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Graduation Requirements

Northern Essex Community College awards associate degrees in arts and sciences, and certificates to all qualified students at commencement exercises for each class. In order to receive this award, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Completion of all required courses in a curriculum with a passing letter grade, or with the minimum letter grade specified for that course
  • Completion of the number of credit hours prescribed by a particular curriculum
  • Completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours of course work at NECC in order to qualify for a degree, and a minimum of 12 credits of classroom work to qualify for a certificate, not including CLEP, Credit for Life Learning, Challenge Exams, and Advance Placements credits.
  • Starting in the fall of 2014, any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six core academic skills in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.
  • Attainment of a cumulative quality point average (QPA) of 2.00 or higher
  • Completion of the petition for graduation prior to deadline date as prescribed in the Academic Calendar
  • Payment of all financial obligations and the return of all equipment at the college
  • Student may be required to re-petition at a later date if they do not complete appropriate requirements

High honors are awarded at commencement to all students with a cumulative quality point average of 3.50 or higher. Honors are awarded to all students with a cumulative quality point average of 3.00 to 3.49 inclusive.

Course Waiver Policy

When a course is listed as a requirement for a degree or certificate, a student who meets the knowledge or experience criteria through life or work experience may request approval from the appropriate area dean and the Vice President of Academic Affairs to waive the course. No credit is received for a waived course. All program requirements and minimum credits must be met.

Updated: 2022-2023 Academic Catalog (Effective Fall 2022)