North Shore Community College - Overview
North Shore Community College Offers Many Resources
Established in 1965, North Shore Community College (NSCC) is one of the oldest and largest of the 15 community colleges in Massachusetts.
Operating from campuses in Lynn, Beverly, and Danvers, North Shore Community College delivers post-secondary education to more than 10,450 credit students in an academic year, and an additional 5,300 noncredit students through more than 100 programs of study.
In addition, North Shore Community College provides lifelong learning opportunities to more than 500,000 area residents through workforce development training to businesses and individuals, cultural enrichment activities, and community development resources.
Solid Record of Success for NSCC Students
More than 95 percent of students polled annually say they achieve their educational goals at NSCC. More than 90 percent of transfer graduates continue successful undergraduate education at other colleges or universities. More than 80 percent of NSCC career and technical students become employed within 3 months after graduation.
Diverse Undergraduate Degree and Certificate Programs at NSCC
Undergraduate programs at North Shore Community College provide graduating students with 2-year associate degrees in arts, science, or applied science. One-year degree and certificate programs at NSCC comprise clock hour programs, credit and noncredit certificates, and certification training.
Focus areas of interest are diverse at North Shore Community College. Undergraduate programs and credentials are available in animal care, aviation science, beauty/skin care, business career planning, computers and computer networking, education, and engineering.
Undergraduate programs also include the environment, fire science, floral/landscape design, food/cooking, graphic design, green technology, health professions, hospitality/travel/tourism, human services, law/legal careers, liberal arts, office skills/careers, science, and technology.
Associate of Arts (AA) Degree Programs
Students seeking 2-year Associate of Arts degrees at NSCC may do so in biotechnology, computer information systems, early childhood development, environmental studies, health science, interdisciplinary studies, liberal arts, and pre-engineering.
Two-year transfer programs are available for students to earn AA degrees that position them for entry into the junior year of 4-year colleges' undergraduate degree programs. Those transfer programs include computer science, business administration, and elementary education.
Associate in Science (AS) Degree Programs
Associate in Science degree programs at North Shore Community College prepare students for entry-level employment into some of the fastest growing career sectors. Students may earn AS degrees in a variety of business disciplines in computers, management, graphic and digital design, professional service support, crime, energy, healthcare, and education.
The 2-year engineering science transfer degree positions students for entry into the junior year of 4-year colleges' undergraduate engineering degree programs.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree Programs
The curriculum for the Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS) prepares NSCC graduates for immediate employment within specific technical fields. The requirements combine specific career preparation with firm foundations in the liberal arts and sciences. Although the AAS is not intended as a transfer degree, graduates in some professions do transfer to baccalaureate-granting institutions.
NSCC offers AAS degree programs in a wide range of disciplines including animal care, culinary arts and food service, food science and safety, horticulture, and veterinary technology.
Certificate Programs Cover Wide Range of Fields
The NSCC certificate program is comprehensive and covers major sectors of the most popular careers and professions driving today's economy.
Popular certificate programs at North Shore Community College include a wide range of occupational training programs in the fields of medicine, medical technology, healthcare business, general business, science, computers, hospitality, and human development.
The NSCC Honors Program
The Honors Program at North Shore Community College is certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Successful graduates who transfer to state colleges or universities are automatically accepted to those institutions' Honors Programs.
A student can apply his or her North Shore honors credits toward the requirements of the transfer school's Honors Program. NSCC Honors Program graduates have been accepted to universities such as Boston University, Brandeis, Tufts, UMass, and Wellesley, among others.
Special Programs Help Undergraduates Discover New Careers
NSCC has a variety of support programs for undergraduate students, designed to expose those students to course work and lifestyles associated with various careers.
For example, Bridges to the Stars is a first-year program based in mathematics, science, or technology. The program supplies students with extensive technology career exploration; academic, career, and personal growth counseling for technical positions; and foundations for technical degrees or transferring to 4-year colleges.
Extensive Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities
NSCC undergraduate students may apply for a variety of financial support options. For example, students who demonstrate financial need and who satisfy the requirements for federal aid may be eligible for Federal PELL grants or Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOGs). A variety of federal, state, and private student loan programs are available. Students should each complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to initiate this grant or loan application request.
The NSCC Foundation Scholarship awards financial assistance to students through a comprehensive program along with a dozen additional scholarship opportunities available to candidate undergraduate students. For example, the NSCC Presidential Scholarships award financial assistance to public and private high school graduates in the North Shore area.
Mixing Student Life and North Shore Community Living
North Shore Community College serves 26 cities and towns along the coastal region from north metropolitan Boston to Cape Ann. Student population is a diverse mix of urban, suburban, ethnic, racial, multi-income level, and immigrant populations.
The North Shore Region of Massachusetts is made up of both a rocky coastline, dotted with marshes and wetlands, as well as several beaches and natural harbors. North Shore communities have varied and rich histories. The entire region is of vital historical and economical importance to the state of Massachusetts.