Choice of Catalog
According to the Nevada Revised Statues that guide the Nevada System of Higher Education, “a student at a university or state college within the System completes the full course of study for a diploma of graduation if, in accordance with the policy of the Board of Regents, the student satisfies the requirements for graduation and a degree as set forth in the catalog of the university or state college that is in effect at the time the student: (a) First enrolls in the university or state college or is admitted to the academic program or department of the student’s major if the program or department has a formal process for admitting students to the program or department; or (b) Graduates, whichever the student elects. A student who changes his or her major must elect the catalog of the year of the latest change of the major or the year of graduation. A student may not elect a catalog that is more than 10 years old at the time of his or her graduation.” (NRS 396.560(3)).
Students at Nevada State College are allowed to remain on the catalog in effect during their term of entry for up to ten (10) years. If a catalog is more than ten years old, the student must follow the catalog requirements in effect for the year in which the student graduates.
The College does not guarantee the awarding of a degree based on the unchanged requirements of a particular catalog. Periodic revisions of degree requirements are made because of changes in occupational qualifications or the expectations of accrediting or licensing authorities. If such revisions have occurred, the appropriate academic dean, with approval from the Provost and President, may require reasonable adherence to School and departmental requirements published in a recent or current catalog. In cases where such requirements are approved, the School must communicate the changes to affected students.
The following stipulations regarding choice of catalog apply in specific circumstances:
A. Change of major: The year in which a student enrolls as a degree-seeking student at Nevada State College is the student’s assigned catalog year. If a student changes major, or is classified as Undecided and selects a major, the catalog year changes to the year in which the student changed or selected the major.
B. Multiple majors: Students who declare multiple majors may graduate with the additional majors under the catalog year in which they declared each additional major or the year they graduate. The catalog year for additional majors does not affect the catalog year of the first major.
C. Summer Bridge Programs: Students in College-sponsored Summer Bridge Programs (such as Nepantla) who apply for fall admission and are re-classified as summer enrollees for the purposes of the Summer Bridge Program shall be assigned to the catalog in effect for the immediately following fall term.
D. Other summer admits: Students who applied and were admitted for a summer term (excluding Summer Bridge Students) may, at their discretion, choose to follow the catalog of the fall semester immediately following their summer enrollment. Students must formally request to be updated to the fall catalog through the Office of the Registrar. Students are encouraged to visit the Academic Advising Center prior to making the request.
E. Returning Students: Returning Students are assigned to the catalog year in which they are re-admitted. Returning Students may request to follow the catalog in effect at the time of their initial admission and enrollment at the College, providing that catalog is not more than ten (10) years old at the time of their graduation. Such requests should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Students are encouraged to visit the Academic Advising Center prior to making the request.
1. Students returning from a College - approved leave of absence (e.g., a military leave) may follow the catalog rights specified in the relevant leave of absence policy.
2. In cases of unusual circumstances that led to an extended absence without approved leave, a Returning Student may petition for an exception to policy in order to re-enroll without reapplying and being readmitted to the College. Such exceptions must be approved by the Provost (or designee).
F. Transfer students: Any exceptions to this policy for students transferring from other NSHE institutions will be stated in relevant transfer agreement documents.
G. Other exceptions: The President may waive catalog requirements or approve exceptions to catalog year policies. Such exceptions are made solely at the President’s discretion on a case-by-case and are not subject to appeal.
Academic Requirement
In order to graduate, students must meet the following requirements:
Four-year institution credits
A minimum of half of the required credits for a baccalaureate degree must be earned at a 4-year institution.
Other academic requirements
Additional academic requirements may be established by the Dean of each School.
Minimum GPA
Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, including all post-secondary coursework attempted, as well as an overall NSC GPA of at least 2.0, as calculated by the Office of the Registrar. This requirement excludes those courses in which the student has received marks of Audit, Incomplete, Not Reported, In Progress, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, and Withdrawal (AD, I, NR, X, S, U, and W, respectively).
Resident Credit Requirement
Candidates of a bachelor’s degree at Nevada State College must complete 32 upper-division credits in residence. Resident credits are defined as regular classroom instruction, as well as correspondence courses and other distance education courses offered through Nevada State College.
Simultaneous Baccalaureate Degrees
A student may pursue two Baccalaureate degrees at Nevada State College simultaneously. All school and major requirements must be met for each degree, including any variations to the College Core Curriculum and approved by the School/Department offering the degree.
In order for a student to receive two baccalaureate degrees, he/she must complete an additional 32 credits in residence above the required total credits for the first degree (for degrees requiring 120 credits students must complete a minimum of 152 credits overall).
A student cannot graduate until all requirements are met for both degrees. Students must apply for graduation by the appropriate deadline.
Second Baccalaureate Degree After Completion of First Degree from Nevada State College
A student who wishes to return to Nevada State College for a second baccalaureate degree after completion of their first degree, must reapply for admission through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment. The student will be held to all school and major requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
A minimum of 32 upper division credits in residence is required for the second degree (the total number of credits a student needs to fulfill the school and major requirements may be in excess of 32). Credits that applied to the first degree, even those in excess of the 120 or 124 or 128 required, will not count toward the second degree. Courses required for the second degree that were taken during the first degree will be waived, however, the credit must be made up.
The core requirements from the first degree will satisfy core requirements for the second degree with the exception of any new or additional core required at the time of readmission.
Second Baccalaureate Degree After Completion of First Degree from Another NSHE Institution
A student who has earned a Baccalaureate degree from another NSHE institution must complete all school and major requirements for the second degree with a minimum of 32 upper division credits in residence at Nevada State College. The core will be fulfilled by the first baccalaureate degree with the exception of any variation to the core as required by the school.
Second Baccalaureate Degree After Completion of First Degree from Another Institution Outside of Nevada
A student who has earned a Baccalaureate degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution must complete all school and major requirements for the second degree. The student will be required to fulfill all core requirements that have not been fulfilled by the first baccalaureate degree. The Nevada Constitution requirement can be taken at a NSHE institution or via Credit By Exam.
A minimum of 32 upper division credits in residence at Nevada State College is required.
Double Major
A student who wishes to pursue a double major must meet all core requirements for the degree sought plus all requirements for the second major. The student will be held accountable for the requirements in the catalog in place when they started his/her degree, not the catalog in effect at the time they declare the second major. If the student has a number of elective credits required for the degree, they may use those to fulfill the second major. There are no additional credits required above the 120 or 124 or 128 as long as the requirements for both majors are completed at the time the degree is conferred. Both majors will be posted on the transcript and diploma, however, only one diploma is issued.
Application for Graduation
Students must apply for graduation and pay a non-refundable $20 application fee (by check or money order only; made payable to Board of Regents) by the following deadlines.
- Spring or Summer graduation applications due by October 1st
- Fall graduation applications due by May 1st
Undergraduate Minors
A minor program requires students to complete at least 18 credits, including nine or more credits in upper division courses. Students wishing to declare a minor may submit a change or add minor request via the NSC Portal. The student's minor is indicated on his/her official transcript when all graduation requirements are satisfied.