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. 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 16-years of age or older unless recommended by their high school principal, Western’s Director of Admissions and Outreach, 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 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 the available laboratory space can accommodate or that are 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-served” 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 application for admission for the semester they seek to attend 

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

• Students who have been homeschooled or who attended a non-accredited high school must provide clear documentation of secondary completion such as: 

  • A formal homeschool transcript and diploma including courses completed, grades, credit assignments, and a graduation date OR 

  • Other supporting documentation that reasonably demonstrates completion of secondary education equivalent to a high school diploma 

• Submit transcript(s) from previous colleges attended 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. 

In addition to the general admissions requirements, certain Western programs impose supplemental application requirements. These requirements vary by program; applicants are responsible for reviewing the specific requirements for each individual program. 

Veterans 

The College welcomes veterans and assists them in planning their academic programs and in securing financial aid under the provisions of the Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966, the War Orphans Educational Assistance Act of 1956, and the Disabled Veterans Act. 

Applications for veterans’ educational assistance should be filed by the student with the Veteran’s Administration two months prior to enrollment to avoid any delay in payment. Students must provide the Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class. 

International Students

International students must fulfill additional admissions requirements as outlined in the International Application for Admission.  

• English Ability  

  • Western requires international students to provide documentation of English ability 

• Financial Responsibility    

  • International students are responsible for meeting institutional financial responsibility requirements, as outlined in the international admissions materials 

• Health   

  • Applicants must provide physician-verified documentation confirming completion of a physical examination and attesting to the student’s good health 

• Medical Insurance  

  • All international students are required to maintain valid U.S. health insurance coverage for the duration of their enrollment. Proof of coverage must be provided as required by the institution.  

• Transcripts 

  • Applicants are responsible for submitting official academic transcripts for evaluation by a college-approved credential evaluation service.  

• Acceptance 

  • The Admissions Office will notify applicants of its admission decision following receipt and evaluation of all required materials. Admitted applicants shall be issued an official letter of admittance and a Certificate of Eligibility to support visa application requirements. 

Non-Credit Students 

Non-credit students are those participating in courses that do not carry college credit, including workforce and industry training or personal enrichment programs. Enrollment requires submission of a non-credit registration form. 

Dual and Concurrent Students 

High school students and homeschool students, age 16 or older, may take college credit courses concurrently or via dual enrollment. These students must meet eligibility criteria as established by the college, BOCES/BOCHES, and the school district. Eligibility is determined by grade level, academic preparedness, and documented approval from the student’s parent or guardian, high school official, and college personnel, as required by college procedures. 

• Funding organizations/programs may establish additional guidelines based on available funding, and students must comply with these requirements. 

• The College reserves the right to deny admission to dual and/or concurrent students wo do not meet established eligibility criteria or program standards, as determined by the College. 

Minimum Age 

Concurrently enrolled students must be sixteen (16) years of age or older unless recommended by their high school principal, Director of Outreach and Admissions, and BOCES/BOCHES staff if applicable. 

Course Selection and Authorization 

Course registration for dual and concurrent students must be authorized for each term by the student’s high school representative or a designated Western Wyoming Community College representative. 

Academic and Behavioral Standards 

Dual and concurrent students are held to the same academic and behavioral standards, course requirements, and institutional policies as all other college students. This includes grading policies, attendance expectations, the Student Code of Conduct, and academic integrity standards. 

Course Restrictions Due to Age or Liability 

Some courses may not be available to students under the age of 18 due to safety, liability, or travel-related concerns. Specific course restrictions are determined by Academic Affairs. 

Student Classification 

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

• Academic Year: 

  • First-year Freshman: 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: Has 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 with an official evaluation. Western does not guarantee transferability of any credits. The Registrar reserves the right to determine acceptable credits. Students must submit official copies of transcripts from each institution attended.  

• Credit is accepted from regionally 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).  

• All coursework the student completes is listed on the Western transcript. However, a minimum of 25% of the total credits required for the student’s program must be earned at Western. 

• Transfer coursework with a minimum grade of ‘C’ or better will be transferred in. GPA does not transfer or add to the Western cumulative grade point average (CGPA).  

• Western does not accept theology/religion courses as transfer credit.  

• Credits from other institutions that were earned more than ten (10) years prior to evaluation are generally not accepted. Exceptions may be made by the Registrar.  

• Students may be required to submit course descriptions to prove equivalency if any course 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.  

Students transferring U.S. Government courses from out-of-state will still be required to complete the Wyoming Government and 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 be requested directly from that institution. This protects the student’s rights and the credibility and integrity of the other institution and its transcripts. 

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. 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.

Advanced Placement 

The College Board sponsors the Advanced Placement (AP) program. It 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 and HIST 1210 credit

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: 

• Students must be enrolled at Western. 

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

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

• They 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 40 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 based on 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.