Haverhill and Lawrence -This fall, Northern Essex Community College will offer three new fully online accelerated associate degree programs in Business Transfer, Criminal Justice, and General Studies: Health Specialization, designed especially for working students.
Typically, Northern Essex courses run a full semester or 15-weeks. These programs will feature 7 and 8-week accelerated courses. In one semester, students can take four courses; two the first part of the semester, and two the second part. By taking four courses each semester, along with courses during the summer and winter intersession, students can graduate in two years.
The cost to earn one of these online associate degrees is approximately $9,000 and whenever possible professors are using open educational resources, which are free to students, rather than expensive textbooks.
“These programs are geared toward adults who are working but want a degree to get ahead,” says Kelly Sullivan, the college’s dean of business and professional studies. “Taking just two courses at a time will allow students to focus.”
One-third of Northern Essex students are working full time while attending college.
The fall 2021 semester begins Sept. 8.
For more information on these new accelerated online associate degree programs, contact Ari Chicklis, achicklis@necc.mass.edu
