The University of New Mexico is changing the way it handles non-degree admissions, advisement and support for both undergraduate and graduate students.
UNM Provost Brian Foster says, "This is an important population of students to us. Many have degrees and just want to upgrade skills. Others want to get the prerequisites for entering a graduate program. We are an urban university and need a strong urban outreach. We just were not effectively organized. I think this will make sense for everyone."
In the past, many students interested in enrolling in non-degree status went to a satellite admissions office in Continuing Education, but that office has been closed.
Now there are two offices to meet the needs of non-degree students. Students without a baccalaureate degree who are seeking non-degree status can enroll for undergraduate classes at University College using the normal admissions process. The undergraduate admissions office is in Room 140 at the Student Services Center. Their main number is 277-2446. "This is a good way for students who want to explore UNM to sample classes or to find out whether they want to go for a formal degree," says Dean of University College, Peter White. Non-degree seeking students will have a different advisement and record keeping process. This is an alternative used by high school and exchange students.
Anyone with a baccalaureate degree who wants to enter the non-degree graduate program will now apply to the Office of Graduate Studies, Special Initiative Office. All students must now go to Mitchell Hall, Rooms 106 and 108. Their telephone number is 277-6089. This will be a centralized program that handles admitting, application fees, academic and career advisement, records maintenance and grade monitoring. The satellite office that was operated in Continuing Education has been closed.
There are more than 1,800 students enrolled in the graduate program. Non-Degree Graduate Student Services Consultant, Deanna Sanchez-Mulcahy says, " Many of the people in the non-degree program are attempting to get in graduate studies, are professionals taking classes they need for professional certifications or development, UNM staff and senior citizens who are taking classes that interest them for personal enrichment."
Dean of Graduate Studies, Teresita Aguilar says, "The addition of the NDGSS office within the Office of Graduate Students should provide a unique opportunity to better serve this audience. We also anticipate better collaboration and coordination between non-degree admissions and graduate program admissions."
The new system is now ready to register students who are interested in the non-degree program at UNM.
Contact: Karen Wentworth (505) 277-5627
Posted by kwentworth at February 16, 2004 04:01 PM