What steps should I take as a First-Time Student at NPC?
- Comply with Assessment Testing and Placement Requirements established for the following:
- all first-time, full-time entering freshman, or
- any student wishing to take mathematics, English, or reading-intensive courses.
- Schedule first semester classes with the assistance of an Academic Counselor, located on the second floor of the Student Commons Building.
- Participate in Freshman Orientation. The purpose of Freshman Orientation is to help you get off to a good academic start and begin to make new friends. Both of these goals foster educational and personal growth. Please remember that freshman course.
How are First-Time Students advised?
The Arkansas State Legislature established (in Section 19 of Act 1052, 1997) a testing and evaluation program for all degree-seeking students in the state. The Arkansas Division of Higher Education followed established guidelines and issued cutoff scores for student placement in college-level or preparatory-level courses in mathematics, English composition, and reading skills.
Approved tests include: the American College Test (ACT), the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT),and the Assessment of Skill for Successful Entry and Transfer (ASSET). The student is responsible for submitting these test scores. Any score(s) over three years old cannot be accepted.
New students who do not have one of these test scores at the time of application and/or enrollment will be required to take the ASSET evaluation.
Students who do not meet the minimum scores for placement into college-level coursework may be admitted to NPC on the contingency that they enroll in and successfully complete the necessary remedial courses(s) prior to advancing to the next course level.
Students taking pre-college level courses must receive a final grade of “C” or better to advance to the next course level. Pre-college level courses will not transfer to another institution for college credit. Students are encouraged to read the academic section on pre-college level courses for additional information.
First-time, full-time students whose placement test scores require enrollment in one or more pre-college level courses may enroll in up to four courses plus Freshman Orientation. Any student whose placement test score requires enrollment in two or more pre-college level courses must also complete College Seminar that same semester. Students who earn a “D” or “F” in any pre-college level course must repeat the course.
Transfer Students
Students transferring to NPC are not required to submit test scores for placement if they have successfully completed, as documented on an official transcript, a college-level course in English composition and a college-level mathematics course. The College requires an official transcript prior to enrollment in college-level mathematics and English composition.
Schedule classes with the assistance of an Academic Advisor, located on the second floor of the Student Commons.
Transfer Student Guidelines
Entering transfer students must have a cumulative grade point average which falls within NPC’s guidelines for good academic standing. Students on academic suspension from another institution will be eligible for admission only after having remained out of school for one semester or upon being eligible to return to the institution previously attended.
Transfer credit will only be evaluated and added to a permanent record for those students who have completed course work as a degree-seeking candidate at NPC. Grades earned in transfer courses are not considered in calculating student grade point averages at NPC.
Credit for Previous Training or Experience
Persons with previous training or experience in their vocational objective may be granted advanced status if approved by the Registrar. The student must furnish evidence, request evaluation, and may be required to take proficiency examinations in order to receive this credit. The Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Office are notified of previous credit, when applicable.
Credit for Military Experience
Credit awarded for military experience is based on the American Council of Education's (ACE) recommendation for the Veteran's Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code found in the current Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. The discharge/transfer form DD-214 is required. After completion of a course at NPC, the ACE-recommended credits for the veteran's MOS code will be placed on the student's NPC transcript as general elective credits.
Any additional educational courses taken while in the military will be evaluated and awarded credit as per NPC's general procedures for acceptance of transfer credit.
Returning Student Enrollment
Enrollment for the spring semester begins mid-November and for the fall and summer semester in April. It is very important to set up an appointment with an advisor as early as possible. If a student waits until the last minute to enroll, they may not get the course or section desired. At the time of enrollment, an advisor will also update career plans, transfer or employment options, as well as current information such as name, address, and telephone number.