen who enrolled full time in fall 1992, fall 1993, and fall 1994. The one-year retention rates for first-time freshmen who enrolled full time are 78.4% for students who entered fall 1992; 77.7% for students who entered fall 1993; 75.4% for students who entered fall 1994. The two-year retention rates are 66.5% for students who entered fall 1992 and 62.0% for students who entered fall 1993. The three-year retention rate is 59.3% for students who entered fall 1992.

    Transfer Students

    Transfer students from other colleges or universities may be accepted for undergraduate studies if they have at least a C (2.0) cumulative grade average and are eligible to return to the college or university last attended. Transferring students who would not have met admission requirements as a first-time freshman must have completed at least 30 graded credits to be considered for admission.

    Transcripts

    The transfer student must have official transcripts forwarded directly to the Office of Admissions by the Registrar of each college or educational institution previously attended. The ACT battery is required of students who have not earned credit for the first semester of college English. A student who conceals the fact that they have attended another college or university, and who has not had the registrar submit a transcript for each institution whether or not credit was earned, will be subject to immediate suspension. Transcripts must be received at least 30 days before the date of registration.

    Transfer of Credits at NMSU

    New Mexico State University evaluates courses from post-secondary institutions that are regionally accredited or are candidates for regional accreditation. Transfer students will receive full credit for course work completed with a grade of C or better, provided the classes are similar or equivalent to courses offered at NMSU. A transfer student may, on the basis of an evaluation of her/his transcripts, receive credit for courses taken at other institutions in which a grade of D was received. However, NMSU does not accept the transfer of courses with D grades which satisfy basic academic competency (basic skills) in English and mathematics. And NMSU will not accept transfer credit for four-credit basic skills courses (such as ENGL 111G and CCDM 114) when the incoming course carries less than three credit hours. Also, colleges or departments may choose to accept only courses graded C or higher in their programs for both transfer and native students. Any lower-division course from another institution receiving transfer credit from NMSU at the 300 or above level will still count as a lower-division course. Transcripts will be reevaluated when students transfer from one NMSU college to another.

    Each college determines which transferred courses are applicable toward a degree or a minor.

    Grades earned in courses taken at other institutions are not included in the calculation of the NMSU grade point average, except for grades earned by approved National Student Exchange students.

    Community/Junior College Transfers

    Community/junior college transfer students may be admitted and classified on the basis of acceptable credits earned at a junior college. However, a minimum of 66 of the total credits counting toward a degree must be earned at a four-year, degree granting institution, including the last 30 semester credits, which must be earned on campus at this university. Each college will determine whether transfer credit will be given for community college courses which are offered at the upper-division level at NMSU.

    Evaluation of Transfer Credits

    Once a student has been admitted to NMSU, an evaluation of credits on a course-by-course basis to determine general transferability to the university and an "Evaluation of Transfer Credits" form is prepared. This form is then sent to the college to which the student is admitted for an evaluation by the student's academic dean. The college indicates on the form those transfer courses which are acceptable toward a degree or a minor.

    Credits from nonaccredited institutions may be evaluated by the student's academic dean after the student has completed two semesters in full-time status with satisfactory grades.

    Currently enrolled students must obtain prior approval from their academic dean before work taken at another institution may apply toward meeting graduation requirements.

    Religious Center Courses in Religion

    Courses in religion, offered by the various religious centers through higher educational institutions with which they are affiliated, are open to all students, and these or similar courses from other universities may be transferred for credit to this university. If a student wishes to have earned credits transferred to NMSU, the following procedures must be observed:
    1. Obtain written approval from the academic dean prior to registration for the course at the religious center
    2. Count the credit in the course as part of the total semester load
    3. Following completion of the course, request that the institution granting the credit send a transcript of the credit to the registrar at NMSU.

    Registration for these courses in religion is separate from NMSU's registration and is conducted by the religious center offering the course.

    Not more than 6 credits in such courses may be transferred to NMSU.

    National Student Exchange (NSE)

    Courses transferred back to NMSU by students participating in the National Student Exchange Program (NSE) will be evaluated as NMSU courses and recorded on the student's academic record. All computable grades earned will be included in calculating the student's cumulative grade-point average.

    Visiting Undergraduate Students

    Students planning to enroll for a summer or semester who expect to transfer credits back to their home institution must have a letter sent from that institution's registrar to the NMSU Admissions Office indicating that they are in good standing at the present institution. If at a later time the student wishes to matriculate as a full-time regular student at New Mexico State University, all requirements for regular admission must be met.

    NONDEGREE ADMISSION

    Nondegree admission is designed to meet the needs of mature, part-time students who do not wish to pursue a degree at this university. Courses taken in this status may not be used to meet university admission requirements.

    Students on nondegree status are not eligible to receive financial aid or benefits from any veterans program.

    Students interested in using nondegree credit for initial teacher certification or recertification in a new field will be admitted to the College of Education. All others will be admitted to the College of Health and Social Services. Transcripts from previous institutions, high school, and/or results of college entrance exams may be required to assure readiness for university-level courses.

    Nondegree students are subject to the same university regulations as regular students.

    Nondegree students may not transfer more than 30 credits from this status to any undergraduate degree program.

    Participation in intercollegiate activities is prohibited to nondegree students.

    Admission requirements include a nondegree application and $15 admission fee.

    Graduate Nondegree Admission

    Students wishing to take graduate courses for renewal of teacher certification or for personal enrichment should apply to the Office of Admissions for enrollment in the university's College of Health and Social Services. Those seeking to earn credit for initial teacher certification or recertification in a new field should contact the College of Education for advisement before applying for nondegree status. Not more than two courses, totaling 4 credits or less, earned in nondegree status may be transferred to a graduate program at NMSU. Undergraduate students who have an insufficient grade-point average may qualify for admission as provisional graduate students by completing 12 credits or more of graduate work (exclusive of directed readings and independent study) with a grade-point average of 3.0 or above.

    Changing from Nondegree Status

    A nondegree student in good academic standing at NMSU may apply for change of status from nondegree to regular. Requirements for regular admission must be met.

    Auditing Courses

    Students who wish to audit courses may do so as nondegree students with the consent of the instructor, provided the facilities are not required for regular students. Regular students may also audit courses, but audited courses are not counted in determining maximum course loads, except for students on probation or graduate students.

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