About the Program

Northern New Mexico College offers a Certificate in Adobe Construction. This is the only such certification in the USA at the college level. To complete the certificate you will need a total of 34-35 credit hours in the program depending on your English and Math levels when you begin. Students normally complete the certificate over a 2-semester period with full-time student status. Please download the following PDF files for detailed curriculum and course information:

NNMC’s Adobe Construction Program takes you through the process of building an adobe home from foundation to roof. While focusing primarily on a hands-on, apprenticeship-type experience, the program includes sufficient theory and classroom instruction to ensure complete, critical coverage of all aspects of building adobe structures. Students receive hands-on adobe experience through:

  1. new construction projects at adobe construction sites around Northern New Mexico
  2. renovation projects at existing adobe homes on or near the El Rito campus
  3. individual projects in the department’s adobe laboratory

Past students of the program include:

  1. owner/builders wishing to complete a good portion of the home construction process on their own
  2. architects and architecture students wishing to gain hands-on experience with a natural building material and add a sustainable architecture focus to their portfolios
  3. renewable energy students and specialists wanting to learn more about the energy-saving potential of passive solar adobe design

For further information or questions about the program please contact Quentin Wilson at 1-575-581-4156 or qwilson@nnmc.edu