Graduation Requirements

Requirements for Graduation

Associate degrees offered at Northwest College include three categories of coursework: 1) specific degree requirements (including First Year Seminar Course), 2) distribution 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 Enrollment Services. See Application for Graduation below.

Degrees

Associate of Arts Degree (AA)

The Associate of Arts 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. The Associate of Arts degree may be taken in General Studies or Liberal Studies (see A.A. Degree Worksheet ). A number of AA programs are available through various academic divisions. The Associate of Arts is the best choice for individuals who are undecided and for those who do not yet know where they will transfer. To complete an AA degree, a minimum of 60 credit hours is required, although individual programs may have additional requirements.

Fulfill all-college degree requirements.

Summary of AA Degree Requirements:

* Three credits may apply toward the Social Science, Humanities, or Visual and Performing Arts requirement.

Associate of Arts/Science in General Studies

Individuals who meet all requirements of the AA/AS degree will be awarded the degree with the designation of General Studies. To complete an AA or AS degree, a minimum of 60 credit hours is required, although individual programs may have additional requirements.

Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies

This course of study is identical to the AA in General Studies, except the Comparative Cultural Awareness category is increased to 11 credits. Eight credits must be taken in a single foreign language; three credits must be taken in a non-foreign language course from the approved list of Comparative Cultural Awareness courses. The non-foreign language course only may be double-counted to meet another appropriate degree requirement. This degree option becomes particularly important as many four-year colleges and universities have instituted foreign language requirements for graduation with a bachelor of arts degree. To complete an AA degree, a minimum of 60 credit hours is required, although individual programs may have additional requirements.

Associate of Science Degree (AS)

The Associate of Science degree provides a specialized program of study for those planning to transfer to a four-year institution. Generally, the degree aligns itself to the special requirements of a preprofessional course of study at a four-year institution. A number of AS programs are available (see A.S. Degree Worksheet ).  To complete an AS degree, a minimum of 60 credit hours is required, although individual programs may have additional requirements.

Fulfill all-college degree requirements.

Summary of AS Degree Requirements:

* Three credits may apply toward the Social Science, Humanities, or Visual and Performing Arts requirement.

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 A.A.S. 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, Academic and Career Advising Center staff, or universities of interest.

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 an overall grade point average of at least 2.0.
• Take 15 of the last 30 credits to be applied toward the certificate from Northwest College.
• Take a minimum of one course from five of the seven following areas:
  • Humanities
  • Mathematics
  • Comparative Cultural Awareness
  • Science
  • Social Science
  • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Wellness Education

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 an overall 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 minimum 2.0 GPA overall 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.

Distribution Requirements

Click here to view the Distribution 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 earn a second degree from Northwest College may count 49 credits from the first degree toward the second degree. General education and specific program requirements for the second degree must be satisfied (second degree = 79 credits and third degree = 94 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 one time only to the degree requirements of the catalog in place at the time of graduation. 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 in which the enrollment is insufficient to warrant offering the course or to change the days, time, location, or instructor of any course.