Undergraduate Admissions for Full-time Enrollment
How to Learn More About Western New England College
Prospective students and parents are encouraged to visit the campus and to avail themselves of the opportunity for a personal interview and tour. Students and parents also have the opportunity to attend a series of Open House Programs. These programs are held on selected Saturdays and Sundays and include a tour of the campus. Currently enrolled students conduct the tours and thus can provide applicants with a personal perspective of the College and student life. While an interview is not required, the College encourages students to arrange for a personal interview at the Admissions Office.
In addition to a campus visit and the College literature, information is available electronically at www.wnec.edu/admissions. The Admissions Office can be contacted through the following means:
Telephone: 800-325-1122, ext. 1321 or 413-782-1321
Fax: 413-782-1777
Email: ugradmis@wnec.edu
How to Apply for Full-time Admission
The following procedure should be completed for admission as a freshman or transfer student for full-time study (12 credit hours or more per semester).
1. Students should obtain an application from the College’s Undergraduate Admissions Office or complete the application online at www.wnec.edu/admissions.
2. The completed application form should be returned with the nonrefundable $50 application fee ($40 if applying online).
3. Students should forward to the Admissions Office an official high school transcript(s) as well as an official transcript of first term senior grades when available. Transfer students should forward official transcripts of final secondary work, as well as any previous undergraduate study, to the Admissions Office.
4. Results of the SAT I or ACT examinations should be forwarded to the Admissions Office. The CEEB number for the SAT is 3962; the College code for the ACT is 1930.
5. A recommendation from a guidance counselor or teacher is required. Engineering applicants should submit a letter from a math or science teacher.
Application Procedure for International Students
International students who are proficient in the English language and who wish to be considered for admission should comply with the following procedure:
1. Students should obtain an application from the College’s Undergraduate Admissions Office or complete the application online at www.wnec.edu/admissions.
2. The completed application form should be returned with the nonrefundable $50 application fee (U.S. dollars)($40 if applying online).
3. Students should forward to the Admissions Office an official English translation of the high school transcript(s) as well as an official transcript of first term senior grades when available. Transfer students should forward to the Admissions Office an official English translation of transcripts of final secondary school work as well as any previous undergraduate study.
4. The results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) should be forwarded to the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
5. An Affidavit of Support form must be submitted to the Admissions Office.
6. An official bank statement declaring that the financial sponsor has sufficient funding to support the student’s education at Western New England College should be submitted on the bank’s stationery.
7. A recommendation from a guidance counselor or teacher is required.
8. The I20 Form will be issued to an accepted international student.
Specific Requirements for the Various Schools
Persons admitted as regular degree-seeking candidates must have graduated from an approved secondary school or have obtained a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). They must also have successfully completed the following minimum preparatory units:
School of Arts and Sciences
The School of Arts and Sciences requires four units English; one unit laboratory science; two units mathematics equivalent to two of the following: algebra I, geometry, or algebra II; one unit United States history.
1. One unit of chemistry and one unit of biology are required for prospective majors in biology, chemistry, forensic biology, forensic chemistry and pre-pharmacy. In addition, one unit of physics is recommended for prospective majors in chemistry, forensic chemistry and pre-pharmacy.
2. Prospective majors in mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, forensic biology, forensic chemistry and pre-pharmacy are required to present three units of mathematics; a fourth year is recommended.
School of Business
The School of Business requires four units English; one unit laboratory science; three units mathematics equivalent to algebra I, geometry, and algebra II; one unit United States history.
School of Engineering
The School of Engineering requires four units English; one unit United States history; four units mathematics equivalent to algebra I, geometry, algebra II, and an additional year beyond algebra II which includes trigonometry; one unit laboratory science; and one unit physics or chemistry (preferably both).
When Admission Decisions Are Made
Western New England College begins accepting students for the fall semester after the first term senior grades are available. The Undergraduate Admissions Office continues to review applications until the class is filled. The College also enrolls students midyear. Acceptance for the January semester begins in early fall.
When It Is Necessary to Declare Enrollment Intentions
A nonrefundable tuition deposit of $100 is required by May 1 from each student who has been accepted. Students who plan to live on campus must submit an additional nonrefundable housing deposit at the same time. These fees are deducted from the total charges. After the tuition deposit has been paid, the following are required prior to registration:
1. Physical examination form including immunization verification completed by the applicant’s healthcare provider.
2. Verification of health insurance coverage, in compliance with Massachusetts state law, or participation in the College’s insurance program.
Transfer Credit Evaluation
The number of transfer credits is based upon work completed at previous accredited institutions. The status of transfer students is not automatically determined by the number of credit hours already earned or by the nomenclature of courses taken. Rather, each transcript is evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Normally, credit is allowed for each course that is equivalent to a corresponding course at Western New England College provided the earned grade is C- or above. Within a few weeks of acceptance, the Undergraduate Admissions Office sends each transfer student a degree audit, which shows how each previous course applies to the student’s specific degree program at Western New England College. In certain English and Mathematics courses, application of transfer credit may be subject to completion of additional assessment.
Up to 70 credits are acceptable in transfer from two-year colleges, and up to 90 credits from four-year colleges and universities (including any applicable two-year college credits).
The School of Business requires that the majority of credits, contact hours, or other metric in traditional business subjects counted toward the degree fulfillment be earned at Western New England College.
Transfer Students’ Degree Requirements
Customarily, a student who has received an associate’s degree in an approved program from an accredited college and who is accepted for admission will be granted junior status. Although it is often possible for such a student to complete a program in a chosen field within two years at the College, the specific requirements of some majors may require a longer period of study. It is necessary for a transfer student to complete at least one year (30 credit hours) of study at Western New England College in order to be granted a degree. Students transferring to Western New England College may follow the requirements of their chosen major using the year when they become a student at Western New England College or the year when they first matriculated at their first college if less than four years prior to the transfer to Western New England College. This decision will be made by the student and approved by the chairperson of the major program.
Advising for Transfer Students
Prior to actual enrollment, transfer students may seek advice from several distinct vantage points. General transitional guidance is most often sought from the Office of Freshman & Transfer Students. It is here that much of pre-enrollment advising is coordinated. In most cases, formal communication begins in early May for fall admission and in December for spring semester entry. This office also serves as the point of contact for initial course registration and pre-matriculation orientation. In addition, transfer students may contact the Dean’s Office of the School in which the desired major is administered, particularly if there are questions regarding transfer credit and planning remaining academic work. Issues pertaining to changing curriculum choice prior to matriculation are typically handled through the Admissions Office.
Joint Admissions
The Joint Admissions Program is offered in collaboration with the following community colleges: Berkshire, Greenfield, Holyoke and Springfield Technical. The program is designed to facilitate the transfer of students earning an associate’s degree from a designated community college. Eligible students are conditionally accepted to Western New England College upon enrolling in the program. An emphasis is placed on advisement to ensure the maximize transfer credit is applied towards an approved major, and to ensure a smooth transition to Western New England College. Participating students must earn a minimum 2.3 cumulative grade point average (based on a 4.0 scale) and either the associate’s degree or a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours. Students are subject to the same transfer credit restrictions that apply to traditional applicants.
Transfer Articulation Agreements
Transfer articulation agreements have been arranged between Western New England College and various community and junior colleges. Associate’s degree graduates who have followed the prescribed programs of study at these specific institutions may be able to complete requirements for baccalaureate degrees in two years at Western New England College.
Reinstatement Procedure (Re?Activation)
· Whenever continuous enrollment has been interrupted, students must initiate formal contact with the College in order to request reinstatement and/or reactivation. Observing the following steps will result in the most efficient review, and timely decision.
· If previously suspended or on probation at the time of last enrollment, submit a written request to the Dean of Freshman and Transfer Students, who will coordinate the necessary review of the appropriate Academic Dean and others involved.
· If enrollment is discontinued in good standing, the student may simply submit a request for reactivation, directed to the Dean’s Office of the School in which the desired major is administered. Requests may also be directed as above.
· Official transcripts of any academic work taken since leaving the College must be submitted prior to the beginning of classes in the semester in which the student wished to register. Depending on the academic program intended and the nature of the academic standing at the time of last enrollment, the student may need to provide evidence of a 2.5 GPA for any coursework taken in the interim.
· Upon re-enrollment or reinstatement, students are subject to all rules, regulations and academic requirements effective at the time of re-enrollment or reactivation.
· On-campus housing is not necessarily guaranteed.
Undergraduate Admissions for Part-time Study
How to Apply for Admission to Part-time Study
The Admissions Office oversees admission to part-time study. Students are accepted on a rolling admissions basis.
1. Application forms for day and evening study may be obtained from the Admissions Office, or electronically from the Graduate Studies and Adult Learning link at www.wnec.edu/adultlearning.
2. A completed application includes:
a. The completed, signed application form
b. The nonrefundable $30 application fee
c. An official high school transcript or proof of the achievement of high school equivalency
d. An official transcript from each institution of higher education attended
e. A letter of recommendation
3. Applicants may be required to complete specific college-level courses in a nondegree status prior to formal admission
4. Students admitted to part-time status may register for day, evening, or online courses.
Graduate Admissions
How to Apply for Admission
Admission to all graduate degree programs at Western New England College requires an earned baccalaureate from an accredited college or university and additional materials as described below. Applicants to the part-time master’s programs may be admitted for any term on a rolling admissions basis. MEEE candidates who wish to complete the program in two years are encouraged to start during the fall term. This is due to the sequential offering of courses. Candidates admitted to the Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis program begin their studies during the fall term. The application process and admission to the J.D. and LL.M. programs in the School of Law are described in materials available directly from the School of Law.
Graduate Transfer Credit.
Students who have earned graduate credit before they apply to Western New England College may request the transfer of a maximum of six credit hours for 30-credit master’s programs or 12 credit hours for master’s programs comprised of at least 36 credits. The minimum required grade for transfer is B (3.0). Final award of graduate transfer credit is at the discretion of the dean responsible for the applicant’s degree program.
Credit Earned in Nondegree Graduate Status.
Graduate credit earned at Western New England College in nondegree graduate status may be applied toward graduate degree requirements up to a normal limit of six credit hours. The minimum grade is B (3.0).
Time Limits.
Accepted graduate credits may be applied toward graduate degree requirements for no more than eight years. For example, an acceptable graduate course completed in the fall term of 2009 counts toward graduation only until the end of the 2017 summer term.
Application Procedures for Graduate Programs:
1. Obtain an application for graduate master’s degree programs from the Admissions Office or electronically from the Graduate Studies and Adult Learning homepage at www.wnec.edu/graduatestudies.
2. Submit a completed, signed application for graduate admission with the required fee to the Admissions Office.
3. Arrange to have official college and university transcripts sent directly from all institutions attended.
4. Arrange to have other documents, such as letters of recommendation or official test score reports, sent directly from the reporting person or agency as described below for the specific degree programs.
5. Completed applications are reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee of the appropriate school.
6. Applicants for graduate certificate programs should contact the Admissions Office for application procedures.
School of Arts and Sciences.
The Master of Arts in Mathematics for Teachers (MAMT) and Master of Arts in English for Teachers (MAET) programs are designed primarily for secondary and middle school teachers in the specific disciplines. These programs are also available to candidates with an interest in further study in either mathematics or English in nonteaching fields.
The requirements for the MAMT and MAET degrees are:
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
2. An overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 (a GPA of 3.0 in the major is preferred for both programs);
3. An academic or professional background equivalent to at least a minor in mathematics for the MAMT program or in English for the MAET program. Further, it is preferable that applicants have either a Provisional or Initial License in teaching. Applicants lacking an undergraduate major in mathematics or English may have to take more than ten courses in order to complete the corresponding program;
4. A minimum of two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from the candidate’s supervisor;
5. A current résumé;
6. Submission of a personal statement.
The Master of Education in Elementary Education (MEEE) program is designed primarily for elementary teachers who hold an initial license in the field.
The requirements for the MEEE are:
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
2. An overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.8;
3. An Initial License for elementary teaching from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
4. Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from the candidate’s supervisor;
5. A current résumé;
6. Submission of a personal statement.
Admission to all three programs will be based on the candidate’s previous academic records, present and potential performance in teaching, and letters of reference.
Candidates desiring to take courses without the initial intent of pursuing the degrees can request tentative status, which allows them to take up to two courses in the desired program. A tentative status student upon completion of the two courses either must formally apply for admittance to the program or formally indicate no degree intent in order to continue taking courses in the program. Requests for nondegree study beyond the two course limit must be approved by the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Nondegree participants in the Elementary Education program must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA.
School of Business.
For the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) degrees the requirements are:
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
2. An official score report for the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) taken not more than five years prior to the application date, or satisfaction of exemption as indicated below:
a. The completion of a graduate degree from an accredited college or university with quantitative coursework, averaging a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
b. A satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken no more than five years prior to application date.
c. Professional certification, such as Certified Public Accountant, which meets Western New England College School of Business standards.
d. Currently enrolled in the Western New England College School of Law J.D. program in good academic standing.
e. A minimum of four years of professional experience outlined in a current resume and a written statement of explanation. The professional experience should meet the following guidelines.
1. Demonstrates steady career progression toward senior levels of management with increasing budgetary responsibilities since earning the bachelor’s degree.
2. Demonstrates professional and academic experience showing preparation for quantitative oriented courses.
3. Two letters of recommendation;
4. Submission of two essays;
5. A current résumé.
Doctor of Philosophy in Behavior Analysis.
Developed in response to the increasing demand for scientists and practitioners of evidence-based methods for the education and treatment of individuals with autism and related disabilities, the new Ph.D. program in Behavior Analysis at Western New England College will give you the skills to fill this void and become a leading voice in the field. Through a combination of coursework and supervised practical and research experiences, the aim of the Psychology Department is to train researchers and scientist-practitioners in the discovery, translation, and application of knowledge toward solving human behavior problems of societal importance (e.g., autism and related disabilities).
The requirements for the Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis are:
1. A master’s degree in behavior analysis, or were certified as a master’s-level behavior analyst by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board;
2. A minimum of a 3.6 grade point average (GPA) in their master’s degree program. (Tentative acceptance is allowed for having a GPA between 3.25 and 3.6, if other criteria are above minimal criteria.);
3. A combined verbal and quantitative score of 1100 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) with neither score being below 500 for full admission (Tentative admission is allowed if either score is less than 500, if other criteria are above minimal criteria.);
4. Three letters of recommendation;
5. Submission of a personal statement;
6. A current curriculum vitae.
School of Engineering
. For programs leading to the Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM), and Master of Science in Engineering (MSE), the requirements are:
1. The graduate programs in engineering require a baccalaureate degree in engineering, or a closely related field, from an accredited college or university. Those seeking admission without such a degree may petition to have their baccalaureate degree and professional experience accepted as a substitute;
2. A grade point average in the last half (usually 60 credit hours) of undergraduate work of a minimum of B (3.0). Candidates who fail to meet this admission standard can request tentative status;
3. Two letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with the applicant’s business, professional, or academic achievements;
4. An official score report of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), if requested by the admission review committee;
5. Current résumé.
School of Law
. The School of Law offers full-and part-time J.D. programs designed to be completed in three and four years respectively. A total of 88 academic credits are required for graduation. It also offers a part-time LL.M. program in Estate Planning and Elder Law designed to be completed in two or three years. The program is offered online. A total of 24 academic credits are required for graduation. Additional information and an application form are available by contacting:
Admissions Office, Western New England College School of Law, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01119, 800-782-6665, or email: admissions@law.wnec.edu
How Graduate Admission Decisions Are Made
The admission decision is based on the applicant’s undergraduate academic performance in combination with other evidence, such as official test scores submitted as part of the application. Applicants judged by the graduate admissions committee to be deficient in verbal, quantitative, or general academic preparation may be granted permission to register at the discretion of the committee. These students are allowed to take up to two courses as a nondegree student. Upon satisfying specified conditions a student will be reconsidered for admission. Conditions may include, but are not limited to, satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses; demonstrated academic performance in graduate courses at Western New England College; and satisfactory completion of undergraduate English and/or mathematics courses.
School of Law
Admission to the J.D. program in the School of Law is dependent upon an applicant’s performance on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), undergraduate grade point average, and other information that would assist the Admissions Committee in assessing the applicant’s ability to pursue a career in legal education. College courses that improve an applicant’s writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills are especially important.
Combined JD/MBA (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration) Degree
Candidates for this program are required to apply to both the MBA program through the School of Business and the J.D. program through the School of Law.
Combined MSEM/MBA (Master of Science in Engineering Management/Master of Business Administration) Degree
Candidates for this program are required to apply to both the MSEM program through the School of Engineering and the MBA program through the School of Business.
Status
Applicants to graduate programs in Arts and Sciences, Business, and Engineering at Western New England College can be admitted in one of the following categories.
Degree Status
Students who are admitted as fully qualified to undertake a program leading toward a degree are termed degree status students.
Tentative Status
Students may be permitted to enroll in courses leading to a degree under tentative status before the application and evaluation process is complete. The tentative status is valid for a maximum of seven credits in the first term or two consecutive terms of no more than four credits each. Upon the conclusion of the tentative status period, the student’s application and academic record will be evaluated. The evaluation will result in termination, admission to degree status, or admission to nondegree status.
Nondegree Status
Students who wish to take graduate courses outside of a degree program may be admitted as nondegree status students. Nondegree status students do not require as much supporting documentation but are required to provide proof of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. They may take courses subject to space availability and an advisor’s approval. Continuing registration requires minimum grades of B (3.0) in all Western New England College graduate courses. Nondegree students may apply a maximum of seven credits toward a degree if they complete the application process and are accepted as degree status students. Nondegree status students who take more than seven credits and complete the requirements for a certificate may apply for degree status and, upon their acceptance into a degree program, all courses common to both the certificate and the degree will be applied to the degree.
Nondegree Status
How to Register for Courses Taken in Nondegree Status
The College offers nondegree enrollment for students who wish to explore undergraduate or graduate study and earn credit before they are formally admitted to a degree program, and for visiting students from other institutions. Academic requirements may change over time so that courses completed in the nondegree status may not be applicable to the program chosen at the time of matriculation. Nondegree students are not eligible for most types of financial aid.
Certificates
Undergraduate certificates are available in chemistry, and communication. Graduate certificates are offered in graduate study in Green Belt Certification and Lean Systems. Information is available through the Admissions Office.
Undergraduate Nondegree Study
Permission to register requires proof of high school graduation or its equivalent. Continuing registration normally requires a cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) in courses taken at the College. Nondegree students must satisfy published course prerequisites and may be required to submit official transcripts as proof of appropriate preparation. Advising of nondegree students is provided through the schools.
Graduate Nondegree Study
Please refer to Nondegree Status, above.