Change of Curriculum | Degrees Awarded | Graduate Studies | Degree Requirements
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
- English
- Children’s and Young Adult Literature Concentration
- Creative Writing Concentration
- Film Studies Concentration
- Literary Studies Concentration
- Writing and Rhetoric Concentration
- History
- Mass Communication
- Journalism Concentration
- Public Relations Concentration
- Music
- Instrumental Education Concentration
- Liberal Arts Concentration
- Music Performance Concentration
- Vocal Education Concentration
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Pre-Counseling Concentration
- Sociology
- Applied Sociology Concentration
- Social Work Concentration
Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Art
- Art Education Concentration (K-12)
- Art History Concentration
- Digital Animation and Motion Concentration
- Digital Art Concentration
- Graphic Design: Print and Web Concentration
- Studio Art Concentration (drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, or photography)
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Bachelor of Science
- Accounting
- Biology
- Cell and Molecular Biology Concentration
- Environmental Biology Concentration
- General Biology Concentration
- Marine Biology Concentration
- Microbiology Concentration
- Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry Concentration
- Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration
- Pre-Pharmacy Concentration
- Pre-Physical Therapy Concentration
- Pre-Physician Assistant Concentration
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration
- Birth to Five/Early Interventionist Education
- Business Administration
- Multinational Business Concentration
- Pre-Law Concentration
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry Concentration
- Chemistry Education Concentration
- General Chemical Sciences Concentration
- Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Concentration
- Pre-Pharmacy Concentration
- Professional Chemistry Concentration
- Computer Information Systems
- Business Data Analytics Concentration
- Computer Science Business Applications Concentration
- Criminal Justice
- Culinary Arts
- Business Administration Concentration
- Business Entrepreneurial Concentration
- Business Strategic Concentration
- Culinary Operations Concentration
- Education Concentration
- Mass Communication Journalism Concentration
- Mass Communication Production Concentration
- Mass Communication Public Relations Concentration
- Patisserie Concentration
- Professional Concentration
- Service Management Concentration
- Dietetics
- Elementary Education 1-5 Certification
- Finance
- Financial Services Marketing Concentration
- Geomatics
- Health Sciences
- Communicative Disorders Concentration
- Health and Wellness Concentration
- Nutrition and Food Service Concentration
- Pre-Athletic Training Concentration
- Pre-Professional Concentration
- Human Performance Education (K-12)
- Management
- Human Resources Management Concentration
- Maritime Management Concentration
- Marketing
- Advertising Concentration
- Professional Sales Concentration
- Mathematics
- Advanced Mathematics Concentration
- Computer Science Concentration
- Secondary Mathematics Education Concentration
- Nursing
- Petroleum Engineering Technology
- Safety Management
- Secondary Education (6-12)
- English Concentration
- Family and Consumer Sciences Concentration
- General Science Concentration
- Social Studies Concentration
Associate of Science
MINORS AVAILABLE (COLLEGE NOTED)
- Accounting (Business Administration)
- Addictive Behaviors (Education and Behavioral Sciences)
- African-American Studies (Liberal Arts)
- Art History (Liberal Arts)
- Art Studies (Liberal Arts)
- Art Studio (Liberal Arts)
- Bayou Studies (Liberal Arts)
- Black Studies (Liberal Arts)
- Biology (Sciences and Technology)
- Business Administration (Business Administration)
- Business Analytics (Business Administration)
- Chemistry (Sciences and Technology)
- Children’s and Young Adult Literature (Liberal Arts)
- Communicative Disorders (Sciences and Technology)
- Computer Information Systems (Business Administration)
- Computer Science (Sciences and Technology)
- Creative Writing (Liberal Arts)
- Criminal Justice (Liberal Arts)
- Culinary Arts (Chef John Folse Culinary Institute)
- Disaster Management (Sciences and Technology)
- Economics (Business Administration)
- English (Liberal Arts)
- Film Studies (Liberal Arts)
- Finance (Business Administration)
- French (Liberal Arts)
- Geography (Liberal Arts)
- Health Promotion (Sciences and Technology)
- History (Liberal Arts)
- Human Performance Sports Coaching (Education and Behavioral Sciences)
- Humanities (Liberal Arts)
- International Studies (Liberal Arts)
- Internet Studies and Web Development (Sciences and Technology)
- Literary Studies (Liberal Arts)
- Management (Business Administration)
- Maritime Administration (Business Administration)
- Marketing (Business Administration)
- Mass Communication (Liberal Arts)
- Mathematics (Sciences and Technology)
- Music – Piano (Liberal Arts)
- Music – Voice, Winds and Percussion (Liberal Arts)
- Petroleum Exploration and Production (Sciences and Technology)
- Political Science (Liberal Arts)
- Professional Writing (Liberal Arts)
- Psychology (Education and Behavioral Sciences)
- Public History (Liberal Arts)
- Safety Management (Sciences and Technology)
- Social Sciences (Liberal Arts)
- Sociology (Liberal Arts)
- Spanish (Liberal Arts)
- Speech (Liberal Arts)
- Theatre (Liberal Arts)
The university awards the following graduate degrees. For more information please visit Graduate Studies:
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Elementary School Education
- Elementary Education and Special Education Mild/Moderate Grades 1-5
- Middle School Education
- Secondary School Education
- Secondary Education and Special Education Mild/Moderate Grades 6-12
- Human Performance Education K-12
Master of Business Administration
- 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 Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Leadership
Master of Science in Community/Technical College Mathematics
Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Biology
- Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration
- Psychiatric/Mental health Nurse Practitioner Concentration
- Nursing Education Concentration
Specialist in School Psychology
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, university education requirements, general university requirements and residence requirements as specified.
General Education Requirements (GER)
In support of the University’s mission, the Nicholls General Education Program is a common integrative learning experience that promotes intellectual curiosity in all undergraduates, regardless of their major or program of study. Nicholls is committed to providing a lasting foundation for critical and innovative thinking, effective communication, information and technology literacy, ethical reasoning, and quantitative reasoning to all students. Through the development of these competencies within foundational courses in fine arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences, our students acquire a broad education to support the achievement of their life goals.
The general education curriculum must be completed by each student working toward a baccalaureate or associate degree at Nicholls. For more information, see the 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 Curriculum
Course Criteria
1. The course does NOT have prerequisites except for other general education courses.
2. The course does NOT require Junior of Senior standing.
3. The course does NOT require instructor/department consent for enrollment. (Exceptions may be granted by the General Education Committee)
4. The course is NOT designated as a repeatable Topics course with variable SLOs.
5. The course is offered at least once every 5 years (unless it is an Honors version of another general education course)
6. Less than one-third of the course content is focused on skills, techniques, or procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession.
7. The course assesses at least two core competency student learning outcomes.
General Education Curriculum Courses (GER)
| Baccalaureate | Associate | ||
| English Composition | |||
| ENGL 100 English Composition I: Intensive Writing ENGL 101 English Composition I ENGL 111 Honors English Composition I |
3 hours | 3 hours | |
| ENGL 102 English Composition II ENGL 112 Honors English Composition II |
3 hours | 3 hours | |
| Mathematics (e.g., Mathematics, Statistics, Symbolic Logic) |
6 hours | 6 hours | |
| MATH 100/101. College Algebra MATH 102. Trigonometry MATH 106. Calculus with Business and Economic Applications MATH 108. Pre-Calculus MATH 113. Honors Pre-Calculus MATH 114. Honors Trigonometry MATH 115. Essentials of College Mathematics |
MATH 116 Contemporary Mathematics and Quantitative Analysis I MATH 117. Contemporary Mathematics and Quantitative Analysis I MATH 118. Contemporary Mathematics and Quantitative Analysis II MATH 214. Introductory Statistics |
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| Fine Arts (e.g., Music, Visual Arts, Applied Arts, Theatre, Dance, Interdisciplinary) |
3 hours | 3 hours | |
| ART 110. Art Appreciation ART 111. Honors Art Appreciation ART 180. Major Art Monuments and Collections ENGL 240. Introduction to Film ENGL 340. Film Genres ENGL 341. Major Filmmakers MUS 105. General Music Appreciation |
MUS 107. Honors Music Appreciation MUS 240. Survey of Music Literature MUS 319. Jazz History MUS 320. History of Rock and Roll MUS 321. History of Opera and Broadway MUS 326. History of Hip Hop MUS 407. World Music SPCH 300. Theater Appreciation |
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| Fine Arts Skills Courses A student may not take only skills courses to complete the combined Fine Arts and Humanities requirements. One Fine Arts OR Humanities course must NOT be a skills course. |
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| ART 201. Beginning Drawing MUS 193. Concert Choir |
MUS 393. Concert Choir SPCH 210. Acting |
||
| Humanities (e.g., Literature, Foreign Languages, History, Classical Studies, Communications, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Interdisciplinary) 9 hours shall be earned from any of the Humanities courses listed with no more than 6 hours from a single discipline (e.g., ART, ENGL, HIST, etc.). |
9 hours | 3 hours | |
| ART 280. Art History: Ancient Art ART 281. Art History: Non-Western Art ART 282. Art History: Italian Renaissance Art CULA 101. Culinary History and Development ENGL 211. Honors Studies in Literature and Culture ENGL 212. Children’s Literature ENGL 213. Young Adult Literature ENGL 215. Introduction to Thematic Approaches to Literature ENGL 216. Appreciation of Literary Genres ENGL 217. Survey of Literary and Media Studies ENGL 313. World Literature I ENGL 314. World Literature II ENGL 315. Survey of British Literature I ENGL 316. Survey of British Literature II ENGL 321. Survey of American Literature I ENGL 322. Survey of American Literature II ENGL 323. Survey of African-American Literature ENGL 324. Survey of Women in Literature ENGL 330. Introduction to Poetry ENGL 331. Introduction to the Novel |
ENGL 358. Introduction to the Short Story GOVT 355. Political Theory HIST 101. History of Western Civilization HIST 102. History of Western Civilization HIST 105. Honors Western Civilization HIST 106. Honors Western Civilization HIST 150. World History HIST 151. World History HIST 160. Honors World History I HIST 161. Honors World History II HIST 255. American History HIST 256. American History HUMA 120. Ethics in the Humanities HUMA 204. International Humanities MACO 101. Survey of Mass Communication MACO 355. History and Principles of Mass Communication MUS 340. Music History: 400-1750 MUS 341. Music History: 1750-present PHIL 203. Introduction to Philosophy SPCH 201. Interpersonal Communication SPCH 302. Persuasive Communication |
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| Humanities Skills Courses A student may not take only skills courses to complete the combined Fine Arts and Humanities requirements. One Fine Arts OR Humanities course must NOT be a Skills course. |
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| COMD 350. Sign Language FREN 101. Elementary French I FREN 102. Elementary French II |
SPAN 101. Elementary Spanish I SPAN 102. Elementary Spanish II |
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| Natural Sciences Life Science: (e.g., Biology, Biochemistry, Botany, Zoology) and Physical Science: (e.g., Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Astronomy/Meteorology) 6 hours shall be earned in a single life or physical science, and 3 hours shall be earned in a natural science area (life or physical) other than that selected to fulfill the six-hour requirement, as specified by the major/minor/concentration/certification. Both life and physical science must be taken to fulfill this requirement. |
9 hours | 6 hours of any science. No sequence required. | |
| Life Science | |||
| BIOL 105. Basic Biology I BIOL 106. Basic Biology II BIOL 114. Human Anatomy and Physiology I BIOL 116. Human Anatomy and Physiology II |
BIOL 155. General Biology I BIOL 156. General Biology II BIOL 215. Pirogue Biology |
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| Physical Science | |||
| ASTR 101. Astronomy of the Solar System ASTR 102. Astronomy of Stars and Galaxies CHEM 105. Chemistry I (Science Majors) CHEM 106. Chemistry II (Science Majors) CHEM 109. General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry CHEM 208. Organic and Biological Chemistry for Health Sciences GEOL 101. Physical Geology GEOL 102. Historical Geology GEOL 203. Petroleum Geology GEOL 300. Oceanography GEOL 310. Coastal Geology |
GEOL 370. Environmental Geology PHSC 101. Introductory Physical Science I PHSC 102. Introductory Physical Science II PHSC 103. Introductory Physical Science III PHYS 101. Physics I (Algebra/Trigonometry) PHYS 102. Physics II (Algebra/Trigonometry) PHYS 151. Physics of the Body PHYS 161. Physics of the Universe PHYS 171. Physics of Earth PHYS 201. Physics I (Calculus Based) PHYS 202. Physics II (Calculus Based) |
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|
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
6 hours | 3 hours for A.S.
6 hours for A.G.S. |
|
| CRJU 290. Principles of Policing CRJU 291. Principles of Criminal Justice ECON 211. Principles of Microeconomics ECON 212. Principles of Macroeconomics ECON 255. Survey of Economic Principles GEOG 103. Physical Geography GEOG 104. World Reginal Geography GEOG 340. Cultural Geography GOVT 101. American National Government GOVT 250. Contemporary Political Ideologies GOVT 252. State and Local Government GOVT 391. International Relations and Politics |
GOVT 399. Civil Liberties GOVT 416. Comparative Government PSYC 101. General Psychology PSYC 206. Child Psychology PSYC 210. Adolescent and Adult Development PSYC 212. Life Span Developmental Psychology PSYC 311. Educational Psychology SOCI 151. Introduction to Sociology SOCI 155. Honors Introductory Sociology SOCI 201. Social Problems SOCI 204. Cultural Diversity in American Society SOCI 205. Social Research I |
|
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| Total Core Curriculum Hours | 39 hours |
27-30 hours |
|
University Required Education (UR)
The University Education Requirements are necessary for each student to enhance their ability to succeed in the University curriculum. These courses provide a basis for skills that will be utilized within other courses and within the work environment.
Students must complete Freshman Seminar and courses that emphasize computer literacy and oral communication skills. Baccalaureate students will also take a writing intensive course.
University Requirement (UR) – 1 hour
UNIV 101. University Prep
or
PSET 100. Freshman Seminar for Petroleum Services Majors
Computer Literacy Requirement (CLR) – 2 hours
Computer literacy competency requirements are specified by each department from the list of approved courses. See program description for specific requirement by major.
CMPS 107. Computer Literacy Concepts and Word Processing
CMPS 108. Computer Literacy Spreadsheets
CMPS 109. Computer Literacy Presentation Software
CMPS 130. Introduction to Computer Science I
CMPS 200. Computing Technology for Science Majors
CMPS 207. Computer Literacy Advanced Word Processing.
CMPS 208. Computer Literacy Advanced Spreadsheets
CMPS 209. Computer Literacy Database Software
EDUC 251. Introduction to Technology Integration for Teachers
MNTC 110. Computers for Manufacturing Technology
MACO 321. Multimedia Storytelling for Mass Communication
MACO 322. Publication Design for Mass Communication
MACO 362. Broadcast Media Workshop
MUS 201. Computing Technology for Music Majors
OIS 200. Computers in the Office
OIS 202. Honors Computers in the office.
Oral Communication Requirement (OCR) – 3 hours
Oral communication competency requirements are specified by each department from the list of approved courses. See program description for specific requirement by major.
ART 251 Beginning Design
EDUC 454, 457, 461, 465, 483; Student Teaching / Residency
FCED 239. Preschool Practicum
FCED 262. Demonstrations
FCED 454. Residency II
SPCH 101. Fundamentals of Public Speaking
SPCH 104. Speaking through Technology
SPCH 105. Honors Public Speaking
SPCH 363. Interpretative Reading
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
Collective completion of NURS 340, 371, and 422
Writing Intensive Requirement (Baccalaureate Only) – 3 hours
ENGL 265. Creative Writing in Three Genres
ENGL 310. Business Communications
ENGL 366. Advanced Writing
ENGL 368. Technical and Professional Writing
ENGL 468. Technical Writing for the Sciences
BSAD 310. Business Communications
MACO 251. News Writing
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.
Additional 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 awarded degree. A second or additional major will not be indicated if requirements are completed subsequent to graduation. The second major must be of the same degree type as the first major. For example, a student can double major in English and Music because both are Bachelor of Arts degree programs. A student cannot double major in Secondary Education (Bachelor of Science degree program) and History (Bachelor of Arts degree program).
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.
