Career & Technical Education Information

A changing emphasis in education has so heightened the interest in career and technical education that more and more students are seeking college programs, which lead directly to gainful employment. Work in industry has become so highly specialized that general education no longer meets the number and variety of job demands; the student needs more skilled and specialized training today than ever before. To help meet these demands, Northeastern offers a range of immediate employment programs developed in cooperation with business and industry. Programs may be a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree or a Northeastern Certificate of one year or less.

Outstanding features of the career and technical education programs include modern equipment and facilities common to business or industry and a strong faculty with many years of workplace experience. The objectives of the career and technical programs are:

• To learn the essential skills and operational theory needed to ensure occupational competency.
• To develop correct habits of work safety.
• To cultivate desirable civic attitudes such as integrity, dependability, resourcefulness, and cooperation.
• To recognize the importance of technology in the workplace.

Career and Technical Education programs may carry special admission requirements in addition to those included in this catalog under general admission procedures. All information regarding admission is available from the Office of Admission.

The college reserves the right to substitute courses for those no longer offered, to modify course content at any time, to approve the substitution of one course for another in any program or degree, or waive any course prerequisite or co-requisite.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is awarded to a student who successfully completes a program designed to prepare the student for immediate employment in a full-time skilled and/or paraprofessional occupation. Each of the college’s A.A.S. degree programs in a specified occupational field. The program guides are located in the Career and Technical Education section of the catalog.

Although some college credits within these programs are accepted for transfer by particular four-year colleges and universities, career and technical education courses are not specifically designed to facilitate transfer. The student who anticipates transferring is encouraged to check carefully the requirements of the respective institution.

Graduation Requirements and Policies (A.A.S.)

1.  Complete between 60-75 semester credits of approved coursework as outlined in the college catalog. Exceptions to the A.A.S. degree maximum of 75 semester credit hours may be granted in those fields in which there is a demonstrated need that requires additional coursework. Since each A.A.S. program is designed for a specified career or technical field the minimum requirements will vary with the particular program. A minimum of 15 semester credits of the total must be in general education courses. The remaining credits must be earned as technical skills development coursework drawn from the specific career and technical program requirements.
2.  Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (a “C” average).
3.  Earn 15 semester credits of coursework prior to graduation on the Sterling campus (or approved outreach center) of Northeastern.
4.  File an Application for Graduation.
5.  Resolve all financial obligations to the college and return all library and college materials.

General Education Requirements (A.A.S.)

The requirements of each A.A.S. degree program and the specific general education courses that must be completed for each program are described in the following pages of the Career and Technical Education section. Courses that meet the general education requirements for each A.A.S. degree program are is chosen from the following areas in Communications or Reading, Mathematics, Science or Computer Science, Social/Behavioral Sciences or Humanities. Any course designated as a Guarantee Transfer Course will also fulfill a general education requirement for the A.G.S. degree in the appropriate category.  Additional courses are listed under the respective categories follow.
 
Students must have at least one course in each of the following categories:

Summary of Degree Requirements (A.A.S.)

1. General Education (chosen from the four basic areas in Communications or Reading, Mathematics, Science or Computer Science, and Social/Behavioral Sciences or Humanities)                 
2. Specific A.A.S. program courses and electives (45-60)

TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS (60-75)

Certificate in Career and Technical Education Programs

A Certificate is awarded to a student who successfully completes a career and technical education program not leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.). Normally these programs are two years, one year, or less in duration. These programs are designed primarily to prepare students for immediate employment. Depending on the program, some general education or related coursework may be required. Students are encouraged to supplement their career and technical training with at least two additional approved general education courses. Course requirements for various certificate programs are outlined in this catalog in the Career and Technical Education section.

Graduation Requirements and Policies (Certificate)

1. Complete the minimum semester credits required for the program as outlined in the college catalog. 
2. Complete general education requirements (if any).
3. Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (a “C” average). Earn 25% of the semester credits of the program’s coursework through Northeastern.
4. File an Application for Graduation at: Application for Graduation.
5. Resolve all financial obligations to the college and return all library and college materials.