Thibodaux, Louisiana  70310 (985) NICHOLLS www.nicholls.edu/

2002-2003 Undergraduate and
Graduate Bulletin

History

Nicholls State University, located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, is a comprehensive, regional university serving south central Louisiana.  Tax-supported and coeducational, it opened its doors September 21, 1948, as Francis T. Nicholls Junior College of Louisiana State University.

In 1956, the Louisiana Legislature separated Nicholls from LSU and authorized it to develop full four-year curricula.  Thus, in September 1956, the former junior college began operation as Francis T. Nicholls State College.  It granted its first degree in May 1958.  Act 93 of the State Legislature in 1970 changed the name to Nicholls State University.

The 210-acre campus in Thibodaux, is approximately 50 miles southwest of New Orleans and 60 miles southeast of Baton Rouge.

Nicholls is located in the heart of ?Cajun Country,? an area rich in tradition and culture.  Its location in the heart of the Mississippi River delta, allows easy access to the river, its tributaries, Louisiana's wetlands, and the Gulf of Mexico.

For more than half a century, Nicholls State University has been the sole provider of higher education in a region with abundant cultural and natural resources.  The University?s strong general education tradition prepares students to exercise leadership in a global society and enhances their ability to create a vision for the future.  By maintaining a major partnership with businesses, local school systems, community agencies, and other educational institutions, Nicholls actively participates in the development of the region.

Established along the banks of Bayou Lafourche, in the heart of the nation?s major estuaries, Nicholls provides unique opportunities for instruction and research in the fields of marine and environmental science.  The University has taken advantage of its strategic location to assume a leadership role in a region with ample resources in agricultural, fishing, petrochemical, and oil field related industries.  As a leader, the University continues to contribute significantly to the growth of the region in the fields of new technology, manufacturing, and international trade.

Nicholls maintains a strong commitment to the well being of the people of the region.  Through the expansion of health science programs, the University collaborates with a nationally recognized health care industry in the Thibodaux-Houma metropolitan area to meet the needs of its constituents. 

Vision Statement

Nicholls State University provides a quality institution of higher education dedicated to meeting the unique geographic and multi-cultural needs of south central Louisiana and beyond.

Mission

Nicholls State University commits itself to offering an excellent comprehensive education, including a majority of nationally accredited programs, that meets the needs of the communities it serves in south central Louisiana and beyond through teaching, research, and service.

Philosophy Statement

Nicholls State University accomplishes its mission through optimum use of the institution?s human, intellectual, and fiscal resources; by responding assertively to a diverse student population in a management environment that promotes faculty and staff involvement.

Clientele

Nicholls State University serves a diverse base of traditional and non-traditional students, as well as professional, social, and cultural populations who contribute to and benefit from their relationship with the University.

Comparative Advantage

The principle of ?Excellence in Education with a Personal Touch? has become embedded in the organizational culture of the University. This principle promotes an academic and social environment where students interact with caring faculty and staff and receive individualized attention.

Strategic Goals

In an effort to fulfill its mission, the following strategic goals have been developed:

• Strategic Goal 1 ? Advance knowledge in higher education

• Strategic Goal 2 ? Increase opportunities for student access to and success in higher education

• Strategic Goal 3 ? Promote responsible citizenship and leadership within an increasingly diverse population

• Strategic Goal 4 ? Promote the social, cultural, and economic development of the region

Accreditation

Regional

College, Departmental, and Program

Ellender Memorial Library

 
Alumni Federation

Chef John Folse Culinary Institute

The Institute preserves and fosters the rich culinary heritage of Louisiana.  It administers both a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Arts and an Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts and provides opportunities for professional and personal development in the culinary arts to the community.  The institute serves as a center for partnerships with the foodservice industry within and outside the state.

 
Center for Women and Government

The mission of the Center for Women and Government at Nicholls is to encourage the future leadership of women by preparing them for public service through non-partisan provision and support of education, research, training, and the development of creative programs.  Among the programs offered by the Center are a unique internship program and faculty research grant.  The Center also hosts seminars and conferences, and has instituted a Hall of Fame to honor outstanding Louisiana women for their contributions to the public sector.  

 
Center for the Study of Dyslexia

The Rural Development Institute was established to provide leadership to communities and to facilitate programs and services that enhance regional community development efforts in rural South Louisiana.  The mission for the Institute is fulfilled through four interrelated programs: education and training, community outreach, applied research and development, and telecommunications.  The programs are designed to build active partnerships with communities, businesses, industries, and governmental agencies.  

 
Opportunities for International Study

Nicholls State had a vision over a quarter of a century ago to expand its classrooms from a regional campus in Louisiana to a global environment.  Today, the university has ten international study sites around the world.  The university continues its commitment to this vision.  As part of its mission, the university strives to prepare students to interpret and respond to changing regional, national, and global societies.   One way of accomplishing this goal is to educate students in different parts of the world as well as in diversified cultures. 

Department of Study Programs Abroad

Office: 154 Beauregard Hall
Phone: 448-4440
Director: Cynthia Webb

The Department of Study Programs Abroad has established international study sites in Costa Rica, Spain, Mexico, Ecuador, France (Nice and Paris), Germany, Austria, and Italy.   Students have the opportunity to earn undergraduate or graduate credit in Spanish, French, German, and Italian.  Students may choose to study a minimum of two weeks up to one year and most classes begin every Monday.  Classes are entirely taught in the target language and conducted in an open dialogue format between students and teachers.  Students are housed with host families who are native to the country. The length of a study program determines the number of credit hours a student may earn in a given program.  Programs are available for beginners as well as for advanced speakers.  Non-credit programs are also available.

Art Program

Office: 221-225 Talbot Hall  
Phone: 448-4597  
Program Director: Dennis Sipiorski  
Program Coordinator: Jean Donegan 

The Department of Art offers an educational travel opportunity each summer which departs in early June.  Accompanied by faculty of Nicholls State, students participate in an organized tour which concentrates on a few countries in Europe.  Some past itineraries have included Ireland, England and France, Spain, the French Riviera and Northern Italy, and Greece and Italy.  The length of the program is approximately nineteen days and is designed to offer on-site experiences while providing the opportunity of fulfilling academic courses in art, fine arts, art history, humanities and field study for studio courses in photography and drawing.  Annual programs are available to all students and individuals in the community.

Europe Program

Office: 154 Beauregard Hall
Phone: 448-4460
Program Director: Jim Barnidge

Nicholls Europe is the second oldest international study program in the state of Louisiana.   Students have an opportunity to travel and study in England, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the Czech Republic.   The twenty-day summer travel program takes place in the months of June and July.   Students are provided with an up-close and personal study of art, drama, architecture, government, and history.  Students of all disciplines are eligible to earn undergraduate or graduate credit in history, humanities, and art courses.

Honors Abroad Program

Office: 245 Peltier Hall
Phone: 448-4462
Program Director: Martin Simpson  
Program Coordinator: Paul Wilson

The University has established a study abroad program to England for students who are enrolled in the Honors Program.  The program offers a cross-cultural educational opportunity by placing students in England as part of their undergraduate experience.  Students are enrolled in a special set of courses such as history and English.   Students begin their courses on the campus of Nicholls.   In a four-week period during the semester, students attend classes at the University of Plymouth in England.  Students return to the campus of Nicholls to complete their courses and semester.  Nicholls faculty teach the courses and design extra-curricular activities to take advantage of the different cultural setting.  Students are housed in the dormitories of the university.

One of the largest universities in England, the University of Plymouth is located in Plymouth and has approximately 23,000 students.  The city of Plymouth is a port city in the southwestern part of England.

Glossary

Academic Sequence Courses - Those which must be taken in designated order of sequence. Completion of a lower-numbered course is a requisite in order to master subject matter presented in the next higher course. Each department designates sequence courses within its department. Placement tests may be used to determine where a student begins a sequence.

Academic Year - That period beginning with the summer session and including the fall and spring semesters.

Adjusted (Internal) Grade Point Average ? A student's grade-point average computed by subtracting the hours and quality points earned in all previous attempts in a repeated course from the overall number of hours and quality points.

Audit - To pay fees and register for a class or classes as an observer only and receive no credit for it.

College - An academic unit of the University, administered by a dean and staffed by faculty members, which provides an academic program.

Concentration ? An alternative track of courses within a Major or Option, accounting for at least 30% of the Major requirements.  Concentrations may be instituted by the affected system and campus without prior approval by the Board of Regents.*

Corequisite - A concurrent requirement; usually a course or some other condition that must be taken or met at the same time as another course.

Credit - A measurement of course work completed satisfactorily. Ordinarily, one semester‑hour credit is given for one hour of class attendance per week for a period of one semester.  However, in some courses, such as laboratory courses, two or three clock hours of attendance per week are required to earn one semester hour. A specified number of credits must be earned for a degree.  Some colleges and universities, unlike Nicholls, operate on a quarter basis; that is, they divide the year into four quarters and give quarter credits.  Quarter credits multiplied by two‑thirds equal semester credits.  Semester credits multiplied by one and one‑half equal quarter credits.

Curriculum ? A description of required and elective courses for a Degree Program.*

Degree ? The title of the award conferred on students by a college, university, or professional school upon completion of a unified program of study (e.g., Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts).*

Degree Program ? Any grouping of campus-approved courses and requirements (e.g., minimum GPA required, comprehensive examinations, English and Math proficiency) which, when satisfactorily completed by a student will entitle him or her to a degree from a public institution of higher education.*

Degree of Subject Area ? The primary discipline which constitutes the focus of a Degree Program. When a student satisfactorily completes a Degree Program, he/she will be entitled to a degree in the appropriate subject area (e.g., Biology, History, Vocal Arts).*

Degree Title ? The complete label of a Degree Program, consisting of a Degree Designation (e.g., Associate of Science) and the Degree Subject Area (e.g., Biology).

Department - The unit of instructional organization in a particular discipline.

Developmental Course - One designed to enable students to develop the skills required to do college-level work.

Elective - A course chosen by the student, as opposed to a required course.  The term "elective," without a qualifier, will be understood to be a free elective, chosen by the student at his or her option from all the courses offered by the University for degree credit, with due regard for prerequisites.  An approved elective is not open to the free choice of the student.

Equivalent - When used in a course prerequisite, this term means either credit in a comparable course or adequate preparation by other experience.  Determination of equivalency is at the discretion of the individual departments.

Fine Arts ? The Board of Regents recognizes the following disciplines as Fine Arts courses: music, visual arts, applied arts, theatre, dance, and interdisciplinary.

Good Standing - The status of a student who is eligible to continue in or return to the University.

Graduate Student - A student who has received a baccalaureate degree and has been officially admitted to Graduate Studies.

Humanities ? The Board of Regents recognizes the following disciplines as Humanities courses: literature, foreign languages, history, communications, philosophy, and interdisciplinary.

International Student - A student who is a citizen and resident of a foreign country and who is attending Nicholls on a visa from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Junior Division - An academic and administrative unit for freshmen who later transfer to a degree-granting college.

Major ? That part of a Degree Program which consists of a specified group of courses in a particular discipline(s) or field(s).  The name of the Major is usually consistent with the Degree Subject Area.  A Major usually consists of 25% or more of total hours required in an undergraduate curriculum.  Establishment of a Major requires prior approval by the Board of Regents.*

Major Professor - A member of the graduate faculty who closely advises and counsels a graduate student.

Minor ? That part of a Degree Program which consists of a specified group of courses in a particular discipline(s) or field(s), consisting usually of 15% or more of total hours required in an undergraduate curriculum.  Minors may be instituted by the affected system and campus without prior approval by the Board of Regents.*

Official Cumulative (External) Grade Point Average - A student's grade‑point average based on the total number of quality points earned divided by total number of quality hours attempted.  This is the official GPA posted on the transcript and used to determine academic honors and class standing.

Option ? An alternative track of courses within a Major, accounting for at least 50% of the Major requirements.  Establishment of an Option requires prior approval by the Board of Regents.*

Prerequisites - A course or courses to be completed or conditions to be met before a student is eligible to enroll in a more advanced course.  Prerequisites are listed in each course description.

Quality Point - Result obtained when the numerical value of a letter grade (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0) is multiplied by the credit hours for the course.

Registration - The process by which a student, upon payment of required fees, is enrolled in one or more classes.

Residence Credit - Credit earned by a student in residence by virtue of enrollment in University day or evening classes conducted on campus.

Resident - A student whose home or legal residence, as defined by the policy of the University of Louisiana System Board of Trustees, is in Louisiana and is therefore not required to pay the out‑of‑state fee.

Semester - A period consisting of about four and one-half months.

Semester Average - A student's grade-point average based on the total number of quality points earned divided by total number of semester hours attempted in a given semester.

Semester Hour - The unit by which course work is measured.  The number of semester hours assigned to a course is usually determined by the number of hours the class meets each week.

Social and Behavioral Sciences ? The Board of Regents recognizes the following disciplines as social and behavioral sciences: economics, geography, government, psychology, and sociology.

Student Schedule - The courses in which a student is enrolled.

Transfer Student - One who has attended another college or university before entering Nicholls.

Undergraduate - A student who has not yet received the baccalaureate degree.

Upperclass student - A sophomore, junior, or senior.

*As defined by Board of Regents.