Program Offerings

General Education Framework

North Idaho College has a proud heritage of seeking to provide all students with learning experiences to build the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for productive and meaningful lives and to be contributing members of society. The college framework for general education adopts the principles and requirements outlined in Idaho’s Statewide General Education (Policy III N). NIC’s faculty met with colleagues from across the disciplines at each of the two- and four-year public higher education institutions in Idaho to write competencies in six areas of general education. The courses listed in the following pages represent the thoughtfully considered review by faculty of the content and learning outcomes for general education at NIC. These are:

  • Written and Oral Communication: Students will express themselves effectively, in both written and oral forms, to varied audiences to serve diverse purposes.
  • Mathematical Ways of Knowing: Students will use appropriate mathematical principles and practices to interpret mathematical concepts, execute and explain appropriate strategies, and draw conclusions.
  • Scientific Ways of Knowing: Students will apply scientific reasoning to various discipline related questions in the field and use laboratory practices appropriately for study, analysis and replication of key principles.
  • Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing: Students will describe and interpret how a variety of humanistic and artistic forms, reflect, shape, and influence the human condition.
  • Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing: Students will use social science reasoning to inquire, collect relevant information, and develop insights on individual, social, community, regional, national, and/or global issues.

In addition, NIC has established requirements for competencies in:

  • Wellness and First Year Experience or Integrative Inquiry: Students will demonstrate self-awareness, apply integrative learning, and develop commitment toward educational and life goals.

These outcomes are the basis for assessing our general education program. Together with the programs we offer, general education at NIC reflects the college’s commitment to preparing citizens in the 21st century. NIC students will thereby have the benefit of an education that is shaped by our mission and values as a comprehensive community college.

General Education Courses

Per State Board policy, students are required to complete 36 total credits of General Education. Careful selection of courses in all general education requirement (GEM) areas is necessary to ensure students meet this credit requirement. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor regularly to ensure courses meet graduation requirements. Students who complete all of the GEM requirements will receive documentation on their official NIC transcript. This documentation will both be a milestone toward completion of the associate’s degree requirements and support transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in Idaho, where it will be universally accepted as satisfying general education requirements at Idaho’s public two-and four-year institutions. Completion of all of NIC’s general educational requirements will also be useful for those students who choose to transfer outside of Idaho for their bachelor’s degree.

In the absence of an A.S. or A.A. degree or completion of all general education requirements at NIC, transfer institutions will evaluate each course on a student’s transcript. Completed general education core courses will transfer in the specified area taken at NIC to Idaho public institutions. For example, a GEM 4 course completed at NIC in Scientific Ways of Knowing will be accepted by a public institution in Idaho as Scientific Ways of Knowing. Any other course completed at NIC outside of the general education core, including courses in the wellness and integrative categories specific to NIC, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for transfer.

Interest Areas

Interest Areas are groupings of college programs with similar educational and career goals. They help students choose a direction that is suited to their interests, especially when they are unsure about the specific certificate or degree to pursue when they begin college. By starting in an interest area, students can develop confidence and clarity to select a program that is meaningful to them. Interest areas at NIC may include transfer and career programs under one heading.  These areas are noted at the top of each program under the Program Guidelines. NIC has established the six interest areas listed below:

  • Arts, Communication, and Humanities
  • Business Administration and Management
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing and Trades
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
  • Social Sciences and Human Services

Area of Emphasis Courses

These courses are listed under the general requirements for each program and are designed to meet specific requirements in bachelor’s degree programs.

Transfer Information

North Idaho College provides a wide array of associate’s degree programs that support transfer to all four-year schools in Idaho, as well as to regional and out-of-state institutions. By completion of one of the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science programs described in this catalog, students will satisfy all of the general education requirements for all public Idaho colleges and universities and will be well-positioned to earn a bachelor’s degree with two more years of full-time study at many transfer institutions.

Working with a NIC advisor and consulting with the intended transfer institution is the best way to design a personalized plan to achieve educational goals. The necessary NIC lower division courses, (numbered 100 and 200) are needed to prepare for the upper division courses (numbered 300 and 400) to complete a bachelor’s degree. Transfer Specific Courses may be identified for particular programs as a way to help ensure smooth and successful transfer to the designated institution.

An efficient education plan for transferring credits from NIC and completing bachelor’s degree requirements at other colleges or universities involves three groups of courses:

  • General Education Courses
  • Program Requirements
  • Transfer Specific Courses

Career and Technical Education and Occupational Program Options

Students enrolled in a career and technical education program receive comprehensive training and may also receive on-the-job experiences through a practicum or co-op opportunity. These programs provide educational training for entry-level job skills. Reinforcing basic skills and developing job-related skills are integral components of all programs. Programs vary in length depending on whether students choose a certificate or Associate of Applied Science Degree option.

Technical Certificate of Completion (CC)

Students may qualify for a Technical Certificate of Completion by completing a career and technical education program with an earned overall grade point average of at least 2.0 (C). A grade of C- or better is also required for each specific course listed within the program outline. This certificate is awarded for career and technical education programs that do not meet the criteria for other career and technical education certificates and consist of seven semester credits or less.

Basic Technical Certificate (BTC)

Students may qualify for a Basic Technical Certificate by completing a career and technical education program with an earned overall grade point average of at least 2.0 (C). A grade of C- or better is also required for each specific course listed within the program outline. This certificate is awarded for completion of requirements in an approved career and technical education program of instruction of at least eight semester credit hours and mastery of specific competencies drawn from requirements of business/industry.

Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC)

Students may qualify for an Intermediate Technical Certificate by completing a career and technical education program with an earned overall grade point average of at least 2.0 (C). A grade of C- or better is also required for each specific course listed within the program outline. This certificate is a credential awarded for the completion of requirements entailing at least 30 semester credit hours and less than one year of full-time work and includes mastery of specific competencies drawn from requirements of business/industry.

Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC)

Students may qualify for an Advanced Technical Certificate by completing a career and technical education program with an earned overall grade point average of at least 2.0 (C). A grade of C- or better is also required for each specific course listed within the program outline. This certificate is a credential awarded after completion of technical and technical support requirements entailing more than one academic year, a minimum of 52 semester credit hours, and mastery of specific competencies from requirements of business/industry.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

Students may qualify for an Associate of Applied Science Degree by completing a career and technical education program with an earned overall grade point average of at least 2.0 (C). A grade of C- or better is also required for each specific course listed within the program outline. Some courses may not be transferable to other institutions and some programs may require electives that fulfill general education requirements.

Certain career and technical education programs have limited capacity and/or additional admission requirements. Prospective students who do not meet the initial eligibility requirements for a limited-enrollment program will need to take selected courses to receive necessary skill-building prior to entering the program. Because of the variety of options and course requirements within each career and technical education program, new students should consult with an advisor to formulate a customized plan prior to registration. Students who are placed on a waitlist for a limited enrollment program may also wish to pursue this option. Call (208) 769-3448 for information and to make an appointment with a career and technical education advisor.

Hands-on Training

Career and technical education and occupational programs provide hands-on training in specialized skills that are designed to connect with immediate employment opportunities. This training is accomplished through experiential learning in labs and shops, and through additional supervised internships at selected job sites or co-op opportunities. Each program has its own curricula for ensuring that students receive hands-on training and work-related experience to be employable in their field of study. Refer to the program and course descriptions for more information about the type of hands-on training provided for each career and technical education program. Those wishing additional information may contact Career and Technical Education Student Support Services at (208) 769-3448.