Enrolling At DACC
Admissions
Doña Ana Community College provides educational opportunities to all who desire to prepare themselves for the world of work or for a college-level education. The community college endorses the open-door admission concept and will admit—to the limit of its physical and financial resources—new, first-time students who wish to attend and who have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
How to Apply
You should follow these procedures when applying for admission to any program at the community college:
- Complete the application form for admission.
- Submit the application with a $15 non refundable application fee (do not mail cash) to: Admissions Office, Doña Ana Community College, MSC-3DA, P.O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001.
- Request official high school and college transcripts. Have them sent directly to the DACC Admissions Office. Applicants possessing a high school equivalency must request to have official GED test scores sent to the same office. Transcript request forms may be obtained at the DACC Admissions Office, room DAMA-116.
- Make arrangements to take the COMPASS assessment by contacting the testing coordinator at 527-7569 for dates, times, and location. There is no cost for the assessment.
Assessment and COMPASS Placement
When you apply to DACC, you will be required to take the COMPASS assessment, which covers basic academic skills, unless you have taken the ACT or SAT within the last year. There is no charge for the COMPASS assessment. Transfer students who have taken math or English courses at another institution are excluded from taking the COMPASS. COMPASS is not used to select students; rather, it ensures you will be placed in classes best suited to your preparation and ability. These may include credit ESL courses, if English is not your first language.
Academic assessment and placement improves your chances for success in your college courses. If deficiencies in basic academic skills are indicated, an individualized educational plan can be developed to help you acquire these skills. For more information call 527-7569.
Orientation & Academic Advising
After completing the COMPASS assessment, new students must make an appointment for a DACC New Student Orientation. During the orientation the student will meet with an academic advisor and register for classes. Call (575) 528-7272 to make an appointment for a DACC Orientation. Before attending the orientation, students are encouraged to complete the following steps:
- Create a My.NMSU.edu Account - Once admitted to DACC, students can create a computer account, which includes creating an NMSU email address. Simply go to the My.NMSU.edu website and select the “Please CLICK HERE to activate your account now” link at the bottom left of the screen, then follow the steps to activate your account. Students are reminded to remember their User Name and Password since students will need these later to register online.
- View the Online Orientation - Prior to meeting with an academic advisor, new students should complete the DACC online orientation at dacc.nmsu.edu/orientation, which will provide basic information about starting at DACC. Call (575) 528-7272 to make an appointment for a DACC Orientation.
Web Registration
After being admitted and attending a new student orientation, the student will be cleared to register for classes online using their My.NMSU.edu account. Academic advisors coach students through this process. Detailed information on how to register online is in the current Schedule of Classes. Once registered, a printed copy of the registration document may be obtained from the Registration counter, DACC Main Building, room 115, or at any DACC campus/center.
All holds must be cleared by the appropriate office before registering. Grade reports will not be mailed automatically to students. Grades can be accessed through the My.NMSU.edu account.
How GED Graduates Are Admitted
A student who has successfully completed the GED is eligible to apply for admission to DACC. The student must request an official transcript of the GED scores and go through the regular admissions process.
How Home-School Students Are Admitted
Students enrolled in a home-school program may be accepted to Doña Ana Community College if they meet the requirements for regular admission. In addition, the home-school educator must submit a transcript or document that lists the courses completed and grades earned by the student and also indicates the date the student completed or graduated from the home-school program.
How Transfer Students Are Admitted
If you are a transfer student with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and are eligible to return to the college or university last attended, follow the same procedures as outlined under “How To Apply.”
Additionally, have official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities previously attended sent to DACC. A student who conceals the fact that (s)he has attended another college or university and who has not had transcripts submitted by each institution previously attended—whether or not credit was earned—will be subject to immediate suspension. An academic credit evaluation will be mailed to you from NMSU Registrars office.
Admission of Students With Immigrant Status
Legal immigrants (permanent residents) and partially documented, undocumented or refugee students who have attended a secondary educational institution in New Mexico should apply for admission through the DACC Admissions Office. They may also be eligible for instate tuition and state-funded financial aid. The DACC Admissions Office (5277710) can provide further information and answer questions concerning required documentation.
Eligible nonresident international students should initiate the admissions process through the International Admissions Program Office located in Garcia Annex on the NMSU campus.
How to Be Readmitted to DACC
Former DACC students who have been out of school for a regular semester or longer are required to complete another application for admission.
A student who has attended other institutions during an absence must have official transcripts forwarded directly to the DACC Admissions Office by the registrar of each institution and must be eligible to return to the college or university last attended. Transcripts must be received prior to the date of registration. Admission status at the time of readmission will normally be determined by previous DACC academic standing. However, academic performance at other institutions attended during the applicant’s absence from DACC may be taken into consideration in determining the student’s academic admission status.
Non degree Admission
IMPORTANT: Non degree status makes a student ineligible for financial aid, student employment, veterans benefits, and participation in student government. Furthermore, courses taken while enrolled in non degree status may not be used to meet NMSU admission requirements.
Non degree admission is designed to meet the needs of mature, part-time students who do not wish to pursue a degree at this community college.
Transcripts from previous institutions (including high school) and/or results of college entrance exams may be required to assure readiness for university-level courses.
Non degree students are subject to the same regulations as regular students. They may not transfer more than 30 credits that were taken while in this status to any degree program.
Admission requirements include a non degree application and a non refundable $15 application fee.
Changing From Non degree To Degree-Seeking Status
A non degree student in good academic standing may apply for a change of status from non degree status to regular (degree-seeking) status. Requirements for regular admission must be met, including submitting official high school transcripts as well as transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education. The status will be effective on or before the census date of the semester in which all official transcripts are received. If all official transcripts are received after the census date of the current semester, the change of status will take effect in the next immediate term. A student who has attended other higher education institutions during an absence must have official transcripts forwarded directly to the Admissions Office by the registrar of each institution and must be eligible to return to the college or university last attended. Transcripts must be received prior to the date of registration. Admission status at the time of readmission will normally be determined by previous DACC/NMSU academic standing. However, academic performance at other institutions attended during the applicant’s absence from DACC/NMSU may be taken into consideration in determining the student’s admission status.
