the state's need for increased access to higher education through teaching practices and support services that promote the success of its largely first-generation, low income, under-represented student population. Nevada State College places special emphasis on meeting the state's need for highly skilled, well-educated teachers and nurses and offers a wide range of baccalaureate degree programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences." Accreditation In August 2011, Nevada State College received independent accreditation at the baccalaureate degree level from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities approved NSC as a Candidate for Accreditation in July 2006. Since July 2006, Nevada State College has filed two comprehensive self-study reports with the Commission, and has undergone three comprehensive on-site visits by the Commission. Since 2002, Nevada State College has been operating under the accreditation of the University of Nevada, Reno. Tuition and financial aid For the 2014-2015 academic year, Nevada residents will pay $148.50 per credit for tuition, plus student fees. Nevada State College offers financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Degree programs NSC offers 26 bachelor's degree programs and 16 minors. In the Fall of 2008, Nevada State College launched Nevada's first bachelor of science degree in the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. The program addresses the deaf culture and its integration of deaf students into specific subject areas. Nevada State College also partners with Touro University to accommodate students in Occupational Therapy. Through the partnership, students complete three years of their bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy Science at Nevada State College, then transfer to Touro University for the final two years. Faculty As of the latest IPEDS Diversity Report, Nevada State College's full-time faculty is 34.2% ethnic/racial minorities which is the highest percentage of all of the Nevada System of Higher Education institutions. Student enrollment NSC enrolled 177 students in the fall of 2002; in the fall of 2010, the college enrolled 2,988 students. For the fall of 2011, NSC enrolled 3,167 students, which represents a year-over-year six percent increase in student enrollments. Degrees awarded From 2004 (the first year in which students were eligible to graduate from NSC) to 2010, the college has graduated 1,214 students with the majority of degrees being awarded in the fields of nursing and education. Academic units The college's academic programs are housed in one of three schools: the School of