Academic Catalog

The Office of Admissions is responsible for conducting the university's student recruitment and admission program as well as providing services to international students. Applications for admission can be obtained from this office or via the Internet at www.nicholls.edu.

Admission requirements for graduate programs appear in the section on GRADUATE STUDIES in this Bulletin.

No student shall be denied admission to the university because of race, color, age, sex, creed, disability, or national origin.

Falsification of academic records, academic forgery, altering official academic documents, misusing university documents, or withholding information relating to admission, transfer credits, academic status or records may be cause for a student's dismissal.

A non refundable application fee of $20 for United States citizens and $30 for others will be assessed each person applying for admission or readmission to Nicholls. The check accompanying the application should be made payable to Nicholls State University.

The ACT is administered at Nicholls and other designated testing centers five times yearly. Applicants may pick up a registration packet in the Testing Center or Admissions Office or may write to ACT Registration Unit, P.O. Box 414, Iowa City, IA 52243. Students may also register or request ACT scores via the Internet at www.act.org. The university does not accept test applications nor can it forward applications to the ACT Registration Unit. The Scholastic Aptitude Test [SAT] is acceptable. An ACT/SAT Concordance will be used to determine equivalent scores. Specific questions about individual scores should be directed to an academic advisor or the Testing Center.

All enrolled students at Nicholls (born after January 1, 1957), must provide written proof of immunization confirming: two doses of measles (rubeola) vaccine, at least one dose each of rubella (German measles) and mumps vaccine, and a tetanus/diphtheria booster received within the last ten years.

This immunity can be documented by:

All students must have on file in the University Health Services Office, a completed Proof of Immunization Form. Blank forms are available in Health Services or on the Internet at www.nicholls.edu. The form should be completed and signed by a physician or parish/county health unit.

The residence status of an applicant or student is determined in accordance with Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System regulations and is based upon evidence provided in the application for admission and related documents. Residence status is determined by the Office of Admissions after the completed application for admission has been submitted. The location of the home and the place of employment are especially important. Residence status may not be acquired by an applicant or student while residing in Louisiana for the primary purpose of attending school or college. It is the responsibility of the student to provide the university with a completed application for residency and the evidence deemed necessary to establish residence status. The application and supporting documentation must be filed with the Office of Admissions no later than two weeks prior to the fee payment deadline for the semester for which the student is requesting in-state tuition. Residence status, for fee purposes only, will be granted to non-resident graduate students registered for three semester hours or less and undergraduate students registered for six semester hours or less in any session, or all non-resident students of graduate or undergraduate courses offered through Web-based or other electronic instruction, when domiciled outside of the state of Louisiana and not enrolled in any other courses at the university. The following definition of residency applies:

The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System has authorized exemptions of out of state tuition for certain non residents of high ability. For more information about such waivers, contact the Office of Admissions.

A student who does not want to earn university credit may enroll for no credit as an auditor. The student must complete an application form for admission or readmission which may be obtained in the Office of Admissions or on the Internet at www.nicholls.edu. All credentials required for admission must be submitted. No student under suspension from any institution of higher education, for academic deficiencies, or for disciplinary reasons will be permitted to enroll in the university.

Students who audit courses will not receive credit nor will they be permitted to take a credit examination later for audited work.

Anyone who wishes to change registration from an audit to a credit basis must make the change by the last date for registration in the semester or session in question. (See university calendar.) Fees for students who audit courses are the same as for those enrolled for credit.

First-time freshman, under 25 years of age, must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for admission to Nicholls State University:

Nicholls State University may admit students who do not meet all stated admissions requirements in accordance with the Board of Regents Master Plan. Nicholls State University will consider first-time freshmen with an ACT composite of at least 15. Admissions decisions will be made considering each applicant's potential for success and will include factors such as ACT score, special talents, and the university's commitment to a demographically diverse student population.

Students that are not admitted are encouraged to attend one of the Louisiana community/technical colleges. Transfer students may be admitted to Nicholls State University that do not meet the above criteria once they have at least 12 hours of non-developmental courses with at least a 2.00 GPA and require no more than one developmental.

Freshman students, under the age of 25, who graduate from out-of-state schools, are home-schooled, or receive a General Education Diploma must meet one of the following minimum admissions criteria. Those freshman students who do not may be admitted under the admissions exceptions category.

High school students who have completed six semesters of high school and wish to complete their senior year requirements by attending Nicholls may do so if they have a B average (3.0) or better, have an ACT composite score of 25 or higher, and are recommended by their high school principal.

Upon earning 24 semester hours of university credit in courses numbered 100 or higher, the student may be granted a high school diploma by the appropriate school board upon presentation of a copy of his or her Nicholls transcript and a recommendation form provided by the Office of Records and Registration at Nicholls.

Students accepted into this program may choose the disciplines of their interest and will have a faculty adviser. The students will be enrolled in their respective college and subject to the rules, regulations, policies, fees, and expenses applicable to all university students. Campus housing with food service is available to early admission students.

Credit attempted or earned while in this program is entered on the student's permanent academic record at Nicholls. Credit earned in this program is transferable to another college or university, depending upon the policies of the institution in question.

High school students who have completed six semesters of high school or the equivalent and wish to take some university course work, but intend to complete their senior year at their high school, may do so if they have a minimum 2.5 average, and a minimum ACT composite score of 20. Students may enroll during the summer session between their junior and senior years or during their senior year.

Students accepted into this program may choose the disciplines of their interest. Academic advising is provided by the respective college. Students in this program are subject to the rules, regulations, policies, fees, and expenses that apply to all students at the university. They are eligible for campus housing with food services.

Credit attempted or earned in this program is entered on the student's permanent academic record and becomes a part of the student's continuing record at Nicholls if the student continues his or her education at Nicholls after high school graduation. Credit earned in this program is transferable to another college or university, depending upon the policies of the institution in question.

Former students not enrolled at Nicholls in the preceding semester must submit an application for readmission. If a student has enrolled in any institution of higher learning, including a summer session, after attending Nicholls, the student must have a complete and official transcript from each college or university attended, whether or not credit was earned, sent to the Office of Admissions by the registrar of the institutions previously attended. Nicholls students who attend only the summer session at another institution must furnish an official transcript to the Office of Admissions prior to the next registration period.

Students (in-state and out-of-state) desiring to transfer to Nicholls State University must meet the following minimum admissions criteria:

Students must be eligible to return to the institution from which they are transferring. Students desiring to transfer with the minimum GPA on college level courses, but less than the minimum college level hours earned, must also meet the freshmen admissions criteria in order to be admitted as transfer students.

Nicholls State University may admit students who do not meet all stated admissions requirements in accordance with the Board of Regents Master Plan. Nicholls State University may set aside a limited number of exceptions of the entering transfer class. Admissions decisions will be made considering each applicant's potential for success and will include factors such as special talents and the university's commitment to a demographically diverse student population.

Acceptance of transfer credit is limited to academic credit earned at regionally accredited institutions in the United States or through the appropriate accrediting agency for institutions of higher education abroad. Until further notice, when a student transfers from South Louisiana Community College or Louisiana Delta Community College the university will examine course equivalency, faculty credentials, and other appropriate indicators of competencies to determine if these courses can be accepted for transfer credit. The university reserves the right to deny credit where such indicators are not present, or to require the student to prove competency by some other means.

General education course credit earned beginning Fall 2003 at L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College will be subject to the same examination and verification used to award transfer credit from previously mentioned community college.

An applicant for admission who has been enrolled in other institutions of higher learning must have a complete and official transcript from each college or university attended, whether or not credit was earned, sent to the Office of Admissions by the registrar of the institutions previously attended.

Any student entering the university from a community or junior college or a junior division is limited in the amount of transfer credit which may be applied toward the baccalaureate degree program, and the approval of the academic dean is required.

"Pursuant to Act 383 of the 2003 Regular Session, each campus shall state, in its catalog and materials disseminated to students or prospective students as part of recruitment, admissions, orientation, and registration procedures, the existence of the Statewide Student Transfer Guide and Articulation System Matrices (Board of Regents' E-matrix). These matrices indicate transfer equivalences of courses among Louisiana's public colleges and universities and may be accessed through the Board of Regents' webpage at www.regents.state.la.us.

Students should also be informed that the listing of courses on the matrices is not all-inclusive. There are courses that articulate between campuses that are not listed on the matrices. Students should be advised to contact the institution's Transfer Student Contact listed on the Website if they are unclear as to whether academic credit in general or credit toward meeting degree program requirements at other institutions is transferable."

International students applying for admission to Nicholls must have completed a secondary school program, must be proficient in written and spoken English, and must have adequate financial resources. The application, complete with official scholastic records, and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score should be in the Office of Admissions at least 60 days before the beginning of the semester in which admission is desired.

International students transferring to Nicholls from institutions abroad or from U.S. institutions must meet all requirements for transfer admission cited above.

Special forms for applying for admission to the university and further information may be obtained by writing to or calling the Office of Admissions. All of the required forms for international admissions are also available on the Internet at www.nicholls.edu. Proof of adequate financial resources to pay university fees and all other expenses incurred while living in the United States must be officially certified or verified before an international student can be accepted. All documents for admission must be official copies translated into English before a student can be considered for admission to the university.

An applicant for admission whose native language is not English must make a minimum score of 500 (computer-based total 173) on the TOEFL. For admission to graduate studies in Business or Mathematics, the minimum score is 550 (computer-based total 213). It is the student's responsibility to make arrangements to take this test.

Applicants who cannot obtain a TOEFL Bulletin and registration form in their country should write well in advance to: Test of English as a Foreign Language, Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08540 or visit www.ets.org.

Nicholls will not accept an international student who entered the United States on an I 20 form issued by another institution in the United States until that person has been enrolled at the institution issuing the I 20 or has been approved for transfer by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services.

Visitor status exists for students who enroll without formal credentials and who are not seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree. Credit earned under this registration may not automatically be used toward any graduate degree. Graduate students should refer to the GRADUATE STUDIES section in this Bulletin. While enrolled under visitor status, a student may earn credit for college-level courses and an official transcript of these credits will be available upon written request. Whether any credit earned under visitor status can apply toward an undergraduate degree will be determined after the student files a degree-seeking application, submits formal credentials, and meets all requirements for regular admission. The visitor status of admission is designed for part time, non traditional academic study.

Eligibility requirements for application under the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System Senior Citizens Program are a high school diploma or the equivalent and participants must be 60 years of age or older. Only the completed application form with fee and proof of age are required to be submitted. Senior citizens are exempt from registration fees and tuition fees for up to three hours but must pay the technology fee and course specific fees (e.g. laboratory fees). Normal tuition and fee charges will be required of those enrolling for more than three credit hours.

Those eligible for educational assistance as veterans, veterans' dependents or reservists should apply for the educational benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs on-line at www.gibill.va.gov, by completing the application in the Office of Records and Registration located in the Otto B. Candies Hall, or at any parish's Department of Veterans Affairs Offices. Applications for veterans and reservists can be mailed to the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Regional Office, PO Box 8888, Muskogee OK 74402-8888 and veterans' dependents applications can be mailed to the VA Regional Office, 671 Whitney Ave, Gretna LA 70053. Certificates of eligibility should be presented to the University Veterans' Liaison Counselor in the Records and Registration Office.

Those applying for VA educational benefits who want to be certified must complete a Student Request Form for VA Benefits in the Office of Records and Registration or on-line at www.nicholls.edu/records/forms/va_form.pdf. For additional information contact the University Veterans' Liaison Counselor in the Records and Registration Office. After the request is completed, the certification of enrollment is mailed or electronically transmitted to the VA office.

For additional information regarding VA educational benefits, call a counselor in the regional office in New Orleans at 1-800-827-1000 or the regional office in Muskogee at 1-888-442-4551.

Orientation programs for new students are conducted prior to each semester, including the summer session. The orientation program is designed to acquaint each new student with the university campus, academic programs, and support services. New students receive academic advising and complete registration for classes during orientation.

To attend an orientation program the new student must have applied for admission to Nicholls State, and have sent ACT/SAT scores.

All first-time freshmen and transfer freshmen working toward a degree are expected to attend a New Student Orientation session. Students will receive information about their specific orientation program after filing an application for admission. Each student is charged a non refundable $100 fee for orientation.