Education Degrees Available at the University of the Southwest
The University of the Southwest is also featured in our ranking of the Top 10 Online Master’s in Education Degrees.
Through the College of Education at the University of the Southwest, students can enroll in degree programs to get their New Mexico teaching licenses and programs that help them maintain their licenses. Though this college offers five degree programs for undergrads, many of those programs have multiple tracks available. In the elementary education program, students can choose from concentrations based on which subjects they want to teach children up through the sixth grade, including general science, social studies, language arts, and mathematics.
In the university’s secondary education program, students discover how to teach and work with children up through high school. The concentrations they can choose from include history, language arts, mathematics, and general science. Students majoring in special education become better equipped to handle the needs of children with disabilities and handicaps. This program features concentrations in general science, mathematics, language arts, and social studies. The University of the Southwest also offers an early childhood education program for students who want to teach children at the lowest levels. All of these programs require that students do fieldwork and spend up to 100 hours working in a school setting.
At the graduate level, the University of the Southwest offers several programs that include one in school counseling. It prepares students for taking the exam necessary to become a licensed school counselor and meet some of the requirements for those counselors. They will do fieldwork in the form of counseling internships and take courses too. The university’s special education program also includes fieldwork and helps students become better adept at working with those who have special needs.
An educational diagnostics program is also available. It looks at how professionals can work with teachers and identify problems in the school or the classroom. In the educational administration program, students take courses on the operations of different schools and can use their experience to work as principals or other school leaders. The University of the Southwest also offers a graduate degree program for future educational specialists who want to work in direct contact with their students.
About the University of the Southwest
The University of the Southwest is a private university that originally had an affiliation with the Baptist Church. B. Clarence Evans opened the Hobbs Baptist College in Hobbs, New Mexico as a college that offered religious teachings and programs based around the Bible. Just two years after opening, it became the New Mexico Baptist College, which coincided with its transition from a junior college to a four-year school. It would change its focus again in 1962 upon becoming an interdenominational college that welcomed students from all religions. Known as the University of the Southwest since 2008, it also uses the nickname USW. USW is now home to three separate schools that offer 15 programs for graduate students and more than 50 programs for undergrads. It also has an enrollment of more than 1,000 students.
University of the Southwest Accreditation Details
The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) approved the education programs offered by the University of the Southwest. This shows that all programs meet the standards of the National Collegiate Association of Teaching Educators (NCATE). The university also has the regional accreditation that lets it evaluate transcripts for credit when accepting transfer students. This accreditation comes from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and also allows students attending the University of the Southwest to get financial aid.
University of the Southwest Application Requirements
USW will accept any undergrad who meets two of three requirements: grade point average of 2.0 or higher, a minimum score of 18/940 on the ACT/SAT and class ranking in the top 50%. The application deadline is usually around the end of July, but USW will hold applications submitted after this deadline until the next round of decision making. Students need to provide a high school or GED transcript, ACT/SAT score and a completed application. Those who took AP classes or earned college credits through other means need to submit their college transcripts too. USW also asks that students apply for financial aid and submit a housing form. This form is not required of those who will not live on the campus.
Graduate students cannot begin one of the university’s education programs without first earning a bachelor’s degree. USW asks that all grad students have both a bachelor’s in an education or similar field and a grade point average of at least 3.0. Students should also provide a professional resume that shows all the educational experiences they have and a personal essay. This essay must be at least 500 words and outline both the student’s experiences and reasons for studying education at USW. The university may ask for a writing sample from one of the education courses that the student took as an undergrad too.
Tuition and Financial Aid
USW undergrads pay $8,000 per semester to take up to 18 credits of classes. The university doesn’t charge a separate rate for residents of other states but does offer a rate of $575 per credit hour for part-time students. Full-time students can live in a single room on campus for $3,470 per semester. This rate drops to $2,350 per semester for those living in a double room. Undergrads will also pay a $100 service fee each semester and between $1,935 and $2,055 per semester for a meal plan. The cheapest plan gives them 14 meals each week, while the more expensive plan includes 19 meals every week. USW also charges graduate students $625 per credit hour and online undergrads $470 per credit hour.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) makes it easy for students to apply for financial aid for free. They will receive a Student Aid Report in the mail that shows how much aid they received as well as where the aid comes from and its type. Grants, student loans and employment are some of the more popular types awarded to most education majors. A University Grant is a special program that awards funds to students enrolled in at least 14 credits of classes. There are also multiple scholarships funded by donations to the university. All education majors attending the University of the Southwest can get financial aid and renew their aid in the coming years.
