New Fall 2023 Programs

Northampton Community College (NCC) is excited to launch several new programs for the fall 2023 semester as we continue to meet the demands of our students and the community. Beginning this August, NCC will be offering programs in legal studies and pre-funeral services and will be expanding their current offerings in exploratory studies with a new specialized diploma and in global studies, which will now include a food concentration option. 

The legal studies program is designed to allow students who aspire to have a career in law the ability to survey different aspects of the legal profession, including paralegal studies, social sciences, criminal justice, and business law. Additionally, it serves as great preparation for both the students who plan to go to law school as well as those who want to go directly into the workforce and pursue careers such as probation officers, court reporters, legal assistants and more. Those who are interested in this field can find more information on the legal studies page.   

If you’re a compassionate person interested in helping people, the new pre-funeral service program may be a good fit for you. Students can choose this program to build a solid foundation for their funeral services studies. Graduates of this program will have the basic credentials to work in funeral homes. Those who continue their studies will open more doors to opportunities in the industry. The pre-funeral service program will fulfill 61 of the credits from the funeral services program, and once in the last semester, those in pre-funeral services can finish the last of the required credits in the funeral services program to earn both degrees. For more information on which program is best suited for the start to your funeral education, please contact Tony at tmoore@northampton.edu, and visit the funeral services page.  

For students still exploring their options, the new specialized diploma in exploratory studies provides a well-rounded introduction to core general education courses in social, cultural, behavioral, scientific and computer-related subjects. It also allows students to discover what suits them best by exposing them to a variety of different fields. Upon completion, students are prepared to enter the workforce as a stronger job candidate, continue their journey towards a two-year degree at NCC or transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree. Find more information on the exploratory studies page. 

Discover how food mixes with different cultures through the global studies program with a food concentration. Learn how other countries treat food, sustainability, climate, growth outcomes and more. You may even choose to learn with a summer abroad! Graduates can go on to work in travel and tourism, global health, human justice organizations, international businesses and a wide variety of other roles. Check out this program and other global studies programs on the global studies page. 

If you’re interested in these programs and majors, talk to an advisor to find the best path for you! If you’re not yet a student but want to enroll this fall, NCC is hosting Instant Decision Days where prospective students can complete their application with a member or our enrollment team and receive acceptance within an hour. Current or newly accepted students can also take advantage of our special Saturday Registration Days on either August 19 or 26 to get help with course registration and other enrollment needs.