For The Baccalaureate Degree

To qualify for graduation with a baccalaureate degree, a student must:

1. Complete all work in one of the curricula as outlined in the University Catalog including the University General Education requirements and a Freshman Studies course.
2. Achieve competencies in computer literacy and oral communication as determined by individual departments or curricula.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Fulfill the residence requirements. (See Residence Requirements for the Baccalaureate.)
6. Earn a minimum of 120 semester hours in degree courses.
7. Earn at least 45 semester hours in courses numbered 300 or above.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Pay graduation fees during the registration period for the semester or summer session in which degree requirements are to be completed.
11. Clear all University accounts.
12. 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.

Also: Please see Residence Requirements below

Residence Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree

To qualify for graduation with a baccalaureate degree, a student must:

1. Earn at least 25 percent of credit hours in residence at Nicholls and earn a majority of credits in the major at Nicholls.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

The minimum general education requirements listed below must be completed by all students working toward a baccalaureate degree at Nicholls. Some curricula demand more than the minimum requirements. Students should consult a specific curriculum to determine the additional requirements and restrictions applying to particular majors. Students will be required to take a test on general education before graduation. Test results are used solely for program evaluation and student cooperation is required.The University’s general education requirements for the baccalaureate degree include 42 hours of coursework as detailed below. Some departments specify particular general education courses. Students can refer to the suggested course sequence for the degree to determine those particular courses.

Other Course Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree

All students are required to take one freshman studies course from the following approved list: UNIV 101 or PSET 100.

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.

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.

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.

General University Requirements for the Associate Degree

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

1. Complete 6 hours of English other than developmental English and fulfill English competency requirements by earning a C or better in 102.
2. 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 a C or better in 101 or by earning credit in calculus.
3. Complete 3 hours of science (astronomy, biology, botany, chemistry, geology, life sciences, physical science, physics, plant science, or zoology).
4. Complete a Freshman Studies course (FRST 101, 103, 106, 110, 151 or 152, ACSU 115) or PSET 100.
5. Achieve computer literacy and oral communication competency as determined by curricula.
6. Complete an approved curriculum as outlined by the student’s college.
7. Complete a minimum of 60 semester hours in degree credit courses.
8. Earn at least 15 semester hours in residence at Nicholls.
9. Complete at least 12 of the last 15 semester hours in residence at Nicholls.
10. Have an overall adjusted (internal) grade-point average of at least 2.0 in all courses.
11. 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.
12. Clear all University accounts.
13. 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.
14. Be enrolled during the last semester in residence at Nicholls in a college from which the degree is sought.