General Education Courses

Associate Degree

The New Mexico General Education Requirements

General Education at NMSU provides all students with a broad foundation and common framework upon which to develop knowledge and skills, social consciousness and respect for self and others, thus enabling them to function responsibly and effectively now and in the future. General education courses at NMSU can be identified by the G suffix.

In accordance to state law (Post-Secondary Education Articulation Act), the New Mexico Higher Education Department has established a state-wide model for General Education. Within the General Education model, is nine credits of electives that will be determined at an institutional level. The current approved NMSU General Education courses are listed below under each of the six general education areas.

Prefix Title Credits
Area I: Communications10
Select one course from each sub group:
English Composition-Level 1
Composition I4
Composition I Honors4
Composition I Multilingual4
English Composition-Level 2
Advanced Composition3
Professional & Technical Communication3
Professional and Technical Communication Honors3
Professional and Technical Communication for Multilingual Students3
Advanced Technical and Professional Communication3
Writing in the Humanities and Social Science3
Oral Communication
Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture3
Introduction to Communication3
Public Speaking3
Introduction to Communication Honors3
Area II: Mathematics3-4
Survey of Mathematics3
College Algebra3
Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus4
Introduction to Statistics3
Applications of Calculus I3
Calculus and Analytic Geometry I4
Calculus and Analytic Geometry II4
Calculus and Analytic Geometry II Honors4
Fundamentals of Elementary Math II3
Statistical Methods3
Calculus III3
Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences 110-11
Area III: Laboratory Sciences
Introduction to Plant Science (Lecture & Lab)4
Introductory Plant Science
Introduction to Biological Anthropology
and Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab
4
Introduction to Astronomy Lecture & Laboratory4
The Planets Lecture & Laboratory4
Human Biology
and Human Biology Laboratory
4
Introductory Anatomy & Physiology (non-majors)4
Contemporary Problems in Biology4
Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
4
Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution
and Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory
4
Modern Computing in Practice4
Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors)4
General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors4
General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors4
Applied Biology3
Environmental Science I4
Food Science I4
Introduction to Natural Resources Management4
Physical Geography4
Physical Geology4
Introduction to Biological Anthropology
and Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab
4
Earth, Time and Life4
Survey of Physics with Lab4
Physics of Music4
Algebra-Based Physics I
and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab
4
Algebra-Based Physics II
and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab
4
Calculus -Based Physics I
and Calculus -Based Physics I Lab
4
Calculus -Based Physics II
and Calculus -Based Physics II Lab
4
General Physics for Life Science I
and Laboratory to General Physics for Life Science I
4
General Physics for Life Science II
and Laboratory to General Physics for Life Science II
4
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences
Survey of Food and Agricultural Issues3
Introduction to Anthropology3
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology3
World Archaeology3
Indigenous Peoples of North America3
Introduction to Borderlands and Ethnic Studies3
Human Relations in Business3
Human Growth and Behavior3
Introduction to Criminal Justice3
Survey of Economics3
Macroeconomic Principles3
Microeconomics Principles3
Principles of Microeconomics Honors3
Survey of Food and Agricultural Issues3
World Regional Geography3
Human Geography3
Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies3
Representing Women Across Cultures3
Window of Humanity3
The Human Mind3
Archaeology: Search for the Past3
Citizen and State Great Political Issues3
Introduction to Tourism3
Media and Society3
Introduction to the Study of Language and Linguistics3
Personal Health & Wellness3
Personal Health and Wellness Honors3
Introduction to Political Science3
American National Government3
Issues in American Politics3
International Relations3
Introduction to Psychology3
Introduction to Sociology3
Contemporary Social Problems3
Introduction to Human Services & Social Work3
Area V: Humanities3
Introduction to Africana Studies3
African American History3
Black Women in the African Diaspora3
Introduction to Chicana and Chicano Studies3
Introduction to Literature3
Film as Literature3
World Literature I3
French IV3
Frontiers and Border Crossings in the French-Speaking World3
Making History3
United States History I3
United States History II3
World History I3
World History II3
Western Civilization I3
Western Civilization II3
Islamic Civilizations to 18003
Islamic Civilizations since 18003
East Asia to 16003
East Asia since 16003
The Present in the Past: Contemporary Issues and their Historical Roots3
The World of the Renaissance: Discovering the Modern3
Foundations of Western Culture3
Plato and the Discovery of Philosophy3
Bamboo and Silk: The Fabric of Chinese Literature3
Celtic Literature3
New Testament as Literature3
Introduction to Humanities in the 21st Century3
The Worlds of Arthur3
Claiming a Multiracial Past3
Introduction to Native American Studies3
Introduction to Philosophy3
Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking3
Philosophy and World Religions3
Philosophy, Law, and Ethics3
Introduction to Ethics3
Philosophical Thought3
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts3
Orientation in Art3
History of Art I3
History of Art II3
Visual Concepts3
Dance Appreciation3
Introduction to Creative Writing3
Music in Time and Space3
Encounters with Art3
Shakespeare on Film3
Theatre: Beginnings to Broadway3
Music Appreciation: Jazz3
Music Appreciation: Western Music3
Introduction to Theatre3
Acting for Non-Majors3
General Education Elective3-4
This requirement can be met with any "G" course in any area, excluding Area I: Communications and any crosslisted courses, that exceeds the minimum requirement.
or
Introduction to Engineering3
Introduction to Engineering Honors
Total Credits32-35
1

For Area III: Laboratory Sciences and Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences, students must take one course from each for a total of 7 credits.

Students will then take an additional course in either Area III or Area IV for 3-4 credits depending on the students selection (i.e. Area III is 4 credits, Area IV is 3 credits).

Alternatives for Meeting General Education Requirements (9 credit hour rule)

Students taking nine or more credits in a specific subject area, even though the courses are not designated as General Education courses, will have met the general education requirements for that subject area. The courses can meet both major and general education requirements for the degree. For example, a student may complete ARTS 2610 Drawing II, ARTS 1240 Design I and ARTS 1250 Design II (9 hours) and thereby satisfy one course from the Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts category even though none of those courses carries a G suffix. Please check with the Center for Academic Advising and Student Support.

Applied Associate Degree

The New Mexico General Education Requirements

General Education at NMSU provides all students with a broad foundation and common framework upon which to develop knowledge and skills, social consciousness and respect for self and others, thus enabling them to function responsibly and effectively now and in the future. General education courses at NMSU can be identified by the G suffix.

In accordance to state law (Post-Secondary Education Articulation Act), the New Mexico Higher Education Department has established a state-wide model for General Education. Within the General Education model, is nine credits of electives that will be determined at an institutional level. The current approved NMSU General Education courses are listed below under each of the six general education areas.

Prefix Title Credits
Select one course from four of the following six content areas for a total of 12-14 credits12-14
Each course selected must be from a different area and students cannot take multiple courses in the same area.
Area I: Communications
Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture3
Introduction to Communication3
Public Speaking3
Composition I4
Composition I Honors4
Composition I Multilingual4
Professional & Technical Communication3
Professional and Technical Communication Honors3
Professional and Technical Communication for Multilingual Students3
Writing in the Humanities and Social Science3
Introduction to Communication Honors3
Area II: Mathematics
Survey of Mathematics3
College Algebra3
Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus4
Introduction to Statistics3
Applications of Calculus I3
Calculus and Analytic Geometry I4
Calculus and Analytic Geometry II4
Calculus and Analytic Geometry II Honors4
Fundamentals of Elementary Math II3
Statistical Methods3
Calculus III3
Area III: Laboratory Sciences
Introduction to Plant Science (Lecture & Lab)
Introduction to Biological Anthropology
and Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab
4
Introduction to Astronomy Lecture & Laboratory4
The Planets Lecture & Laboratory4
Human Biology
and Human Biology Laboratory
4
Introductory Anatomy & Physiology (non-majors)4
Contemporary Problems in Biology4
Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
and Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
4
Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution
and Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution Laboratory
4
Modern Computing in Practice4
Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors)4
General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors4
General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors4
General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors4
General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors4
Applied Biology
and Applied Biology Lab
4
Environmental Science I4
Food Science I4
Physical Geography4
Physical Geology4
Introduction to Biological Anthropology
and Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab
4
Earth, Time and Life4
Survey of Physics with Lab4
Physics of Music4
Algebra-Based Physics I
and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab
4
Algebra-Based Physics II
and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab
4
Calculus -Based Physics I
and Calculus -Based Physics I Lab
4
Calculus -Based Physics II
and Calculus -Based Physics II Lab
4
General Physics for Life Science I
and Laboratory to General Physics for Life Science I
4
General Physics for Life Science II
and Laboratory to General Physics for Life Science II
4
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences
Survey of Food and Agricultural Issues
Introduction to Anthropology3
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology3
World Archaeology3
Indigenous Peoples of North America3
Introduction to Borderlands and Ethnic Studies3
Human Relations in Business3
Human Growth and Behavior3
Introduction to Criminal Justice3
Survey of Economics3
Macroeconomic Principles3
Microeconomics Principles3
Principles of Microeconomics Honors3
World Regional Geography3
Human Geography3
Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies3
Representing Women Across Cultures3
Window of Humanity3
The Human Mind3
Archaeology: Search for the Past3
Citizen and State Great Political Issues3
Introduction to Tourism3
Media and Society3
Introduction to the Study of Language and Linguistics3
Personal Health & Wellness3
Personal Health and Wellness Honors3
Introduction to Political Science3
American National Government3
Issues in American Politics3
International Relations3
Introduction to Psychology3
Introduction to Sociology3
Contemporary Social Problems3
Introduction to Human Services & Social Work3
Area V: Humanities
Introduction to Africana Studies3
African American History3
Black Women in the African Diaspora3
Introduction to Chicana and Chicano Studies3
Introduction to Literature3
Film as Literature3
World Literature I3
French IV3
Frontiers and Border Crossings in the French-Speaking World3
Making History3
United States History I3
United States History II3
World History I3
World History II3
Western Civilization I3
Western Civilization II3
Islamic Civilizations to 18003
Islamic Civilizations since 18003
East Asia to 16003
East Asia since 16003
The Present in the Past: Contemporary Issues and their Historical Roots3
The World of the Renaissance: Discovering the Modern3
Foundations of Western Culture3
Plato and the Discovery of Philosophy3
Bamboo and Silk: The Fabric of Chinese Literature3
Celtic Literature3
New Testament as Literature3
Introduction to Humanities in the 21st Century3
The Worlds of Arthur3
Claiming a Multiracial Past3
Introduction to Native American Studies3
Introduction to Philosophy3
Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking3
Philosophy and World Religions3
Philosophy, Law, and Ethics3
Introduction to Ethics3
Philosophical Thought3
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts
Orientation in Art3
Visual Concepts3
History of Art I3
History of Art II3
Dance Appreciation3
Introduction to Creative Writing3
Music in Time and Space3
Encounters with Art3
Shakespeare on Film3
Theatre: Beginnings to Broadway3
Music Appreciation: Jazz3
Music Appreciation: Western Music3
Introduction to Theatre3
Acting for Non-Majors3
General Education Elective3-4
This requirement can be met with any "G" course in any area, excluding any crosslisted courses.
or
Introduction to Engineering3
Introduction to Engineering Honors
Total Credits15-18

Alternatives for Meeting General Education Requirements (9 credit hour Rule)

Students taking nine or more credits in a specific subject area, even though the courses are not designated as General Education courses, will have met the general education requirements for that subject area. The courses can meet both major and general education requirements for the degree. For example, a student may complete ARTS 2610 Drawing II, ARTS 1240 Design I and ARTS 1250 Design II (9 hours) and thereby satisfy one course from the Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts category even though none of those courses carries a G suffix. Please check with the Center for Academic Advising and Student Support.