Admissions Information

Students interested in attending Nassau Community College should consult the College website for up-to-date information and program requirements.

DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENTS

New Students
Students who wish to earn a degree or certificate at NCC should apply for matriculated status by completing the College's Degree-Seeking Application for Admission (found at www.ncc.edu/apply) and providing all required documentation by the admissions completion deadline. An application fee will be charged once; if you have applied to NCC in the past and have paid an application fee, you will not be charged again. Acceptance as a matriculated student in a particular program indicates that the student has met all admissions requirements to be a degree or certificate candidate in that program. Most of the time, matriculated students attend on a full-time basis (12-17 credits per semester), although students should decide for themselves the academic load they are able to carry. It is important to note that matriculated status is required in order to receive certain kinds of financial assistance.

All degree or certificate candidates must possess a state-endorsed high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate (HSE). There are limited options for non-high school graduates; refer to the section entitled Enrollment Options for Non-High School Graduates. Local school diplomas, such CDOS. and annotated diplomas, school-leaving certificates, and certificates of attendance are not valid for admission, unless the school certifies that the applicant has met all diploma requirements mandated by the State Education Department of New York.

All students who have graduated from an approved high school or received a high school equivalency (HSE) document will be offered acceptance to an appropriate program of study. However, some programs have more extensive requirements for admission. The applicant’s high school record and, in the case of transfer students, college record(s), are the most important factors for admission to selective programs such as Nursing and the Allied Health Sciences. The results of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Test (ACT) are not required, but along with New York State Regents English and Algebra 1 math scores may also be used to waive the applicant from one or more parts of the College’s placement tests. Consequently, students are encouraged to submit test scores as part of the application process.

The Office of Admissions, in conjunction with several academic departments, holds informational workshops and/or individual sessions with prospective students, to ensure that students are aware of prerequisites for admission to selective programs.

Information on criteria for admission to all areas of study is found in the Programs Requirements Chart, which can be viewed on the same College web page as the application for admission and is included with the paper application for admission.

Because of the limited number of seats available in classrooms and laboratories, the College reserves the right to limit matriculation into specific programs of study.

Applicants with international credentials and international applicants who require a Student (F-1) Visa must submit additional application materials and must review our latest requirements online.

Students are encouraged to complete NCC’s online application for admission (www.ncc.edu/apply). For questions regarding the application process, contact the Office of Admissions, Nassau Community College, One Education Drive, Garden City, NY 11530-6793, or by calling 516.572.7345, or via email at admissions@ncc.edu.

JOINT ADMISSIONS WITH FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES

Applicants who plan to continue their education at a four-year college after graduation may be better prepared for acceptance by taking advantage of Nassau's joint admissions options. Joint admissions agreements currently exist with SUNY-Stony Brook, SUNY-Old Westbury, SUNY- Albany, SUNY - Farmingdale, Hofstra University, Adelphi University, NYIT, L.I.U. Post, St. John's University and St Joseph’s University.

Students can apply for joint admissions at the same time that they apply for admission to NCC. Joint admissions applicants are usually contacted by the senior institution. Acceptance to the senior institution is conditional upon receipt of the Nassau Community College transcript and may require a particular grade point average and/or additional course work to satisfy the senior college’s entrance and/or graduation requirements. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the senior college of their choice for further information on the joint admissions opportunities.

Transfer Students
For admission with advanced standing from a regionally accredited college(s), students must submit an official copy of their high school credentials and official college records from EACH college previously attended to the Office of Admissions. All official academic records should be emailed by the schools previously attended to: admissions@ncc.edu. In those cases where transcripts cannot be emailed, they may sent through the mail to: Office of Admissions, Nassau Community College, One Education Drive, Garden City, NY 11530-6793. It is the student's responsibility to make sure that the College receives all official transcripts by appropriate admission completion deadline dates.

Transfer Policy and Procedure
The Office of Admissions will provide an evaluation of transfer credit for degree-seeking students when an official college transcript(s) is submitted as part of the required admissions process, once your application is complete.

Note: official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, transcripts for college- level courses taken during high school, official Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and CLEP scores, as well as any other college-level examination for which transfer credit is expected, must be submitted individually.

Late submission of transcripts can affect your transfer credit evaluation and your schedule for the term, as well as financial aid eligibility. Transcripts from colleges/universities not disclosed during the admissions application process can jeopardize your admissions decision, as well as your degree program acceptance. Once a student is in attendance, the Office of the Registrar oversees the maintenance of all academic records and will assist in the evaluation of transfer credits or re-evaluation, as required.

Transferring Credits
Only equivalent courses with a grade of “C-” or higher will be accepted from other regionally accredited postsecondary institutions, except in programs that require a higher course grade. Credits from institutions other than regionally accredited schools will be reviewed and may be evaluated for transfer credit on a case-by-case basis. Official transcripts received by email or official transcripts in sealed envelopes are required for evaluation. Students must complete a minimum of 33 credits in residence at NCC within a degree program, or 15 credits within a certificate program (certain academic departments at NCC may limit the number of credits transferred into their academic program). Transfer courses above the 31 credits will be initially excluded. Courses completed on a trimester or quarterly basis will be converted to semester hour credits. It is recommended that students request a re-evaluation of their transfer credits. if they change their program of study while in attendance. Students must submit a Change of Program request form in order to update their major.

Opportunities are available to students through a policy of credit allowance for "life experience" and "credit by examination." Placement into courses or credit may be granted as approved by the College based on one or more of the following methods:

Departmental criteria (including written examinations, interviews, evaluation of past work or study, auditions, etc.);
College Level Examination Program (CLEP);
College Proficiency Examination (CPE);
Advanced Placement tests (AP);
International Baccalaureate (IB) exams;
United States Armed Forces Institute Examinations (USAFI/DANTES). The departments awarding credit for advanced standing and/ or "life experience" are Accounting/Business Administration, Administrative Business Technology, Allied Health, Art, Biology/Chemistry, Criminal Justice/Fire Science, Health/Physical Education/Recreation, Hospitality Business, Marketing/Fashion Buying & Merchandising/Interior Design/Retailing, Mathematics/Computer Science/Information Technology/Engineering/Physics/Physical Sciences, Music, Nursing, Psychology/Sociology/Economics, and Theatre/Dance. Students interested in advanced standing and/or "life experience" credit should contact the appropriate department;
Non-traditional training or online programs based on the American Council on Education’s recommendations.

If you do not agree with your transfer credit evaluation, please contact the Office of Admissions before the start of classes or if classes have started, contact the Office of the Registrar. All requests must be made prior to the conclusion of the NCC Add/Drop period of the semester for which you were admitted.

Note: Transfer credit from previous institutions will not compute in the grade point average at Nassau Community College. Students must submit official high school and college records to the Office of Admissions. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that the College receives all official transcripts by appropriate admission deadline dates.

Service Members Opportunity College (SOC)
NCC offers active-duty military personnel evaluation of transfer credit. Students must submit military-based training transcripts prior to enrollment, for review of transfer credit. For further information, contact the Office of the Registrar.

Returning Students
Returning degree-seeking students who have attended another college after leaving NCC must reapply online at ww.ncc.edu/apply. After acceptance, the Office of Admissions will conduct a transfer credit evaluation. Students who were academically dismissed from NCC and wish to return should review the Academic Standing section of this catalog for information on how to be re-admitted, or visit the Dean of Students website.

RE-ADMISSION

Returning Students:

Students who have previously attended Nassau Community College, who left in good academic standing, and who have not enrolled at the College in four (4) consecutive semesters (including fall, winterim, spring, or summer semesters) and who have not attended another college since leaving NCC are considered to be returning students for the purposes of registration. Such students must be readmitted. Returning students who have not attended another college may go to www.ncc.edu/apply and use either the Degree-Seeking (Returning) or Non-Degree application for admission. Students can also visit the Office of the Registrar for this purpose. Returning students who have attended another college after leaving NCC must reapply at www.ncc.edu/apply, using the Degree-Seeking or Non-Degree application for admission, and have official transcripts(s) from all colleges attended since leaving NCC emailed by the colleges to: admissions@ncc.edu, in order for their transfer courses to be evaluated. Students who were dismissed from NCC in the past and wish to return should review the Academic Standing section of this catalog for information on how to be re-admitted.
Returning students requesting a new area of study must request their new program on their admissions application and be reviewed by the Admissions/Registrar Office. Students who were once enrolled in high-demand programs, such as Nursing or one of the Allied Health Science programs, may not be permitted to re-enroll in these departments if seats are not available.
Returning students interested in re-entering any of these high-demand programs should contact the appropriate academic department. If readmission to the program is not possible, students will have to select another program of study, if they wish to enroll as degree-seeking students with matriculated status.
Returning students who have been out of attendance for more than seven (7) years will be required to re-submit all necessary documentation to be considered for readmission. Documentation shall include any high school and college transcripts, recommendations, test scores and any other documents required for consideration of matriculation.

Students may graduate under the official catalog in effect at the time they first started at the College, provided the program of study has not been revised or discontinued and five (5) years have not elapsed since it was revised or discontinued. If five (5) years have elapsed, students must meet the current requirements of the program to graduate.

COURSE CATALOG FOR ADMISSION

NON-DEGREE SEEKING STUDENTS

Students who do not intend to pursue a degree or certificate at Nassau, but plan to take courses for personal enrichment or professional growth, should apply as non-degree students. Non-degree students are not required to take the College's skills placement tests unless the course(s) they wish to take require minimum scores on these tests. In particular, they will be prohibited from enrolling in any credit-bearing English, reading or mathematics courses until placement test results are available. Certain exemptions are granted, as noted in the following section on Placement Tests.

Non-degree students are not eligible for state and federal financial aid programs. Additionally, non-degree students may be restricted from taking certain courses due to pre-requisites. Students in attendance who wish to change from non-degree to degree-seeking (i.e. matriculated) status must contact the Office of the Registrar. Additional requirements may have to be completed before matriculation can occur. Students should review the Degree-Seeking Student section of this catalog for matriculation requirements.

Visiting Students
Students who are matriculated at another institution may, with the permission of their home institution, study at Nassau Community College for up to two consecutive semesters, while still maintaining matriculated status at their home college. Apply online or contact the Office of the Registrar for more information.

ENROLLMENT OPTIONS FOR NON-HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

Early Admission
The College enables some high school students who have completed their junior year to enroll as full-time freshmen. Arrangements can be made with the high school so that successful completion of the freshman year of college entitles these students to a high school diploma. Students applying for early admission normally must meet the following minimum requirements:

completion of the junior year (11th grade) of high school;
completion of at least 16 academic units of college-prep courses in high school;
standardized test scores which give strong evidence of intellectual ability to do college work;
sufficient emotional maturity to cope with and benefit from an early college experience, as evidenced in an interview with an admissions counselor;
permission of the high school counselor or principal.

Applicants for the Early Admission option must complete the College's admission application. Students are also required to arrange an appointment with an admissions counselor. The following items are needed at the time of the interview:

a brief statement of the intended purpose of early study;
recommendation of a counselor or principal, including a list of specific courses that the student must complete at the College to qualify for a high school diploma (if applicable);
a transcript of high school courses completed and in progress;
all available standardized test results;
additional items may be requested.

High School Enrichment
The College allows some high school juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses (maximum of three courses per semester) during the regular academic year, while continuing to attend high school. Students applying for this enrichment option are expected to meet the following minimum requirements:

completion of the sophomore year (10th grade) of high school;
evidence of sufficient emotional maturity to cope with and benefit from an early college experience as evidenced in an interview with an admissions counselor;
acceptable general academic achievement in high school;
permission of high school counselor, assistant principal or principal. This approval serves as endorsement that the student meets course(s) pre-requisite(s) and hence he/she will be waived from taking the NCC placement exam(s).

Honors Connection
High school juniors and seniors who elect the High School Enrichment Option and who have consistently excelled in high school can take a class in the Honors sequence at the College. To qualify students must have at least a 90 GPA and mastery level achievement on multiple Regents Examinations. Interested students should contact the Honors Program coordinator for additional information regarding application at Honors.Program@ncc.edu.

The High School Equivalency (HSE)
Nassau Community College's Office of Admissions will consider applications from students who do not have high school diplomas and who want to earn high school equivalency diploma (HSE) through the completion of college credits. These applicants normally should meet the following minimum criteria:

Be at least 17 years of age and your high school class must have already graduated
Currently be a resident of New York State for at least one month

Students applying in this status must meet with a counselor from the Office of Admissions, complete the regular admissions application, supply official high school credentials, and take the basic skills placement test. Applicants who do not meet all of these criteria may present unique circumstances to request special consideration for admission.

The State University of New York, State Education Department, High School Equivalency Diploma Program provides that persons who have not earned a high school diploma may be issued a New York State High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE) if they "provide satisfactory evidence that they have successfully completed twenty-four [24] credits (semester hours) or the equivalent as a recognized candidate for a college-level degree or certificate at an approved institution." The twenty-four credits must be distributed as follows: six [6] credits in English language arts, including writing, speaking and reading (literature); three [3] credits in mathematics; three [3] credits in natural science; three [3] credits in social science; three [3] credits in humanities; and six [6] credits that fulfill college degree requirements. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with academic advisors so that, as much as possible, the courses they take will fulfill the requirements specified above for the equivalency diploma, as well as for the Nassau college degree the student wishes to obtain. Non-credit lifelong learning (continuing education) courses taken solely for personal or cultural enrichment, and not part of a specific degree or certificate program, may not be used to obtain an equivalency diploma. Students who have completed or who are nearing the completion of these requirements should go to the Office of the Registrar to obtain an application for the equivalency diploma, which they must file with the New York State Education Department. Students admitted under this program cannot be granted a degree or certificate without the equivalency diploma granted by the state.

Applicants to the College without a high school diploma begin in non-degree status based on their lack of a high school credential. Students who do not qualify for degree-seeking status may, nonetheless, follow a degree or certificate program as non-degree students in anticipation of their subsequently completing the HSE. Once students have received the HSE, they may apply for degree-seeking status. While in non-degree status, students are not eligible for financial aid.

Students Schooled at Home
Students schooled at home are encouraged to work with their school district office to obtain a letter signed by the school superintendent which verifies that they have completed the “substantial equivalent of a four-year high school program.”

While Nassau Community College recognizes home schooling as a legitimate educational option, students schooled at home who are unable to present a superintendent’s letter are considered to be without a high school diploma. As such , they are expected to meet the same admission requirements listed for the high school equivalency.

Home-schooled applicants may be eligible for the Early Admissions option described above. It is recommended that students keep a detailed “unofficial transcript” of courses completed with specific information such as reading lists and/or syllabi for each course. In addition, writing samples and lab reports, formal documents from correspondence schools or organizations through which courses were taken, and evaluations and/or grades received for each subject may be helpful in evaluation of students’ readiness for particular programs of study. Submission of SAT and/or ACT scores, and scores for other standardized tests is highly recommended.

Students with special circumstances may speak to a representative in the Office of Admissions

GUARANTEED TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
Because Nassau Community College is a member of the State University of New York, its students are guaranteed a full four-year degree at a SUNY institution, if they meet academic qualifications at the local campus and at the transfer school.

This guarantee may or may not be met at the SUNY senior institution of the student's choice. The College has developed many articulation agreements with 4-year institutions, both public and private, to guarantee acceptance for Nassau Community College graduates who successfully complete certain criteria while in attendance at NCC. Students are urged to take advantage of these guaranteed programs.

Contact the NCC academic department involved or the Transfer Office in Nassau Hall during the first semester of attendance to follow the correct course of study. Many of these offerings are described in the Programs of Study section of this catalog.