Academic Catalog

Office:

234 Elkins

Phone:

448-4086 or 448-4095

Professor:

A. Davis.

Associate Professors:

Elfert.

Assistant Professors:

A. Alexander, Blanchard (Head), W. Triche.

Instructors:

Allemand, C. Clement, T. Davis, Gilbert, Hodges, M. Matherne, Richard, Sanders, Shaffer (Assistant Head).

University Studies maximizes the student's potential to achieve scholastic success and to adjust responsibly to the individual and interpersonal challenges presented by collegiate life. In UNIV 101 students are provided with an introduction to the nature of higher education and are given an extended orientation to the functions and resources of the university. Each of these courses is designed to help first-semester freshmen and first year transfer students adjust to the university, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic survival skills.

Nicholls State University requires all first semester freshmen and transfer students with less than thirty hours to schedule a University Studies course upon enrolling in the university. The unique program called La Porte D'Entr�e, which is offered through the Department of University Studies, is a key component of University Studies. Freshman Institute is mandatory and marks the beginning of the freshman seminar course. The Institute includes advising sessions, completion of selected projects, technology training, and other tasks designed to help make entry into college life more relaxed and enjoyable.

Office:

111 Gouaux

Phone:

448-4721

Director:

John Doucet

The Honors Program is designed with the highly-motivated students in mind. The mission of the Honors Program is to create enhanced educational experiences for a community of intellectually curious and academically talented students by providing challenging and creative opportunities that foster a life-long love of learning. Through innovative teaching, honors students receive a distinctly personal education that significantly involves them in the learning process. Because enrollment is limited, Honors classes allow students to learn in small groups.

The Honors Program offers honors alternatives to several courses within the general education curriculum as well as classes that reflect the interdisciplinary focus of the program. Students in the program receive certain privileges, such as priority pre-registration and study abroad opportunities, unavailable to the general student body. Honors students are also eligible to serve on the Honors Student Council, a student-led group that organizes extra-curricular activities for the program.

To be eligible, entering students must have a minimum composite ACT score of 25 with no component score below 20.

Currently enrolled students may apply for admission after completing 12 or more semester hours with a 3.2 cumulative average (excluding developmental courses). Current students must have successfully completed all developmental courses before enrolling in the program.

Upon completion of 18 hours of Honors courses, two hours of Honors Forum, and HONR 400, all with at least a 3.2 cumulative average, students will be awarded a certificate at an annual Honors Awards Ceremony and receive recognition on their official transcript.

The following honors courses are currently being offered: ART 111 (3); ENGL 111 (3), 112 (3), 211 (3); HIST 105 (3), 106 (3); HONR 400 (3); HUMA 111 (1); HUMA 280 (6), 380 (6); MATH 114 (3); MUS 107 (3); NURS 385 (3); SOCI 155 (3); SPCH 105 (3).

Office:

252 Elkins

Phone:

448-4117

Director:

C. Blanchard.

Special-Needs Advisors:

C. Blanchard -Adult Learners, D. McDonald - Athletes, K. Allemand - Early Alert, C. Richard - Extended Campus, R.Hodges -Transitional Programs and Advanced Placement, D. Zerangue -Transfers

As a part of the university's commitment to excellence in undergraduate education, the Academic Advising Center was created to provide academic advising and support to Nicholls State University students from the time of their admission until their acceptance into their majors. Faculty advisors meet regularly with students, assisting them in goal clarification, in selection of a major, and in educational planning and course selection. Advisors monitor student progress and refer students to other campus resources as necessary. Students may "drop in" for a quick answer or may set up an appointment with an advisor through AdvisorTrac, a web-based advising management tool available by way of ICAN student services at the following web address https://iaweb.nicholls.edu/.

Office:

212 Elkins

Phone:

493-2599

Director:

Gerald Sanders

The Academic Testing Center administers a variety of tests to prospective and enrolled students and others. The following tests are of importance to prospective students: American College Test (ACT), ACT Residual, and the ACT/COMPASS tests. These tests are used by Nicholls for initial placement of students in the correct levels of English and mathematics. Enrolled students may avail themselves of tests required for admission and advanced study. These include the Graduate Record Exam (GRE/Subjects Areas) and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Other tests which may be of importance to both prospective and enrolled students are the Praxis, National League for Nursing (NLN), Center for Nursing Education and Testing (ACE), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), and correspondence exams.

Office:

250 Elkins

Phone:

448-4096

Director:

R. Allen Alexander.

The Director of Retention and Advisor Training and Assessment is charged with studying and implementing best practices in academic advising and first-year experience instruction. The Director is responsible for the training and assessment of advisors of first-time freshmen, as well as for the offering of ongoing Master Advisor workshops for all interested faculty and staff. Because student retention is driven by multiple factors, including academic performance, assimilation to campus life, and financial support, the Director coordinates university retention initiatives that take these various elements into account. The Director consults with pertinent units in both the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Student Affairs.

Office:

154 Beauregard

Phone:

448-4100

Director:

Gilbert.

Coordinators:

Gresham, Smith.

Specialists:

Collins, Gorman.

The Tutorial and Academic Enhancement Center (TAEC) 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 history, mathematics, chemistry, physics, foreign languages, and biology. The Tutorials and Academic Enhancement Center is certified by the National Tutoring Association and the College Reading and Learning Association and is a member of the Association for the Tutoring Profession.

Tutors are available for computer science in Peltier Hall. A non-structured walk-in service during evening hours is also available.

The Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Writing Center in 153 Beauregard is staffed with writing consultants who assist students with writing assignments from any subject area. Consultants are trained to guide students through the writing process.

Students enrolled in developmental math and English classes can find specialized help in the Tutorial Opportunities for Enrichment (TOE) lab located in 239 Peltier Hall.

Office:

133 Polk

Phone:

448-4897

Interim Director:

Karen Chauvin

The Louisiana Center for Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders is housed in Polk Hall and Peltier Halls. The state Center prepares teachers to serve individuals with dyslexia through clinical and educational intervention provides direct service to Nicholls State University students and area residents, conducts psycho-educational assessments for children and adults, disseminates information about dyslexia, contributes to state policy regarding dyslexia, and conducts research that will contribute to the study of dyslexia.

Office:

Meade Hall

Phone:

448-4084

Director:

Dr. Angela Alexander

Assistant Director:

Shelby Hypolite

Upward Bound Victory is a federally funded program designed to prepare and motivate high school students to continue into post-secondary education. Students are chosen on the basis of family financial status and the participant's academic potential to engage in intense, structured activities, services and classes. The program includes tutorial services, postsecondary planning and search activities, ACT preparation, exposure to college options and a six-week residential summer Institute on the campus. Upward Bound Victory is housed in Meade Hall.