Arts - Associate of Arts
The Associate of Arts in Arts serves as a solid foundation for those who wish to pursue further studies in the arts or related fields. Graduates may transfer to four-year institutions to pursue a bachelor's degree in fine arts, art history, or other related disciplines. Students should take courses at this level that fit into the bachelor’s degree program of their interest. Alternatively, the program equips students with creative and critical skills that are valuable in various professional settings, including roles in education, arts administration, and cultural organizations.
The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree represents the completion of the first two years of several bachelor’s degree programs. Students following the Associate of Arts degree program are advised to select courses that fulfill the New Mexico Higher Education Department Common Core Requirements for all programs at NMSU and that transfer to other four-year institutions. General Education courses are designated with “G” following the prefix. Since approximately half of the requirements for an A.A. degree are met with elective credit, it is recommended that students plan these electives to meet other requirements for their planned baccalaureate degree. Undecided students are encouraged to follow this degree program because it is flexible and will help structure their coursework.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
The New Mexico General Education course list can be found here.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Area I: Communication | ||
| English Composition - Level 1 | ||
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| English Composition - Level 2 | ||
| ENGL 2210G | Professional and Technical Communication Honors | 3 |
| or ENGL 2221G | Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| COMM 1130G | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or COMM 1115G | Introduction to Communication | |
| Area II: Mathematics | 3 | |
Select one MATH 1000-2000G course from the New Mexico General Education list. The following courses are recommended 1, 2 | ||
| Survey of Mathematics | 3 | |
| College Algebra | 3 | |
| Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| Area III: Laboratory Science | 4 | |
Select one 4 credit course from the New Mexico General Education list for Area III; see link above. 2 | ||
| Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Select two 3 credit course from the New Mexico General Education list for Area VI; see link above. The following courses are recommended. | 6 | |
| Human Growth and Behavior | 3 | |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| Area V: Humanities | 3 | |
Select any 3 credit course listed in the New Mexico General Education link; The following courses are recommended 2 | ||
| United States History I | 3 | |
| United States History II | 3 | |
| World History I | 3 | |
| World History II | 3 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ethics | 3 | |
| Philosophical Thought | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts | 3 | |
Select any 3 credit course from the New Mexico General Education link; The following courses are recommended 2 | ||
| Orientation in Art | 3 | |
| Music Appreciation: Western Music | 3 | |
| Introduction to Theatre | 3 | |
| General Education Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Select one 3 credit class from the New Mexico General Education course list; see link above. | ||
| Core Requirements | ||
| OECS 105 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| or FYEX 1110 | First-year Seminar | |
| Electives, to bring the total credits to 60 | ||
| Select a minimum of 25 credits from lower division courses, one of which must be "G" course, and no more than 10 credits may consist of Career Technical Applied coursework and PHED credits. SPAN 1110 and SPAN 1120 are recommended for some Bachelor degree programs. 3 | 25 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Student’s subsequent transfer degree major should guide the selection of the math course.
A General Education mathematics course is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter the course first.
- 2
See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses
- 3
Elective credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, and/or certificate coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 60 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.
See an advisor to determine which courses are considered “applied” coursework and run a degree audit.
300-400 level credits may not be applied to degree, without approval.
A Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| OECS 105 or FYEX 1110 | Introduction to Information Technology or First-year Seminar | 3 |
| Area IV: Social/Behavioral Science course 1 | 3 | |
| Area II: Mathematics Course 1 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 2210G or ENGL 2221G | Professional and Technical Communication Honors or Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 |
| Area III: Laboratory Science Course 1 | 4 | |
| Area V: Humanities 1 | 3 | |
| Area IV: Social/Behavioral Science Course 1 | 3 | |
| Elective: Recommended a SPAN 1110 2 | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 1130G or COMM 1115G | Public Speaking or Introduction to Communication | 3 |
| Area IV: Creative and Fine Arts Course 1 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| General Education Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
See the recommended courses in the degree requirements or refer to the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses
- 2
Select a minimum of 25 credits from lower division courses, one of which must be "G" course, and no more than 10 credits may consist of Career Technical Applied coursework and PHED credits. SPAN 1110 and SPAN 1120 are recommended for some Bachelor degree programs.
Phone: (505) 287-6668
Email: agene@nmsu.edu
Office: Room 306, McClure Hall