Business Programs – NMSU Grants

About the Program

The Business Program at NMSU Grants provides students with practical, career-ready skills while also offering strong pathways to transfer into four-year universities. Whether you're interested in accounting, marketing, management, or digital media, our programs are designed to give you both hands on experience and a solid academic foundation.

Students can choose from career focused degrees, transfer pathways, or short-term certificates depending on their goals.

Programs We Offer

• Applied Business – Associate of Applied Business (AAB)
  Focus on core business skills including accounting, management, marketing, and operations.
• Prebusiness – Associate in Prebusiness (AA)
  Designed for students planning to transfer into a bachelor’s degree in business.
• Digital Marketing & Advertising – Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
  Combines marketing, design, and digital tools like Photoshop, web design, and video editing.
• Applied Business Retail and Merchandising Services – Certificate
  Short-term program focused on retail operations, sales, and merchandising skills.

Degree Requirements

Associate degrees require 60–61 total credits, including:

General Education (Core Areas)

• Communication (English Composition, Public Speaking)
• Mathematics (College Algebra or Business Math)
• Social & Behavioral Sciences (Economics, etc.)
• Humanities
• Laboratory or Creative Arts (varies by program)

Business Core Courses

Depending on the program, students may take:

• Principles of Accounting I & II
• Introduction to Business
• Principles of Marketing
• Principles of Management
• Business Ethics
• Spreadsheet Applications
• Business Math or Algebra
• Information Systems

Specialized Courses

• Digital Marketing & Advertising includes:
  • Web Design
  • Video Editing
  • Photoshop & Illustrator
  • Principles of Design
• Retail Certificate includes:
  • Retail Management
  • Principles of Selling
  • Forecasting Business Activity

Each program is structured to balance theory + real world application, preparing students for immediate employment or further education.

University Transfer Degree / Opportunities

students from any of our business programs can continue their education at a four-year university with proper planning:

• Business Administration
• Economics
• Information Systems
• Finance
• Marketing
• Management
• Accounting

At NMSU Main Campus, where courses are aligned to help you transition smoothly into a bachelor’s degree or they also have the option to transfer to any four year universities offering business degrees, depending on their goals and chosen program.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of our programs can pursue roles such as:

• Business Assistant / Office Manager — $55,000 – $80,000+
• Marketing Coordinator — $50,000 – $85,000+
• Sales Representative — $55,000 – $90,000+ (often higher with commission)
• Retail Manager or Supervisor — $50,000 – $80,000+
• Customer Relations Specialist — $55,000 – $75,000+
• Administrative Analyst — $65,000 – $85,000+

Analytics & Data-Focused Roles

• Business Analyst — $65,000 – $100,000+
• Data Analyst — $75,000 – $105,000+
• Operations Analyst — $70,000 – $95,000+
• Marketing Analyst — $70,000 – $95,000+

Digital Marketing Pathway

• Digital Marketing Assistant / Specialist — $50,000 – $80,000+
• Social Media Manager — $55,000 – $85,000+
• Content Creator / Strategist — $60,000 – $90,000+
• Graphic Designer — $60,000 – $85,000+

Faculty

The program is led by experienced faculty who bring both academic knowledge and real-world industry experience into the classroom.

Naeim Dian
Program Manager & Assistant Professor of Business
New Mexico State University – Grants

• Teaching experience in business, economics, accounting, and information systems, with a focus on student centered and practical learning.
• Research interests in business analytics, machine learning applications in business, financial analytics, and data driven decision making.
• Industry experience in data analytics, financial analytics, and business intelligence.
• Focused on helping students build practical skills that translate directly into careers.

Students benefit from a supportive learning environment with small class sizes, personalized guidance, and career focused instruction.