Northwest–Shoals Community College: Courses, Admission, Cost

The Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) is a reputable public community college in the state of Alabama in the United States. It was established in the year 1963 as the first Junior College in Alabama. Over 3500 students are enrolled with NW-SCC. The institute offers various academic and career educational opportunities. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Colleges accredited the Northwest-Shoals Community College to award the Associate in Science, Arts, Occupational Technology, and Applied Science degrees, as well as short-term and career certificates in distinct occupational fields.

Associate degrees are pronounced university parallel programs and can be easily transferred to a four-year college or university to complete a Bachelor's degree. In contrast, certificate programs can last from one semester to two years and certify completion of specific occupational or technical training programs. There is no need for a High School degree for some of these programmes. NW-SCC also offers two-year General Education and Business Administration transfer degrees through distance education.

Northwest-Shoals Community College boasts of two campuses – one in Phil Campbell and the other in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The Phil Campbell Campus, easily accessible from the highway, is situated 30 miles to the south of the Shoals campus. Spread over 100 acres of land, the Phil Campbell campus provides Applied Technology programmes and academic courses alongside various student and community services. The Bevill Fine Arts Centre, which organises several concerts, special and musical events for both the college and local communities, is among the top cultural centres in northwest Alabama. The 110-acre Shoals Campus provides students with many career technical and academic programs.

The Patriot Centre on the campus is a multipurpose facility offering accommodation to nearly 1,300 people. A child development centre with qualified staff to care for children is available for the community and students. The campus also has room for science labs, health studies and special programs, such as Ready to Work, Adult Education, and the Alabama Technology Network.

Northwest-Shoals Community College offers financial aid in the form of scholarships to deserving and meritorious students for one academic year. The institute offers Academic, Ambassador, Applied Technology, College Bowl, Cosmetology, GED Leadership, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Opportunity, Performing Arts, Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Salutatorian/Valedictorian scholarships.

Notably, the criteria and specifications for each of the scholarships may be different. Students must meet the eligibility criteria set by the college authorities to receive the scholarship. NW-SCC prides itself in collaborating with the Haleyville, Franklin County, Rogersville, Lawrence County, and Shoals Chambers of Commerce. The collaboration provides tuition scholarships to all full-time employees of member companies/businesses of the Chambers of Commerce within the college service area.

Scholarships are applicable to all certificate and degree programmes, at both campuses, including online offerings, given that students display the proof of eligibility. Additionally, the institute is prepared to carry out training at the locations and times convenient for business clients and employees.