About CNM

WELCOME, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN
CENTRAL NEW MEXICO COMMUNITY COLLEGE (CNM)

As a community college serving the state’s most densely populated region, we are dedicated to providing our very diverse community members with as many pathways as possible to educational and career success. In this online course catalog, which contains more courses and more program offerings than any community college in New Mexico, I’m confident that you’ll find the courses and the certificate or degree programs that will enhance the quality of your life. Since it opened in 1965, our college has always been known for its welcoming atmosphere; its caring and highly qualified instructors; its highly regarded programs that lead to good jobs in the local economy; and our unwavering commitment to the success of our students. If you want to empower your life through education, our faculty and staff are here to help you make it happen. Please take your time and browse this online course catalog. I’m confident that you can find your course – not just in this catalog, but in life – by letting CNM be a part of your personal journey. President Katharine W. Winograd, Ed.D.

CNM Today

With an enrollment of more than 29,000, CNM is the largest higher education institution in New Mexico in terms of enrollment. The Main Campus occupies 60 acres near downtown Albuquerque and the 42-acre Joseph M. Montoya Campus is in the Northeast Heights. Classes are also offered at the Rio Rancho Campus, the South Valley Campus, the Westside Campus, the Advanced Technology Center and the CNM Workforce Training Center.

Advisory committees that include representatives from local businesses and industries help CNM develop programs to ensure that CNM students acquire the skills needed for success in the workplace. The college also has a growing number of student transfer articulation agreements with four-year institutions, including the University of New Mexico.

Funding for CNM comes from a property tax levy in the college’s service district and annual appropriations by the New Mexico Legislature. Tuition and fees are very affordable and financial aid and other scholarship opportunities are available to those who qualify.

CNM’s academic year is divided into three terms: fall (generally begins in August), spring (generally begins in January) and summer (generally begins in May). Condensed courses and nontraditional schedules, including evening and weekend classes, are available for many programs and courses. Many online distance learning courses are available and high school students can earn high school elective and college credit simultaneously through CNM’s Dual Credit program.

Now in its fifth decade, CNM is a nationally accredited community college offering courses in a variety of occupational, college transfer and adult/developmental education subjects.

For 2011-12, credit programs at CNM include:

• Certificates in 80 disciplines, ranging from business to healthcare to technologies and trades
• Associate degrees in 43 programs, including career-technical fields and arts and sciences
• College transfer courses in more than 30 disciplines transferable for freshman and sophomore credit at four-year institutions
• Remedial, preparatory and developmental classes for students preparing to meet admission requirements for college-level courses at CNM or other institutions

CNM non-credit programs include:

• Adult education basic skills (including English as a Second Language and GED exam prep)
• Customized workforce training, courses for individual professional development and certifications, and other assistance to businesses through the CNM Workforce Training Center
• CNM also offers enrollment and college-credit opportunities for high-school-aged students. In addition, an increasing number of credit courses are offered online in innovative distance-learning formats designed to overcome barriers of time or space.

CNM also offers enrollment and college credit opportunities for high-school-aged students (see here ). In addition, an increasing number of credit courses are offered online in innovative distance-learning formats designed to overcome barriers of time or space (see here ).

History

Authorized by the New Mexico Legislature in 1963, CNM was approved by district voters in 1964 to provide adults with the skills necessary to gain employment and succeed in the workforce. Since its inception, CNM career-technical programs in business, health, technologies and trades have continually been redesigned to provide students with the most current and relevant skills needed by local employers. CNM was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1978. Degree-granting power was approved for CNM by the State Legislature in 1986, signaling the college’s transformation into a full-fledged community college. By the late 1980s, liberal arts had become CNM’s fastest growing area and an increasingly important part of occupational instruction. CNM Governing Board members are elected by voters in seven geographical districts within the college district, which includes all of Bernalillo County and part of Sandoval County.

CNM Philosophy on General Education

CNM maintains that the general education component of each degree or certificate program is critical in preparing students to live in and contribute to a dynamic, complex and multicultural world. In support of this philosophy, CNM is committed to providing student learning experiences that develop abilities such as critical thinking, communication (written and oral), application of technology, life skills and teamwork. In addition, the college provides coursework that allows students to explore the modes of inquiry for the major disciplines and to have learning experiences that allow them to broaden their educational base. General education allows students to gain an appreciation of the creative arts, understand multicultural and diverse perspectives, articulate the human condition, analyze the natural world through mathematics and science, and make meaningful and ethical decisions. CNM intends that students who complete the general education requirement will possess the knowledge and mental skills essential to their development as an individual and global citizen.

Student Learning Outcomes

Core Competencies

CNM has identified five core competencies that all CNM associate degree graduates will demonstrate upon completion of a program of study at CNM. These competencies represent the most deeply held values of the college. They help ensure that our graduates will be informed and committed citizens, valued employees and fully prepared transfer students.

Life Skills: Students’ personal behavior will demonstrate the ability to make reasoned judgments, to be responsible for commitments and to understand the viewpoints of others. This includes professionalism, work ethic and citizenship.

Technology: Students will understand the limits, problems and possibilities associated with the use of technology and will have the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become available. This includes the ability to use computer-based technology to communicate, solve problems and acquire information.

Interpersonal Skills/Teamwork: Students will work and interact with others at a personal, professional and global level, demonstrating respect for individual and cultural differences while practicing civility, honesty and personal responsibility.

Critical Thinking: Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in the process of defining tasks and evaluating problems through the examination of information, application of computation skills and reflection on ideas for the purpose of reaching decisions.

Communication: Students will read, write, listen and use verbal skills to organize and communicate ideas and information in personal and group settings.

Program Exit Competencies

All programs of study at CNM have identified exit competencies that graduates will demonstrate upon completion of their programs of study. These competencies are consistent with employer expectations in the workplace. Exit competencies for each program are located at cnm.edu/exitcomp.

Together, the exit competencies and core competencies will ensure that CNM graduates demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviors to be contributors to the workforce and society. These competencies represent an assurance to students and employers that programs are providing quality teaching and learning experiences at CNM.

Assessment

CNM is dedicated to ensuring that all academic courses and curricula meet the highest level of relevancy and excellence. Thus, we are collectively committed to assessing student academic achievement of all core and program competencies by systematically reviewing data and improving curricula when needed. CNM conducts assessment activities in compliance with our accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission, which requires students to participate in forums, portfolios, testing and surveys.

Accreditation

CNM is accredited to grant certificates and associate of applied science, associate of arts and associate of science degrees by The Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. 

CNM 2011-2012 Catalog, June 2011, Volume 44: About This Catalog

The CNM Catalog is a student’s official guide to programs, courses and policies at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). The CNM Catalog is a summary of information of interest to students; it is not a complete statement of programs and policies.

Not all programs and classes listed in this Catalog are offered at all campuses or every term. If fewer than 12 students enroll in a course, the course may be cancelled. Not all courses will be offered every term.

Information in the CNM Catalog is subject to change.

Produced by Central New Mexico Community College ©2011.