DEGREES AND DEGREE REQUIREMENTS


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GRADUATION UNDER A SPECIFIC BULLETIN

University policy allows a student seven years to graduate under the Catalog 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 Catalog devoted to GRADUATE STUDIES.

Within the seven year period, students may change to another Catalog 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 Catalog in effect during their eighth year of attendance (or the Catalog 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 Catalog 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 Fine Arts

  • Art
    • K-12 Art Education Concentration

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Associate of General Studies

Associate of Science

MINORS AVAILABLE (COLLEGE NOTED)

  •  Accounting (Business Administration)
  • Addictive Behaviors (Education)
  • Art History (Arts and Sciences)
  • Art Studio (Arts and Sciences)
  • Bayou Studies (University College)
  • Biology (Arts and Sciences)
  • Business Administration (Business Administration)
  • Chemistry (Arts and Sciences)
  • Computer Science (University College)
  • Creative Writing (Arts and Sciences)
  • Culinary Arts (University College)
  • Economics (Business Administration)
  • English (Arts and Sciences)
  • Family and Consumer Sciences (Education)
  • Film Studies (Arts and Sciences)
  • Finance (Business Administration)
  • Food Service Strategies and Operations (University College)
  • French (Arts and Sciences)
  • Geography (Arts and Sciences)
  • Government (Arts and Sciences)
  • Health Promotion (Nursing and Allied Health)
  • History (Arts and Sciences)
  • Humanities (University College)
  • Information Systems (Business Administration)
  • International Studies (Arts and Sciences)
  • Internet Studies and Web Development (University College)
  • Management (Business Administration)
  • Marketing (Business Administration)
  • Mass Communication (Arts and Sciences)
  • Mathematics (Arts and Sciences)
  • Music (Arts and Sciences)
  • Psychology (Education)
  • Social Sciences (University College)
  • Sociology (Arts and Sciences)
  • Spanish (Arts and Sciences)
  • Speech (Arts and Sciences)

GRADUATE DEGREES

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

Executive Master of Business Administration

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Master of Arts in Teaching

  • Elementary School Education
  • Middle School Education
  • Secondary School Education
  • Human Performance Education K-12

Master of Business Administration

Master of Education

  • Educational Leadership
    • Higher Education Administration Concentration
    • K-12 School Leadership Concentration
    • Educational Technology Leadership Concentration
  • Curriculum and Instruction
    • Early Childhood Concentration
    • Elementary Education Concentration
    • High Incidence Disabilities Concentration
    • Reading Specialist Concentration
    • Secondary Education Concentration
  • School Counseling

Master of Science in Community/Technical College Mathematics

Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Biology

Master of Science in Nursing

  • Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration
  • Psychiatric/Mental health Nurse Practitioner Concentration
  • Nurse Executive Concentration
  • Nursing Education Concentration

Specialist in School Psychology

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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).

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

To qualify for graduation from Nicholls State University with a baccalaureate or associate degree the student must meet general education requirements, general university requirements and residence requirements as specified.

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:

  • foundational competencies in communication, critical thinking, computer and information literacy, and quantitative reasoning
  • an understanding of the natural and social worlds in which we live
  • an awareness of the importance of the past and a familiarity with the cultural movements that have shaped the present
  • an informed appreciation for the artistic and philosophical expressions of the human community
  • the exercise of moral reasoning, ethical choices, and social responsibility
  • intellectual curiosity, independent and life-long learning
  • 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 or associate degree at Nicholls. 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.

Departments specify which general education courses are required for each particular major, minor, concentration and/or certification.

General Education Core Curriculum

REQUIREMENT Baccalaureate Associate
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 or 112.
The PILOT ENGL 100 will substitute for ENGL 101. Students completing this course will have earned 3 credit hours toward the degree. The additional 2 credit hours will not count towards graduation in any curriculum.
6 Hours 6 Hours
FINE ARTS:From any ART, MUS, or FNAR course, or from SPCH 300 as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification. 3 Hours 3 Hours
HUMANITIES:3 hours from any 100 or 200 level HIST.
3 hours from Literature at the 200-level or above as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification. (Literature classes include ENGL 210, 211, 212,  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; FREN 316, 403; SPAN 351, 355, 401, 402, 405.)
3 hours from any GEAC approved Humanities elective listed on GEAC Approved Humanities Courses at https://www.nicholls.edu/general_education/core-curriculum/.
9 Hours 3 Hours
MATHEMATICS: 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.  Credit in calculus will also fulfill the math competency requirement. Math 117 serves as a prerequisite to MATH 214 only.
The PILOT MATH 116 will substitute for MATH 117. Students completing this course will have earned 3 credit hours toward the degree. The additional 2 credit hours will not count towards graduation in any cirruculum.
6 Hours 6 Hours
NATURAL SCIENCES: Courses from both the biological and physical sciences must be taken to fulfill the natural science requirement. Six hours shall be earned in a single biological or physical science, and three hours must be earned in a natural science area other than that selected to fulfill the six-hour requirement, as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification. 9Hours 6 Hours of any science.   No sequence required
SOCIAL and BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES: From the following disciplines: CRJU, ECON, GEOG, GOVT, PSYC, SOCI. 6 Hours 3 Hours for A.S.
6 Hours for A.G.S
WRITING-INTENSIVE COURSE:From ENGL 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 27-30 Hours

University Requirement (UR)

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

Computer Literacy Requirement (CLR) – 2 hours

Computer literacy competency requirements are specified by each department from the list of approved courses. Approved computer literacy courses: All CMPS; EDUC 251; MNTC 110; MACO 321, 322, 362; MUS 201; OIS 200; See program description for specific requirement by major.

Oral Communication Requirement (OCR) – 3 hours

Oral communication competency requirements are specified by each department from the list of approved courses.
Approved oral communication courses: ART 251; ENGL 304; EDUC 456, 457, 458, 461, 465, 483; FCED 262, 239; NURS 440; SPCH 101, 104, or 105; SPCH 363; collective completion of MUS 211, 212, 272, 340, and 341; 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 for Baccalaureate Degree

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:

  • 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.
  • Achieve competencies in computer literacy and oral communication as determined by individual departments or curricula.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Earn a minimum of 120 semester hours in degree courses.
  • Earn at least 45 semester hours in courses numbered 300 or above.
  • Fulfill the residence requirements. (See Residence Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree.)
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Pay graduation fees during the registration period for the semester or summer session in which degree requirements are to be completed.
  • Clear all university accounts.
  • 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 for the Baccalaureate Degree

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

  • Earn at least 25 percent of credit hours in residence at Nicholls and earn a majority of credits in the major at Nicholls.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

General Requirements for Associate Degree

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

  • Complete all work in one of the curricula as outlined in the university Catalog including the university General Education requirements and an approved freshman seminar course.
  • Achieve competencies in computer literacy and oral communication as determined by individual departments or curricula.
  • Complete a minimum of 60 semester hours in degree credit courses.
  • Fulfill the residence requirements. (See Residence Requirements for  Associate Degree.)
  • Have an overall adjusted (internal) grade-point average of at least 2.0 in all courses.
  • 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.
  • Clear all university accounts.
  • 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  for Associate Degree

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

  • Earn at least 25% of credit hours in residence at Nicholls.
  • Complete at least 12 of the last 15 semester hours in residence at Nicholls.
  • 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 Catalog devoted to GRADUATE STUDIES.

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