Degree Policies
Degrees Granted
Students who successfully complete the requirements for the Liberal Arts (transfer) curricula are awarded the Associate in Arts degree. Successful completion of certain transfer degree programs in the technical and mathematical curriculums results in the awarding of the Associate in Science degree. Successful completion of two-year career programs results in either the Associate in Science degree or the Associate in Applied Science degree. Successful completion of a one-year program results in a Certificate. NSCC offers many stackable certificates on route to earning the associate degree. Stackable certificates are recommended to be awarded at least prior to the term before the student anticipates completing their degree.
Students will not be awarded certificates and degrees for the same program in the same semester. Students may be awarded multiple credentials in the same semester if the course content of the credentials is substantially different.
Certificates
A certificate is earned after completion of a series of courses in a particular occupational subject, typically between 24-30 credits. Students often earn certificates to get a step ahead in the professional field of their interest, and these certificates are often the first step of achieving key incremental skill sets on route to earning a degree. Certificates that are 24-29 credits in length require a minimum of 3 general education credits. Meanwhile, certificates that are 30 credits or more in length require a minimum of 6 general education credits.
In order to be eligible for a certificate, a student shall achieve communications and mathematics proficiencies and complete all course requirements, including general education requirements with a CLGPA of 2.00 or higher. At least 25% of the college-level coursework shall be completed at the College. Credit for prior learning is awarded only with appropriate oversight by faculty and academic administration and is limited to 25% for credentials of 30 credits or fewer.
Associate degrees
Associate degrees are undergraduate degrees that can be completed in two years and require students to complete a minimum of 60 semester credit hours. There are two general categories of associate degrees: transfer and occupational.
Associate of Arts
The Associate of Arts degree is granted to a student who completes the Liberal Studies program and is intended to be a transfer degree. The degree requires a minimum of 34 general education credits and is aligned to the core requirements of the MassTransfer Block.
Associate of Applied Science
The Associate of Applied Science degree is an occupational degree intended to lead to employment in a technical field and is typically a terminal degree. The degree requires a minimum of 16 general education credits. Often times technical programs leading to an AAS degrees do have the ability to earn a “stackable credential or certificate” on route to completing the associate degree.
Associate of Science
The Associate of Science degree is also a transfer degree typically granted in science and math fields. The degree requires a minimum of 20 general education credits.
Associate Degree Requirements
To be eligible for a degree, a student must have: earned at least 60 hours of credit with Cumulative College Level Grade Point Average (CCLGPA) of 2.00 or higher; completed at least 25% of college level work at North Shore; fulfilled all requirements in the applicable active program (including specific grading requirements); met all other College requirements, including achieving communications and mathematics proficiency and general education requirements.
Certificate Requirements
To be eligible for a certificate, a student must achieve communications and math proficiencies and complete all course requirements, including general education requirements with a Cumulative College Level Grade Point Average (CCLGPA) of 2.00 or higher. At least 25% of the college-level coursework must be completed at North Shore Community College.