The minimum general education requirements listed below must be completed by all students working toward a baccalaureate degree at Nicholls. Some curricula demand more than the minimum requirements. Students should consult a specific curriculum to determine the additional requirements and restrictions applying to particular majors.  Students will be required to take a test on general education before graduation.  Test results are used solely for program evaluation and student cooperation is required.

All students are required to take one freshman studies course.  The course is determined by the program and placement of student from FRST 101, 103, 106, 110; ACSU 115; PSET 100.

A student wishing to earn an additional baccalaureate degree in another field of study at the University must earn at least 30 semester hours in addition to the number required for the first degree and must also satisfy all requirements for each degree.  The additional 30 hours need not have been completed after the first degree was awarded, but the total hours earned must be the number required for the first and 30 more hours.

To receive an associate degree as an additional degree, the student must meet the requirements of the degree and earn no less than 15 semester hours at Nicholls in addition to the hours required for the first degree.

Students are permitted to pursue two or more majors simultaneously by petitioning the dean or deans of the appropriate curricula.  Identifications of the majors are posted on the transcript only as a part of the degree.  A second or additional major will not be indicated if requirements are completed subsequent to graduation.

To be eligible for the certificate of excellence granted by the Louisiana State Board of Regents, the following criteria must be met:

1. Completion of 9 semester hours of English to include 101-102 or 111-112 and three hours of literature.

2. Completion of 6 semester hours of mathematics to include 101-102 or MATH 101-105 or 106 or higher.

3. Completion of 3 semester hours in art, theater, or music.

4. Completion of 15 semester hours in humanities to include HIST 101 and 102, 105 and 106, or 150 and 151 and 9 semester hours of a foreign language.

5. Completion of 6 semester hours of social studies from the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, government, psychology, and sociology.

6. Completion of 11 semester hours in the natural sciences to include a two-semester sequence with accompanying laboratories (two semester credits). Courses in biological and physical sciences must be taken. Further, students must complete these requirements by taking courses that are required of majors in the natural sciences rather than by taking courses for non-majors.

7. Completion of a course designated as a computer literacy course.

To qualify for graduation with an associate degree, a student must:

1. Complete 6 hours of English other than developmental English and fulfill English competency requirements by earning a C or better in 102.
2. Complete 6 hours of mathematics including MATH 101 and a mathematics course specified by the major/minor/concentration. Each student shall fulfill mathematics competency requirements by earning a C or better in 101 or by earning credit in calculus.
3. Complete 6 hours of science (astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, physical science, or physics).
4. Complete 3 hours of humanities courses (literature, foreign languages, history).
5. Complete 3 hours of fine arts (ART 110 or MUS 105).
6. Complete 3 hours of social sciences (economics, geography, government, psychology, sociology) in A.S. degree programs and 6 hours of social sciences in A.G.S. programs (3 hours must be 200 level).
7. Complete a Freshman Studies course (FRST 101, 103, 106, 110, or ACSU 115) or PSET 100.
8. Achieve computer literacy and oral communication competency as determined by curricula.
9. Complete an approved curriculum as outlined by the student's college.
10. Complete a minimum of 60 semester hours in degree credit courses.
11. Earn at least 15 semester hours in residence at Nicholls.
12. Complete at least 12 of the last 15 semester hours in residence at Nicholls.
13. Have an overall adjusted (internal) grade-point average of at least 2.0 in all courses.
14. Apply for the degree by the deadline as published in the University Calendar with the Office of Records and Registration during the registration period for the semester or summer session in which degree requirements are to be completed, and pay graduation fees at that time.
15. Clear all University accounts.
16. Participate in Commencement exercises. Because of extenuating circumstances, a student may request permission to be awarded the degree in absentia. The request must be made in writing to the dean of the student's college prior to graduation. A mailing fee of $10 is assessed for diplomas mailed within the continental United States and $25 outside the continental United States.
17. Be enrolled during the last semester in residence at Nicholls in a college from which the degree is sought.

The baccalaureate degree is awarded summa cum laude to any student whose official cumulative (external) grade-point average is at least 3.900; magna cum laude if the official cumulative (external) grade-point average is 3.750-3.899; and cum laude if the official cumulative (external) grade-point average is 3.500-3.749.  To be eligible for degrees awarded with honors, candidates must have earned at Nicholls more than 50 percent of the total college credits applied to the degree.

Note:

Effective summer 1997 the official cumulative grade point average for academic honors and class standing is calculated using all hours attempted and total quality points earned (external grade-point average).

Developmental courses which are taken during or after summer 1998 will not be included in the determination of GPA for honors.

Graduate students who earn an overall average of 4.000 on all courses pursued toward the degree awarded are recognized for this achievement during Commencement exercises.