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Academic Catalog

DEGREES AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

GRADUATION UNDER A SPECIFIC BULLETIN

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

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.

DEGREES AWARDED

Undergraduate Degrees

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of General Studies


Bachelor of Music Education

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science in Nursing


Associate of General Studies

GRADUATE STUDIES

The university awards the following graduate degrees. For more information please visit Graduate Studies:

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Degree with Honors

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; and cum 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.

Note: 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.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

General Education Requirements (GER)

In support of the university's mission to create a personalized, culturally rich, and dynamic learning environment, the General Education Program at Nicholls State University provides a common integrative learning experience for all undergraduates, regardless of their major or their program of study. This common core of study develops and fosters:

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foundational competencies in communication, critical thinking, computer and information literacy, and quantitative reasoning

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an understanding of the natural and social worlds in which we live

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an awareness of the importance of the past and a familiarity with the cultural movements that have shaped the present

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an informed appreciation for the artistic and philosophical expressions of the human community

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the exercise of moral reasoning, ethical choices, and social responsibility

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intellectual curiosity, independent and life-long learning

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knowledgeable and tolerant perspectives of intercultural and international issues and challenges

The general education core curriculum must be completed by each student 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. For more information, see the NSU General Education website at www.nicholls.edu/general_education.

General Education Core Curriculum

ENGLISH COMPOSITION:
From ENGL 101, 102 or ENGL 111, 112. Each student shall fulfill English competency requirements by earning a C or better in 102.

6 Hours

 

 

FINE ARTS:
From any ART or MUS course, or from FNAR 105, 301, 302, or from SPCH 300 as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification.

3 Hours

 

 

HUMANITIES:
From HIST 101, 102 or HIST 105, 106 or HIST 150, 151 or HIST 255, 256 and Literature or Philosophy at the 200-level or above as specified by the major/ minor/ concentration/certification.

9 Hours

 

 

MATHEMATICS:
From MATH 100, or MATH 101 and a mathematics course specified by the major/ minor/ concentration/ certification. Each student must earn a grade of C or better in Math 100 or 101 or earn credit in calculus as part of the fulfillment of the math competency requirement.

6 Hours

 

 

NATURAL SCIENCES:
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.

6 Hours

 

 

NATURAL SCIENCES:
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.

3 Hours

 

 

SOCIAL and BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES:
From 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.

6 Hours

 

 

WRITING-INTENSIVE COURSE:
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.

3 Hours

 

 

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION:
International content, issues, and concerns to be integrated as required within existing general education courses.

 

 

 

Total General Education Requirements

42 Hours

University Requirement (UR)

One freshman seminar course from the following approved list: UNIV 101 or PSET 100.

Computer Literacy Requirement (CLR)

Computer literacy competency requirements are 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; MUS 201; OIS 200; See program description for specific requirement by major.

Oral Communication Requirement (OCR)

Oral communication competency requirements are specified by each department from the list of approved courses. Approved oral communication courses: ART 251; ENGL 304; FACS 262; NURS 440; SPCH 101 or 105; SPCH 363; collective completion of MUED 223, 225, 227, 383, 385, and MUS 272, 302 and 341; collective completion of MUED 383, 384, 478 and MUS 272, 303, and 341. See program description for specific requirement by major.

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Baccalaureate Degree

General Requirements

In addition to the General Education (GER), University (UR), Computer Literacy (CLR) and Oral Communication (OCR) requirements, to qualify for graduation with a baccalaureate degree, a student must:

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Complete all work in one of the curricula as outlined in the university Bulletin including the university General Education requirements and an approved freshman seminar course.

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Achieve competencies in computer literacy and oral communication as determined by individual departments or curricula.

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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 than C in the major field.

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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

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Fulfill the residence requirements. (See Residence Requirements for the Baccalaureate.)

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Earn a minimum of 120 semester hours in degree courses.

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Earn at least 45 semester hours in courses numbered 300 or above.

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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.

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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.

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Pay graduation fees during the registration period for the semester or summer session in which degree requirements are to be completed.

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Clear all university accounts.

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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

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.

Additional Undergraduate Degree

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 an associate 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

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.

Associate Degree

Requirements

To qualify for graduation with an associate degree, a student must:

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Complete 6 hours of English other than developmental English and fulfill English competency requirements by earning a C or better in 102 (GER).

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Complete 6 hours of mathematics including MATH 101 (or 100) and a mathematics course specified by the major/minor/concentration. Each student shall fulfill mathematics competency requirements by earning a C or better in 101 or by earning credit in calculus (GER).

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Complete 6 hours of science (astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, physical science, or physics) (GER).

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Complete 3 hours of humanities courses (literature, foreign languages, history) (GER).

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Complete 3 hours of fine arts (ART 110 or MUS 105) (GER).

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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) (GER).

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Complete one freshman seminar course from the following approved list: UNIV 101 or PSET 100 (UR).

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Achieve computer literacy (CLR) and oral communication (OCR) competency as determined by curricula.

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Complete an approved curriculum as outlined by the student's college.

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Complete a minimum of 60 semester hours in degree credit courses.

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Earn at least 25% of credit hours in residence at Nicholls.

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Complete at least 12 of the last 15 semester hours in residence at Nicholls.

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Have an overall adjusted (internal) grade-point average of at least 2.0 in all courses.

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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.

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Clear all university accounts.

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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.

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Be enrolled during the last semester in residence at Nicholls in a college from which the degree is sought.

Graduate Degree

Requirements for a graduate degree appear in the section of the Bulletin devoted to GRADUATE STUDIES.

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