About the Program

The Humanities Program at NMSU Grants encompasses various course in the arts, history, languages, theater, philosophy and more. These courses are a part of the curriculum for many Certificates and Associate Degrees in the Grants NMSU System. Students in the humanities often attain an Associate of Arts degree which is often seen as a transfer degree into various BA programs such as in Psychology, Communications, English or Creative Writing, Sociology, and much more.

Courses under the Humanities Program at NMSU Grants support various areas of study and help enrich a student's academic background. While many students use it as a stepping stone to a Bachelor’s degree, it qualifies you for a variety of entry-level roles across business, education, and creative fields.  Rather than focusing on one specific technical trade, the curriculum is designed to sharpen soft skills and critical thinking with competencies that are highly transferable across almost every industry

 

Degree Requirements

The Associate in Arts degree is a 60-credit program that can be completed in two academic years.  Requirements for this degree can be found in the NMSU Grants Catalog.

 

University Transfer Degree

Are you interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree at a university? NMSU Grants offers manageable, small classes taught by renowned faculty at a very affordable cost. Our transfer pathways with NMSU Main Campus help you achieve two goals: complete an associate’s degree while also staying on track to earn a bachelor’s degree through a seamless transition toward a four-year degree.

 

Career Opportunities

An Associate in Arts (AA) is a versatile transfer degree that focuses on liberal arts and general education that provide students with transferable skills in a myriad of career fields. Specific fields include careers as a paralegal, graphic designer, human resource assistant, office manager, preschool teacher assistant, library technician, sales representative, social media specialist and more.  If students are interested in seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree various areas of the humanities and communications.  There are various degrees in the liberal arts offered by main campus that an Associate in Arts from NMSU Grants will aid them in that academic path.

 

Below are five career opportunities typically accessible with an Associate of Arts, including national median incomes and projected job outlooks: 

Job Opportunity	Median Income (Annual)	Job Outlook (2023–2033)	Primary Role
Paralegal / Legal Assistant	$56,230	14% (Much faster than avg)	Assisting lawyers with research, filing, and drafting legal briefs.
Public Relations Specialist	$45,000 – $66,750	9% (Faster than avg)	Managing organizational narratives and public perception.
Communication Specialist	$55,600	Steady / Growing	Handling press releases, social media, and internal communications.
Marketing Coordinator	$49,526	Steady Growth	Implementing advertising campaigns and tracking sales data.
Administrative Assistant	$40,052 – $46,010	Stable	Supporting senior leaders with scheduling, meetings, and office operations.

 

Information on job seeking:

Workforce Solutions  https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Job-Seekers

New Mexico Workforce Connection  https://www.jobs.state.nm.us/vosnet/default.aspx

New Mexico State Personnel Office  https://www.spo.state.nm.us/work-for-new-mexico/

 

Meet the Faculty

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Assistant Professor Paul Kemp

Originally from Colorado, Paul Kemp joined the faculty at NMSU Grants in 2024. He formerly taught at the Colorado School of Mines and the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver (where he received a PhD in 2023). He also holds degrees in Political Science from the University of Northern Colorado and Colorado State University. As an undergraduate, Paul had the good fortune to study abroad in Murcia, Spain – a formative experience for his love of history and foreign cultures. Later, he enjoyed several years traveling throughout the United States as a drummer in a touring band. In his free time, Paul can often be found reading history, exploring the mountains around Grants, or relaxing at home with his wife and twin daughters .