CNM Online Criminology AA Degree
Contact Us
For any questions about CNM Online, please reach out to a CNM representative.
Closely aligned with CNM's traditional sociology program, the CNM Online Criminology AA degree program is designed to meet the requirements for an Associate of Arts in Criminology. It will also prepare you to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology or Sociology from a four-year college or university. The degree's general education curriculum is accepted for transfer by many colleges and universities throughout New Mexico.
Throughout this program, you will develop critical thinking skills through a comparison of major theories in the field, analysis of crime trends, and evaluation of the criminal justice system. By developing a structural perspective, you'll understand crime, law, and society more broadly and critically.
Career Outlook
Please Note: Some jobs require education or training beyond the CNM degree/certificate.
Upon successful completion of this program, you will:
- Have met the associate of arts degree general education outcomes.
- Be able to transfer to a four-year program to continue studies toward a bachelor’s degree in criminology.
- Identify and critically consider multiple perspectives, concepts, problems, and/or techniques.
- Produce communication appropriate to the audience, situation, venue, and/or context.
- Demonstrate organization and/or coherence of ideas, content, and/or formulas.
CNM Online degree programs consist of two 7-week terms per semester. It is recommended that full-time students take six credit hours per term, for a total of 12 credit hours per semester. The following classes are listed in an order recommended by CNM Online program directors.
Courses from other accredited institutions can be transferred and used to earn your degree. CNM Online Associate degrees transfer to participating four-year colleges in the State of New Mexico. Some restrictions apply.
BCIS 1110 - Fundamentals of Information Literacy and Systems - 3 credit hours
You will examine systems and their impact on commerce, education, and personal activities, as well as the utilization of productivity tools for communications, data analysis, information management, and decision-making.
COMM 2120 - Interpersonal Communication - 3 credit hours
This course provides an introduction to the study of interpersonal communication. You will examine the application of interpersonal communication in personal and professional relationships.
OR
COMM 1130 - Public Speaking - 3 credit hours
This course introduces the theory and fundamental principles of public speaking, emphasizing audience analysis, reasoning, the use of evidence, and effective delivery. Students will study principles of communication theory and rhetoric and apply them in the analysis, preparation, and presentation of speeches, including informative, persuasive, and impromptu speeches.
ENGL 1110 - Composition I - 3 credit hours
In this course, you will develop reading and writing skills that will help with the writing required in their fields of study and other personal and professional contexts. Students will learn to analyze rhetorical situations in terms of audience, contexts, purpose, mediums, and technologies and apply this knowledge to their reading and writing.
ENGL 1120 - Composition II - 3 credit hours - Prerequisite: ENGL 1110
You will explore argument in multiple genres. Research and writing practices emphasize summary, analysis, evaluation, and integration of secondary sources. The emphasis of this course will be on research methods.
SOCI 1110 - Introduction to Sociology - 3 credit hours
This course introduces you to the basic concepts and theories of sociology, as well as to the methods used in sociological research. The course addresses how sociological concepts and theories can be used to analyze and interpret our social world, and how profoundly our society and the groups to which we belong influence them.
SOCI 2130 - Introduction to Criminology - 3 credit hours - Prerequisite: SOCI 1110
You will learn to understand and apply criminological theories that are produced within the field of sociology. These theories focus on how social structures, social contexts, and particular kinds of social relationships influence the social activity of crime at both the micro and macro levels.
SOCI 2310 - Contemporary Social Problems - 3 credit hours
In this course, you will study the nature, scope, and effects of social problems and their solutions. The course will concentrate on sociological perspectives, theories, and key concepts when investigating problems, such as inequality, poverty, racism, alienation, family life, sexuality, gender, urbanization, work, aging, crime, war and terrorism, environmental degradation, and mass media.
OR
SOCI 2210 - Sociology of Deviance - 3 credit hours
This course is designed to provide an overview of the study of deviance and social control from multiple sociological perspectives. The instructor will present how sociologists research deviance and social control and the ethical issues involved in studying human subjects involved in these activities.
SOCI 2410 - Introduction to Research Methods - 3 credit hours - Prerequisite: SOCI 1110
This course is a survey of qualitative and quantitative approaches to sociological research. It provides an overview of the research process, focusing on research design, hypothesis formulation, measurement, and data collection. You will develop the ability to critically analyze social research, as well as design and execute your own research projects.
Students in the CNM Online Criminology Program must complete:
- Three credit hours of program-approved electives and
- Seven credit hours of Arts and Sciences electives.
Visit the CNM Online Coursework page to view a list of the courses that can be used as CNM Online Criminology Program electives.
Please speak with your advisor about additional options. Not all courses listed are offered every semester and some have pre or corequisites that need to be completed.
Arts and Sciences Electives - 4 credit hours
View the Arts and Sciences classes offered through CNM Online.
Humanities Requirement - 6 credit hours
View the Humanities classes offered through CNM Online.
Laboratory Science Requirement
- Lab Required - 4 credit hours
- Lab Optional - 3 credit hours
View the Laboratory Science classes CNM Online Course Requirements offered through CNM Online.
Mathematics Requirement - 3 credit hours
View the Mathematics classes offered through CNM Online.
** Introduction to Statistics is required for UNM Criminology majors.
Modern Language Elective - 4 credit hours
View the Modern Language classes offered through CNM Online.
Social and Behavioral Science Requirement - 3 credit hours
View the Social and Behavioral Science classes offered through CNM Online.
Creative and Fine Arts Requirement - 3 credit hours
View the Creative and Fine Arts classes offered through CNM Online.