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Length of Curriculum

NC State’s associate degree programs are designed so that a student who begins a program in the fall, or in the case of Radiological Sciences and Physical Therapist Assistant, in the summer, can complete that program within two years of full-time attendance following the recommended course load each quarter. Some certificate programs, like Practical Nursing, will require a year of full-time, daytime study, while shorter term certificate programs like International Trade may require less than a year. Students attending on a part-time basis can expect to spend three to five years or more in completing an associate degree.

In some programs, the course sequence and the prerequisites for courses can dictate the length of time necessary to complete the program. For further details regarding the curriculum and prerequisites for a specific program, contact your advisor or the Admissions Office.