Admissions

Getting Admitted

Western Wyoming Community College (Western) is an equal-opportunity institution. Western prohibits discrimination in its practices, programs, and activities. All students wishing to enroll in degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking coursework who meet the minimum age limit and other admission requirements listed below shall be considered for acceptance to Western regardless of age, race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. Western is committed to maintaining an environment free from discrimination, sexual or other harassment and retaliation.  

As an open-enrollment institution, Western grants admission to degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking individuals. This admission pertains to four types of students: 

• Degree or Certificate Seeking Students 

• Non-degree Seeking Students - those taking credit courses but not working toward a degree or certificate 

• High School Dual and Concurrent Students - high school students (16 years or older) in the College’s service area taking credit courses concurrently or through dual credit agreements 

• Non-Credit Students 

Western has an admission/enrollment procedure for each group, including placement testing for advising purposes.  

Minimum Age

Western admits students who have reached the legal age or are emancipated and have reached 17 years or older. The Western’s President may grant a waiver of the minimum age based on extenuating circumstances unique to the College’s role and mission.  

Concurrently enrolled students must be sixteen years of age or older unless recommended by their high school principal, Western’s Senior Outreach Coordinator, and BOCES/BOCHES if applicable. 

International Students 

Western welcomes international students who, in addition to meeting the general requirements for admission, have demonstrated the necessary English language skills, have proved they can financially meet the costs of attendance, and have submitted a health statement signed by a physician. 

Denial of Admission, Continued Enrollment or Re-Enrollment

Western’s President or their designee may deny the admission, continued enrollment, or re-enrollment of: 

• any individual whose personal history and background indicates that their presence at Western would endanger the health, safety, welfare, or property of the Western community or interfere with the orderly and effective performance of the Western’s functions; and/or 
• any individual who has misrepresented their credentials or background. 

Persons who seek enrollment must be given timely notification of a denial of admission. 

Acceptance to Western does not guarantee admission to all majors, as specific programs may have prerequisites to facilitate successful completion. Western’s President may identify programs in which Western receives more applications than available laboratory space can accommodate or as deemed impractical for instruction. These are identified as high-demand programs, and enrollment may be based on special screening tools and/or “first-come, first-serve” registration. The right to deny admission to any applicant to specific programs is reserved per the established and published procedures. Western shall define and publish appeal procedures for persons denied admission.

Degree Seeking or Certificate Students 

Persons applying for a degree or certificate program must do the following: 

• Complete and submit an admission application. 

• Submit an official transcript from the last accredited high school showing the diploma date OR submit an official high school equivalency test score. 

• Submit transcript(s) from previous colleges attended only if seeking transfer credit. 

• All transcripts and test scores become the property of Western Wyoming Community College and will not be returned to the student, even if the student decides not to enroll. Students who have been out of high school longer than five years need only submit proof of high school graduation. Students who have not completed high school may enroll conditionally in a degree program and must complete high school equivalency by the time they are halfway through the degree program. Students who have been homeschooled or have attended non-accredited high schools must provide a national equivalency certificate and transcript or take the high school equivalency exam. 

• Submit American College Test (ACT) scores. 

  • Although not required for admission, the test is used for course placement. For students seeking certain scholarships, ACT scores are required. It is strongly recommended for those planning to transfer to a four-year college or university.  

• Applicants interested in the Nursing program must complete an additional Nursing application. 

• Acceptance into Western does not mean a student is also accepted into the Nursing program. Nursing applications may be found at: https://www.westernwyoming.edu/academics/major-programs/health-care/nursing/index.php 

• International students must fulfill additional requirements. 

  • English Ability 
    • Western requires international students to provide documentation of English ability if they are from a country where English is not the primary/official language. 
    • Waivers may be granted for (1) transfer students who have demonstrated success in college-level English courses or (2) students whose secondary education was taught in English. Contact the Registrar, located in Mustang Central, with any questions. 
    • Prospective students needing to provide documentation of English language ability must take one of the following three official tests of English and earn the minimum score listed: TOEFL (61), IELTS (5.0), PTE Academic (36), Duolingo (105). 
  • Official ACT/SAT scores cannot be substituted for the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or Duolingo tests. 
  • ESL (English as a Second Language) Courses 
  • Financial Responsibility 
    • International students must establish their fiscal responsibility by providing a financial statement and commitment equivalent to one full academic year’s expenses. These expenses include tuition, fees, books, room, board, and health insurance. The student’s personal needs or transportation expenses are not included in this sum. The Admissions office will annually announce the amount required. International students must also pay the application fee established by the Board of Trustees. 
  • Health 
    • Students must submit a signed physical and statement of good health from a physician. 
  • Medical Insurance 
    • All international students are required to purchase medical insurance through a plan offered by the College while in attendance in Rock Springs and/or if living in Western’s residence halls 
  • Transcripts 
    • Official high school and any college transcripts (if transfer credit is requested) translated into English. Attested copies are accepted. 

Acceptance 

After the Admissions Office has received the information described above, it will notify students about its decision. Students accepted will receive an official letter of acceptance and a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 form) to get a visa. 

Western gives conditional acceptance to students who do not have high school or equivalency or cannot provide a college transcript because the student is currently enrolled at another institution. 

The Director of Admissions & Advising will consider exceptions to admission requirements. 

Non-degree Seeking Students 

Non-degree students take credit courses and do not work toward a degree or credit-bearing certificate. These students need to apply for admission. They will follow the process as degree-seeking students when registering for classes.

High School Students

High school students, age 16 or older, enrolled in Wyoming high schools may take college credit courses concurrently or as part of a dual enrollment program. These students must meet eligibility criteria established by Western and the school district. 

Non-Credit Students 

These are students taking non-credit courses for workforce and industry training or personal enrichment.  These students fill out a non-credit registration form. 

Student Classification 

Students are classified by academic year and admission status according to the following definitions: 

• Academic Year: 

  • First-year student: Successful completion of fewer than 30 college-level semester credit hours. 

  • Sophomore: Successful completion of 30 to 59 college-level semester credit hours. 

  • Junior: Successful completion of 60 to 89 college-level semester credit hours. 

  • Senior: Successful completion of 90 or more college-level semester credit hours. 

  • Unclassified: Awarded a degree at the associate level or above. 

• Admission Status: 

  • New Student: Attending Western Wyoming Community College for the first time. 

  • Continuing Student: Attended Western Wyoming Community College within the past three months. 

  • Returning Student: Not attended Western Wyoming Community College within the past six months and re-entering Western. 

  • Transfer Student: Some prior college or university experience. 

  • Concurrent Student/Dual Enrollment Student: High School student earning college credit. 

Transfer Admission 

Western Wyoming Community College will accept credit earned (in semester hours) from other accredited two-year and four-year colleges in the United States. Academic status at the time of admission and credits acceptable toward an Associate of Arts Degree, Associate Degree in Nursing, Associate of Science Degree, Associate of Applied Science Degree, Bachelor of Applied Science Degree, or a certificate program will be determined by Mustang Central staff. A maximum of 45 semester hours of transfer credit may be accepted toward Western associate degrees, and a maximum of 90 semester hours of transfer credit may be accepted toward Western bachelor’s degrees. 

In addition to the requirements for degree or certificate students, policies relating to transfer admissions are as follows: 

Transfer Credits 

Western shall evaluate all transfer of credit from colleges and universities to: 

• Validate that the coursework is similar and relevant to the coursework within the certificate or degree that the student is applying for admittance to; 

• Review that all transfer credit meets the minimum grade requirement for each applicable course. 

• Ensure that the content is not outdated. Please note that some courses over ten (10) years old may not be transferable. In addition, courses must be no more than seven (7) years old for some health programs (please check with the department). 

• Validate that the coursework was earned at a regionally accredited postsecondary institution. The publication of the American Council on Education Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education is used to identify appropriate accreditation. There are certain conditions under which international credit may be accepted. 

Students must submit official copies of transcripts from each institution attended. 

• Credit is accepted from accredited institutions listed in the American Council on Education’s Accredited Institutions of Post-Secondary Education. 
• Transcript evaluations are completed for students who are accepted for admission. (Walk-ins or late applicants will not be evaluated until after the add period.) The transcript evaluation indicates which coursework is equivalent to Western courses and courses accepted under general divisions (i.e., History of Germany would be accepted as a history elective course even though the College does not have a direct equivalent). Questions about equivalency are referred to the appropriate department for determination. 
• All coursework the student completes is listed on the Western transcript, although only 45 credit hours may be applied toward the Western degree or certificate program. Fifteen hours must be completed through Western (in residence) to fulfill graduation requirements for an associate degree. Thirty hours must be completed through Western (in residence) to fulfill graduation requirements for a bachelor’s degree. 
• Transfer coursework with grades of ‘C’ or better will transfer to Western except for first-year English, U.S. Government, college-level math, lab science, and Western Experience courses. GPA does not transfer or add to the Western cumulative grade point average (CGPA). For those graduates who complete less than half of their credits at Western, previous CGPAs will be added to the Western CGPA to determine that a 2.00 CGPA has been maintained. 
• Western does not accept theology/religion courses as transfer credit. 
• Western does not accept computer science coursework taken over five years before the time the transcript evaluation is processed. 
• Students may be required to submit course descriptions to prove equivalency if any course’s content is not apparent or a catalog is not on file with Mustang Central. 
• Credit from an institution on the quarter system is converted to semester hours (one-quarter hour equals two-thirds of a semester hour). Fractions of hours are not rounded up. 
• Transfer coursework completed more than ten years ago is subject to review. Prerequisite courses and courses requiring current knowledge for specialized and technical certificates or degrees will not be accepted. Students may challenge or retake these courses. Examples of specialized or technical requirements include: 
  • Degree coursework (i.e., computer science courses for students receiving an A.S. degree in Computer Science). 
  • Any technical or specialized skill course required for a certificate program. 
  • Courses needing current knowledge before entry into the Nursing program (i.e., Anatomy and Physiology). 

Students transferring U.S. Government courses from out-of-state will still be required to complete the Wyoming Government & Constitution requirements (POLS 1000 and/or POLS 1100) for graduation. 

Once a student submits an official transcript to Western, it becomes the property of the College and will not be released to a third party. If the student wants a copy of their record from another college, it must requested directly from that institution. This protects the student’s rights and the credibility and integrity of the other institution and its transcripts.

Acceptance of Credit from Other Higher Education Institutions 

Credits earned by a student from another regionally accredited college or university that follows Board Policy 5220D shall be accepted as meeting Associate of Arts (AA), Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or Associate of Science (AS). Credits earned by a student applying to specific Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or occupational certificate programs approved by the Board shall be accepted as meeting degree or certificate requirements in comparable or equivalent programs. 

Bachelor Degree-Granting Institutions

Lower division credits earned by students enrolled in baccalaureate granting institutions (accredited by nationally recognized regional accrediting associations) of higher education that apply to BA or BS degrees shall be accepted as meeting the general education requirements for the AA or AS degrees. 

A maximum of 45 semester hours of transfer credits may be accepted toward Western’s associate degrees. A maximum of 90 semester hours of transfer credits may be accepted toward Western’s Bachelor of Applied Science degrees. The College President and/or his/her designees shall maintain and publicize procedures to comply with this policy. Transfer information shall be available on the institution’s website and catalog. 

Alternative Options for Credit 

The Board believes there is validity in learning from life experience. The College shall develop procedures that allow for granting a student credit for learning acquired from work or life experience, participating in courses or training sponsored by professional associations, businesses, industry, unions, the government, and the military or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or other recognized testing entity. 

CLEP Examinations
A student who earns a specified score on a College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam can receive college credit for that course. There is a fee for each exam. Further information on fees, subject tests, required scores, and scheduling is available in Mustang Central. 

Students must achieve a specified score and have an active Western transcript to receive credit for these exams. Since these core requirements are constantly under review, students should discuss the current requirements with Registration and Records. 

There are two ways by which a student may test for college credit without enrolling in a college course: 

1. The Educational Testing Service sponsors the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), which is a nationally accepted alternative college credit program. Western is an approved National Test Center and administers computer-based CLEP examinations to any person who wishes to be tested; however, credit will only be transferred to Western transcripts for testing candidates with an active Western transcript. CLEP exams are administered individually and proctored in Western’s Testing Center. Western’s Testing Center should be contacted directly for more information on fees, subject tests, and scheduling. Students can also visit the CLEP website at www.collegeboard.com/CLEP. See the chart below for the CLEP Test scores required to earn equivalent credit at Western. The Registrar must approve other language assessments. 
2. For any subject in which a CLEP Test (or approved language assessment) is unavailable, credit by exam may be an option (see below). Examination determines if the student’s proficiency is equivalent to that expected upon completion of a college-level course in the subject. If the student is found to have this level of proficiency, they are awarded credit for that course and allowed to proceed with the more advanced course or with other courses in other areas.  

Forty hours of credit earned through challenge and CLEP (or approved language assessment) may be counted toward Western Wyoming Community College graduation. 

*Note:  The prerequisite for the College Composition Modular is successful completion of ENGL 1010 or the CLEP College Composition.

Credit by Examination

A student may request credit by examination for any course for which a CLEP test is unavailable. If the exam indicates the student is as proficient as a typical student who completes the course, Western will award that student credit for that course. 

Furthermore, the student can take an advanced course or proceed to other courses. Four conditions, however, apply: 

• You must be enrolled at Western. 

• You cannot take the exam during the last thirty calendar days of the semester. 

• You cannot earn credit by examination if they have completed a higher-level course in the same subject. 

• You must pay the established fee to take the examination. 

Life Experience 

The College may grant a maximum of 40 credit hours for life experience learning toward an associate degree. However, transferring these life experience credits to other institutions is at their discretion. Grades on these courses are noted as either S or U on the student’s transcripts. 

The College may grant these credits in four (4) ways to a current student:

1. By taking the appropriate College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations or other language assessments approved by the Registrar.
2. Taking an institutional course challenge examination if no CLEP test is available in that course area.
3. By having gained extra-institutional learning in courses and programs listed in the Cooperative Assessment of Experimental Learning of the Education Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey; Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services and The National Guide to Credit Recommendations for Non-collegiate Courses published by the American Council on Education.
4. Documentation of formal training must be submitted to Mustang Central. The College Faculty reviews the material and, if appropriate, makes a credit recommendation. This process can only be applied to work corresponding to a specific course offered at Western. To qualify for Life Experience credit, the student must be enrolled at Western.

Grades granted for extra-institutional learning will be duly noted on the transcript, and S-U grades will be assigned when appropriate.

A maximum of forty hours for extra-institutional learning toward an associate degree can be granted. 

Outside Courses and Programs

Students may receive college credit if they have taken courses or programs, for example, while working for a business or in the military, and these courses are listed in an appropriate credit assessment guide. 

Students with military service will also receive credit for physical education by the Accreditation of Service Experiences’ recommendations. Credit will also be given to students who have completed advanced military science courses.  Students must request credit for military service in writing and must submit appropriate documentation. 

Credit for Similar Work 

​If students believe they have completed work corresponding to the work required for a particular Western course, they may submit a written request to the Registrar for credit. The student must submit supporting material and documentation. The Registrar will review the material and forward it to the Division Chairperson and the appropriate instructor for a recommendation. The Registrar will notify the student of the results. ​Credit by Examination.

Advanced Placement 

The College Board sponsors the Advanced Placement (AP) program and offers secondary school students the opportunity to participate in college-level coursework in high school and to take a national test at the end of their course. 

Western accepts AP scores of 3 or higher. See the individual exams for which Western awards credit and the required scores below.  

There is no charge for this credit, and credit is listed on the student’s Western transcript at the time of matriculation. 

Western Equivalences are listed below: 

**POLS 1100 is needed to = POLS & HIST 1210 credit