DEGREES AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Degrees Awarded[ Top of Page ]
Nicholls State University awards the following undergraduate degrees:
This information is subject to change (Please check current degree programs)
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The University also awards the following graduate degrees:
- Master of Business Administration.
- Master of Arts in Psychological Counseling.
- Master of Education.
- Master of Science in Community/Technical College Mathematics.
- Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Biology.
- Specialist in School Psychology.
Graduation
Under a Specific Bulletin[ Top of Page ]
University policy allows a student seven years to graduate under the Bulletin in effect at the time of initial enrollment at Nicholls, even though the student has made a change in curriculum or has had a break in college attendance. Time limitations for graduate degrees appear in the section of the Bulletin devoted to GRADUATE STUDIES.
Within the seven year period, students may change to another Bulletin in the office of their departments. Students unable to complete a degree program within seven years after entering the University are expected to follow the Bulletin in effect during their eighth year of attendance (or the Bulletin in effect the year of graduation).
Students who are pursuing more than one degree simultaneously or who wish to earn an additional degree (see Second Undergraduate Degree) after completing the first may follow the same Bulletin if no more than seven years have elapsed and there has not been a break from the University of more than one semester.
Change of Curriculum[ Top of Page ]
Change of curriculum becomes official on the date of submission to the Office of Records and Registration. Students should be advised by faculty in the newly chosen curriculum for the next semester. Records, however, will be formally transferred at the beginning of the following semester.
When programs must meet curricular requirements set by external agencies, such as accrediting associations, curricular changes may be made without prior notice, and students may be required to conform to such changes when they become effective.
General University Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree[ Top of Page ]
- To qualify for graduation with a baccalaureate degree, a student must:
- Complete all work in one of the curricula as outlined in the University Bulletin including the University General Education requirements and a Freshman Studies course.
- Achieve competencies in computer literacy and oral communication as determined by individual departments or curricula.
- Successfully complete at least 24 semester hours in the subject of the major or field of concentration. Some curricula require more hours and no grade lower thanC in the major field.
- Earn an overall adjusted (internal) grade point average of at least 2.0 in all work and in the minor subject, if any. A minor consists of a minimum of 18 semester hours in the minor field of concentration if a minor is stipulated by the department. A transfer student, in addition to meeting the above requirements, must have an adjusted (internal) grade point average of at least 2.0 in courses taken at Nicholls and which lead to a degree
- Fulfill the residence requirements. (See Residence Requirements for the Baccalaureate.)
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester hours in degree courses.
- Earn at least 45 semester hours in courses numbered 300 or above.
- Consult the academic dean of his or her college prior to the semester he or she intends to complete degree requirements and have academic records checked for completeness and accuracy.
- Apply for the degree 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.
- Pay graduation fees during the registration period for the semester or summer session in which degree requirements are to be completed.
- Clear all University accounts.
- 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.
Residence Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree[ Top of Page ]
To qualify for graduation with a baccalaureate degree, a student must:
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Earn at least 25 percent of credit hours in residence at Nicholls and earn a majority of credits in the major at Nicholls.
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Earn at Nicholls at least 24 of the last 30 semester hours offered in fulfillment of the degree requirements, six of which must be in the major field.
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For certain pre professional majors, complete 3 years of curriculum in pre dentistry, pre medicine, pre physical therapy, pre veterinary medicine, or pre medical technology; subsequently complete with at least a 2.0 grade-point average the first year of work in an accredited professional school (see curriculum requirements); and transfer the first 30 semester hours of professional school credits to Nicholls. A student completing work for a degree in this manner must earn at Nicholls at least 24 semester hours in residence after the sophomore year, and must fulfill general University degree requirements.
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Earn at least 50 percent of degree requirements at Nicholls or in residence at another accredited university or college. The remaining 50 percent of these requirements may be gained through correspondence, extension, military service, military service schools, CLEP, or any accumulation from all categories of testing, placements, and similar programs.
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Be enrolled during the last semester in residence at Nicholls in the college from which the degree is sought.
General Education Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree[ Top of Page ]
The general education experience provides graduates with
the fundamental skills, attitudes and knowledge necessary to
become life-long learners, to achieve their personal and
professional goals, and to make meaningful contributions to
their society. The requirements ensure that every Nicholls
graduate achieves basic proficiency in the following
competencies: Reading Comprehension, Effective Communications,
Reasoning and Independent Thought, Quantitative Reasoning,
Scientific Understanding, Information Technology Literacy,
Personal Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility. The general
education curriculum must be completed by all students working
toward a baccalaureate degree at Nicholls. Departments specify
which general education courses are required for each
particular major, minor, concentration and/or certification.
Students take a general education competency test before
graduation. Test results are used solely for program
evaluation, and student cooperation is required.
Minimum Subject Requirements[ Top of Page ]
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ENGLISH COMPOSITION: |
6 Hours |
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From ENGL 101, 102 or ENGL 111, 112. Each student shall fulfill English competency requirements by earning aC or better in 102. |
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FINE ARTS: |
3 Hours |
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From ART 110 or 111, 280, APPLIED ART, ART HISTORY, MUS 105 or 107, 307, 319, 320, 341, APPLIED MUSIC, SPCH 300 as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification. |
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HUMANITIES: |
9 Hours |
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From HIST 101, 102 or HIST 105, 106 or HIST 150, 151 and English Literature at the 200-level or above as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification. |
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MATHEMATICS: |
6 Hours |
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From MATH 101 and a mathematics course specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification. Each student shall fulfill mathematics competency requirements by earning aC or better in 101 earning or by credit in calculus. |
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NATURAL SCIENCES: |
6 Hours |
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From a two semester sequence in either the area of the biological or the physical sciences as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification. Biological sciences include biology; sequences include BIOL 105,106; 105, 108; 114, 116; 155, 156. Physical sciences include astronomy, chemistry, geology, physical science, or physics; sequences include CHEM 101, 102; 101, 208; 105, 106; 221, 222. GEOL 101, 102; 211, 213. PHSC 101, 102; 101, 103; 102, 103. PHYS 101,102; 201, 202. |
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NATURAL SCIENCES: |
Other 3 Hours |
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From a natural science course in an area (biological or physical) other than that selected for the sequence above as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification. |
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SOCIAL and BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES: |
6 Hours |
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From two of the following disciplines: ECON, GEOG, GOVT, PSYC, SOCI. Three hours of which must be at sophomore level or above as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification. |
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WRITING-INTENSIVE COURSE: |
3 Hours |
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From ENGL 264, 266, 310, 366, 368, 468, BSAD 310, MACO 251 as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification. These courses teach effective writing within a discipline with primary emphasis on the further development of essential writing and reasoning skills necessary for success in students' academic, personal, and professional lives. |
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Other Course Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree[ Top of Page ]
One freshman studies course to be determined by the program and placement of student from UNIV 101,UNIV 110; UNIV 151,UNIV 152, ACSU 115, and PSET 100.
Computer literacy and oral communication competencies to be specified by each department from the list of approved courses. Approved computer literacy courses: CMPS 101, 120, 200; EDUC 251; MNTC 110; MACO 322 or MACO 364, and 365 and 366; OIS 200. Approved oral communication courses: ART 251; ENGL 304; FACS 262; NURS 440; SPCH 101 or 105, SPCH 363.
Additional Undergraduate Degree[ Top of Page ]
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 anassociate 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.
More Than One Major[ Top of Page ]
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.
GENERAL UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREES[ Top of Page ]
- To qualify for graduation with an associate degree, a student must:
- Complete 6 hours of English other than developmental English and fulfill English competency requirements by earning aC or better in 102.
- 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 aC or better in 101 or by earning credit in calculus
- Complete 6 hours of science (astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, physical science, or physics).
- Complete 3 hours of humanities courses (literature, foreign languages, history).
- Complete 3 hours of fine arts (ART 110 or MUS 105).
- 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).
- Complete a Freshman Studies course (FRST 101, 110, LDST 151, 152, or ACSU 115) or PSET 100.
- Achieve computer literacy and oral communication competency as determined by curricula.
- Complete an approved curriculum as outlined by the student's college.
- Complete a minimum of 60 semester hours in degree credit courses.
- Earn at least 25% of credit hours in residence at Nicholls.
- Complete at least 12 of the last 15 semester hours in residence at Nicholls.
- Have an overall adjusted (internal) grade-point average of at least 2.0 in all courses.
- 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.
- Clear all University accounts.
- 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.
- Be enrolled during the last semester in residence at Nicholls in a college from which the degree is sought.
Graduate Degree[ Top of Page ]
Requirements for a graduate degree appear in the section of the Bulletin devoted to GRADUATE STUDIES.
Degree with Honors[ Top of Page ]
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 3.700 3.899; andcum laude if the official cumulative (external) grade point average is 3.500 3.699. 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.
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.
Only students receiving a baccalaureate or a graduate degree are eligible to receive honors.