General Education Requirements
Associate's 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: Communications | 10 | |
| Select one course from each sub group: | ||
| English Composition-Level 1 | ||
| Composition I | 4 | |
| Composition I Honors | 4 | |
| Composition I Multilingual | 4 | |
| English Composition-Level 2 | ||
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Professional & Technical Communication | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Communication Honors | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Communication for Multilingual Students | 3 | |
| Advanced Technical and Professional Communication | 3 | |
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication Honors | 3 | |
| Area II: Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Survey of Mathematics | 3 | |
| College Algebra | 3 | |
| Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus | 4 | |
| Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| Applications of Calculus I | 3 | |
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | 4 | |
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | 4 | |
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry II Honors | 4 | |
| Fundamentals of Elementary Math II | 3 | |
| Statistical Methods | 3 | |
| Calculus III | 3 | |
| Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences 1 | 10-11 | |
| Area III: Laboratory Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Plant Science (Lecture & Lab) | 4 | |
or HORT 1115G | Introductory Plant Science | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab | 4 | |
| Introduction to Astronomy Lecture & Laboratory | 4 | |
| The Planets Lecture & Laboratory | 4 | |
| Human Biology and Human Biology Laboratory | 4 | |
| Introductory Anatomy & Physiology (non-majors) | 4 | |
| Contemporary Problems in Biology | 4 | |
| 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 Practice | 4 | |
| Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors) | 4 | |
| General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | 4 | |
| General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | 4 | |
| Applied Biology | 3 | |
| Environmental Science I | 4 | |
| Food Science I | 4 | |
| Introduction to Natural Resources Management | 4 | |
| Physical Geography | 4 | |
| Physical Geology | 4 | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab | 4 | |
| Earth, Time and Life | 4 | |
| Survey of Physics with Lab | 4 | |
| Physics of Music | 4 | |
| 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 | 3 | |
| Introduction to Anthropology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 | |
| World Archaeology | 3 | |
| Indigenous Peoples of North America | 3 | |
| Introduction to Borderlands and Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| Human Relations in Business | 3 | |
| Human Growth and Behavior | 3 | |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| Survey of Economics | 3 | |
| Macroeconomic Principles | 3 | |
| Microeconomics Principles | 3 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics Honors | 3 | |
| Survey of Food and Agricultural Issues | 3 | |
| World Regional Geography | 3 | |
| Human Geography | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | 3 | |
| Representing Women Across Cultures | 3 | |
| Window of Humanity | 3 | |
| The Human Mind | 3 | |
| Archaeology: Search for the Past | 3 | |
| Citizen and State Great Political Issues | 3 | |
| Introduction to Tourism | 3 | |
| Media and Society | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Study of Language and Linguistics | 3 | |
| Personal Health & Wellness | 3 | |
| Personal Health and Wellness Honors | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Science | 3 | |
| American National Government | 3 | |
| Issues in American Politics | 3 | |
| International Relations | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| Contemporary Social Problems | 3 | |
| Introduction to Human Services & Social Work | 3 | |
| Area V: Humanities | 3 | |
| Introduction to Africana Studies | 3 | |
| African American History | 3 | |
| Black Women in the African Diaspora | 3 | |
| Introduction to Chicana and Chicano Studies | 3 | |
| Introduction to Literature | 3 | |
| Film as Literature | 3 | |
| World Literature I | 3 | |
| French IV | 3 | |
| Frontiers and Border Crossings in the French-Speaking World | 3 | |
| Making History | 3 | |
| United States History I | 3 | |
| United States History II | 3 | |
| World History I | 3 | |
| World History II | 3 | |
| Western Civilization I | 3 | |
| Western Civilization II | 3 | |
| Islamic Civilizations to 1800 | 3 | |
| Islamic Civilizations since 1800 | 3 | |
| East Asia to 1600 | 3 | |
| East Asia since 1600 | 3 | |
| The Present in the Past: Contemporary Issues and their Historical Roots | 3 | |
| The World of the Renaissance: Discovering the Modern | 3 | |
| Foundations of Western Culture | 3 | |
| Plato and the Discovery of Philosophy | 3 | |
| Bamboo and Silk: The Fabric of Chinese Literature | 3 | |
| Celtic Literature | 3 | |
| New Testament as Literature | 3 | |
| Introduction to Humanities in the 21st Century | 3 | |
| The Worlds of Arthur | 3 | |
| Claiming a Multiracial Past | 3 | |
| Introduction to Native American Studies | 3 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
| Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Philosophy and World Religions | 3 | |
| Philosophy, Law, and Ethics | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ethics | 3 | |
| Philosophical Thought | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Orientation in Art | 3 | |
| History of Art I | 3 | |
| History of Art II | 3 | |
| Visual Concepts | 3 | |
| Dance Appreciation | 3 | |
| Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 | |
| Music in Time and Space | 3 | |
| Encounters with Art | 3 | |
| Shakespeare on Film | 3 | |
| Theatre: Beginnings to Broadway | 3 | |
| Music Appreciation: Jazz | 3 | |
| Music Appreciation: Western Music | 3 | |
| Introduction to Theatre | 3 | |
| Acting for Non-Majors | 3 | |
| General Education Elective | 3-4 | |
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 Engineering | 3 | |
or ENGR 100GH | Introduction to Engineering Honors | |
| Total Credits | 32-35 | |
- 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 credits | 12-14 | |
| 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 Agriculture | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | 3 | |
| Composition I | 4 | |
| Composition I Honors | 4 | |
| Composition I Multilingual | 4 | |
| Professional & Technical Communication | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Communication Honors | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Communication for Multilingual Students | 3 | |
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication Honors | 3 | |
| Area II: Mathematics | ||
| Survey of Mathematics | 3 | |
| College Algebra | 3 | |
| Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus | 4 | |
| Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| Applications of Calculus I | 3 | |
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | 4 | |
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | 4 | |
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry II Honors | 4 | |
| Fundamentals of Elementary Math II | 3 | |
| Statistical Methods | 3 | |
| Calculus III | 3 | |
| 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 & Laboratory | 4 | |
| The Planets Lecture & Laboratory | 4 | |
| Human Biology and Human Biology Laboratory | 4 | |
| Introductory Anatomy & Physiology (non-majors) | 4 | |
| Contemporary Problems in Biology | 4 | |
| 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 Practice | 4 | |
| Introduction to Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (non majors) | 4 | |
| General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | 4 | |
| General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | 4 | |
| General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | 4 | |
| General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors | 4 | |
| Applied Biology and Applied Biology Lab | 4 | |
| Environmental Science I | 4 | |
| Food Science I | 4 | |
| Physical Geography | 4 | |
| Physical Geology | 4 | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab | 4 | |
| Earth, Time and Life | 4 | |
| Survey of Physics with Lab | 4 | |
| Physics of Music | 4 | |
| 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 Anthropology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 | |
| World Archaeology | 3 | |
| Indigenous Peoples of North America | 3 | |
| Introduction to Borderlands and Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| Human Relations in Business | 3 | |
| Human Growth and Behavior | 3 | |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| Survey of Economics | 3 | |
| Macroeconomic Principles | 3 | |
| Microeconomics Principles | 3 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics Honors | 3 | |
| World Regional Geography | 3 | |
| Human Geography | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | 3 | |
| Representing Women Across Cultures | 3 | |
| Window of Humanity | 3 | |
| The Human Mind | 3 | |
| Archaeology: Search for the Past | 3 | |
| Citizen and State Great Political Issues | 3 | |
| Introduction to Tourism | 3 | |
| Media and Society | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Study of Language and Linguistics | 3 | |
| Personal Health & Wellness | 3 | |
| Personal Health and Wellness Honors | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Science | 3 | |
| American National Government | 3 | |
| Issues in American Politics | 3 | |
| International Relations | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| Contemporary Social Problems | 3 | |
| Introduction to Human Services & Social Work | 3 | |
| Area V: Humanities | ||
| Introduction to Africana Studies | 3 | |
| African American History | 3 | |
| Black Women in the African Diaspora | 3 | |
| Introduction to Chicana and Chicano Studies | 3 | |
| Introduction to Literature | 3 | |
| Film as Literature | 3 | |
| World Literature I | 3 | |
| French IV | 3 | |
| Frontiers and Border Crossings in the French-Speaking World | 3 | |
| Making History | 3 | |
| United States History I | 3 | |
| United States History II | 3 | |
| World History I | 3 | |
| World History II | 3 | |
| Western Civilization I | 3 | |
| Western Civilization II | 3 | |
| Islamic Civilizations to 1800 | 3 | |
| Islamic Civilizations since 1800 | 3 | |
| East Asia to 1600 | 3 | |
| East Asia since 1600 | 3 | |
| The Present in the Past: Contemporary Issues and their Historical Roots | 3 | |
| The World of the Renaissance: Discovering the Modern | 3 | |
| Foundations of Western Culture | 3 | |
| Plato and the Discovery of Philosophy | 3 | |
| Bamboo and Silk: The Fabric of Chinese Literature | 3 | |
| Celtic Literature | 3 | |
| New Testament as Literature | 3 | |
| Introduction to Humanities in the 21st Century | 3 | |
| The Worlds of Arthur | 3 | |
| Claiming a Multiracial Past | 3 | |
| Introduction to Native American Studies | 3 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
| Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Philosophy and World Religions | 3 | |
| Philosophy, Law, and Ethics | 3 | |
| Introduction to Ethics | 3 | |
| Philosophical Thought | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts | ||
| Orientation in Art | 3 | |
| Visual Concepts | 3 | |
| History of Art I | 3 | |
| History of Art II | 3 | |
| Dance Appreciation | 3 | |
| Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 | |
| Music in Time and Space | 3 | |
| Encounters with Art | 3 | |
| Shakespeare on Film | 3 | |
| Theatre: Beginnings to Broadway | 3 | |
| Music Appreciation: Jazz | 3 | |
| Music Appreciation: Western Music | 3 | |
| Introduction to Theatre | 3 | |
| Acting for Non-Majors | 3 | |
| General Education Elective | 3-4 | |
This requirement can be met with any "G" course in any area, excluding any crosslisted courses. | ||
or | ||
| Introduction to Engineering | 3 | |
or ENGR 100GH | Introduction to Engineering Honors | |
| Total Credits | 15-18 | |
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.