Degree and Certificate Requirements

As a two-year comprehensive community college, NCTC has the authority by the state of Texas to offer associate degrees, certificates, and occupational skills awards.

• Associate of Arts (AA)
• Associate of Science (AS)
• Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT)
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
• Level I Workforce Certificate
• Level II Workforce Certificate
• Occupational Skills Award

General Requirements for All Degrees and Certificates

All candidates shall:

1. Satisfy all admission requirements.
2. Within five years of initial enrollment in credit courses, meet degree or certificate requirements as outlined in the catalog at the time of first admission or as outlined in any subsequent catalog issued prior to the date of graduation.
3. Earn at least twenty-five percent (25%) of their academic hours in-residence at North Central Texas College.
4. Earn an overall grade point average of at least 2.0.
5. Apply for graduation through MyNCTC on OneLogin.
6. Ensure all financial obligations to North Central Texas College are met.
7. Ensure all holds have been removed.

Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Arts in Teaching Degrees

Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Arts in Teaching degrees are an embodiment of NCTC’s goal to provide quality freshmen and sophomore level courses in arts and sciences that parallel the lower division offerings of four-year colleges and universities by offering a coherent sequence of courses with appropriate breadth and depth to prepare students for transfer to a university.

Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Arts in Teaching degrees shall be awarded to students fulfilling the above general requirements as well as the following specific requirements.

Associate of Arts Degree Requirements

All candidates shall:

1. Earn at least sixty (60) college credit hours as defined by the degree program, including:
   1. Core Curriculum (42 hours)
   2. Eighteen (18) hours of transfer electives
2. Transfer in (if applicable) no more than forty-five (45) college credit hours. Note: Students who transfer to another college without graduating and who otherwise meet the minimum number of hours in residence are encouraged to transfer hours back and graduate.

Associate of Science Degree Requirements

All candidates shall:

1. Earn at least sixty (60) college credit hours as defined by the degree program, including:
   1. Core Curriculum (42 hours)
   2. Electives (6 or 7 hours)
   3. Additional Advanced Mathematics (3 or 4 hours)
   4. Two Additional Science Courses (8 hours)
2. Transfer in (if applicable) no more than forty-five (45) college credit hours. Note: Students who transfer to another college without graduating and who otherwise meet the minimum number of hours in residence are encouraged to transfer hours back and graduate.

Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree Requirements

All candidates shall:

1. Earn at least sixty (60) college credit hours as defined by the degree program, including:
   1. Core Curriculum (42 hours)
   2. Six (6) hours of education field experience courses including EDUC 1301  and EDUC 2301  .
   3. All required courses as specified in the degree plan.
2. Transfer in (if applicable) no more than forty-five (45) college credit hours. Note: Students who transfer to another college without graduating and who otherwise meet the minimum number of hours in residence are encouraged to transfer hours back and graduate.

To earn both the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees, the minimum requirements for each must be met and an additional 15 college-level semester hours must be earned at NCTC.

Associate of Applied Science Degree Requirements

The AAS and certificates represent NCTC’s goal to provide quality technical programs leading directly to careers in semi-skilled and skilled occupations by offering a coherent sequence of courses with appropriate breadth and depth to prepare students for success in the workforce.

All candidates shall:

1. Earned at least sixty (60) college credit hours as defined by the degree program, including:
   1. Fifteen (15) hours general education courses
   2. Forty-five (45) hours workforce education courses
2. Transfer in (if applicable) or receive prior learning credit for no more than forty-five (45) college credit hours. Note: Students who transfer to another college without graduating and who otherwise meet the minimum number of hours in residence are encouraged to transfer hours back and graduate.

As per the Guidelines for Instructional Programs in Workforce Education (GIPWE): To meet SACSCOC guidelines, each Associate of Applied Science degree must have at least fifteen (15) semester hours of general education courses which much include at least three (3) semester credit hours from each of the following designated areas: Humanities/Fine Arts, Social/Behavioral Sciences, and Natural Sciences/Mathematics.

Certificate of Completion Requirements

A Certificate of Completion is awarded for successful completion of prescribed programs of study which prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level employment or to enhance existing skills and knowledge within a specific career. Certificates shall be awarded to students who fulfill the above general requirements as well as the required coursework defined by the program.

Occupational Skills Award Requirements

An Occupational Skills Award is a sequence of courses that prepares you for immediate employment or adds to your marketability to employers. An Occupational Skills Award meets the minimum standard for for program length specificed in the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA). An Occupational Skills Award shall be awarded to students who fulfill the above general requirements and successfully complete 9-14 semester credit hours for credit classes or 144-359 contact hours for continuing education courses within a particular technical area as defined by the program.