UNM-Los Alamos History | Mission Statement | The Educational Program | Accreditation
The University of New Mexico began its presence in Los Alamos in 1956 with the establishment of the UNM–Los Alamos Center for Graduate Studies. The Graduate Center has been in continuous operation since that time. It has a distinguished history of offering graduate degrees in scientific, engineering, management, and health‑related fields. The first significant UNM undergraduate offerings in Los Alamos began with the establishment of the University of New Mexico Residence Center in Los Alamos in the fall of 1970. In 1973, the University of New Mexico Northern Branch College came into existence with Los Alamos as one of its campuses. In 1977, as a result of Legislative action, the UNM Northern Branch College was absorbed into Northern New Mexico Community College (NNMCC). In 1980, after a local referendum and BEF and Legislative approval, the Los Alamos Branch Campus of the University of New Mexico was founded. It began operations on July 1, 1980, in the Little Valley School on Orange Street. The new Director assumed his duties at that time, and several key NNMCC employees were transferred to the UNM‑Los Alamos Branch College, which subsequently assumed the informal title of UNM–Los Alamos, abbreviated UNM‑LA.
In October 1980, the Branch campus moved from the Little Valley School to its present site, 4000 University Drive. In January 1981, the staff of UNM–LA assumed, under a contractual arrangement, the daily operations of the UNM–Los Alamos Center for Graduate Studies from the Training Office of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Director of the Graduate Center moved his office to UNM–LA. During 1982-83, the UNM–LA facilities were remodeled and expanded. The new UNM–LA facility was dedicated by the Governor of New Mexico, Toney Anaya, on January 6, 1984. In 1989, Mesa Gymnasium was acquired from the Los Alamos Schools and was remodeled to provide additional classrooms. The new, sixth building was opened in spring 1990. The Learning Resource Center, an addition to the existing facility, was completed in early 1996. It houses the Library, Tutorial Center and the Adult Basic Education Program. The remodeled Student Services Center was completed and opened in the summer of 2000. The graduate and upper divisions programs offered in Los Alamos are part of the University of New Mexico’s Extended University, the institutions distance education program. The mission of the center, in cooperation with Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Albuquerque and branch campuses of UNM, is the delivery of instruction in traditional face-to-face teaching, as well as through a variety of technologies, including televised programming via satellite, ITFS, video conferencing or the Internet.
The mission of the University of New Mexico–Los Alamos is to provide high quality instructional programs and support services to the residents of the communities it serves. To fulfill its mission, UNM–Los Alamos has established the following goals:
1. To offer diversified, high-quality educational programs;
· Academic Courses, Degrees, and Transfer Curricula
· Technical and Occupational Programs
· Developmental and Basic Skills programs
· Community Education
· Adult Basic Education
· Specialized Training
· Extended Web, ITV, and Off-Site Instruction
2. To provide high-quality support services that promote student access and success;
3. To maintain a highly qualified and diversified faculty and staff;
4. To serve as a community resource;
5. To seek and establish cooperative partnerships; and
6. To ensure access to state-of-the-art technologies.
The University of New Mexico–Los Alamos has seven types of educational programs as defined in the mission statement and institutional goals. These programs constitute the heart of the institution.
1. Academic transfer programs for credit provide the first two years of high-quality university education. UNM–Los Alamos is authorized to offer any freshman or sophomore course that appears in the UNM Main Campus Catalog as long as an appropriate lecturer and facilities can be obtained. In addition, UNM–Los Alamos may design courses that respond to the needs of its students. All coursework taken by a student through UNM–Los Alamos appears on a UNM transcript. Thus students enrolled in academic transfer courses may complete most, and in many cases, all of the first two years of their UNM courses at UNM–Los Alamos before continuing their studies at UNM or other institutions.
2. Associate of Arts degrees are offered in Liberal Arts, Pre-Business Administration, Southwest Studies, Early Childhood Multicultural Education, and Studio Art. Associate of Science degrees are offered in Environmental Science, Pre-Engineering, and Science. Certificates are also available in Environmental Science, Southwest Studies, Early Childhood Multicultural Education and Studio Art. These programs are considered to be transfer programs since all or most of the courses required transfer to UNM or to other four-year colleges and universities.
3. Occupational and technical programs are offered through Associate of Applied Science degrees in Business/Marketing, Computer Science, Financial Accounting, General Studies, Office Communications and Technology, Digital Media Arts, Technical Support, Network Administration, Web Technologies, Hospitality Administration/Management. Certificates are also available in Business Marketing, Computer Science, Digital Media Arts, Technical Support, Network Administration, Web Technologies, Financial Accounting, and Office Communications and Technology, Hospitality Administration/Management and Materials Science Technology.
4. An Associate of Applied Science Degree in General Studies is offered to provide students with the opportunity to develop programs of study not available through other UNM–Los Alamos programs. The courses selected may reflect either specialized or broad patterns of educational experience.
5. Introductory Studies courses are offered in academic strategies, math, English, reading and natural science. These courses are offered through the College Cornerstone Program, which is designed to serve students by helping to strengthen their academic competencies as well as helping to ensure their successful transition into college-level programs.
6. The Community Education Department at UNM–Los Alamos offers a wide variety of programs, courses, and workshops to meet the educational and professional development needs of the community and to provide opportunities for learning new job skills or upgrading old ones. These programs are designed for those students who are interested in learning in a more informal environment. All courses are non-credit; there are no examinations or grades, though certificates may be issued.
7. The Adult Basic Education Program provides services for acquiring basic skills through the 12th grade, including preparation for the General Education Development (GED) exam and English as a Second Language coursework. Services are available on-site at UNM–Los Alamos and at several sites throughout the service area.
8. BS degrees in Computer Science and University Studies are offered in conjunction with the upper division department.
The University of New Mexico–Los Alamos is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Offices for the The Higher Education Commission are located at:
30 North LaSalle Street
Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504
(800) 621–7440
Last Updated August 31, 2007