Junior College Curriculum
The core curriculum requirements generate essentially a liberal arts associate degree, but by careful selection of elective courses, a cadet can build a course sequence, which parallels those in other institutions that lead to the bachelor’s degree. Cadets’ academic advisors will counsel their advisees on other institutions’ requirements for undergraduate degrees and suggest NMMI courses which parallel those sequences. Except at four-year institutions that do not sponsor ROTC programs, virtually all NMMI credit producing courses may count towards the 120-140 semester graduation total which most colleges require for the bachelor’s degree.
While fulfilling the requirements of the associate’s degree, a cadet will complete courses within the New Mexico general education curriculum. By graduation, the cadet should fulfill the New Mexico general education requirement, as well. Fulfilling state requirements helps insure better transferability to other New Mexico institutions. Visit the NMMI General Education Curriculum page to view a list of courses that will help fulfill state of New Mexico general education requirement.
Class Level Designation
Second Class (college freshman). A cadet must have a high school diploma or an equivalent from an accredited high school or a GED, and meet other minimum admissions requirements.
First Class (college sophomore). A cadet must have completed 30 academic units that apply toward the associate degree.
Class Add/Drop Procedures
See NMMI policy in the Academic Information section.
Grades/Grading System
See NMMI policy in the Academic Information section.
Academic Standing Awards (Term)
See NMMI policy regarding end of term awards, such as Superintendent’s Lists through Academic Suspension, in the Academic Information section.
Credit by Examination
See NMMI policy in the Academic Information section.
Normal Class Loads
The normal academic load for college cadets is 15 semester credit hours. The minimum load is 12 semester credit hours.
Overloads
Cadets with a 3.0 GPA or above from the previous grading period may take more than 19 credit hours. The advisor may authorize a course load of up to 19 hours, and the Advisor’s Associate Dean may authorize a course load of 20-21 hours. Only the Academic Dean may authorize a course load of 22 or more hours. Overloads are not recommended for a cadet with a GPA of less than 3.0 from the previous semester grading period. Upon the cadet’s request and with the recommendation of the academic advisor, an overload may be authorized if the cadet’s schedule (academic, athletic, extra-curricular) suggests that there is reasonable probability that the cadet can successfully handle the overload.
College Distance Learning Courses
Correspondence/on-line/distance courses must meet the following criteria:
- Cadet must take the course at NMMI if offered
- If the cadet cannot schedule the required class in the last semester of the graduation year, the cadet can request a correspondence or online course
- A cadet may take a correspondence/online course if the course is not offered in the curriculum, and must receive the Dean’s permission prior to enrolling in the course (Academic Waiver Form in Registrar’s Office)
- Online courses must have a mandatory valid log-in process through Blackboard, Canvas or a similar program.
Transfer Credit
Academic credit to meet graduation requirements may be acquired elsewhere and entered on the NMMI transcript. Cadets who contemplate this action should check with the concerned academic department chair to assure that the course taken elsewhere does indeed meet Institute academic criteria. For college cadets a maximum of two college courses from an accredited school may be transferred back to NMMI to meet graduation requirements after leaving the Institute in good standing. Equivalent Institute courses must be identified and a grade of “C” or better is required. Transferred courses do not affect the NMMI grade point average.
New Mexico Military Institute accepts credits transferred from other accredited colleges and universities as long as a satisfactory grade is earned for the course or courses that are similar to the NMMI college curriculum. New Mexico Military Institute reserves the right to determine whether courses earned elsewhere transfer to NMMI. Transfer grades are not used to compute cumulative grade point averages.
With the exception of remedial courses, NMMI credits generally are transferable to any university in the nation. New Mexico Higher Education Department routinely prepares a chart showing comparable courses, which meet basic requirements and transfer between colleges in New Mexico. This matrix is on the NM HED web site.
Transfer credit appeals: Any cadet who wishes to appeal the transfer must file a written appeal to the Registrar providing a course syllabus and description. Within 30 days, the file will be reviewed by the Registrar and Division Head and the cadet will receive the result in writing. If the cadet wishes to continue the appeal on denied courses, they must appeal to the Academic Dean in writing. This appeal must be within 30 days. If denied and the course is a NM General Education course, the cadet has the right to appeal to the Higher Education Department in Santa Fe.
English Test Scores and Placement
Standardized test scores are used to determine initial placement in ENGL 1110. College cadets who have not met the minimum scores to place into ENGL 1110 or are not transferring in college composition credit must take the English Placement Exam (EPE) upon arrival at NMMI. College students who are not transferring in college composition credit must take either ENGL 1033 or ENGL 1110 their first semester at NMMI, and process in the proper sequence until they complete 1110. ENGL 1110 and a higher level English course are required to graduate from NMMI.
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ACT
English
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SAT
Reading and Writing Test
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NMMI English
Placement Exam (EPE)
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Eligible Course
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| |
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< 40 |
ENGL 1033 plus ENGL 1031 |
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| |
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Between 40 and 69 |
ENGL 1033** |
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| >= 18 |
>= 450 |
>= 70 |
ENGL 1110 |
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| < 18 |
< 450 |
EPE Required* |
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|
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* EPE score will then determine initial English course placement
** In some cases, after initial instructor assessment, student may be moved to next course level
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Math Test Scores and Placement
Standardized test scores are used to determine initial placement in college math courses. College cadets can initially place into math courses through scores earned in ACT Math, SAT Math, Accuplacer Math, NMMI Math Placement Exam (MPE), or by previous transferable college math credit earned at another accredited institution. Those who are not satisfied with their placement via ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer tests may choose to take the NMMI MPE to possibly improve their course placement. If no standardized test scores such as ACT, SAT, Accuplacer or transferrable math credit exist, the cadet must take the NMMI MPE.
After initial placement, cadet then advances through NMMI college math courses in various sequences.
Please see the NMMI College Math Placement chart .
Junior College Graduation Requirements
NMMI’s curriculum is university parallel and most cadets continue for their baccalaureate degrees by completing requirements for the Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) degree.
In both cases, the following requirements must be met in order to graduate with an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science:
- Cadet must earn at least 60 credit hours
- Cadet must complete the appropriate courses within the AA or AS Core Curriculum Graduation Requirements (click on links below). Specific core subject areas are listed with allowable courses for each subject area.
- College cadet must earn a minimum of 24 credit hours at NMMI and spend two semesters in residence.
- 2.0 minimum NMMI GPA
- No more than 4.0 PHEA (physical education and/or MSL PT) and 8.0 MUSC (music activity such as band/choir) credits will count towards graduation. Any credits over these limits will not count towards graduation requirement total and GPA calculation.
- An assessment test must be taken by all graduates in their last semester.
A cadet may choose to pursue a specific concentration within each degree program. When choosing a concentration, the cadet will be assigned to an appropriate academic advisor who specializes in advising towards the chosen concentration. Please note, a cadet must take these courses, in addition to completing the core subject requirements in the Graduation Requirement Module within the degree program. In some cases, a course taken to fulfill a concentration course requirement can be applied to the core subject requirement (e.g. Cadet pursuing the Pre-Engineering concentration will take Calculus I and II which will count towards the AS Math requirement and towards the Pre-Engineering concentration as well).
Associate in Arts
The Associate in Arts (AA) degree is designed to provide a solid foundation in the liberal arts for cadets interested in pursuing a four-year or advanced degree in Humanities, Business, Social Science, or related fields. Click on the links below to review AA core course and concentration requirements:
Concentrations within the AA program include:
Associate in Science
The Associate in Science (AS) degree is designed to provide a solid foundation in mathematics and the sciences for cadets interested in pursuing a four-year or advanced degree in Mathematics, Sciences, Engineering, Pre-medical/Dental/Veterinarian, or related fields. Click on the link below to review AS core course and concentration requirements:
Concentrations within the AS program include:
College Course Numbering System
All NMMI junior college courses are numbered from 100 to 2999 and are “lower level” college courses designed to meet basic college educational requirements. To improve transferability within the state of New Mexico, many of NMMI’s courses have been approved as “common courses” at the state level and common course IDs have been adopted. Thus, a common course (i.e. ENGL 1110 - Composition I) taken at NMMI should transfer to another state institution without issue. For more information on the New Mexico Common Course Numbering (CCN) System, visit the NM HED CCN website.
New Mexico General Education Curriculum
The state of New Mexico general education model allows college students to focus on essential skills needed in today’s society, as they see advanced degrees and/or careers. The New Mexico general education model consists of six areas. Within the general education model are 31 total credit hours, nine of which are elective (flex) hours determined by the institution. The current approved NMMI general education courses are listed on the NMMI General Education Curriculum page .
For more information on the New Mexico general education model, visit the NM HED General Education Curriculum webpage.
2+2 Articulation Agreements
NMMI has a number of articulation agreements with four-year colleges/universities. Articulation agreements work to facilitate the smooth transition of students from NMMI to the receiving institution and reduce the duplication of coursework. Cadets who are interested in participating in one of these programs should review the articulation agreement and speak with their advisor for specifics.
Early Commissioning Program (ECP)
Our Early Commissioning Program (ECP) is a U.S. Army ROTC program that allows graduates of one of the nation’s four Military Junior Colleges (MJC) to become commissioned officers in the reserve components (National Guard or Reserve) in two years, instead of the usual four. NMMI is honored to be one of these prestigious schools. Learn more about this program on the NMMI Army ROTC page.
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)
New Mexico Military Institute maintains the Phi Alpha chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the official honor society for two-year colleges. Selection to the society rewards academic excellence and provides additional opportunities for leadership training as well as access to scholarship opportunities. Junior college cadets carrying a full academic load (12 credits), possessing recognized qualities of citizenship, and holding a 3.25 cumulative GPA in non-remedial courses with an A or B in deportment will meet the minimum qualifications for membership. High school cadets who have completed a minimum of 12 college credits with a 3.25 cumulative GPA in their college courses are also eligible to join. Cadets receive an invitation to join, and then log-in to the PTK website to make their application. Induction takes place during the spring semester (formal induction).
