|
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.
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 another college or university 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 the CMC Programs page.
Degree & Certificate General Information
The degree and certificate requirements in this catalog are current for the 2023-24 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.
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), or Adult High School Diploma to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. The fundamental requirement for a bachelor’s degree is the successful completion of a minimum number of credit hours, usually 120 semester credit hours.
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.
CMC offers three types of Bachelor’s degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees focus on theoretical knowledge and the liberal arts.
- Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees focus on leadership, science and technical knowledge.
- Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees focus 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 referred to as majors, with at least 50% of these required credits at the upper-division level (3000-4000). Some bachelor’s 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; students may pursue multiple minors. No more than two courses can be counted between major and minor, and/or between minors. Minors are recorded on a student’s official transcript. Minors must be added to a bachelor’s program and completed prior to graduation. Minors cannot be added after the bachelor’s degree is posted.
See the section on Scholarships and Awards for opportunities related to earning bachelor’s degrees.
Bachelor of Arts Degrees
CMC offers the following Bachelor of Arts degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Sustainability Studies
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Education (with three available pathways)
Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees offer 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 three credits of communication. General education requirements will differ between degrees, please consult an advisor and the specific program pages in this catalog for more information.
Bachelor of Science Degrees
CMC offers the following Bachelor of Science degrees:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science degree in Ecosystem Science & Stewardship
- Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees are designed to provide bachelor’s degrees in the areas of leadership, science, and technical degrees and also include 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.
Bachelor of Applied Science
CMC offers the following Bachelor of Applied Science degree:
- Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Leadership and Management (BAS)
The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree is designed to prepare individuals as managerial and supervisory personnel in a variety of professions building on technical specialties and developing leadership knowledge and skills. In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Science, students must have graduated with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in a specific discipline from CMC or another regionally-accredited school with a minimum of 60 credits. See applicable CMC AAS degrees below.
Bachelor Degree Requirements
These requirements apply to any bachelor’s degree completed at CMC:
- Students may enroll in up to 15 upper division credits (3000-4000 level) toward a bachelor’s, at which point their associates or lower division coursework at CMC must be completed before continuing with upper division coursework required by the bachelor’s degree program.
- With the exception of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing , transfer credit may be awarded for upper-division courses if those course credits were earned through an accredited four-year program as upper-division coursework.
- To graduate, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including courses and credits for general education, program requirements and program elective courses.
- 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 bachelor’s degrees have grade minimum requirements for courses in that program of study.
- At least 80% of the credits earned at CMC applied toward graduation must be letter-graded.
- For a bachelor’s, a minimum of 30 college-level credit hours that apply to the student’s declared degree program, must be earned at CMC. The remaining coursework toward the degree can be transfer, credit for prior learning or awarded credit.
- Students must submit a Petition to Graduate in order for CMC to verify and record the completed degree. Please see the Graduation section for more information.
Planning an Associate Degree
To enroll in required coursework for an associate degree, 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 the time required to earn a degree. For more details, please see Academic Placement and Testing .
CMC offers four types of associate degrees:
- Associate of Arts degrees offers a liberal arts education allowing students to explore fine arts, behavioral sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, literature, business, and humanities.
- Associate of Science degrees offers a STEM-based education allowing students to explore science and technical disciplines.
- Associate of Applied Science degrees focuses on knowledge and skills within a specific Career & Technical Education (CTE) area.
- Associate of General Studies degrees are comprised of some General Education Courses but also allow the student to take courses to meet their personal needs, upgrade job skills or prepare for professional school.
Associate of Arts Degree
An Associate of Arts degree offers a liberal arts education that includes the Colorado State Guaranteed Transfer General Education Curriculum. This curriculum includes Colorado State Guaranteed Transfer General Education Curriculum (31 credits) in communication, humanities, social sciences, mathematics and science. In addition to this required content, students are encouraged to explore a broad range of subjects through elective coursework in the fine arts, behavioral sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, literature, business and humanities.
CMC offers several Associate of Art degrees with emphasis areas that are part of a Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement and can be identified by the ◆ symbol on the Programs of Study page.
The Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement determines that if you graduate with one of these Associate of Arts degrees with an emphasis, you will be able to transfer to another Colorado institution and complete the corresponding bachelor’s degree in no more than an additional 60 credits (for a total of 120 credits).
NOTE: Agreements for selected transfer degrees may require up to an additional 66 credits (for a total of 126 credits). See the information about Transfer Degrees on the Colorado Department of Higher Education to see which bachelor’s degrees are part of this program.
Additionally, there are specific Associate of Arts degrees with emphasis areas that are unique to CMC and are not associated with Statewide Articulation Transfer Agreements. These degrees are considered generally transferrable and/or may have institution-specific transfer agreements or may transfer directly into one of CMC’s bachelor’s degrees. These CMC specific associates can be identified by the ✽ symbol on the Programs of Study page.
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 the time required to earn a degree. For more details, please see the Academic Placement and Testing section.
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 also offers a program-specific Associate of General Studies degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership .
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree programs focus on knowledge and skills within a specific Career & Technical Education (CTE) area. AAS degrees comprise of at least 15 credit hours of General Education courses as indicated in the specific AAS degree plans. 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 the 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.
CMC AAS degrees include:
- 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
Associate Degree Requirements
These requirements apply to any Associates completed at CMC:
- 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.
- For an associate, a minimum of 15 college-level credit hours, that apply to the student’s declared degree program, must be earned at CMC. The remaining coursework toward the degree can be transfer, credit for prior learning or awarded credit.
- No more than six semester hours applied toward graduation may be Special Topics (courses numbered 1075 or 2075).
- At least 80% of the credits earned at CMC applied toward graduation must be letter-graded.
- If a student already has a CMC associate degree, they must earn at least 15 additional credits not already applied to the first degree to receive a second associate degree.
- Students must submit a Petition to Graduate in order for CMC to verify and record the completed degree. Please see the Graduation section for more information.
Planning a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency
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 COPs that apply toward AAS degree requirements.
Some COPs 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. 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 consult with a CMC Financial Aid Specialist 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% of the credits earned at CMC applied toward graduation must be letter-graded.
- For COPs, a minimum of nine college-level credit hours must be earned at CMC. For those certificates requiring a total of nine credits or less, 50% of credits must be taken at CMC. The remaining coursework toward the certificate can be transfer, credit for prior learning or awarded credit.
- Students must submit a Petition to Graduate in order for CMC to verify and record the completed certificate. Please see the Graduation section for more information.
Planning a Certificate of Completion
CMC offers several Certificates of Completion (COC) to students who complete a group of courses with a particular focus. A COC attests to the successful completion of 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. COCs are not recognized on a transcript in the same way as COPs or other CMC degrees. Please see a CMC Advisor for more information.
CMC offers eight Certificates of Completion:
- 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.
|
