Academic Definitions
Program of Study
A set of required and elective college-level courses that lead to the awarding of a degree or certificate upon successful completion. All NWIC programs of study include a general education component, which differentiates them from awards of completion and other types of educational programs. A program of study may also include a sequencing of courses, typically by designating course prerequisites. By declaring a program of study a student indicates the intent to follow that program of study toward a degree or certificate.
Degree
A degree is a title given for the completion of a program of study at the associate or higher level and official confirmation by NWIC signifying the successful completion of that program of study. Degrees awarded are indicated on a student’s transcript. Degrees available at NWIC are at the associate (AAS, AS-T, AAS-T, and ATA) and baccalaureate (BA and BS) levels.
Bachelor's Degree
A degree awarded upon completion of a program of study consisting of a minimum of 180 college-level credits that focuses on a particular field of study. A bachelor's degree is also called a baccalaureate degree.
Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA)
A bachelor's degree in a field of study other than the natural or physical sciences, which may include multiple fields of study not primarily in the natural or physical sciences.
Bachelor of Science Degree (BS)
A bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences.
Associate's Degree
A degree awarded upon completion of a program of study consisting of a minimum of 90 college-level credits that focuses on a particular field of study.
Certificate
This is the title given for the completion of a program of study below the associate level requiring a minimum of 45 college-level credits and official confirmation by NWIC signifying successful completion of that program of study.
Award of Completion
An academic program consisting of a set of college courses that focus within a particular area of study and usually does not contain a general education requirement. The courses within an award of completion may be a subset of the core courses in a program of study, in which case the courses may be applied toward completion of a program of study. Awards of completion contain fewer than 45 credits and will usually contain at least 20 credits. Awards of completion do not qualify for Federal Financial Aid. When requirements are met of a particular award of completion program, the award will be indicated on a student’s transcript. In general, an award of completion may be used for specific training needs such as casino management or advanced use of digital media tools.
Training Program
A set of courses, which may include Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or credit courses, including special topic credit courses (numbered 188,288,388 or 488) that focuses on a training need and usually does not require a general education component. Training programs are usually created as a short-term quick response to training needs. Completion of a training program is acknowledged with a printed document issued by the department overseeing the program. Completion of a training program is not indicated on a student’s transcript with a date conferred as with the completion of a degree, certificate, or an award of completion, however, credit courses and CEUs taken are recorded on the student's transcript.