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Program Description

The Child, Youth and Family Development program facilitates the learning of theory and competencies required to work in specific child and family settings. The Associate’s degree includes a general education curriculum of 35 hours, which is accepted by New Mexico’s colleges and universities as the general education core for degree completion.

• The Family Studies Concentration: Focuses on learning about child development from infancy to adolescence and the dynamics of family interactions.
• The Social Work Concentration: Provides for diverse learning based upon student’s interests in the social work field to include: child development, family studies, sociology, psychology, and criminal justice.
  
  Students pursuing the Social Work Concentration can also take specified electives to become a Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA). The LSAA provides individuals with the entry level licensure required to work in the field of Substance Abuse Counseling. The associate degree in social work and the specified electives for the LSAA meet entry requirements to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC). For questions regarding specific requirements for the LSAA and the LADAC certification, contact the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board (NMCTPB) at www.rld.state.nm.us or (505) 476-4610.

Special Requirements

Students may be required to undergo a TB test and a criminal background check prior to beginning their field/practicum experience. All courses required for transfer must be taken for a traditional grade of A, B, C, etc. For courses offered only for credit/no credit, a grade of credit (CR) must be earned.

Career and Educational Opportunities

Gainful Employment information is available from Job Connection Services.

Students pursuing a degree in Family Studies can work in a variety of settings including human services, community education, parenting education, health-care, caregiver support and long-term care programs, premarital and marriage education, work-life, family mediation, and adoption support.

Students pursuing a degree in Social Work have the opportunity to work with many types of people in a variety of settings. They may work with children and families, older adults, or people with mental illnesses. They often work in hospitals, nursing homes, substance abuse centers, and government agencies. The duties of a social worker or social services assistant may include planning group therapy, assisting clients with applying for social programs such as Medicare and welfare, and maintaining accurate client records.

An associate’s degree in social work is often required for obtaining a position as a social services assistant. Social workers are typically required to have a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) or higher. A master’s degree in social work (MSW) can provide opportunities for advancement into clinical social work or social services management.

Graduates from the program may transfer to designated four-year institutions that grant bachelors degrees in Family Studies or Social Work. The Social Work concentration is specifically articulated for transfer to New Mexico Highlands University’s (Rio Rancho and Albuquerque) bachelors degree in Social Work.

Transfer and articulation agreement information is available at cnm.edu/transferout.

Exit competencies (see Program Exit Competencies) for this program of study are available at cnm.edu/exitcomp.

For the graduation policy refer to the Graduating From CNM  section, cnm.edu or the Students tab in my CNM. 

Certificate and Degree Options

• Child, Youth and Family Development, Associate of Arts 

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