Students without a High School Diploma
Applicants who are interested in pursuing a certificate or degree but have not completed their high school requirements may matriculate in the Liberal Arts: 24-Hour High School Equivalency program (GED). To be matriculated, a student must achieve scores on the college placement tests which demonstrate an ability to benefit from the program of study.
Upon satisfactory evidence that a non-high school diploma Liberal Arts student has successfully completed 24 credits in the designated areas listed below, the student may apply to the New York State Education Department for issuance of a GED. An official transcript of courses completed must be forwarded from NCCC to the State Education Department.
The 24 credits must be distributed as follows:
| Credits | State Education Requirements | NCCC Courses |
| 5 | Writing/English Language Arts | ENG, LIT, SPE |
| 3 | Mathematics | MAT |
| 3 | Natural Science | BIO, CHE, PHY or PHS |
| 3 | Social Science | ANT, CRJ, ECO, HIS, HUS, GEO, GOV, PSY OR SOC |
| 3 | Humanities | ENG, LIT, OR PHI |
| 6 | Any course within the certification program |
Academic Foundations courses, designated by the first digit 0 in the course number, do not apply toward this 24 credit requirement.
Because of the nature of the program and the demands of college, this method of obtaining an equivalency diploma is most appropriate for persons at least 18 years of age who have experienced a break in their formal education.
However, in some cases this program can meet the needs of younger students who possess the maturity and seriousness of purpose to succeed in college. All applicants under 18 years of age, and still enrolled in high school, must be recommended to the program by their high school counselor, have successfully completed grade 10 and must be approved by the Director of Admissions. All applicants for the program must score 62 or higher on the reading competency test, 32 or higher in writing, and 25 or higher on mathematics before acceptance to the General Studies program can occur.
Any students attending the College on a non-matriculated basis must matriculate into General Studies and have their coursework evaluated and accepted by the College as appropriate to the General Studies program before they are eligible to apply for issuance of a GED. Applicants who do not have a high school diploma should contact the Admissions Office.
Admission of Home-Schooled Students
Under New York State law an institution of higher education may admit as matriculated students only persons who have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Because of this requirement, the State University of New York has established a specific admissions policy for home-schooled students. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that home-schooled students are treated fairly yet in accordance with the requirements of the state and federal law. The policy set forth below deals exclusively with the criteria for eligibility to be considered as an applicant for admission to either a state-operated campus or a community college under the program of the State University of New York. Once eligibility for consideration is established, the applicant also must meet any campus-specific admissions requirements (i.e., high school grade-point average, SAT I, ACT, SAT II scores, essay, letters of reference, extracurricular activities).
Applicants Beyond the Age of Compulsory Attendance
Maximum compulsory school attendance age is reached when the student has completed the school year in which he or she turned 16 or such older maximum age as the board of education of the school district may designate for required school attendance pursuant to section 3205(3) of Education Law.
These home-schooled students will be eligible for further consideration as applicants for admission to matriculated status if they can provide either 1) a letter from the superintendent of the school district in which the student resides, attesting to the student’s completion of a program of home instruction meeting the requirements of Section 100.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education and section 3.47(a) of Rules of the Board of Regents or 2) passing score on the general comprehensive examination for the state high school equivalency diploma (GED) (and the diploma itself when available). When the student has reached the maximum compulsory school attendance age, he or she is eligible to take the GED test. A student may not take the GED test until July 1 of the year in which he or she turned 16.
A diploma issued by a correspondence school that is not accredited or registered in New York State is not acceptable as the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma.
Applicants Under the Age of Compulsory Attendance
These home-schooled students will be eligible for consideration as applicants for admission to matriculated status only if the student can provide a letter from the school district in which the student resides attesting to the student’s completion of a program of home instruction that is the substantial equivalent of a four-year high school course of instruction and meets the requirements of Section 100.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education and section 3.47(a) of the Rules of the Board of Regents.
Students in the above mentioned category will be required to take the College’s Placement Tests in math, reading and writing.
Admission of Persons with Felony Convictions or Disciplinary Dismissals
The university-wide admissions application form now includes mandatory questions regarding felony convictions and dismissal from college for disciplinary reasons. An affirmative response to either question will not automatically prevent admission, but you will be asked to provide additional information. This information will be reviewed by campus personnel to ensure campus safety. Any falsification or omission of data may result in a denial of admission, or disciplinary action.
Felony Conviction
A felony in New York State law is a crime for which more than one year in prison may be imposed. The felony question applies if you have been convicted as an adult.
Applicants with previous felony convictions will complete a questionnaire that includes, but is not limited to, personal information, intended program of study, criminal and rehabilitative history. In addition, the following are required: transcripts and records from all previously attended college(s), and a letter of recommendation from the applicant’s Probation or Parole Officer or character reference provided by an employer, clergy, professional counselor, etc. if parole/probation is not applicable. Note: all character reference letters must be submitted on letterhead.
Disciplinary Dismissal
Applicants who have been dismissed from an institution of higher learning for disciplinary reasons must provide transcripts and records from all previously attended college(s), and a letter of recommendation from the Dean of Students or an administrative official from the institution. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.
View the Admission Policy for persons with felony convictions or disciplinary dismissals.
View the Request for On Campus Study Form.
View the Appeal Request for Admission form.
