Graduation Requirements

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Students enrolled at the North Dakota State College of Science become candidates for a graduation award when it is determined they have or will have successfully completed the requirements for graduation.

All program requirements must be completed as outlined in the official NDSCS Catalog for the year in which the applicant matriculated. Any exceptions to this requirement must have written approval of the department.

If the NDSCS graduation requirements change during a student’s period of enrollment at NDSCS, the following will apply.

  1. Students who are enrolled continuously will follow the graduation requirements in effect at the time of their initial enrollment.
  2. Students who are not enrolled as a continuous student will follow the graduation requirements in effect during the academic year they reinitiate enrollment.
  3. At least 16 of the final 24 credits of the curriculum must be taken through NDSCS.

The applicant’s record must show an institutional grade-point average of at least 2.0 for all work completed that applies to the curriculum from which the applicant is graduating.

Students returning to NDSCS to complete a program that they were previously enrolled in will follow the guidelines of the program when they re-enroll. Additional documentation may be required for proof of current skills, employment and certifications.

All students who have completed 90 days or more of active military service are excused from the wellness requirements. These requirements will be waived. Proof of military service must be filed in the Enrollment Services office to waive the requirement. This will be a waiver of the course requirement only and no credits will be awarded. Students must still earn the minimum credits required for graduation for an associate degree, diploma or certificate.

Courses or credits that are waived by NDSCS are an institutional waiver only and may not be recognized at other colleges.

The requirements for graduation are as follows:

Associate in Arts Degree

The Associate in Arts degree is conferred upon recommendation of the faculty and satisfactory completion of the following requirements:

  1. The student must have completed a curriculum with a minimum of 60 credits, or more, if specified in the specific curriculum, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C) or higher.
  2. The student must have completed the following minimum general education requirements:
    1. six credits in ND:ENGL
    2. three credits in ND:COMM
    3. six credits in ND:HUM or ND:HIST (must have courses from two prefixes)
    4. 13 credits in ND:MATH, ND:LABSC, ND:COMPSC or ND:SCI i. All students must complete one lab science (ND:LABSC), one mathematics course (ND:MATH) and one ND:COMPSC
    5. eight credits in ND:SS (must have courses from two prefixes) 
    6. two credits in wellness g) remaining credits will emphasize arts, humanities and social sciences
    7. attendance at designated campus and/or community activities that support the general education learning outcomes
    8. GERTA requirements, 36 credits

In planning a program to meet these requirements, a student upon advisor approval, may substitute general education courses in order to meet requirements of the institution to which the student plans to transfer.

Associate in Science Degree

The Associate in Science degree is conferred on recommendation of the faculty upon satisfactory completion of the following requirements:

  1. The student must have completed a curriculum with a minimum of 60 credits, or more, if specified in the specific curriculum, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C) or better.
  2. The student must have completed the following minimum general education requirements:
    1. six credits in ND:ENGL
    2. three credits in ND:COMM
    3. six credits in ND:HUM or ND:HIST (must have courses from two prefixes)
    4. 13 credits in ND:MATH, ND:LABSC, ND:COMPSC or ND:SCI i. All students must complete one lab science (ND:LABSC), one mathematics course (ND:MATH) and one ND:COMPSC
    5. eight credits in ND:SS (must have courses from two prefixes)
    6. two credits in wellness
    7. remaining credits will emphasize business, science and/or mathematics transfer courses
    8. attendance at designated campus and/or community activities that support the general education learning outcomes
    9. GERTA requirements, 36 credits

In planning a program to meet these requirements, a student, upon advisory approval, may substitute general education courses in order to meet requirements of the institution to which the student plans to transfer.

Associate in Applied Science Degree

The Associate in Applied Science degree is conferred upon recommendation of the faculty and satisfactory completion of the following requirements:

  1. . The student must have completed a curriculum with a minimum of 60 credits, or more, if specified in the specific curriculum, with a minimum cumulative 2.0 (C) GPA or higher.
  2. The student must complete the following minimum general education requirements:
    1. three credits in English and/or communication
    2. two credits in mathematics and/or science
    3. two credits in social and behavioral sciences, humanities, history and/or computer
    4. two credits in wellness
    5. six elective credits in general education, and
    6. attendance at designated campus and/or community activities that support the general education learning outcomes

Total General Education requirements, 15 credits.

Associate in Science in Nursing Degree

The Associate in Science in Nursing Degree is conferred on recommendation of the faculty upon satisfactory completion of the following requirements:

  1. The student must have completed the specified curriculum with a minimum of 72 credits, with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 (C) or better, and completed all required program courses with a “C” or higher grade.
  2. The student must have completed the following minimum general education requirements:
    1. six credits in ND:ENGL
    2. three credits in ND:COMM
    3. six credits in ND:HUM or ND:HIST (must have courses from two prefixes)
    4. 13 credits in ND:MATH, ND:LABSC, ND:COMPSC or ND:SCI. All students must complete one lab science (ND:LABSC), one mathematics course (ND:MATH) and one ND:COMPSC
    5. eight credits in ND:SS (must have courses from two prefixes)
    6. two credits in wellness
    7. remaining credits will emphasize nursing
    8. attendance at designated campus and/or community activities that support the general education learning outcomes
    9. GERTA requirements, 43 credits

Diploma

The diploma is conferred upon recommendation of the faculty and satisfactory completion of the following requirements:

  1. The student must have completed a curriculum with a minimum of 37 credits, or more if specified in the specific curriculum, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C) or higher.
  2. The student must have completed the following minimum general education requirements:
    1. three credits in English or communication
    2. three credits in mathematics and/or science
    3. four credits in social and behavioral sciences, humanities, history and/or computer
    4. one credit in wellness
    5. one elective credit in general education
    6. attendance at designated campus and/or community activities that support the general education learning outcomes

Total General Education requirements, 12 credits.

Certificate 

A certificate is awarded to qualified students who successfully complete an approved program of study between 9 and 36 credits. If a summer semester is included, a maximum of eight additional credits may be required.

  1. The student must have completed a curriculum with a minimum of 9 credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C) or higher.
  2. The student must have completed the following minimum general education requirements:
    1. three credits of general education in certificate programs of 16-23 credits, or
    2. five credits of general education in at least two disciplines for programs of 24-36 credits or more, and
    3. attendance at designated campus and/or community activities that support the general education learning outcomes

Certificate programs of 24 credits or greater must also have general education student outcomes embedded in the curriculum.

Certificate of Completion 

A certificate of completion is awarded to qualified students who successfully complete an approved program of less than 9 credit hours or an approved non-credit course of study. There are no general education requirements.

NOTE: See the General Education and GERTA Course Matrix for a list of courses accepted in the various disciplines.