Educational Options

An AA degree program is designed for transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in liberal arts, social or behavioral sciences or a professional field with such disciplines as its base. The AA degree must contain 35 general education credit hours in order to meet the State of New Mexico’s lower division general education common core requirement. The 35 credit hours must be distributed among five general areas of learning and courses must be chosen from CNM’s approved list of transfer degree general education coursework. Additionally, students must demonstrate proficiency in computer literacy.

An AAS degree program prepares students to enter either skilled or paraprofessional occupations or to upgrade workplace skills and knowledge. An AAS program is not intended to transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, although certain courses may be accepted at some institutions. The AAS degree must contain 15 general education credit hours chosen from CNM’s approved list of general education coursework. See specific program descriptions for the general education courses required to fulfill particular degree requirements.

An AS degree program is designed for transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in a technical, medical or professional field with such disciplines as its base. The AS degree must contain 35 general education credit hours. The 35 credit hours must be distributed among five general areas of learning and courses must be chosen from CNM’s approved list of transfer degree general education coursework. Additionally, students must demonstrate proficiency in computer literacy.

A certificate program that prepares students to enter either skilled or paraprofessional occupations or to upgrade workplace skills and knowledge.

A certificate program that prepares students to enter either skilled or paraprofessional occupations or to upgrade workplace skills and knowledge. The courses are often a subset of those required for a corresponding Certificate of Completion or Associate’s degree.

A post-degree certificate of completion program requires that the student has already completed a degree before being accepted into the program. In some cases there are restrictions for entry into the program based on federal or state mandates. The certificate program prepares students to enter either skilled or paraprofessional occupations or to upgrade workplace skills and knowledge. Certificates containing 45 or more credit hours must contain 6 general education credit hours chosen from any course included in CNM’s approved list of general education coursework.

Non degree programs are blocks of courses that are offered in conjunction with or under the guidance of other organizations for preparation, training or refresher purposes. These non-degree programs and do not lead to a CNM certificate or degree.