Enrollment Management & Academic Services
The Admissions office, located in the Anderson Center, receives, screens and processes applications from all individuals seeking admittance to the university. In addition, staff provide pertinent information to prospective students, set recruitment activities and provide additional support specific to the recruitment and enrollment process.
General functions of this office, located in the Thompson Student Services Center, room 202, include the compilation, evaluation, retention, and certification of students’ academic records. Staff members prepare and issue transcripts, counsel and certify veterans, and supervise the registration of all students. This office is responsible for maintaining and securing all educational records for WSSU students.
The O’Kelly Library supports and enhances all Winston- Salem State University programs through its relevant, diverse, and current local collection and through resources beyond the library via interlibrary loan and various electronic services. Information requirements of distant users are met. The staff instructs and assists users with all aspects of library services to foster and instill life- long learning. A readily accessible computerized index is maintained of all library holdings and other appropriate records. Sufficient auxiliary services and equipment are maintained at all times to respond to user needs. The staff strives to preserve resources and provide for archiving of university records and related documents.
The library’s website is most often the entrance way to library resources and services. Policies, contact information, list of new books, service hours, along with direct access to the on-line catalog and electronic databases, and other electronic resources are throughout the website.
E-proxy software validates university personnel when they are off-campus. Individuals are encouraged to contact library staff for up-to-date directions on the authentication process necessary to access electronic resources when off-campus.
A web-based version of Innovative Interfaces On-line system maintains all traditional library functions. The computerized index has the bibliographic records of library holdings. The system includes the on-line catalog, patron records, reserve collections, and media holdings which are all searchable from the library website. Resources can be searched by author, title, subject, call number, or format.
A textbook collection (in-library use only for 3 hours), with all titles currently used within the instructional program, is maintained to provide students with convenient access to their assigned texts. The staff works with university bookstore employees to acquire correct titles and editions.
O’Kelly Library maintains a total of 121 public access desktop computers and 52 laptops for public use. Other readily accessible hardware includes ten i-pads, fifteen scanners, ten webcams and a host of headphones. In the production lab there are twelve desktop and twenty laptop computers. All equipment must be used in the library. Since the entire campus is wireless, library resources can be accessed via laptop computers in study rooms and in open spaces.
The Curriculum Materials Center is located in the Albert H. Anderson Center, room G19. It houses the children’s literature collection, state adopted textbooks and related materials for grades K-12. Other resources such as curriculum guides, teaching kits and audio- visuals appropriate for elementary and secondary instruction are in the collection. All materials are cataloged by O’Kelly Library technical services. For more information you may contact them at 336-750-8698.
Throughout its history, Winston-Salem State has supported the arts and served as one of the cultural centers for the Winston-Salem community. For the last two decades, WSSU has witnessed tremendous cultural growth and, through gifts and acquisitions, has amassed an impressive permanent art collection. Composed of the Sculpture Garden, Biggers Murals and a number of paintings, prints and sculptures, the collection highlights African-American art. Supporting the permanent collection is the Diggs Gallery, a non-collecting exhibition space also emphasizing black culture from around the globe.
Diggs Gallery opened in the fall of 1990 and is the major cultural center at WSSU, offering 10-15 visual art exhibitions a year, half of which are curated and originate from the university. With more than 6,500 square feet, this venue also hosts interdisciplinary educational programs throughout the year. Exhibitions, publications and programs address a broad range of artistic expression, with special concentration on African-American and regional art. The gallery is named for James Thackeray “T” Diggs, Jr. (1915-1989), a 1934 graduate of WSSU, a painter and, for more than 40 years, a WSSU art professor.
Diggs Gallery evolved from a belief that WSSU should offer a meeting, sharing and learning place to encourage people from every walk of life to gather on the common ground of art. Thus, the mission of Diggs Gallery is to become a cultural meeting place where art is the common language for discussions about exhibits, programs and social issues, and where art can educate and enlighten. The aim of Diggs Gallery is to develop better understanding, tolerance and celebration of our diverse, global community. It, therefore, becomes a teaching facility, community center, art gallery, and meeting place geared to augment and support academic life on campus. Committed to serving the university family, the gallery also exists to increase WSSU’s role in the community and involve the North Carolina audience as the university seeks to make a stronger contribution to the cultural life of the region.
The Honors Program at Winston-Salem State University offers academically talented students a well-rounded education that combines academic studies with cultural enrichment and service to the community. Through an intensive curriculum and a variety of leadership opportunities, students in the Honors Program at WSSU receive the best education possible while preparing for graduate studies or a career. Serving more than 200 students, the Honors Program provides the additional advantages of professional development activities and academic support, as well as internship, co-op and study abroad experiences. Furthermore, the Honors Program ensures that scholars have a relevant, challenging, rewarding experience. It promotes a lifelong, disciplined approach to knowledge and scholarship through inquiry and exploration. Through quality educational experiences and co-curricular activities, scholars are ready to be creative and critical- thinking leaders in their professions and communities. For more information visit The Simon Green Atkins Scholars Society office in Blair Hall 202 or contact 336-750-2182.
The university newspaper, edited by students, provides them with an excellent opportunity to learn and practice newspaper technique. The paper is also published on the World Wide Web.
The university recognizes that all learning does not take place in a classroom and has made provisions to evaluate such learning and award credit when appropriate. Students with prior college-level learning gained outside the traditional college classroom may receive credit for that learning by several means of assessment. Among the most common measures are advanced placement, the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations, and course challenges and proficiency examinations. Military veterans may also receive academic credit in health and physical education and courses taken while in the Armed Services. Where specific policies are not identified, prior learning related to the student’s educational program may be reviewed and credit awarded at the discretion of the appropriate academic department.
Advanced Placement
Winston-Salem State University participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Students who receive a score of 3 or higher on advanced placement tests will receive appropriate college credit. Also, college level courses taken in high school may be given credit after review by the appropriate department of the university following the enrollment of the student.
More information can be found in Policy 200.23 - Awarding Undergraduate Credit on the Basis of Advanced Placement Exam Scores
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Winston-Salem State University participates in CLEP, a national program of credit-by-examination that offers students an opportunity to earn college credit by examination. CLEP offers two types of tests: general examinations and subject examinations. University policies regarding CLEP are as follows:
- WSSU does not award credit for general examinations.
- Students may earn a maximum of 36 SH of CLEP credit for subject examinations.
- WSSU recognizes the right of each academic department to determine the maximum
number of additional credits to be earned via challenging examinations. - Credit by examination cannot be used to meet the 30-hour residency requirement.
- A CLEP score may not be used for course credit once a student has earned a grade in that
particular course.
Credit for Service and for Education in the Armed Forces
The university recognizes for credit certain training and experience in the Armed Forces of the United States. The completion of military service in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps or Navy, including basic or recruit training of more than one year’s duration, is accepted for the general university requirement of three semester hours of credit in health and physical education upon presentation of evidence of honorable discharge or transfer to the reserve component. College-level courses offered by accredited institutions and made available to military personnel through the Servicemen Opportunity College will be considered for transfer credit if a grade of C or better has been earned and if the courses are applicable to the student’s curriculum. A transcript must be sent to the Admissions office directly from the institution offering the course.
Proficiency Examinations
Credit may be given to students registered in the university on the basis of examinations taken prior to or after admission to the university. The level of achievement, which must be demonstrated by the student on these examinations in order to receive examination credit, shall be determined by the
department in which the course for credit is taught. No grade points are allowed for courses in which credit by examination is given. The credit shall be assigned only upon the authorization of the head of the department in which the student is registered. All students must meet program requirements.
Small Business and Technology Development Center
The Small Business and Technology Development Center is an inter-institutional program with The University of North Carolina. It supports economic development in the state by providing assistance in the start-up, expansion and successful operation of small business. Further, it facilitates technology development within the small-business community and uses existing resources from among students and faculty at the constituent institutions. Its campus location is in the R. J. Reynolds Center, room 112B or you may contact them at 336-750-2030.
Winston-Salem State University endorses the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and
awards credit for IB Higher Level scores. Students who receive a score of 5 or higher on the
IB exam may receive both credit and advanced placement.
