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As a transfer student, you’ll find your previous hard work recognized and appreciated by NWC. You'll also discover a welcoming community that's committed to making your transition as smooth as possible, whether you're graduating from a community college or just want to find a college that's a better fit. 

Associate′s degree policy

If you're a community college graduate with one of the associate’s degrees listed below, you automatically meet all of the Northwestern Core (or general education) requirements, with the exception of one Christian Story course and one Senior Seminar course. So instead of worrying about losing credits you’ve worked hard to earn, you can start right in on the requirements for your major. That seamless transfer of courses means you’ll be on your way toward earning your bachelor’s degree—and achieving your educational and career goals—faster and more efficiently.

  • The associate's degree policy applies to transfer students with an Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • If you’ve taken a religion course equivalent to Northwestern’s Christian Story course, then that requirement is met as well.
  • While we’ll consider your Northwestern Core requirements complete if you have an associate’s degree, we will transfer in only 100-level or above courses for which you have earned a grade of C or higher. All students are required to have a minimum of 124 earned credits in order to graduate.
  • Your final 30 credits need to be completed at NWC in order to receive a Northwestern College diploma.

Online degree-completion programs

In addition to our traditional on-campus academic programs, Northwestern offers two online programs specifically designed for students with an associate’s degree:

  • The RN-to-BSN program was created for registered nurses who need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree to advance in their careers.
  • The Early Childhood B.A. degree prepares graduates for early childhood education roles, including classroom teaching, paraprofessional and lead teacher positions. Choose from the  licensure track that leads to an early childhood teaching license or the non-licensure track.

Learn more

For more information about transferring to Northwestern College, contact:

To apply:

Transfer student scholarships
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You’ve been working hard in college.
Find out what your scholarship payoff will be when you transfer to Northwestern. Visit our scholarships webpage and enter your current college GPA into our scholarship calculator, and explore other scholarship opportunities too.

View scholarship amounts

Feel the love
student playing the piano

I Northwestern
Our students love Raider Nation. They love the tight-knit community, their classes and professors, and opportunities to grow as Christians. They love feeling like they belong. See for yourself. You’ll love it.

We our studentsand our students love us

“I chose Northwestern because of the great dorm life I experienced when I visited on a RED101 Day during my senior year. I remember playing Settlers of Catan, and everyone in the residence hall I stayed in treated me like I was part of the family. ”

Thomas Heitritter Thomas Heitritter Actuarial science, finance and economics major from Boyden, Iowa

Thomas's story

“Studying abroad has allowed me to experience a whole new way of life and the realization that I can learn and benefit from other perspectives.”

Keaton Hettver Keaton Hettver ’'18 Social work major from Bloomington, Minnesota

Keaton's story

“It wasn’t until I asked a tutor for assistance for the first time that I realized how helpful peer tutoring can be.”

Matt Scott Matt Scott ’'19 Actuarial Science major from Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Matt's story

“With a focus on academic breadth as well as depth, a Northwestern education provides students with a variety of skills that enable them to become more marketable to potential employers. ”

Austin Warren Austin Warren ’18 Computer information systems major from Norfolk, Nebraska

Austin's story

“The classes I have taken have not only challenged me to grow as a person, but have opened up doors to a number of different opportunities after college.”

Connor Sams Connor Sams ’'18 Public Relations major from Monrovia, California

Connor's story

Meet a transfer
Emily Erck

Plugging in

A campus tour guide who remembered her when she returned to Northwestern for a second visit is one of the reasons Emily decided to transfer to NWC. Even though she transferred in the middle of a school year, she found it easy to make friends and get involved.

Emily's story

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