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Nicholls State University
General Education Requirements


Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree

A. Core Proficiencies

Effective Communication: Writing 9 hours
ENGL 101 or ENGL 111 (3 hrs.)
ENGL 102 or ENGL 112. Each student shall fulfill English competency requirements by earning a C or better in 102. (3 hrs.)
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 hrs.)
Quantitative Reasoning: Mathematics 6 hours
From MATH 100 or MATH 101, or MATH 117, and a mathematics course specified by the major/minor/ concentration/certification. MATH 101/117, or MATH 117/101, or MATH 117/214 will satisfy general education requirements.
Each student must earn a grade of C or better in MATH 100 or 101 or 117 or earn credit in calculus as part of the fulfillment of the math competency requirement. Math 117 serves as a prerequisite to MATH 214 only.
(6 hrs.)

B. Breadth of Knowledge Areas

Fine Arts 3 hours
One course from ART, FNAR, MUS, SPCH 300 as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification (3 hrs.)
Humanities 9 hours
6 hours from HIST 101, 102, 105, 106, 150, 151,160, 161, 255, or 256 and 3 hours from Literature or Philosophy at the 200-level or above as specified by the major/minor/ concentration/certification.

(Literature classes include ENGL 210, 211, 212, 253, 254, 255, 256, 300-301-302, 305, 306, 315, 316, 321, 322, 332, 361, 363, 410, 411, 424, 427, 451, 455, 460, 463, 471, 475, 482, 483; FREN 316, 403; SPAN 351, 355, 401, 402, 405.)

(9 hrs.)
Natural Sciences 9 hours
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 ASTR 101, 102; 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 hrs.)
One 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 hrs.)
Social and Behavioral Sciences 6 hours
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 hrs.)

Core Curriculum Requirements for the Associate Degree

A. Core Proficiencies

Effective Communication: Writing 6 hours
ENGL 101 or ENGL 111 (3 hrs.)
ENGL 102 or ENGL 112. Each student shall fulfill English competency requirements by earning a C or better in 102. (3 hrs.)
Quantitative Reasoning: Mathematics 6 hours
Math 101 College Algebra. Each student shall fulfill mathematics competency requirements by earning a C or better in 101 or by earning credit in calculus. (3 hrs.)
Math elective as specified major/minor/concentration/certification. (3 hrs.)

B. Breadth of Knowledge Areas

Fine Arts 3 hours
One course from ART, FNAR, MUS, SPCH 300 as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification (3 hrs.)
Humanities 3 hours
3 hours from literature, history, or foreign languages. (3 hrs.)
Natural Sciences 6 hours
From astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, physical science, or physics (6 hrs.)
Social and Behavioral Sciences 3-6 hours
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). (3-6 hrs.)

University Requirements Reinforcing the Core Curriculum

Student learning outcomes in the Core Curriculum are further reinforced and developed by the following University requirements:

  • One freshman seminar course from the following approved list: UNIV 101, UNIV 110, UNIV 151, UNIV 152, or 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; MUS 201; OIS 200; See program description for specific requirement by major. 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. See program description for specific requirement by major.