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Colorado Mountain College (CMC) 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.
Online and virtual classroom courses give students the ability to attend CMC remotely if they are unable to attend in person. While these modalities have created greater access for students, please note that CMC cannot guarantee that all courses needed to complete a degree will be offered in a virtual or online environment.
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, CMC’s 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 2022-23 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 ensure successful progress to degree completion 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 Colorado’s Guaranteed General Education Transfer Course list (gtPathways). Colorado’s GT Pathways courses, in which the student earns a C- or higher, will always transfer and apply to GT Pathways requirements in AA, AS and most bachelor’s degrees at every public Colorado college and university. GT Pathways does not apply to some degrees (such as computer science, nursing and others). Students should always seek advising from the appropriate advisor at the college or university planned to attend to ensure selection of appropriate coursework for the student’s degree and that course credit will apply to the degree requirements. 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 CMC.
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 provides students with 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 therefore take longer to complete a degree. 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 (e.g. business administration, sustainability studies, nursing, etc.) and, possibly a minor. 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 bachelor’s degrees contain a minimum of 39 or more credits in a specific content area, with a least half of the required credits at the upper-division level (3000-4000), referred to as majors. CMC offers several bachelor degree programs with the following majors:
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Sustainability Studies (BASS)
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services (BAHMS)
- Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (BSBA)
- Bachelor of Science degree in Ecosystem Science & Stewardship (BSESS)
- Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN)
- Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Leadership and Management (BAS)
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Education (BAE)
Students can double-major within the same bachelor degree program (BA, BS, or BAS) by fulfilling all the requirements for both majors with only three overlapping courses in the major area. Students may need to exceed 120 credits in order to complete both majors.
Some bachelor degrees also include the option to minor in a defined area of study. Minors require 15-21 credits, with at least two upper-division courses, and can either complement a student’s major field of study or be a free-standing minor that is outside a student’s major field of study. No more than two courses may be counted in both the major and the minor. Minors are recorded on a student’s official transcript.
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 (AA) degree program. Specific degree programs may have additional general education requirements, such as a wellness or cultural competency requirement. Consult an advisor or this academic 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 lower-division general education prerequisites and degree requirements.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
- Completion of at least 120 credits, including courses and credits for general education, program requirements, and program elective courses.
- Students who have earned an AA or Associate of Science (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 Associate of General Studies (AGS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program may 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. Such transferable courses are limited to course equivalents specified in the curriculum of the four-year degree program.
- 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, 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 CMC. Some of our Bachelors of Arts degrees have grade minimum requirements for courses in that program of study.
- 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 CMC 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 Started at 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 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. General education requirements will differ between degrees, 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 courses and credits for general education courses, program requirements, and program electives.
- 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 may 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. Such transferable courses are limited to course equivalents specified in the curriculum of the four-year degree program.
- 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, 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 CMC. Some of our Bachelors of Science degrees have grade minimum requirements for courses in that program of study.
- 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 CMC. 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 Started at 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. 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, building on their technical specialties and general education courses through upper-division course work to develop management, supervision, and leadership knowledge and 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 CMC AAS degrees include, but are not limited to:
- Action Sports Industry
- Criminal Justice
- Culinary Arts
- Digital Media
- Early Childhood Education
- EMT Paramedic
- Fire Science Technology
- Graphic Design
- Information Technology Specialist
- Medical Assistant
- Nursing
- 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 CMC.
- 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 CMC. 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 Started at 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 CMC 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 catalog 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. The AA and AS degrees also provide opportunities for students to choose an emphasis pathway based on their desired major at their four-year institution of choice. Emphasis pathways are comprised of 9-14 credits in related curricular prefix areas within the AA and AS degree requirements/electives.
Associate of Arts Degree
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 enroll in required coursework for the Associate of Arts, students must demonstrate college-level proficiency through ACT/SAT scores, college transcripts, placement tests, or high school GPA. Students with low proficiency in reading, writing, or mathematics may enroll in support 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 1000-2999 designed for transfer: State Guaranteed General Education Curriculum courses are designated by a diamond (◆) symbol. An asterisk (✽) symbol denotes courses generally transferable to other public universities and colleges in Colorado (not guaranteed). When students earn an Associate of Arts degree at CMC, 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 CMC.
- 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 CMC. 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 1075 or 2075), 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 CMC 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.
Associate of Science Degree
The Associate of Science degree is designed for students seeking a four-year degree in math or science-related disciplines. Coursework includes the Colorado State Guaranteed Transfer General Education Curriculum (32 credits) in communication, mathematics, arts and humanities, history, social and behavioral sciences, and natural and physical sciences.
To enroll in required coursework for the Associate of Science, students must demonstrate college-level proficiency through ACT/SAT scores, college transcripts, placement tests, or high school GPA. Students with low proficiency in reading, writing, or mathematics may enroll in support 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 Science Degree Requirements
- Completion of at least 60 credits from courses numbered 1000-2999 designed for transfer: Colorado Guaranteed Transfer General Education courses are designated by a diamond (◆) symbol. An asterisk (✽) symbol denotes courses generally transferable to other public universities and colleges in Colorado (not guaranteed). Students must complete the entire AS degree to guarantee transfer of courses not included in the Colorado Guaranteed Transfer curriculum. When students earn an Associate of Science degree at CMC, completing the Colorado 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 most bachelor’s degrees offered at 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 CMC.
- 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 CMC. 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 1075 or 2075), 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 CMC 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 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.
CMC 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 enroll in required coursework for an Associate of General Studies, students must demonstrate college-level proficiency through ACT/SAT scores, college transcripts, placement tests, or high school GPA. Students with low proficiency in reading, writing, or mathematics may enroll in support 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 CMC.
- 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 CMC. 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 1075 or 2075), and/or cooperative education may be applied toward graduation.
- If a student already has a CMC 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 within a specific Career & Technical Education (CTE) area. CTE degrees at CMC 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 entering the workforce in their area of study and training. To stay current with latest trends, CMC partners with industry leaders to develop, review, and enhance its CTE programs.
Two-year Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS) programs include both skills training and pertinent general education coursework.
Some AAS programs may require that students demonstrate college-level proficiency through ACT/SAT scores, college transcripts, placement tests, or high school GPA. Students with low proficiency in reading, writing, or mathematics may enroll in support courses prior to, 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 their degree. 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 CMC.
- 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 CMC. 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 1000-2999 (except PED).
- No more than six semester hours applied toward graduation may be Special Topics (courses numbered 1075 or 2075).
- If a student already has a CMC 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 specific knowledge and training to enhance career and technical skills, usually focused within a larger CTE program offered at CMC. Programs leading to a COP can typically be completed in one year or less. Many AAS degrees include embedded COP’s that apply toward AAS degree requirements.
Some COP’s may require that students demonstrate college-level proficiency through ACT/SAT scores, college transcripts, placement tests, or high school GPA. Students with low proficiency in reading, writing, or mathematics may enroll in support courses prior to 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.
Students may be required to meet specific physical or academic standards prior to admission or enrollment into certain programs or courses. Please see an advisor for details.
While CMC is an eligible institution for federal student aid programs, certificate programs must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please see the campus financial aid representative for more information.
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 CMC.
- 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 CMC. For those certificates requiring a total of 10 credits or less, then all classes must be taken at CMC. 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)
CMC offers several Certificates of Completion (COC) to students who complete a group of courses with a particular focus. A COC attests to successful completion specific courses designed to establish knowledge or skills in an area of interest. Individual courses are posted on a student’s transcript; however, the certificate is not an awarded program. COC’s are not recognized on a transcript in the same way as COP’s or other CMC degrees. Please see a CMC advisor for more information.
CMC offers eight Certificates of Completion:
- Basic Carpentry
- Basic Electrical Technician
- Building Job Site Apprenticeship
- Creative Arts
- Fly Fishing Guide
- Permaculture Design
- Spanish Proficiency
- Sustainability Leadership
- Theatre & Event Production Basics
The Certificates of Completion are not formally state-recognized certificates, and therefore they are not eligible for financial aid.
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