AA in Liberal Arts

Overview

About This Degree

Designed for students who plan to transfer to four-year schools, this degree substantially fulfills the freshman and sophomore year course requirements for completing a bachelor’s degree program in liberal arts, as well as the first two years of study toward a bachelor’s degree in the areas of communication, humanities, or social sciences.

The degree includes a general education curriculum which is accepted by many colleges and universities as the general education core for degree completion.

Pursue Your Goals

As a stand-alone degree, you'll gain and reinforce fundamental skills that are relevant to today’s workplace as well as the workplace of the future.

Coursework in the Liberal Arts program prepares you to:

  • Draw connections across content areas
  • Think critically and adapt to a variety of problems
  • Communicate solutions effectively to diverse audiences

Courses

Transfer Credit In

Courses from other accredited institutions can be transferred and used to earn your degree.

Transfer Credits Out

CNM Online Associate degrees transfer to participating four-year colleges in the State of New Mexico. Some restrictions apply.

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All courses are 3 credits, with the exception of Spanish I and Environmental Science for Teachers, both at 4 credits.

Composition I
ENGL 1110
In this course, you will develop reading and writing skills that will help with the writing required in their fields of study and other personal and professional contexts. Students will learn to analyze rhetorical situations in terms of audience, contexts, purpose, mediums, and technologies and apply this knowledge to their reading and writing. 

Fundamentals of Information Literacy and Systems
BCIS 1110
You will examine systems and their impact on commerce, education, and personal activities, as well as utilization of productivity tools for communications, data analysis, information management and decision-making. 

Composition II
ENGL 1120
You will explore argument in multiple genres. Research and writing practices emphasize summary, analysis, evaluation, and integration of secondary sources. The emphasis of this course will be on research methods.

Introduction to Sociology
SOCI 1110
This course introduces you to the basic concepts and theories of sociology, as well as to the methods used in sociological research. The course addresses how sociological concepts and theories can be used to analyze and interpret our social world, and how profoundly our society and the groups to which we belong influence them. 

Macroeconomic Principles 
ECON 2110
Macroeconomics is the study of national and global economies. Topics include output, unemployment and inflation; and how they are affected by financial systems, fiscal and monetary policies.

Introduction to Psychology
PSYC 1110
This course  introduces you to the concepts, theories, significant findings, methodologies, and terminology that apply to the field of psychology.

Business and Professional Communication
COMM 2180
This course develops the interpersonal, small group, and public communication skills most useful in business relationships and professional organizations.

Environmental Science for Teachers
NTSC 2110
Introduces major issues in environmental science with emphasis on science processes, scientific investigations and field-based activities, and the integration of technology.

Professional and Technical Communication
ENGL 2210
Professional and Technical Communication introduces you to the different types of documents and correspondence created in your professional career. This course emphasizes the importance of audience, document design, and the use of technology in designing, developing, and delivering documents.

General Biology
BIOL  1110/L 
This course introduces non-science majors to basic biological concepts including, but not limited to, the properties of life, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, evolution, biodiversity, and ecology.

Spanish I
SPAN 1110
Designed for students with little exposure to Spanish, this course develops basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills and basic intercultural competence in interpretive, interpersonal and presentational modes of communication at the Novice Level of proficiency based on ACTFL guidelines.

Logic, Reason, Critical Thinking
PHIL 1120
The purpose of this course is to teach students how to analyze, critique, and construct arguments. The course includes an introductory survey of important logical concepts and tools needed for argument analysis and composition. Students will be required to compose several argument essays.

Interpersonal Communication 
COMM 2120
This course provides an introduction to the study of interpersonal communication. You will examine the application of interpersonal communication in personal and professional relationships.

Contemporary Social Problems
SOCI 2310
This course studies social problems and their solutions. The course will concentrate on sociological perspectives, theories, and key concepts when investigating problems, such as inequality, poverty, racism, alienation, family life, sexuality, gender, urbanization, work, aging, crime, war and terrorism, environmental degradation, and mass media.

United States History II
HIST 1120
The primary objective of this course is to serve as an introduction to the history of the United States from Reconstruction to the present. The elements of this course are designed to inform you on the major events and trends that are essential in the understanding of the development of the United States within the context of world societies.

Developmental Psychology
PSYC 2120
Study of human physical and psychological change and stability from a lifespan development perspective.

Survey of Mathematics
MATH 1130
This course will develop your ability to work with and interpret numerical data, to apply logical and symbolic analysis to a variety of problems, and/or to model phenomena with mathematical or logical reasoning.

Introduction to Race, Class, and Ethnicity
AMST 1140
This course offers an introduction to the field of American Studies through an interdisciplinary examination of race, class and ethnicity in the United States and in a global context. We will examine histories of injustice, and resistance to injustice

Introduction to Theatre
THEA 1110
This course provides an introduction to the study of theatre. You will examine various components that comprise theatre, such as acting, directing, playwriting, dramaturgy, scenic and costume design, stagecraft, spectatorship, history, theory, and criticism.

Careers & Outcomes

Jobs in the Field

An Associate of Liberal Arts degree prepares students for a variety of careers, some of which include:

  • Advertising Account Executive
  • Anchorperson
  • Archivist
  • College Recruiter
  • Copywriter
  • Creative Writer
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Editor
  • Entry-level Management Personnel
  • Grant Writer
  • Journalist
  • Legislative Assistant
  • Lobbyist
  • Medical Communications Trainer
  • Minister
  • Museum Manager
  • Non-profit Organizational Director
  • Para-Professional Librarian
  • Policy Analyst
  • Politician
  • Public Relations Personnel
  • Publicist
  • Speech Writer
  • Social Services Human Relations Officer
  • Training Specialist
  • Urban Planner/City Manager

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, you'll be able to:

  • Apply critical analysis skills in order to:

    • Identify and critically consider main issues, concepts, problems, and/or techniques.

    • Incorporate more than one perspective (e.g. source, method, technique, and/or approach).

    • Demonstrate mastery by evaluating, analyzing, interpreting and/or synthesizing.

  • Communicate effectively in order to:

    • Demonstrate organization and/or coherence of ideas, content, and/or formulas.

    • Produce communication appropriate to audience, situation, venue, and/or context.

Get Started

The CNM Online application process is easy and straightforward.
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