NMC accepting graduation applications for May 2007

The Northern Marianas College is now accepting candidates for the May 2007 Commencement Exercise.

Prospective graduation candidates can stop by the Office of Admissions and Records located in Bldg. N-3 to pick up an “Application to Graduate,” also known as a “Petition to Graduate” form. The application fee is $75 for the first certificate or degree and $40 for each additional certificate or degree for each commencement exercise.

Determining Applicable Catalog – pg. 37-38, 2006-2008 Catalog (Electronic Copy under N-drive-Student Services)

Students maintaining continuous enrollment at NMC may graduate according to the requirements for the catalog in effect at the time of initial enrollment or according to the requirements of any single catalog in effect during subsequent terms of continuous enrollment.

A semester in which a student earns course credit will be counted toward continuous enrollment. Non-credit courses, audited courses, failed courses, or courses from which the student withdraws do not count toward the determination of continuous enrollment for catalog purposes.

Students who do not enroll for two consecutive semesters are no longer considered continuously enrolled, and must meet requirements of the catalog in effect at the time they return or of any single catalog in effect during subsequent terms of continuous enrollment thereafter.

To meet the requirements of continuous enrollment, students are not obligated to enroll and earn course credit during summer terms, but summer enrollment may be used to maintain continuous enrollment status. Students admitted or who return after an absence during a summer term must follow the requirements of the catalog in effect the following semester or of any single catalog in effect during the subsequent terms of continuous enrollment.

pg. 74 to 77, 2006-2008 Catalog (Electronic Copy under N-drive-Student Services)

General Graduation Requirements. In addition to the general degree requirements listed immediately below, all students seeking an associate degree must meet the graduation requirements specific to their degree program. Credit hours and course requirements vary among the degree and certificate programs offered by NMC. Degree programs include course work in the following areas: core course requirements, General Education requirements, program requirements, and electives. See department offerings for specific credit and course requirements.

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required in order to be considered for graduation. Courses below the 100 levels will not meet graduation requirements. Non-payment of financial obligations may cause diplomas and/or certificates to be withheld.

Minimum Grade Point Average. Associate degree candidates must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Required Core Courses. Degree candidates must complete the following core courses with a “C” grade or better:

1. English Composition (EN 101)
2. Mathematics (MA 132 or higher)
3. Fundamentals of Speech Communication (CO 210)
4. Health (HE 150 or higher)
5. Current Issues in the CNMI (SO 297)

Filing for Graduation. Candidates for certificates or degrees must file a Petition to Graduate with the Office of Admissions and Records. The deadline to petition to graduate and to participate in the Spring Commencement Exercises is the last workday of the previous December. The deadline to petition to graduate and to participate in the Fall Commencement Exercises, if any, is the last workday of the previous May.

Graduation Clearance Sheet. Candidates for certificates or degrees must obtain the NMC Clearance Sheet from the Office of Admissions and Records. Candidates must obtain clearances from the Library, Bookstore, and Finance Office relative to the status of their accounts during the term when all the academic requirements for certificates and degrees are to be completed.

Commencement Exercises. After applying and being accepted as candidates for graduation, it is expected that students will attend the Commencement Exercises. Should candidates be unable to participate in the Commencement Exercises for reasons beyond their control, they may indicate on the Petition to Graduate their request to receive their certificates or diplomas in absentia.

After application and acceptance as a candidate for graduation, the notation of certificate or degree will appear on the transcript for that term when all requirements have been met.

Diplomas, however, are distributed only at the time of the Commencement Exercises. Only those candidates who have completed all applicable requirements are permitted to participate in the Commencement Exercises.

For any questions or concerns, contact Doris Aldan-Atalig, NMC registrar, at 234-5498 Ext. 1524, or Susan Satur, director of Counseling Programs and Services, at Ext. 1341. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]