ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
AA
Process: Proposal for New AAS, AA, and AS Degrees and
Needs Assessment Guide for New AAS, AA, & AS Degree
and Certificate (Certificate of Completion, Certificate of
Achievement)* Programs
* Embedded Certificates are required to be approved through this process.
____________
Purpose: The following document outlines the process to request a new AAS, AA, or
AS Degree or Certificate of Completion, Certificate of Achievement program for
inclusion in CNM’s academic offerings.
Coordination: Coordination is accomplished through Deans Council and the College
Curriculum Committee (CCC).
Beginning of Process:
Program development may be initiated by the instructional dean or in collaboration
with faculty.
End of Process:
The CNM Governing Board approves new AAS, AS, and AA degrees and certificates.
Upon approval, the degree and program requirements are forwarded for inclusion in
the CNM Catalog and the appropriate departments (MCO, Advisement, Enrollment
Services, the Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, and Budget Office) are
notified.
The Higher Learning Commission (North Central Association) approves new
certificates. Upon approval, the certificate requirements are forwarded for inclusion
in the CNM Catalog and the appropriate departments (MCO, Advisement, Enrollment
Services, the Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness, and Budget Office) are
notified.
Definitions:
Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) Programs prepare graduates for direct
entry into the workforce and may also help to prepare students for career
advancement, occupational licensure, or further study towards a bachelor’s degree.
AAS Degrees are required to include 15 hours of General Education. For a list of these
General Education Areas and specific courses fulfilling those requirements, click here:
http://catalog.cnm.edu//content.php?navoid=1050&catoid=14.
Associate of Art (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) Degrees are designed to transfer
towards a bachelor’s degree. AA & AS degrees are required to include 35 hours of
General Education. For a list of these General Education Areas and specific courses
Created 06/08 Revised 01/16
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ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
AA
fulfilling those requirements, click here:
http://catalog.cnm.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=127#humanities
Program Certificates must provide employment related and/or career enhancing skills
necessary to succeed in a job or a chosen field of study. They also must annually
assess technical exit competencies if courses are not wholly assessed within an
existing Certificate of Completion or Associate’s Degree. Certificates of Completion
having 45 or more credit hours must contain 6 general education credit hours.
Appendices:
A. AAS Gen Ed Requirements http://catalog.cnm.edu//content.php?navoid=1050&catoid=14.
B. AA & AS Gen Ed Requirements http://catalog.cnm.edu/content.php?catoid=3&navoid=127#humanities.
C. Degree, Certificate of Achievement and Certificate of completion
Requirements –
http://www.cnm.edu/depts/academicaffairs/documents/CertDegreeReq120612.docx
Forms:
New Program Template
Process:
PHASE I
Program development may be initiated by the instructional dean or in collaboration
with faculty.
Upon completion of Phase I, New Programs must meet the deadlines set in the
Curriculum Development and Review Process Timeline
https://www.cnm.edu/depts/academicaffairs/documents/CurriculumDevelopmentandReviewProcessTimeline2016_18Catalo
g.docx
in order to be entered into the upcoming Catalog. When appropriate, a New
Program may be submitted for approval through the Out-of-Cycle Curricular
Approval Process - https://www.cnm.edu/depts/academicaffairs/documents/OutofCycleApprovalProcessR116.pdf
Complete answers to the following items:
A. Concept Development for AAS, AA, and AS Degrees, Certificates of
Completion and Certificates of Achievement
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ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
AA
1. If applicable, identify the need for the program and supporting labor market
information (see EMSI)
2. If applicable, list the 4 year New Mexico universities to which this program
may transfer.
3. If the proposed program is to include existing coursework, provide student
enrollment history for the previous three-year period.
4. What, if any, potential competing programs exist in the local geographic
area? In particular for online programs, list competing programs in the State.
5. How does the proposed program align with current CNM Mission, Vision, and
Strategic Directions?
B. Preliminary Estimate of Cost
Program feasibility must be evaluated in terms of budget impact.
1. Describe facility needs for the program – will this require new space, remodeled
space, and new equipment; and will there be ongoing facility and equipment
maintenance expenses?
2. Estimate instructor availability and instructional FTE cost.
3. Estimate financial impact on student support.
4. Identify operational funding requirements (if needed).
5. Identify informational resource requirements (e.g. library).
6. Identify technology requirements (e.g. hardware, software, ITS support).
PHASE II
Attach the Phase I documentation to the curriculum management system,
documentation of review and approval of information resource and technology
requirements.
PHASE III
Part A is for Certificates only. Degrees may skip to Part B.
A.
HLC Approval – Certificates Only. New certificates will be reported annually,
during the Spring Term, to the Higher Learning Commission (North Central
Association). New AAS, AS, AA degree programs do not require HLC
approval.
a. Upon approval from the CCC and the Deans Council, the Academic
Curriculum Manager submits all certificates for HLC approval.
The
Institution Action Council (IAC) at the HLC reviews and approves/denies
certificate applications. This council meets every 6 weeks and in order to
get on their agenda, the submissions need to be received at least a month
before the IAC meeting.
To see the IAC calendar, go to:
https://www.ncahlc.org/About-the-Commission/calendar-of-events.html
b. Only authorized personnel are permitted to submit certificates. Directions
for submitting certificates are located on the HLC website:
https://www.ncahlc.org/
Select Accreditation>Institutional Change>Certificate Programs, then
complete the approval form.
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ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
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c. The current expense for reviewing certificates is $850.00 for up to 10
certificates submitted in a 30 day period. To verify current cost, please go
to https://www.ncahlc.org/Monitoring/institutional-change.html
d. The Office of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (OPIE) at CNM is the
lead liaison with the HLC. Tamas Horvath, Associate Director, Institutional
Change, (thorvath@hlcommission.org) is currently the contact person for
questions about certificates submitted for approval.
CNM Governing Board Approval
a. Present in Spring Term to the Governing Board’s Planning Committee for
approval.
b. Present in April to the full Governing Board for final approval.
B.
Review
1.
2.
3.
4.
School Dean reviews if prepared by faculty
Deans Council
CCC
Certificates will be reviewed by the Higher Learning Commission
Signature Collection
CNM Governing Board signs the resolution.
HLC grants electronic approval for Certificates.
Form Distribution
Banner through the curriculum management system
CNM Catalog
Closure
Degrees and programs are incorporated into CNM’s academic offerings.
End of Process
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