Admissions Requirements
Below you will find all requirements for first-time freshmen, transfer students, international students, and graduate requirements.
First-time freshmen requirements
First-time freshman: A student who has never taken college classes.
Final high school grade point average (GPA) 2.0 or higher.
Admission application
$25 application fee
Official (sealed) sixth or seventh semester high school transcript
Official (sealed) final high school transcript upon graduation receiving a high school diploma
Probationary first-time freshman: A student who has never taken college classes and has graduated from an accredited high school. Final high school grade point average (GPA) below 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
Admission application
$25 application fee
Official (sealed) transcripts from all colleges attended
First-time freshman with transferable credit hours: A student who has taken college classes while in high school. Note: Official college transcripts are not required for admission, but will need to be provided for proper advising. Final high school grade point average (GPA) 2.0 or higher.
Admission application
$25 application fee
Official (sealed) sixth or seventh semester high school transcript
Official (sealed) final high school transcript upon graduation receiving a high school diploma
First-time freshman from a non-accredited home school or high school: A student who has been home schooled (non-accredited) or a student who has graduated from a non-accredited high school. Completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test or HiSET exam.
Admission application
$25 application fee
Official (sealed) sixth or seventh semester high school transcript
Official (sealed) final high school transcript upon graduation receiving a high school diploma
GED/HiSET certificate
First-time freshman/GED: A student who has taken and passed the General Educational Development (GED) test or HiSET exam.
Completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test or HiSET exam.
Admission application
$25 application fee
GED/HiSET certificate
First-time freshman undocumented student (New Mexico residents only): A student who is a citizen of another country who lives in New Mexico, but is unable to work or receive federal funding for their studies because of their legal status in this country. Able to apply for in-state tuition per SB-582. Final high school grade point average (GPA) 2.0 or higher or completion of General Educational Development (GED) test or HiSET exam.
Admission application
$25 application fee
Official (sealed) sixth or seventh semester high school transcript
Official (sealed) final high school transcript upon graduation
First-time freshman undocumented students: A student who is a citizen of another country who lives in another state, but is unable to work or receive federal funding for their studies because of their legal status in this country. Final high school grade point average (GPA) 2.0 or higher or completion of General Educational Development (GED) test or HiSET exam.
Admission application
$25 application fee
Official (sealed) sixth or seventh semester high school transcript
Official (sealed) final high school transcript upon graduation receiving a high school diploma or GED/HiSET certificate
First-time freshman renewal (admitted): Student who applied, was admitted, but never enrolled and is planning to enroll
Within 3 consecutive semesters of initial application, student is eligible to register for the next available term by contacting the Office of Student Recruitment & Undergraduate Admissions. Official (sealed) transcript from recent college attended if not previously provided during initial application process.
First-time freshman returning: Student who applied, was admitted, enrolled, took an enrollment break and is planning to return. After 3 consecutive terms of non-enrollment, student must reapply for admission. Official (sealed) transcript from recent college attended.
American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
This is recommended but not required. Scores are used to help place students in the appropriate coursework as well as for scholarship award consideration. Submission of score reports at the time of application is suggested. Students who do not submit ACT or SAT scores will be required to take the Accuplacer placement exam prior to enrollment.
NMHU’s ACT test code 2640
NMHU’s SAT test code 4532
Note: An additional official transcript must be provided for the courses that were in progress at the time of admission. A student will be denied further registration until the official documentation is received by NMHU Admissions.
Transfer requirements
Freshman transfer: (29 hours or less) A student who has completed 29 college credit hours or less. 2.0 or higher cumulative college grade point average (GPA) and final high school grade point average (GPA) 2.0 or higher.
Admission application
$25 application fee
Official (sealed) transcripts from all colleges attended
Official (sealed) transcript receiving a high school diploma
Freshman/GED transfer: (29 hours or less) A student who has taken and passed the General Education Development (GED) or equivalent and has completed 29 college credit hours or less2.0 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA)
Admission application
$25 application fee
Official (sealed) transcripts from all colleges attended
GED/HiSET certificate
Transfer with 30 hours or more: A student who has completed 30 college credits or more. 2.0 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA).
Admission application
$25 application fee
Official (sealed) transcripts from all colleges attended
Probationary transfer: A student who has completed college coursework. Below a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale.
Transfer renewal (admitted): A student who applied, was admitted, but never enrolled and is planning to enroll. After 3 consecutive terms of non-enrollment, student must reapply for admission. Official (sealed) transcript from recent college attended.
Transfer returning: Student who applied, was admitted, enrolled, took an enrollment break and is planning to return. Contact Admissions staff to activate application. Official (sealed) transcript from recent college attended.
Note: Only transcripts from accredited high schools or colleges will be used to determine admissions eligibility. Quarter system institutions will be recalculated to semester hours (one quarter hour equals .666 semester hours).
Center students
Types of Center transfer students
Center transfer with over 30 hours: A student who has completed 30 college credits or more. 2.0 (or 2.5 depending on academic program) cumulative college GPA.
Admission application
$25 application fee
Official (sealed) transcripts from all colleges attended
Center transfer renewal (admitted): A student who applied, was admitted but never enrolled and is planning to enroll. Within 3 consecutive terms of initial application, student is eligible to register for the next available term. Official (sealed) transcript from recent college attended if not previously provided during initial application process.
Center transfer returning: A student who applied, was admitted, enrolled, took an enrollment break and is planning to re-enroll. After 3 consecutive terms of non-enrollment, student must reapply for admission. Official (sealed) transcript from recent college attended if not previously provided during initial application process.
Education transfer: Please refer to 2.75 cumulative college grade point average (GPA). Please refer to link in Description. Social Work Transfer with Associate of Arts or met NMHU general education core requirements (within 9 credit hours). A student who has completed 30 college credit hours or more. 2.5 cumulative college grade point average (GPA).
Admission application
$25 application fee
Official (sealed) transcripts from all colleges attended
Note: Official transcripts from all colleges attended are needed for proper advising and course placement.
Admission status
Regular admission status is for students whose cumulative grade point average is above 2.0 on a 4.0 scale at the time of admissions review.
Non-degree admission status allows students to earn academic credit without admission into a degree-seeking program. This status is recommended for non-traditional students who wish to begin taking academic courses at NMHU without having to take college entrance exams; and those who wish to take academic courses to prepare for graduate studies, career changes, or for professional and/or professional development. Non-degree admissions is also recommended for visiting students from other institutions. In certain circumstances, non-degree admission may be granted to enable a student to enroll while a regular admissions application is pending. Students admitted in non-degree status are not eligible for financial assistance (financial aid, student loans, or scholarships).
Non-degree senior citizen community member status, as mandated by Chapter 21, Article 21D of the New Mexico State Statutes, a student may be eligible for a reduced tuition. The purpose of this statute is to provide educational opportunities for senior citizens who have reached the sixty-fifth birthday by the third Friday of classes (census date) in New Mexico. Each public post-secondary degree-granting institution in New Mexico must grant a reduction in tuition to senior citizens upon request by the student. The charge will be $5 per credit hour for up to ten credit hours; thereafter, students will be charged accordingly. Eligibility for Reduced Tuition Rates can be located at www.nmhu.edu/tuition
Dual credit at New Mexico Highlands University gives high school students an opportunity to enroll at NMHU prior to high school graduation. A student must be either a junior or senior in high school and enrolled in one-half or more of the minimum course requirements approved by the student’s recognized secondary institution in the state of New Mexico. Admission to Dual Credit/Concurrent Enrollment is Non-Degree status and not considered “Early Admission” to New Mexico Highlands University. Students desiring to continue in degree status after high school graduation must apply for admission and fulfill freshman admission requirements.
Military status at New Mexico Highlands University is for veterans, active duty, reserves, and dependents who are eligible for automatic application fee waivers.
Graduate admissions information
FAQs:
Q: What are the graduate admissions requirements?
A: New Mexico Highlands University considers admission for graduate students who submit a complete application:
Online graduate application for admission
$60, one-time, nonrefundable application fee.
During COVID-19, we are waiving the application fee.
General requirements
Transcripts from all previously attended regionally accredited institutions (3.0 GPA of higher). We will consider applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement.
Statement of educational goals (except for the School of Business). Two letters of recommendation.
Each department has its own specific requirements for admission. Please click on the appropriate graduate school for further information
International student admission
Detailed procedures for admission of international students is available at https://www.nmhu.edu/international/
For more information, contact the International Education Center:
Email: International_ed@nmhu.edu.
Paper communication:
New Mexico Highlands University
International Education Center
NMHU Box 900
Las Vegas, NM 87701 USA
Telephone:
From outside the United States: 001.505-454-3372
From within the United States: 1-505-454-3372
International students apply through New Mexico Highlands University website at https://www.nmhu.edu/international-admissions/
Requirements for international students who seek admission to New Mexico Highlands University:
- A complete application
- A $25.00 application fee for undergraduate applications or $60.00 application fee for graduate applications.
- Undergraduate or Graduate students seeking a second bachelor degree or seeking to transfer credits from a University or college outside of the United States must submit:
A transcript evaluation by a credential evaluation service that is a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) https://myiee.org/get-started or a current member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). http://aice-eval.org/
Evaluations must include the educational degree equivalency, grade point average and course-by-course analysis.
Provide evidence of the command of the English language.
Applicants from countries in which English is an official language, but not the language of the majority or the language of instruction will be required to submit test scores to give evidence of an adequate command of the English language by earning a satisfactory score on any of the following English tests:
TOEFL
www.toefl.org
Written 500
Computer 173
Internet 61
TOEFL for Business applicants
Written 540
Computer 207
Internet 76
IELTS
www.ielts.org
Internet 5.5
IELTS for Business applicants
Internet 6
GTEC (Global Test of English Communication)
Internet 1050
GTECT for Business applicants
Internet 1151
STEP Eiken
Internet Grade 2A or 2150
Exceptions for providing evidence of adequate command of the English language are:
Persons holding citizenship in English-speaking countries.
Applicants holding citizenship in a country where the English language is an official language and the means of instruction.
Information regarding testing may be obtained from:
TOEFL Services
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA
609.771.7100 or 877.863.3546
www.ets.org/toefl/
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. Eastern Time (New York), except for U.S. holidays
609.771.7714 – TTY (24 hours a day, seven days a week for test takers who are deaf or hearing impaired)
Courier or Delivery Service (UPS, FED-EX, DHL)
TOEFL Services (25Q-310)
Distribution and Receiving Center
225 Phillips Boulevard
Ewing, NJ 08618-1426, USA
IELTS Services
www.ielts.org/contact_us.aspx
Step Eiken
www.eiken.or.jp/
https://www.eiken.or.jp/eiken/en/information.html
GTEC
https://www.benesse.co.jp/gtec/fs/
A completed Financial Certificate form and official bank statements for the purpose of issuing U.S. visa documents (I-20 or DS-2019).
International students must be formally admitted to New Mexico Highlands University before the process to issue student visa documents (I-20 or DS-2019) can begin. Receipt of an I-20 or DS-2019 document is required for the purpose of seeking a student visa in F-1 or J-1 student visa classification to study in the United States.
International undergraduate applicants (students seeking a bachelor’s degree)
- Submit a completed and signed application here: https://www.nmhu.edu/international-admissions/.
- Upload a copy of a verifiable high school diploma or certificate of completions that is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma.
In some cases, official transcripts from the institution where secondary education was completed may be required and must be mailed or electronically emailed directly from the issuing school.
Email: International_ed@nmhu.edu.
Paper communication:
New Mexico Highlands University
International Education Center
NMHU Box 9000
Las Vegas, NM 87701 USA
Certificates or transcripts in a foreign language must be officially translated into English.