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Colorado Mountain College offers several degree options for students. This section describes the various degrees that can be earned at CMC, along with the basic degree requirements. Use the links above to navigate within this section to a specific degree type for more information. Specific programs of study, along with their identified course requirements, are covered in the Programs of Study section of this catalog.
Whether a student’s academic goal is to complete a bachelor’s degree at CMC or transfer to a four-year school or upgrade technical job skills, Colorado Mountain College degree and certificate programs are designed to challenge and prepare students for greater educational and professional success.
The Programs of Study pages summarize our current degree and certificate offerings, including locations and program requirements. More information about our programs is available on our website at https://coloradomtn.edu/programs/.
Degree & Certificate General Information
The degree and certificate requirements in this catalog are current for the 2020-21 academic year. Degree and certificate programs are reviewed on an annual basis, and there may be additions, deletions, and/or changes for the current academic year. Students are encouraged to work with an advisor to avoid any confusion or disappointment when developing their degree plan and course-taking strategy.
Students must submit a Petition to Graduate during the semester prior to their last semester in order to receive a diploma. Refer to the Graduation section of this catalog for more details.
Transferability Symbols
The diamond symbol (◆) designates courses that are part of the approved State Guaranteed General Education Transfer Course list. Courses with this designation will transfer and be accepted for credit automatically to any Colorado state public college or university. The complete list of these general education courses is available on the Colorado Department of Higher Education web site at: http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Transfers/gtPathways/curriculum.html. Visit the Guaranteed Transfer ◆ Courses page in this catalog for a list of the Guaranteed Transfer Courses available at Colorado Mountain College.
The asterisk (✽) symbol designates courses that apply to the CMC Bachelor and Associate degrees and that may satisfy program-specific transfer agreements at specific transfer institutions. Students are encouraged to work with an advisor to ensure that the courses selected will be accepted at the four-year institution of choice.
Planning a Bachelor Degree
A bachelor’s degree from CMC shows students have knowledge and training beyond the high school and associate degree level. Students need a high school diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) by exam (GED, HiSET, or TASC) to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Normally it takes a full-time student four years to earn a bachelor’s degree; however, many students attend school part-time and thus the time it will take to complete a degree will be longer. Nationally, the average time to complete a bachelor’s degree is 5.6 years, according to the most recent National Student Clearing House research.
The fundamental requirement for a bachelor’s degree is successful completion of a minimum number of credit hours, usually 120 semester credit hours. Full-time students typically take at least fifteen credits each semester. First and second year courses primarily consist of general education “core curriculum” that is required for all students. These courses include a broad-based education in areas such as mathematics, English, communication, science, arts and humanities, and social science. Each student selects a major field (for example business administration or sustainability studies) and possibly an emphasis area if offered within that major. To earn a bachelor’s degree, students must complete a minimum number of required and elective courses in the major and emphasis. In addition, most students have the option to take elective courses to complete the minimum 120-credit hour requirement.
The requirements for a bachelor’s degree are intended to prepare students for their next step, whether seeking employment or further education in graduate school.
Bachelor’s degrees at CMC are awarded in several disciplines. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) focuses on theoretical knowledge and the liberal arts, the Bachelor of Science (BS) focuses on technical or hard sciences, and the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) focuses on managerial and supervisory skills in a variety of professions. CMC offers five bachelor degree programs:
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Sustainability Studies (BASS)
- Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (BSBA)
- Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN)
- Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Leadership and Management (BAS)
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Education (BAE)
See the section on Scholarships and Awards for opportunities related to earning bachelor’s degrees.
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree offers a liberal arts education that includes the Colorado State Guaranteed Transfer General Education Curriculum. This curriculum includes a minimum of 31 credits of general education across five content areas, plus 3 credits of communication. These are the same general education requirements in CMC’s Associate of Arts degree program. Specific degree programs may have additional general education requirements (consult an advisor or this catalog for more information).
The Bachelor of Arts degree is available to a variety of students from diverse backgrounds and academic interests. Students who earned their associate’s degree at CMC, or other community colleges in Colorado, have a clearer pathway to complete their bachelor’s degree, having already met several degree requirements such as the speech communication requirement and certain general education prerequisites important for student success.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
- Completion of at least 120 credits, including credits from general education courses, specific program requirements, and program elective courses.
- Students who have earned an AA or AS degree are fully considered for admission into CMC BA programs. Under state transfer guidelines for AA and AS degrees, if offered admission, students enter with junior standing and are required to take at least 60 more credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. Students matriculating from an AGS or AAS program will likely need more than 60 credits to earn a bachelor of arts degree, due to the reduced general education course component in these degrees. Students who do not fully complete AA or AS degree requirements will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis and may not be able to transfer all previously-earned credits depending on their previous course of study. Students from other colleges are advised to complete their associate’s degree from their home institution before transferring. Non-general education courses may transfer and apply toward four-year degree requirements but such transferable courses are limited to course equivalents specified in the curriculum of the four-year degree program.
- The lower-division courses must be completed before a student can enroll in more than 15 upper-division credits at Colorado Mountain College.
- To transfer upper-division course credits into a CMC bachelor’s program, the course credits must be earned through an accredited four-year program as upper-division coursework.
- To graduate, a student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average) or “P” (passing) or better on all courses taken at Colorado Mountain College.
- At least 80 percent of the credits applied toward graduation must be letter-graded.
- For transferring students, a minimum of 30 college-level credit hours must be earned at Colorado Mountain College and applied to the degree requirements. Awarded or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit may not be used to fulfill this requirement. Up to 50% of coursework toward a degree or certificate can be awarded credit.
Please see the Getting Into CMC section for information about combining transfer credit with CMC credit toward a Bachelor’s degree at CMC.
CMC does not automatically issue a diploma or enter your completed degree or certificate on your transcript. You must submit a Petition to Graduate in order for CMC to record your completed degree. Please see the Graduation section for more information.
Bachelor of Science Degrees
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is designed to provide four-year degrees in the areas of business and hard sciences and also includes the Colorado State Guaranteed Transfer General Education Curriculum. This curriculum includes a minimum of 28-40 credits of general education across five content areas. These are the same general education requirements in CMC’s Associate of Science degree, but include additional general education requirements specific to each BS degree. General education requirements will differ between degrees, so please consult an advisor or the specific program pages in this catalog for more information.
The Bachelor of Science degree is available to a variety of students from diverse backgrounds and academic interests. Students who earned their associate’s degree at CMC, or any other community college in Colorado, have a clearer pathway to complete their bachelor’s degree, having already met several degree requirements and certain general education prerequisites important for student success.
Transfer credit may be awarded for upper-division courses if the credits were earned through an accredited four-year program as part of their upper-division course requirements. Specific courses fulfilling general education requirements may be stipulated by specific bachelor’s degree programs. Students are encouraged to seek advising on meeting course prerequisites and other degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
- Completion of at least 120 credits, including credits from general education courses, specific program requirements, and program elective courses.
- Students who have earned an AA or AS degree with a C- or better in all courses are fully considered for admission into the BS program. Under state transfer guidelines for AA and AS degrees, if offered admission, students enter with junior standing and are required to take at least 60 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. Students matriculating from an AGS or AAS program will likely need more than 60 credits to earn a bachelor of science degree. Students who do not fully complete AA or AS degree requirements will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis and may not be able to transfer all previously-earned credits depending on their previous course of study. Students from other colleges are advised to complete their associate’s degree from their home institution before transferring. Individual courses may transfer and apply toward four-year degree requirements but transferable courses are limited to course equivalents specified in the curriculum of the four-year degree program.
- The lower-division courses must be completed before a student can enroll in more than 15 upper-division credits at Colorado Mountain College.
- To transfer upper-division course credits into a CMC bachelor’s program, the course credits must be earned through an accredited four-year program as upper-division coursework.
- To graduate, a student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average) or “P” (passing) or better on all courses taken at Colorado Mountain College.
- At least 80 percent of the credits applied toward graduation must be letter-graded.
- For transferring students, a minimum of 30 college-level credit hours must be earned at Colorado Mountain College. Awarded or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit may not be used to fulfill this requirement. Up to 50% of coursework toward a degree or certificate can be awarded credit.
Please see the Getting Into CMC section for information about combining transfer credit with CMC credit toward a Bachelor’s degree at CMC.
Students must submit a Petition to Graduate in order for CMC to record the completed degree. Please see the Graduation section for more information.
Bachelor of Applied Science
The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree is designed to prepare individuals as managerial and supervisory personnel in a variety of professions, and offers a seamless transition from an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree to a bachelor’s degree. The program provides a clear pathway for students who have earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in a career or technical field from a regionally accredited school, by building on their technical specialties and general education courses, combining them with upper division course work to acquire management, supervision, and leadership skills.
Bachelor of Applied Science Requirements:
- Students must have completed an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in a specific discipline from a regionally accredited school with a minimum of 60 credits. Applicable AAS degrees include, but are not limited to:
- Accounting
- Action Sports Industry
- Criminal Justice
- Culinary Arts
- Digital Media
- Early Childhood Education
- EMT Paramedic
- Fire Science Technology
- Graphic Design
- Information Technology Specialist
- Medical Assistant
- Natural Resource Management
- Paralegal
- Professional Photography
- Resort Management
- Restaurant & Culinary Management
- Ski & Snowboard Business
- Ski Area Operations
- Veterinary Technology
- Lower division courses must be completed before a student can enroll in more than 15 upper-division credits at CMC.
- To transfer upper-division course credits into a CMC bachelor’s program, the course credits must be earned through an accredited four-year program as upper-division coursework.
- Bachelor of Applied Science degree requirements may stipulate which courses should be used to fulfill the lower-division general education requirements.
- To graduate, a student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average) or “P” (passing) or better on all courses taken at Colorado Mountain College.
- At least 80 percent of the credits applied toward graduation must be letter graded.
- For transferring students, a minimum of 30 college-level credit hours must be earned at Colorado Mountain College. Awarded or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit may not be used to fulfill this requirement. Up to 50% of coursework toward a degree or certificate can be awarded credit.
Please see information the Getting Into CMC section for information about combining transfer credit with CMC credit toward a Bachelor’s degree at CMC.
Students must submit a Petition to Graduate in order for CMC to record the completed degree. Please see the Graduation section for more information.
Planning an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science Degree
The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees give students a solid, affordable start before transferring into CMC’s Bachelor’s degrees or to another four-year institution. All Colorado Mountain College Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees are designed to satisfy lower division requirements for transfer to a public four-year college in Colorado or elsewhere. After transferring to a four-year college or university, students may concentrate in a major area of study during their junior and senior years.
See the Transfer section of this document for details on transferring credits to other four-year colleges and universities.
CMC’s AA and AS degrees provide the foundation for a traditional liberal arts and sciences education. Each of these Associate’s degrees include Colorado Guaranteed Transfer (GT) courses in the following disciplines: arts and humanities, history, social and behavioral sciences, communication, mathematics, and natural and physical science. Please see the Academic Programs at Colorado Mountain College and consult an advisor for more information.
Associate of Arts Degrees
The Associate of Arts degree program offers a liberal arts education that includes the Colorado State Guaranteed Transfer General Education Curriculum. This curriculum includes a minimum of one year of course work (31 credits) in communication, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and science. In addition to these required disciplines, students are encouraged to explore a broad range of subjects through elective course work in the fine arts, behavioral sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, literature, business, and humanities.
To be accepted into the Associate of Arts program, students must demonstrate college-level proficiency through ACT/SAT scores, college transcripts, placement tests, or high school GPA. Low proficiency in reading, writing, or mathematics may require students to enroll in developmental courses prior to enrolling in, or concurrently with, courses required for the degree. This could affect the sequence students take courses and may extend time required to earn a degree. For more details, please see Academic Placement and Testing .
Associate of Arts Degree Requirements
- Completion of at least 60 credits from courses numbered 100-299 designed for transfer: State Guaranteed General Education Curriculum courses are designated by a diamond (◆) symbol, an asterisk (✽) symbol denotes courses applicable to Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, and are generally transferable to other Colorado public universities and colleges. When students earn an Associate of Arts degree at Colorado Mountain College, completing the State Guaranteed Transfer General Education courses with a grade of C- or better in each course applied to the degree, students will transfer with 60 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree into any arts and science degree program offered by a Colorado public four-year college.
- To graduate, a student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average) or “P” (passing) or better on all courses taken at Colorado Mountain College.
- At least 80 percent of the credits applied toward graduation must be letter graded.
- For transferring students, a minimum of 15 college-level credit hours must be earned at Colorado Mountain College. Awarded or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) may not be used to fulfill this requirement. Up to 50% of coursework toward a degree or certificate can be awarded credit.
- No more than six credits of work experience, internship, special topics (courses numbered 175 or 275), and/or cooperative education may be applied toward graduation. These credits must be considered transferable to a four-year school.
- If a student already has a Colorado Mountain College degree, they must earn at least 15 additional credits, not already applied to the first degree, to receive a second degree.
Students must complete the entire AA degree to guarantee transfer of courses not included in the State Guaranteed Transfer curriculum. Transfer of courses marked by the asterisk (✽) symbol is probable, but not guaranteed. Please check the requirements of the receiving institution.
Students must submit a Petition to Graduate in order for CMC to record the completed degree. Please see the Graduation section for more information.
Associate of Science Degrees
The Associate of Science degrees are designed for those planning to seek a four-year degree in mathematics, or the physical and natural science areas. Disciplines covered in this program are traditionally included in freshman and sophomore curriculum at all colleges and universities. This includes course work in the areas of communication, humanities, social science, biological science, physical science and mathematics.
To be accepted into the Associate of Science program, students must demonstrate college-level proficiency through ACT/SAT scores, college transcripts, placement tests, or high school GPA. Low proficiency in reading, writing, or mathematics may require students to enroll in developmental courses prior to enrolling in, or concurrently with, courses required for the degree. This could affect the sequence in which students take courses and may extend time required to earn a degree. For more details, please see the Academic Placement and Testing section. There are often scholarships available for Associate of Science students, particularly the David Alden Cooke scholarship. See the Scholarships and Awards section for these scholarship opportunities.
Associate of Science Degree Requirements
- Completion of at least 60 credits from courses numbered 100-299 designed for transfer: State Guaranteed Transfer General Education courses are designated by a diamond (◆) symbol. An asterisk (✽) symbol denotes courses applicable to Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, and are generally transferable to other Colorado public universities and colleges. Students must complete the entire AS degree to guarantee transfer of any course not on the State Guaranteed Transfer curriculum. When students earn an Associate of Science degree at Colorado Mountain College, completing the State Guaranteed Transfer General Education courses with a grade of C- or better in each course applied to the degree, students will transfer with 60 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree into any arts and science degree program offered by a Colorado public four-year college.
- To graduate, a student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average) or “P” (passing) or better on all courses taken at Colorado Mountain College.
- At least 80 percent of the credits applied toward graduation must be letter graded.
- For transferring students, a minimum of 15 college-level credit hours must be earned at Colorado Mountain College. Awarded or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) may not be used to fulfill this requirement. Up to 50% of coursework toward a degree or certificate can be awarded credit.
- No more than six credits of work experience, internship, special topics (courses numbered 175 or 275), and/or cooperative education may be applied toward graduation. These credits must be considered transferable to a four-year college.
- If a student already has a Colorado Mountain College degree, they must earn at least 15 additional credits, not already applied to the first degree, to receive a second degree.
Students must complete the entire AS degree to guarantee transfer of courses not on the State Guaranteed Transfer curriculum. Transfer of courses marked by the asterisk (✽) symbol is probable, but not guaranteed. Please check the requirements of the receiving institution.
Students must submit a Petition to Graduate in order for CMC to record the completed degree. Please see the Graduation section for more information.
Planning an Associate of General Studies Degree
CMC offers the Associate of General Studies (AGS) degrees for students whose needs are not met by CMC’s other degree programs. Students may design the Associate of General Studies degree to fit their personal needs, upgrade job skills, or prepare for professional school. This degree includes the Colorado Guaranteed Transfer Curriculum; however, the degree itself is not considered Guaranteed Transfer.
Colorado Mountain College offers two types of Associate of General Studies degrees: the Generalist degree, which is designed to suit a student’s particular needs, and a program-specific AGS degree, which has an established curriculum pathway created as part of an articulation agreement with other public bachelor’s degree-granting institutions. The program-specific AGS degrees are transferable only into the particular program identified by the articulation agreement. Consult an academic advisor for additional information.
To be accepted into an AGS program, students must demonstrate college-level proficiency through ACT/SAT scores, college transcripts, placement tests, or high school GPA. Low proficiency in reading, writing, or mathematics may require students to enroll in developmental courses prior to enrolling in, or concurrently with, courses required for the degree. This could affect the sequence in which students take courses and may extend time required to earn a degree. For more details, please see the Academic Placement and Testing section.
Associate of General Studies Degree Requirements
- Completion of at least 60 credits.
- To graduate, a student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average) or “P” (passing) or better on all courses taken at Colorado Mountain College.
- At least 80 percent of the credits applied toward graduation must be letter-graded.
- For transferring students, a minimum of 15 college-level credit hours must be earned at Colorado Mountain College. Awarded or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) may not be used to fulfill this requirement. Up to 50% of coursework toward a degree or certificate can be awarded credit.
- No more than six credits of work experience, internship, special topics (courses numbered 175 or 275), and/or cooperative education may be applied toward graduation.
- If a student already has a Colorado Mountain College degree, they must earn at least 15 additional credits, not already applied to the first degree, to receive a second degree.
Students must submit a Petition to Graduate in order for CMC to record the completed degree. Please see the Graduation section for more information.
Planning an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree
Associate of Applied Science degree programs focus on knowledge and skills in one of many Career & Technical Education (CTE) areas. CTE degrees at Colorado Mountain College can lead students into a challenging and rewarding career directly upon graduation. Work experience incorporated directly into some AAS degree plans allows students to practice their skills before job-hunting. To stay current with latest trends, CMC partners with industry leaders to assist in developing and periodically reviewing our CTE programs.
The two-year Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS) programs include both skills training and pertinent general education course work.
Some AAS programs may require that students demonstrate college-level proficiency through ACT/SAT scores, college transcripts, placement tests, or high school GPA and low proficiency in reading, writing, or mathematics may require students to enroll in, or concurrently with, developmental courses before enrolling in courses required for the certificate. This could affect the sequence in which students take courses and may extend time required to earn their certificate. For more details, please see the Academic Placement and Testing section.
Associate of Applied Science Degree Requirement Information
- Completion of at least 60 credit hours.
- Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average), or “P” (passing) or better on all courses taken at Colorado Mountain College.
- At least 80 percent of the credit hours applied toward graduation must be letter graded.
- For transferring students, a minimum of 15 college-level credit hours must be earned at Colorado Mountain College. Awarded or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) may not be used to fulfill this requirement. Up to 50% of coursework toward a degree or certificate can be awarded credit.
- Fulfillment of all requirements of the specific program, including completion of all required CTE courses in the degree plan, and completion of a program of a program of study directed toward meeting the student’s declared intent and purpose for pursuing studies in a specific program. In addition to required CTE courses, it is recommended that courses be taken, where appropriate, from other areas which relate to the specific program being studied.
- Completion of at least 15 credit hours of General Education courses as indicated in specific AAS degree plans. Advised General Education elective choices may be selected from General Education courses or any transfer level (✽) course numbered 100-299 (except PED).
- No more than six semester hours applied toward graduation may be Special Topics (courses numbered 175 or 275).
- If a student already has a Colorado Mountain College degree, they must earn at least 15 additional credits not already applied to the first degree to receive a second degree
Students must submit a Petition to Graduate in order for CMC to record the completed degree. Please see the Graduation section for more information.
Planning a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency (COP)
Certificate of Occupational Proficiency (COP) programs provide career and technical training in specific skill sets. The curriculum for a COP usually focuses solely on job skills training in a narrowly-defined subarea of a larger CTE program. Programs leading to a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency (COP) take one year or less to complete. Many AAS degrees include COPs that are embedded and whose credits will apply to the requirements of the AAS degree.
Some COP’s may require that students demonstrate college-level proficiency through ACT/SAT scores, college transcripts, placement tests, or high school GPA and low proficiency in reading, writing, or mathematics may require students to enroll in developmental courses before enrolling in, or concurrently with, courses required for the certificate. This could affect the sequence in which students take courses and may extend time required to earn their certificate. For more details, please see the Academic Placement and Testing section.
Individual programs and courses have certain physical and academic standards students may be required to meet before being admitted in the program or enrolled in the course. Please see an advisor for details.
While Colorado Mountain College is an eligible institution for federal student aid programs, not all programs are eligible. All associate degree programs are eligible; however, certificate programs must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Eligibility of each certificate for federal funds is identified using certificate descriptions elsewhere in this catalog.
Certificates of Occupational Proficiency Requirements
- Completion of all requirements for the specific program.
- Achievement of a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average), or “P” (passing) or better on all courses taken at Colorado Mountain College.
- At least 80 percent of the credit hours applied toward graduation must be letter-graded.
- For transferring students, a minimum of 10 college-level credit hours must be earned at Colorado Mountain College. For those certificates requiring a total of 10 credits or less, then all classes must be taken at Colorado Mountain College. Awarded or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
Students must submit a Petition to Graduate in order for CMC to record the completed certificate. Please see the Graduation section for more information.
Planning a Certificate of Completion (COC)
Colorado Mountain College offers several Certificates of Completion to students who complete a group of courses with a particular emphasis. A Certificate of Completion attests to successful completion of a structured program of courses designed to establish aptitude in specific skills or for concentrated learning in a special area of interest. Individual courses are posted on a student’s transcript; however, the certificate is not an awarded program. For example, the Certificate of Completion credential is not recognized on a transcript in the same way that a Certificate of Proficiency (COP) or an Associate’s degree is. Please see a CMC advisor for more information.
CMC offers eight Certificates of Completion:
- Basic Carpentry
- Basic Construction Technology
- Basic Electric Technician
- Creative Arts
- Fly Fishing Guide
- Permaculture
- Spanish Proficiency
- Sustainability Leadership.
The Certificates of Completion are not formal Career & Technical Education certificates, and therefore they are not eligible for financial aid unless taken as part of a state-recognized degree or certificate. However, many requirements have been specially-designed so COC courses count for the Associate of Arts or Associate of General Studies degrees, which are received for transfer by Colorado’s public colleges and universities, and several other institutions.
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