BOSTON — Four Northeastern University athletic teams were recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as recipients of Public Recognition Awards, the organization announced Wednesday.

The awards, which honor high academic achievement, are part of the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR) program and are given to teams scoring in the top 10 percent nationally in the APR in their respective sport. This year's awards were compiled using the academic and retention rates for the 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 academic years.

The Northeastern teams recognized by the NCAA were field hockey, men's cross country, men's soccer, and women's ice hockey. Each of those squads have earned at least two consecutive awards, with women's ice hockey garnering an impressive fourth straight recognition.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that at least four Northeastern teams earned Public Recognition Awards.

The NCAA honors follow another impressive semester in the classroom, as 78 NU student-athletes were named to the Dean's List en route to a cumulative 3.161 grade point average. Forty-one student-athletes earned Top Dog distinction (GPA of 3.8 or higher), including 11 who registered a perfect 4.0 and nine more who earned a 3.9.

“Our goal at Northeastern is to foster a culture that enables our student-athletes to excel in the classroom, in competition, and in their personal endeavors,” said Peter Roby, Northeastern director of athletics and recreation. “We, as a department, are proud of these four teams and of all our academically-minded student-athletes for their continued success in the classroom.”

In the eight years of the NCAA's academic reform program, Northeastern teams have earned 19 Public Recognition Awards, including an impressive 17 in the last four years. Those teams are: baseball (2004-05), men's cross country (2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12), field hockey (2010-11, 2011-12), football (2008-09), women's ice hockey (2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12), men's indoor track (2009-10), men's outdoor track (2009-10), women's rowing (2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11), and men's soccer (2010-11, 2011-12).

In a release announcing the awards, the NCAA noted that the 976 teams publicly recognized for high achievement represent 594 women's teams and 382 men's or mixed squads. Top performing APRs this year ranged from 978 to a perfect 1,000, with the majority of teams earning a perfect APR.

“The NCAA's quintessential student-athlete exhibits dedication and commitment both on the playing field and in the classroom,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a statement issued by the organization. “These teams and programs truly embody the overall values of the NCAA, and have exceeded standards to post fantastic academic scores. We are delighted by such a clear example of our membership's commitment to providing well-rounded experiences to student-athletes.”

The NCAA will release this year's full Academic Progress Rate report on June 11.