Graduation Requirements

Requirements for Graduation

Associate degrees offered at Northwest College include three categories of coursework: 1) specific degree requirements, 2) general education requirements, and 3) elective courses. These courses are designed to enable students to achieve program and all-college outcomes. Only college-level courses count toward degrees. (See specific Programs of Study  for recommended courses.)

To receive a degree, students MUST apply to graduate. Forms are available in the Registrar’s office. See Application for Graduation below.

Degrees

Associate of Arts Degree (AA)/ Associate of Science Degree (AS)

The Associate of Arts degree/Associate of Science degree provides a broad-based education for those planning to transfer to a four-year institution and for those seeking a two-year general education. To complete an AA/AS degree, a minimum of 60 credit hours is required, although individual programs may have additional requirements.

Fulfill all-college degree requirements.

Summary of AA/AS Degree Requirements:

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

The Associate of Applied Science degree prepares an individual for employment opportunities upon graduation. All applied science degree programs offer a concentration with a required curriculum (see AAS Degree Worksheet  ).

Fulfill all-college degree requirements. To complete an AAS degree, a minimum of 60 credit hours is required, although individual programs may have additional requirements.

Summary of AAS Degree Requirements:

NOTE: Some universities now have transfer degree options for students who have completed the AAS. Discuss options with advisors, Advising Center staff, or universities of interest.

Certificates

Northwest College Certificate

The Northwest College Certificate provides recognition for those who have completed 60 credits or above of college level work but who have not fulfilled degree requirements.

To be awarded the Northwest College Certificate, individuals must:

• Complete 60 credits of college-level coursework with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.
• Successfully complete at least 15 credit hours of the program requirements at Northwest College.
• Complete the four required categories below:
  • First-Year Seminar
  • Government
  • Communications
  • Quantitative Reasoning
• Complete one of the following categories below:
  • Physical and Natural World
  • Human Condition
  • Creativity

Northwest College Skills Certificates

Northwest College Skills Certificates provide a concentrated amount of college level coursework in a highly specialized area of study within a designated period of time.

Certificates vary from 6-59 credits depending upon the selected area of study. Skills certificates vary according to the needs of students, the community, and the economy. Students should check individual departments for specific certificate requirements in a given area. College-level courses taken for a certificate may also be applied to a Northwest College AA, AS, or AAS degree.

Comprehensive Skills Certificates

To be awarded the Northwest College Comprehensive Skills Certificate, individuals must:

• Complete the minimum number (30-59) of required credits of coursework with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 and a minimum “C-” in all certificate core courses.
• Complete a minimum of six credits of general education courses.

Skills Certificates

To be awarded the Northwest College Skills Certificate, individuals must:

• Complete the minimum number (6-30) of required credits of coursework with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in the certificate courses and a minimum “C-” in all certificate core courses.
• For Certificates of 6-16 credits, students must earn 50 percent of the credit at NWC.
• For Certificates of 17-30 credits, students must earn 40 percent of the credit at NWC.

General Education Requirements

Click here to view the General Education Requirements.

Application for Graduation

Candidates for graduation are required to submit an application for graduation to the Registrar by the deadlines listed below to ensure all requirements can be met on time.

Multiple Majors

Students who have completed all of the requirements for more than one major may request that their diplomas and transcripts list all of the majors completed.

Earning A Second Degree

Students who wish to return for a second degree from Northwest College may count 45 credits from the first degree toward the second degree. General education and specific program requirements for the second degree must be satisfied (second degree = 75 credits and third degree = 90 credits).

Catalog Under Which a Student May Graduate

A student may graduate from Northwest College by meeting degree requirements of the catalog in place at the time of initial enrollment, or may change to the degree requirements of the current academic year’s catalog. A student who does not take classes for three or more consecutive years must use the degree requirements of the catalog in place at the time of re-entry to Northwest College. (See Nursing - Registered Nurse, A.D.N  section for special requirements of this program.)

Cancellation of Classes

Northwest College reserves the right to cancel any scheduled courses with insufficient enrollment or to change the days, time, location, or instructor of any course.