Communications Proficiency

Communications Proficiency may be achieved in the following ways:

Test

• Achieving a score of 68 or higher on the Reading section of the Computerized Placement Test plus a score of 7 or higher on the 12-point WritePlacer or a score of 4 or higher on the 8-point WritePlacer section of the Computerized Placement Test.
• Achieving a score of 500 or higher on the Reading portion of the SAT plus a score of 500 or higher on the Writing portion of the SAT. If students achieve a 500 or better in Reading but not Writing, they need to pass the WritePlacer Section of the Computerized Placement Test with a score of 7 or higher. If they achieve a 500 or better in the Writing but not the Reading, they need to achieve a score of 68 or higher on the Reading section of the Computerized Placement Test.
• Achieving a score of 80 percent correct or higher on the entry level Massachusetts Firefighters' Exam.
• Achieving a score at or above the 85 percent correct on the Reading Comprehension portion of the entrance exam (TEAS) for the Practical Nursing Program.
• Achieving a score at or above 54 percent correct on the Reading/Reasoning section of the entrance exam (CNET) for the Nurse Education Program.
• Achieving a score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement English Test.
• Acceptance into the VERIZON Next Step Program.

Questions regarding CLEP or other specialized tests may be directed to the Center for Alternative Studies and Educational Testing (978-762-4000 or 781-593-6722, x5429).

Course

• Completing NSCC's COM010, COM011, and COM013 with grades of B+ or better.
• Completing NSCC's COM099 with a C or better.
• Completing COM012 and COM014 with C or better.
• Completing NSCC's ESL122 and ESL128 with A's.
• Transferring courses and grades equivalent to the above or higher.

Degree

• An Associate's Degree from a U.S. college or university will be accepted as demonstrated communications proficiency.
• A Bachelor's Degree from a U.S. college or university will be accepted as demonstrated communications proficiency.
• A Master's Degree from a U.S. college or university will be accepted as demonstrated communications proficiency.

Please Note: Documentation may include a copy of grade reports from other colleges, an unofficial or official transcript, a copy of an SAT report, the completed demographic information on the NSCC registration form, an Associate's (communications only proficiency), Bachelor's or Master's degree. People without documentation may call the Center for Alternative Studies and Educational Testing at (978) 762-4000 x4376 or (781) 593-6722 x4376 for the most up-to-date preferred placement-testing schedule. Placement tests are generally available on a drop-in basis. No appointment is necessary.