Accounting MBA Back The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting program is designed for individuals seeking their CPA certification and a career in accountancy. The program includes a strategic overview of accounting concepts, methodologies, and techniques aimed at providing students a competitive advantage in a dynamic career field. APPLY NOW! Degree Plan Previous Next

Federal Loans Back Previous Next Direct Subsidized Loans 1. Purpose and Eligibility: Direct Subsidized Loans, commonly known as "subsidized loans," are federal student loans offered through the U.S. Department of Education. These loans are intended to provide financial assistance to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. To be eligible for Direct Subsidized Loans, you must meet the following criteria: Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Have a valid Social Security Number. Enroll in an eligible degree or certificate program at a participating institution. Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP). File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to demonstrate financial need. 2. Interest Subsidy: One of the defining features of Direct Subsidized Loans is the interest subsidy provided by the federal government. This means that while you are enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program, during the six-month grace period after leaving school, and during certain deferment periods (e.g., during active duty military service), the government pays the interest on your subsidized loans. This interest subsidy makes these loans particularly advantageous for borrowers because it prevents the loan balance from growing while you're in school and during specific other periods. 3. Fixed Interest Rates: Direct Subsidized Loans typically have fixed interest rates, meaning the rate remains constant throughout the life of the loan. The interest rates for federal student loans are set by Congress and can vary from year to year. Borrowers can check the current interest rates on the Federal Student Aid website or through their loan servicer. 4. Borrowing Limits: The amount you can borrow in Direct Subsidized Loans depends on your year in school and your dependency status (whether you are considered a dependent or independent student). The annual and aggregate (total) limits are determined by law and are subject to change. Generally, first-year undergraduate students can borrow less than upperclassmen and graduate students. 5. Repayment Options: Direct Subsidized Loans offer flexible repayment options to help borrowers manage their loan payments after leaving school. These options include: Standard Repayment: Fixed monthly payments over a ten-year term. Graduated Repayment: Payments start lower and increase over time. Extended Repayment: Fixed or graduated payments over an extended term (up to 25 years). Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans: Payments are based on your income and family size, making them more manageable if your income is lower or unpredictable. Click here for more information about IDR plans. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): If you work in a qualifying public service or nonprofit job and make 120 qualifying payments, your remaining loan balance may be forgiven. Use this Loan Simulator to see your federal student loan repayment options. You can also learn more about repayment options here . 6. Loan Fees: Direct Subsidized Loans may have loan fees, which are deducted from each disbursement. However, these fees are typically lower than those associated with private loans. 7. Application Process: To apply for Direct Subsidized Loans, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants and loans. Ensure that you meet application deadlines to maximize your aid opportunities. 8. Loan Counseling: Before receiving your first Direct Subsidized Loan, you are required to complete entrance counseling. This counseling session provides essential information about your rights and responsibilities as a borrower, loan terms, and repayment options. 9. Master Promissory Note (MPN): To officially accept a Direct Subsidized Loan, you must sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). This legally binding document outlines the terms and conditions of the loan, including interest rates and repayment details. 10. Grace Period: Direct Subsidized Loans have a six-month grace period that begins after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment. During this period, you are not required to make loan payments, and interest is subsidized by the government. 11. Responsibilities of Borrowers: Borrowers of Direct Subsidized Loans have several responsibilities, including: Maintaining enrollment in an eligible program. Keeping the loan servicer updated on changes in contact information. Understanding and meeting the repayment terms. Monitoring loan balances and progress toward loan forgiveness, if applicable.

< Back A classic genetic study on mutant genes affecting eye shape and color in Drosophila melanogaster Makenzie Kleinsteuber, Hussein Abujejah, Yusheng Wu* Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Southwest *Corresponding author and email: ywu@usw.edu Abstract Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly, is an excellent organism for genetics studies because it has a short life span, produces large numbers of offspring, and has many types of hereditary variations that can be observed with low-power magnification. Mendelian traits studied were bar eye (B ), and white eye (w1 ). A cross (bar × white) and its reciprocal cross (white × bar), the corresponding F1 and F2 generations were created according to the mating maps. The goodness of fit test for the observed data against the theoretical genotypic ratios was analyzed using χ2 statistical test. The results showed that the observed ratios for male and female in both crosses didn’t fit the theoretical genotypic ratios since the χ2 values were much greater than the critical χ2 value (7.82) at 5% significant level. The causes of the disagreement could be the gene interaction and the role of modifier genes. For Bar gene, the penetrance was complete in male for both crosses. This was because of the hemizygote status of the gene. However, the incomplete penetrance and varied expressivities were observed in female for both crosses. In bar × white, when Bar was in homozygotic status, the penetrance was 54.7% under red eye (wild type) allele and 0.0% under white eye allele. In the heterozygotic status, the different expressivities were 0.4% of round eye, 27.7% of dent eye, and 17.2% of oval eye with red eye allele. There was no expressivity observed with white allele. In white × bar, the Bar gene in homozygotic status demonstrated 2.6% and 1.0% penetrance under the background of red eye allele and white allele in female. The various expressivities displayed 48.5% of round eye, 39.3% of dent eye, and 9.6% of oval eye with red eye allele, whereas 78.4% of round eye, 16.6% of dent eye, and 4.0% of oval eye with white allele, respectively. In male, the Bar gene demonstrated a 100% penetrance despite the background in both crosses. A genetic study is still an effective way to investigate the gene interaction. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62548/SJAS24040103 Publication Details: Southwest Journal of Arts & Sciences, 2024, 4(1), 13-17 Article Views: 73 Read Full Text Previous Next

Christian Studies BA Back The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Christian Studies program is designed for students wishing to pursue careers in Christian ministry. It is appropriate for church staff and laypersons who serve in their churches and wish to engage in disciplined theological study. APPLY NOW! Degree Plan Previous Next

Exercise Science BS Back The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Exercise Science program prepares students for careers in health and wellness, human fitness, work site health promotion/corporate fitness, personal training, clinical exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, and other related fields. Preparation is also provided in fitness management, program management, sports skills development and enhancement, strength and conditioning, and related topics. APPLY NOW! Degree Plan Previous Next

Sports Management BBA Back The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Sports Management program prepares students for a variety of positions in both domestic and international sports industries. This includes careers in fields such as general management of professional sports teams, sport equipment sales, radio announcing, corporate sports administration, recreational sports administration, arena/venue management, and athlete talent agency. Graduates will gain foundations in economics, management, sociology, project planning, and law with heavy emphasis in hands-on applications specific to the sports industry. APPLY NOW! Degree Plan Previous Next

Special Services Welcome to the Office of special services! At the USW Office of Special Services, our primary focus is on providing comprehensive support services to ensure that all students have an equitable opportunity for academic success. Our office collaborates closely with students, faculty, and staff to create an inclusive and accessible learning environment. We offer a range of services to cater to the unique needs of our students. 1. Disability Accommodations One of our key services is the provision of disability accommodations. We understand that each student's needs may differ, and we work closely to tailor accommodations accordingly. These accommodations may include extended test-taking time, accessible classroom materials and technology, sign language interpreters, alternative format textbooks, and assistance with various assistive technologies. 2. Academic Support To help students excel in their studies, we provide comprehensive academic support services. Our offerings include tutoring in a variety of subjects, study skills workshops, and personalized one-on-one consultations. These resources are designed to empower students to reach their full academic potential. 3. Accessibility Initiatives Our office is committed to fostering an inclusive campus environment. To achieve this, we engage in various accessibility initiatives. We consult with faculty and staff to ensure that physical spaces on campus are accessible to all. Additionally, we provide guidance on creating digital content that meets accessibility standards. Faculty members can also benefit from our training sessions on effectively accommodating students with disabilities in their courses. We encourage students with disabilities to reach out if they require our services or have any questions. We are dedicated to supporting you throughout your academic journey. To be eligible for services, students MUST disclose their disability to appropriate faculty and staff at University of the Southwest and provide the appropriate documentation to the Office of Special Services. If students do not have the required documentation of disabilities but believe they may have undiagnosed disabilities, they may contact the Office of Special Services to discuss evaluation options. To make an appointment, contact us below! VP of Campus Life & Student Affairs Amanda Guzman-Appel aguzman@usw.edu (575) 492 - 2176 Office hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday Office location: Scarborough Memorial Activity Center (SMAC) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: New Mexico Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) Scholarship Opportunities for Students with Disabilities College Guide for Students with Disabilities Files & Policies

Biography Back Previous Next Joshua Ford Vice President of Information Technology, Information Security Officer Joshua Ford has worked in the IT space since 1999, beginning with work as a repair tech in the Houston area for home and office systems, and continued working in the Lea County area after moving there in 2001 as a freelance technician serving both businesses and individuals in the area until being hired in 2007 by the then College of the Southwest as a network technician. Within a year, Joshua had taken over administration for everything on campus, from Servers and network infrastructure to user devices. As staffing in the IT department changed over time, he eventually transitioned to a dedicated infrastructure admin, server admin, database admin, Exchange/ADDS admin, and systems integration, while others took on roles handling user-facing devices. Eventually, he transitioned to the Director role in the late 2010s and took on the additional role as ISO in 2023-24 to build and maintain the university’s information security program. Since that time, Joshua has taken on the role of VP of IT and ISO in late 2025 and continues to work with the IT staff to further the University’s technology programs to meet increasing regulatory requirements and better serve students, staff, and faculty.

Special Education (Mathematics) BSE Back The Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) in Special Education K-12 (SPED) program provides a comprehensive educational track while offering students the opportunity to specialize in one of four (4) focus areas: language arts, mathematics, general sciences, or social sciences. This program equips aspiring educators with the expertise and strategies needed to support students with diverse learning needs, ranging from mild to severe disabilities, across kindergarten to 12th grade. Through a blend of specialized pedagogical training and practical experience, graduates emerge as compassionate and skilled special education teachers who can design tailored curricula, implement individualized instruction, and create inclusive classroom environments, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential in the chosen subject area of specialization. Students in this degree plan are eligible to apply for the following supplementary programs: New Experienced Teachers (NExT+) Program Educator Preparation Program (EPP) The College of Education at University of the Southwest operates under the auspices of the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) that uses the standards developed by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) to evaluate education programs. For testing and licensure requirements for your specific program, refer to the New Mexico Department of Education Licensure Department. https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure/ Out-of-state students will need to contact the respective State’s Department of Education for testing and licensure requirements. APPLY NOW! Degree Plan Licensure Disclosures Previous Next

Self-Design EdD Back The Doctor of Education (EdD), Self-Design program provides students the opportunity to customize their program emphasis area to meet individualized career goals. Candidates can select courses from a variety of content areas to tailor the specialization to meet their professional objectives. This emphasis is recommended for students practicing in both the private and/or public sector, as well as those in executive roles in organizational training and development. APPLY NOW! Degree Plan Tuition Details Previous Next

Educational Leadership EdD Back The Doctor of Education in (EdD) in Educational Leadership provides students the opportunity to develop an executive-level skill set required for leading and implementing meaningful change within educational institutions. This emphasis is recommended for scholar-practitioner leaders working in a variety of educational settings such as public or private PK-12 schools, institutions of higher learning, or other educational agencies. APPLY NOW! Degree Plan Tuition Details Previous Next

Healthcare Management BBA Back The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Healthcare Management program provides a solid background in business fundamentals, followed by an engaging study of the topics relevant to the healthcare industry. This degree program allows business students to acquire the knowledge and skills common to non-medical healthcare professionals. Graduates will be able to effectively transition into managerial/administrative roles in hospitals, healthcare facilities, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and other health service organizations. APPLY NOW! Degree Plan Previous Next