Academic Catalog

The mission of Junior Division is to introduce students to the University through comprehensive personal development services including curricular offerings and programs that prepare students to enter senior academic colleges or choose alternative postsecondary educational experiences or careers.

GENERAL INFORMATION

ADMISSION TO JUNIOR DIVISION

Students whose credentials do not meet the criteria for admission to an academic college are admitted to Junior Division according to the following criteria.

1. First time freshmen needing one or more developmental courses regardless of their ACT composite.
2. Transfer students whose transcripts indicate the need for completion of developmental courses.
3. Transfer freshmen with incomplete credentials (ACT/HS Transcripts) are assigned to Junior Studies in Junior Division for one semester. Registration for the subsequent intersession, summer session, or semester is not permitted unless credentials have been filed in the Office of Records and Registration prior to registration.
4. GED and Home School students needing one or more developmental courses.
5. Non-traditional students having no ACT score or whose high school transcripts do not meet the minimum GPA/high school rank requirements.

REQUIRED FRESHMAN STUDIES COURSES*

The University requires all students to complete one of the Freshman Studies courses listed below based on ACT/placement scores. This course should be scheduled in their first semester or no later than their second semester.

FRST 101 -	For students with developmental course placement
FRST 110 -	Adult Learners (25 years or above)
ACSU 115 -	Students admitted to the Academic Success Program
LDST 151 -	Students with ACT Composite 18-24, no developmental courses, and admitted to the Leadership Program
LDST 152 -	Students with ACT Composite 25, no developmental courses, and admitted to Honors Program

*NOTE: Students who do not complete one of the above courses by their second semester will have a hold placed on their registration and must report to Junior Division, Office of the Dean, to remove the hold.

DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM PLACEMENT CRITERIA*

Course	Area	ACT Score
ENGL 002	Dev. English	15 and Below
ENGL 003	Dev. English	16-17
MATH 002	Dev. Math	16 and Below
MATH 003	Dev. Math	17
RDNG 095*	Dev. Reading	17 and Below

*NOTE: Students who do not schedule/complete RDNG 095 (Dev. Reading) by their second semester will have a hold placed on their registration and must report to Junior Division, Office of the Dean, to remove the hold.

JUNIOR DIVISION EXIT CRITERIA

Students will receive an official notice of exit from Junior Division upon meeting the requirements detailed below:

Those who meet entrance requirements for a baccalaureate degree.

1. C or better in all required Developmental English and Developmental Mathematics courses and Developmental Reading.
2. Completion of a Freshman Studies, Academic Success 115, or Leadership Studies course.

Those who did not meet entrance requirements for a baccalaureate degree.

1. C or better in all required Developmental English and Developmental Mathematics courses and Developmental Reading.
2. Completion of 24 hours of non-developmental courses (100-level or above) with a 2.0 cumulative GPA in the 100-level courses.
3. Completion of a Freshman Studies, Academic Success 115, or Leadership Studies course.
   

ADVISING SERVICES

Students in Junior Division are assigned Junior Division academic advisors or Academic Success advisors. Students must see their assigned advisor for scheduling, change of major, dropping courses, resigning from the University, and other administrative procedures.

Requirements for Students Enrolled in Developmental Courses

Students placing in developmental courses should schedule them immediately upon enrolling and continue to schedule them sequentially each semester to completion.

DEPARTMENT OF FRESHMAN STUDIES

Office:	236 Elkins Hall
Phone:	448 4088
Professor:	Strawitz.
Associate Professors:	Elfert, C. LaFleur.
Assistant Professor:	Triche.
Instructors:	Alexander, Allemand, Blanchard (Head), Gilbert, Hodges, S. Lasseigne.

The Department offers several freshman studies courses, which satisfy the Freshman Studies University requirement. FRST 101, FRST 110, LDST 151, LDST 152. For eligibility requirements, see course descriptions section of this bulletin.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS PROGRAM - STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Office:	256 Elkins Hall
Phone:	448 4108
Associate Professor:	Elfert (Director).
Specialists:	Chapman, Lindsley.
Counselors:	Dore, Gordon, E. LeBlanc, Warren.
Coordinators:	L. Robichaux, Zeringue.

Academic Success is a federally funded, interdisciplinary, academic support TRIO program designed to assist students in attaining academic excellence. Students enrolled in the program must meet certain federal guidelines and must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade-point average. Four advisors and three academic specialists guide and monitor student progress. Financial aid and academic, career, and personal services are provided in addition to academic assistance in English, mathematics, reading, study skills, and other subjects. Interested students should contact the director.

DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Peter B.Strawitz, Ph.D.

Professor of Education

Director

Office:	234 Elkins
Phone:	448-4088/4089
Coordinators:	Elfert (Academic Success).
	Gilbert (Tutorial and Academic Enhancement Center).
	Gresham (Languages & Literature).
	Shaffer (Reading).
	Smith (Mathematics).

The Developmental Education Program is a multidisciplinary academic preparatory program to develop competencies in English, mathematics, reading, study skills, and personal awareness required for entrance into college level courses. Academic advisement/counseling and tutorial assistance are provided. Placement in the Developmental Education Program is based on ACT scores and/or placement tests. Program exit is contingent upon meeting the competencies established for English, mathematics, and reading.

Coordinating Committee for Developmental Education Members: Strawitz (Chair), Elfert, Gilbert, Gresham, Shaffer, Smith.

READING PROGRAM

Office:	250 Elkins
Phone:	448-4094
Coordinator:	Shaffer.
Instructors:	Gottschalk, Richard.

The Reading Program prepares students to meet the reading requirements of the academic departments. Students needing reading assistance should contact the coordinator.

ADULT LEARNER SERVICES

Office:	248 Elkins
Phone:	448-4097
Instructor:	Alexander (Coordinator).

Adult Learner Services addresses the special needs of applicants 25 years of age or older. Advising, guidance, and other types of services are available to assist adult learners in making a successful transition to college life. Interested students should contact the coordinator.

THE TUTORIAL AND ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT CENTER

Office:	246 Elkins
Phone:	448 4100
Instructor:	Gilbert (Director).

In an effort to improve retention, the Tutorial and Academic Enhancement Center at Nicholls State University is committed to assisting students in enhancing their learning potential and developing proficiency in their academic endeavors. The Center provides daytime peer tutoring to students enrolled in freshman level English, history, mathematics, chemistry, physics, foreign language, and biology. Supplemental instruction assistance is provided in Human Anatomy Lab, and tutors are available for computer science in Peltier Hall. A non-structured walk-in service during evening hours is also available. There is a one-time application fee for each course per semester.