Educational Programs

Introduction

The University of New Mexico–Los Alamos offers a range of educational programs including Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and Certificates. In addition, students can complete some Bachelor’s and Graduate coursework both in-person and online. These programs constitute the heart of the institution. Academic transfer programs for credit provide the first two years of high-quality university education. UNM–Los Alamos is authorized to offer any freshman or sophomore course that appears in the UNM– Albuquerque campus catalog for which an appropriate instructor and facilities can be obtained. In addition, UNM– Los Alamos may design courses that respond to the needs of its students. Most of these courses carry full UNM residence credit as though they were taken in Albuquerque. Thus, students enrolled in academic transfer courses may complete most of and, in many cases, all of the first two years of a baccalaureate degree at UNM–Los Alamos before continuing their studies at UNM-Albuquerque or other four-year institutions.

Program Requirements 

For a degree and/or certificate to be granted by UNM–Los Alamos, students must complete the following requirements: 

Complete the number of credit hours and specific course requirements as outlined for the degree or certificate 
Earn a minimum of 15 credit hours for the degree and/or 9 credit hours for the certificate in residence at a UNM campus 
Complete all required coursework for the degree or certificate with a minimum of 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA), except as noted for specific programs 
No basic skills courses (e.g., ENGL 099, 100; MATH 011, 021, etc.) are accepted toward the number of credit hours required for graduation 

 

All students planning to apply their courses to a degree are expected to earn a “C” or higher in all technical, required courses. 

 

Individual departments may require a higher grade on specific courses. 

 

If a student is interested in transferring General Education Curriculum courses to another institution or another degree, a “C” or better in each course is required. 

Associate Degrees 

The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are designed for students who intend to transfer to a four-year college or university, with the transfer of credits subject to the receiving institution’s policies. Generally, institutions within the state have articulated courses and programs to affect an easy transition. 

 

The Associate of Applied Science degree is designed to provide employment skills for the student. While not usually intended for transfer, specific courses within the degree may transfer depending on the receiving institution and intended baccalaureate degree. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution should confer with an academic advisor regarding transferability. The University of New Mexico has adopted a General Education (Gen Ed) Curriculum, which all students must complete as part of a UNM baccalaureate program. The Gen Ed consists of approximately 31 hours of courses under eight general headings, with some noted exceptions. Students may apply AP or CLEP credit to the Gen Ed requirements. 

 

Departments and colleges may restrict student choices within the Gen Ed to meet departmental and college degree requirements. A grade of C (not C-) in each course is generally required to fulfill the requirements of the General Education Curriculum. 

General Education Requirements 

Associate degree programs require a variety of courses to broaden students’ understanding of the world as well as prepare students for employment or advanced study in their fields. Programs therefore stress the student’s major subject, but also include General Education courses under eight general headings: 

  • Communication
  • Mathematics and Statistics 
  • Physical and Natural Sciences 
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences 
  • Humanities 
  • Second Language 
  • Arts and Design 
  • Student Choice 

Departments and colleges may restrict student choices within General Education to meet departmental and baccalaureate degree requirements. Please follow the appropriate recommendations for degree programs. Advisors can assist students with their selections. 

 

Current Associate degrees offered by UNM–Los Alamos are listed below. This list may not be complete because this catalog and program development is ongoing. Students should check with an academic advisor, Division Chair, or the Associate Dean for program changes. 

 

Associate of Arts 

  • Art Studio  
  • Liberal Arts 
  • Pre-Business Administration 

Associate of Science  

  • Computer Science  
  • Emergency Medical Services  
  • Environmental Science 
  • Pre-Engineering 
  • Pre-Professional Health Sciences (NOTE: Includes courses needed in preparation for various pre- professional medical sciences degrees.)
  • Science 

Associate of Applied Science 

  • Accounting 
  • Applied Technologies 
    • Electro-Mechanical Concentration 
  • Business 
    • Marketing Concentration  
    • Management Concentration 
  • Fire Science 
  • General Studies 
  • Nuclear Enterprise Science and Technology (NEST)
  • Robotics 

Academic Certificates 

Certificates in many programs are designed primarily for students not currently pursuing an associate degree and who wish to move directly into the workforce. Courses taken as part of a certificate program may be accepted toward an associate degree in that field, as long as the grade earned is a C or better. This is known as a “stackable” credential. 

 

Current certificates offered by UNM–Los Alamos are listed below. Program development is ongoing, and this list is updated periodically. Students should check with an academic advisor, Division Chair, or the Associate Dean for program changes. 

  • Accounting Art Studio
  • Business 
    • Marketing Concentration  
    • Management Concentration  
  • Electro-Mechanical Technology 
  • Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B)  
  • Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate (EMT-I)  
  • Nuclear Enterprise Science and Technology (NEST)  
  • Nuclear Waste Operator 
  • Nurse Assistant (CNA)  
  • Radiation Control Technology (RCT)  
  • Robotics 
  • Welding 

Bachelor’s Degrees and Graduate Programs 

UNM offers completion of some bachelor and graduate-level degree completion programs for students who cannot relocate to UNM’s main campus in Albuquerque, making it convenient for students to complete a degree from their home community. 

 

Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) 
The BSME program allows students to complete the entirety of their bachelor’s degree at UNM-Los Alamos. Upper-division coursework is taught by UNM-Albuquerque instructors on the UNM-Los Alamos campus. Degrees are

awarded by UNM-Albuquerque