Graduation Procedures

Graduation With Honors

College-wide Latin Honors are conferred at graduation. A student will be graduated:

• Summa cum Laude (with the greatest praise) if the cumulative average is 3.9 or higher;
• Magna cum Laude (with great praise) if the cumulative average is 3.7 to 3.89; or
• Cum Laude (with praise) if the cumulative average is 3.5 to 3.69.

These honors will be inscribed on the diploma and noted on the official transcript of record.

Two-year Programs Often Take More Than Two Years

The sample four-semester program sequences which are described in the "Programs of Study" section are designed for students who intend to devote their full time and energy to their studies. Many students, however, must work at full or part-time jobs while in attendance and others are in need of remedial course work not shown in the sequences. Therefore, many students spend more than two years at Nassau.

In fact, approximately half the students graduating from community colleges nationwide do not follow the traditional four-semester pattern. Many students elect to attend additional semesters in order to enhance those skills necessary for a successful college career. Students expecting to spend only two years at NCC should be aware of this trend. Often, students use the Summer Sessions to accelerate studies.

Certificate of Eligibility

No student may graduate without eligibility duly certified by the Office of the Registrar. Prospective graduates must complete "Request for Graduation" forms available from the Registrar during their final semester. Deadlines must be strictly observed to provide the College with adequate lead time necessary to certify graduates, determine awards, and print degrees and certificates.

Second Degree or Certificate

A second degree (or certificate) may be undertaken either concurrently or consecutively at Nassau Community College only when a significant amount of additional course work in a very different field is completed.

Further, each second degree candidate must complete at least 24 additional credits in the "different field" (of the 24, 15 must be taken at Nassau Community College). Additionally, each second degree must also contain the minimum of 33 credits "in residence."

Finally, each candidate seeking a second degree must obtain the prior written recommendation of the second degree chair- person (or program director) and prior approval of the Office of Academic Affairs on the appropriate form provided.

Ordinarily, students who pursue a degree shall not subsequently be granted a certificate in the same field. However, nothing shall prevent a student from subsequently pursuing a degree in the same field as the one in which he has undertaken studies for a certificate.

In cases where students have already completed a degree or certificate program and wish to pursue a new certificate, 12 credits must be taken in the new program (9 of the 12 must be taken at Nassau Community College). All candidates must comply with the College's "in residence" graduation requirement. (See section on Graduation.)