The purposes of NMSU's branch campuses are to make two years of college education available to students in their home environment; to provide a high quality program of education for all students, both full-time and part-time; and to provide occupational education and noncredit community education courses.

The branches are local community colleges operated by New Mexico State University.

The branches provide lower division courses of the same quality and kind as are given on the Las Cruces campus. Courses offered for transfer credit are coordinated with the appropriate department and college at the Las Cruces campus and can be transferred to other two- and four-year colleges and universities and are consistent with Veterans Administration and Social Security Administration regulations. A student attending a branch of NMSU is enrolled as a New Mexico State University student and may change campuses without completing additional admission procedures.

Associate Degree Graduation Requirements

Designated associate degree programs are offered at the branch campuses for those desiring specialized training for employment. An Undesignated Associate degree is available upon completion of 66 credits approved by the college in which a student is enrolled. The Associate of Arts and Associate in Criminal Justice degrees, administered by the College of Arts and Sciences, are available to branch campus students completing the requirements as outlined in the "College of Arts and Sciences" section of this catalog. The Associate in Prebusiness degree, administered by the College of Business Administration and Economics, is available to branch campus students completing the requirements as outlined in the "College of Business Administration and Economics" section of this catalog. Most courses required for the Associate in Applied Science with option in Electronics Technology offered at the Carlsbad, Grants, and Alamogordo campuses meet lower division requirements for the baccalaureate degree program in Electronics Engineering Technology which is offered on the main campus through the College of Engineering. The Associate Degree: Education Paraprofessional, administered by the College of Education, is available to branch campus students completing the requirements as outlined in the "College of Education" section of the catalog.

To graduate, a student must complete a minimum of 66 semester credits (excluding "N" suffix courses) and have an average of two grade points per credit in all courses taken at NMSU or one of its branches. However, ENGL111G and basic skills courses in mathematics must be completed with a grade of C or better. The last 15 semester credits for an associate degree must be taken in residence at NMSU or one of its branches.

The designation, Meritorious Graduate, is awarded to the top 15 percent of the students receiving associate degrees within each college in any one academic year, provided 45 or more credits have been completed at NMSU and/or one of its branches with computable grades.

Occupational Education (OE prefix) Courses

Courses designated by an OE prefix are normally not applicable toward four-year degree programs in New Mexico State University's College of Business Administration and Economics.

OE prefix courses also are not applicable toward four-year degrees at New Mexico State University without special approval of the appropriate department head and college dean.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Applied Science

Curricula are designed to provide the educational skills and practical experiences necessary to enable a student to enter an occupational field as a skilled employee.

Options

The following Associate in Applied Science options are offered at the branch campuses:

* Alamogordo: computer technology; electronics technology, fire science, legal assistant, photographic technology

* Carlsbad: computer technology; electrical technology; environmental science and technology; welding technology, fire science, manufacturing technology

* Doña Ana: automotive technology; computer technology; drafting and graphics technology; electrical apprenticeship; electronics technology; emergency medical services; facilities maintenance technology; fashion merchandising; fire science technology; heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration; hospitality services; legal assistant; library technology; respiratory care; welding technology

* Grants: automotive technologies; computer technology; data processing; electronics technology/service; legal assistant; generation plant operations

Consult appropriate branch community college adviser or catalog for option requirements.

NOTE: Courses completed with an OE prefix are not applicable toward four-year degrees at New Mexico State University without special approval of the appropriate department head and college dean.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Art and Graphic Design

This program leads to the Associate of Arts degree and is designed to facilitate transfer of credit for those seeking a bachelor's degree in art at NMSU.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Business Office Technology

The curriculum is designed to develop proficiency in the skills needed to prepare the student for varied office careers. Course work leading to this degree is offered only at the branch campuses. Students should refer to the branch catalogs for information and for specific requirements. Several of the courses can be transferred into a baccalaureate program in Business Education.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Education

This degree is designed to facilitate transfer of credit for those seeking a bachelor's degree in the College of Education at NMSU.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Medical Laboratory Technology

The curriculum is designed to provide the educational skills and practical experiences necessary to perform the duties of a qualified medical laboratory technologist. The program consists of four semesters and one summer session. Practical experiences will be obtained in local pathology laboratories and hospitals. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, students will be qualified to take the registry examination offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Course work leading to this degree is offered only at the Alamogordo Branch.

NOTE: This is a limited enrollment program. In addition to meeting regular undergraduate admission requirements, students must fulfill specific requirements of the program. Interviews are required prior to final acceptance.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Nursing

The Associate Degree in Nursing is offered at NMSU-Alamogordo, Carlsbad, and Doña Ana Branch campuses. Refer to the appropriate branch catalog for degree requirements.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Occupational

This curriculum is designed to facilitate articulation and transfer of credit for those seeking the baccalaureate degree in the College of Education at NMSU.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Occupational Business

The curriculum is designed for students who wish to prepare for entry- level positions. The required courses focus on the fundamentals of business operations giving special consideration to applied accounting practices, business law, economics, marketing, and management of human resources. A two-year associate degree is available. Students should refer to the appropriate branch catalog for further information.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Pre-Engineering

This curriculum is designed to facilitate the articulation and transfer of credit for students interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree in engineering at NMSU.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Radiologic Technology

The curriculum is designed to provide the knowledge and practical experiences necessary to perform the duties of a qualified medical radiologic technologist. The program consists of four semesters and four summer sessions. It is conducted in cooperation with Memorial Medical Center, Las Cruces, Guadalupe Medical Center, Carlsbad, and Gila Regional Medical Center, Silver City, El Paso, and Holloman Air Force Base. Successful completion of the associate degree will entitle the student to challenge the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists for certification. Course work leading to this degree is offered only at Doña Ana Branch Community College.

NOTE: This is a limited enrollment program. In addition to meeting regular undergraduate admission requirements, students must fulfill specific requirements of the program. Interviews are required prior to final acceptance.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Social Services

This curriculum is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in social services or community agencies as social service paraprofessionals.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE: Water Technology

The curriculum is designed to provide the skills necessary to perform the tasks of operations, maintenance, supervision, and laboratory analyses in a water supply or wastewater treatment system. The educational skills reflect those needed by the highest classification of certified operator, e.g., a Class IV operator in New Mexico. Course work leading to this degree is offered only at the Doña Ana Branch Community College.

Certificate Programs

In addition to the regular degree programs offered by the branch campuses, certificate programs in selected areas are offered. Students are advised to contact the branch campus for information on available certificate programs.

Branch Campus Information

Information concerning branch campus programs, class schedules, catalogs, registration, and other data may be obtained from the branch campus administration:

Dr. Janine Twomey, Campus Director

NMSU, Alamogordo

2400 N. Scenic Dr.

Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310

(505) 439-3600

Dr. Douglas E. Burgham, Provost

NMSU, Carlsbad

1500 University Ave.

Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220

(505) 234-9200

Mr. Andrew Burke, Interim Campus Director

NMSU, Doña Ana

Box 30001, Dept. 3DA

Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003

(505) 527-7500

Dr. David Leas, Campus Director

NMSU, Grants

1500 Third Street

Grants, New Mexico 87020

(505) 287-7981