Requirements for Registration

Registration Enrollment Dates

Enrollment for each semester begins on or around the following:

• Summer/ Fall Semester: First week of April
• Spring Semester: First week of November

Military Veterans*, Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen have specific dates and time for registration referred to as Enrollment Appointments. To view the enrollment date and time assigned, login to the Student Center via myNSC or the NSC Portal.

*Veterans receiving VA benefits who self identify to Nevada State College as a veteran will be placed in a priority registration status and will be allowed to register the first week of registration.

 

Placement Testing Policy (AE 14)

Policy Statement

This policy explains the process through which students are initially placed into mathematics, English Composition, and Spanish language courses, as well as students' options for raising their placement level.

Definitions

Heritage Speaker: Student from a Spanish linguistic background.

Working Day: Monday through Friday excluding holidays.

Procedures

I. Placement Procedures

Upon a student’s admission to NSC, the College will determine an initial placement into math and English Composition courses based on a review of appropriate materials. Once a student’s initial placement has been determined, the NSHE Handbook (Title 4, Chapter 16, Section 1.2.c) allows students to complete additional placement testing to improve their initial placement into math and English Composition courses.

NSC does not charge students for placement testing.

Nevada State College follows the benchmarks provided in the Board of Regents Handbook (Title 4, Chapter 16, Section 1.2) for determining college-ready math and English Composition placements.

II. Math Placement

1. Initial Placement Methods: Nevada State College uses three methods for making initial placements into the mathematics course sequence:
   1. The default placement for students is MATH 120E/ MATH 20 or MATH 126E/ MATH 26, depending on major. Students should speak to an advisor about which course is appropriate for their degree plan.
   2. Incoming students are strongly encouraged to submit SAT or ACT math scores. An appropriate score can change a student's placement from the default placement of MATH 120E or MATH 126E to MATH 120, or MATH 126, or MATH 181, depending on major; required scores are published in the academic catalog.
   3. Transfer students who have successfully completed a college-level math course at another institution will be placed into a math course based on their previously completed coursework upon receipt of official transcripts and evaluation of course equivalency.
2. Raising Initial Mathematics Placement: Students have the option of using EdReady to attempt to place into a math course above MATH 120E or MATH 126E. Separately, EdReady goals for MATH 120 and MATH 126 are available in the directions on the NSC EdReady website. EdReady is a free learning platform that allows students to refresh and strengthen their mathematics knowledge. Students are encouraged to begin EdReady as soon as they are admitted to the College. EdReady scores must be submitted to mathplacement@nsc.edu a minimum of five (5) Working Days prior to the start of the upcoming term; while a students placement can be changed at that day, the College cannot guarantee that a seat will be available in the applicable course.

III. English Placement

1. Initial Placement Methods: Nevada State College uses three methods for making initial placements into the English Composition course sequence:
   1. First-year students are strongly encouraged to submit ACT English or SAT Evidence-Based Reading/Writing scores. There is no minimum score to enroll in ENG 100; students who meet the placement thresholds will be placed into ENG 101 or ENG 102. Required ACT and SAT scores are published in the NSC academic catalog and Title 4, Chapter 16 of the NSHE Handbook.
   2. Transfer students who have successfully completed an English Composition course at another NSHE institution will be placed into a Composition courses based on their completed coursework.
   3. Transfer students who have successfully completed an English Composition course at an institution outside of NSHE must contact the Registrar's Office. The Registrar will facilitate evaluation of the student's coursework for appropriate placement.
   4. Students who do not submit ACT or SAT scores may take the Directed Self-Placement Survey. Students who do not submit ACT or SAT scores and who elect not to take the Directed Self-Placement Survey will be placed into ENG 100 or ENG 116.
      1. The Office of the Registrar publishes the required SAT and ACT scores to enroll in each English Composition course in the academic catalog.
      2. The Directed Self-Placement Survey is for initial placement only. Once a student has enrolled in, and started, an English Composition course, only successful completion of the course will allow the student to enroll in the next course in the Composition series; the Directed Self-Placement Survey will not be accepted in place of a passing grade in a pre-requisite Composition course. However, upon completing or withdrawing from a self-paced English Composition course, the student may opt to complete a lower level course in the composition series if they wish.
      3. Students must complete the Directed Self-Placement Survey no later than the first day of classes for their first semester of composition. However, students are encouraged to complete the DSP Survey as early as possible, as last-minute changes in composition course enrollment may be limited if all course sections are full.
   5. While NSC no longer offers Accuplacer as a placement method, students with existing Accuplacer scores can submit them for placement. Students with existing scores should contact the Academic Advising Office for information about required scores.
2. Raising Initial English Composition Placement: Students who have received an initial placement based on ACT or SAT scores or transfer credit evaluation have the option of using the Directed Self-Placement Survey to place into a higher Composition course. The survey allows students to assess their knowledge and skills and self-select the level of English Composition they wish to enroll in. The following restrictions apply to self-placement:
   1. Students may use the Directed Self-Placement Survey prior to the start of their first term of enrollment at NSC. Once the student's first term at NSC has begun, this option is no longer available to students;
   2. Students who place themselves into a course cannot change their placement to a higher-level course once the self-placed course has begun;
   3. After completing or withdrawing from a self-placed English Composition, a student may choose to enroll in a lower-level Composition course.

IV. Spanish Language Placement

1. Initial Placement: The default placement for Spanish coursework at NSC is SPAN 113: Elementary Spanish I. No placement exam is required to enroll in SPAN 113. Heritage Speakers who have regressed in Spanish read and writing skills may self-place into SPAN 226.
2. Raising Initial Spanish Placement: Students who wish to place into a higher course may take a placement exam to determine the appropriate course placement. Placement exams are available to NSC students via Canvas in the Spanish Language Placement course shell.
   1. Students may take each level of the test or take the specific test they believe is suitable for their level of mastery. A score of 75% or higher is required to pass a level.
   2. NSC offers six placement exams, corresponding with SPAN 113, SPAN 114, SPAN 213, SPAN 214, SPAN 301, and SPAN 302. The course placement will correspond to the lowest level exam passed. For instance, if a student passes the exam for SPAN 213 but does not pass the exam for SPAN 214, the student will be placed into SPAN 213.
   3. Placement exams are for course placement purposes only. Students do not earn college credits for passing an exam.
   4. Students are encouraged to complete the Spanish Language Placement exam as early as possible. Course enrollment changes are dependent upon the availablity of seats in the appropriate course, and may not be possible in the immediately upcoming term.

Policy on Credit Hour (AE 5)

Credit hour is the unit by which an institution measures its course work. The number of credit hours assigned to a course quantitatively reflects the outcomes expected, the mode of instruction, the amount of time spent in class, and the amount of outside preparatory work expected for the class.

Nevada State College (NSC) measures students learning in accordance with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and University (NWCCU) Policy on Credit Hour, which relies on federal regulations on the definition and assignment of credit hours.

Federal regulation mandate that all candidate and accredited institution comply with the definition of the credit hour as set forth in section 600.2, which defines the credit hour as:

An amount of work represent in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit or ten-to-twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

In general, unit value for course offerings is governed by the NSC Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee and Common Course Numbering Committee. Schools and departments are responsible for submitting course approval requests that include a detailed description of how unit value is justified. In addition, periodic compliance review of the credit hour policy will be incorporated into each school’s established curriculum review schedule to ensure a course’s credit hours reflect the amount of work required to earn those credits.

Review Policy for Compliance with College Credit Hour Requirements

The Office of the Registrar regularly audits scheduled courses offerings to ensure compliance with the credit hour requirements through its processes for class scheduling each semester. This review is conducted across all schools, disciplines, courses levels, and modes of instruction. The Office of the Registrar maintains a historical method of its review of each semester.

For additional information, visit nsc.edu/college-policies/policy-on-credit-hour/.

Returning Students

Students returning to the college after an absence of one year are required to reapply.

Students who have attended another educational institution since last enrolling at the college must submit official transcripts from each school attended, whether credit was earned or not. If transferring from another college, any disciplinary sanction must be declared.

If an ineligible student is approved for registration on the basis of incomplete or fraudulent credentials, or misrepresentations in written application for registration:

• Registration will be cancelled without refund of any fees
• The total credits earned following readmission will be rescinded
• Future registration at the college will be prohibited.

Late Registration

Students who enroll once instruction begins are charged late registration fees.

Clearance of Accounts

Students who have a prior unpaid balance on their account are not allowed to register, receive a transcript of record, receive their diploma, or certification of enrollment.

Credit Load

The maximum number of credits that a degree-seeking student may take each semester is 21 credits. Noncredit courses are considered as credit equivalents. Any exception to these regulations requires the advance written approval by the Dean of the student's school. Non-degree students may take a maximum of 15 credits per semester and are not eligible for overload.

Adding Courses

Students may add courses/classes up until the last day of registration. See Academic Calendar for specific dates.

Auditing Courses

Students who wish to attend a class without being graded or receiving credit may choose to audit the course. Changes to credits status may be made in the Office of the Registrar. See Academic Calendar for specific deadlines.

Cancellation of Courses

The college reserves the right to cancel any course in which the enrollment is insufficient to warrant offering the course.

Dropping/Withdrawing Courses

Students may drop or withdraw from a course(s) and receive a 100 percent refund up until the last day of registration. Dropping a course(s) may affect a student’s financial aid.

After the last day of registration and up until 60 percent of the course instruction has occurred, students may drop or withdraw a course(s) with a “W” grade posted on the transcript. Refer to the academic calendar and your student center on myNSC for refund dates.

Students are not permitted to drop/withdraw from courses after 60 percent of the course instruction has occurred. A grade of “F” will be assigned for the unofficial drop/withdrawal.

Students with extenuating circumstances may file a petition for a “W” or “I” grade on one or more courses or withdraw completely from the college in lieu of the “F” grade assigned for unofficial drop or withdrawal. In both cases, students must follow the rules regarding policy for incomplete grade and complete withdrawal from the college.

 

Extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to:

1. Deployment of the student in the United States Armed Forces;

2. Death or incapacitation resulting from an illness or injury of the student or the student’s spouse, child, parent, or legal guardian that prevents the student from returning to the school for the remainder of the semester;

3. Involuntary job transfer outside of the service area of the institution as documented by employer; or

4. Other exceptional circumstance beyond the control of the institution or the student.

Withdrawal from the College

Students wishing to withdraw from the college for the semester should contact the advising staff for an exit withdrawal interview and assistance in finalizing their withdrawal from the college. Students who withdraw from the college after 60 percent of the course instruction has occurred and are passing, will receive grades of W on their transcript. Students who withdraw after 60 percent of the course instruction has occurred and are not passing, receive a grade of F.

Students who leave the college without officially withdrawing receive a failing grade in all courses.

 

Change of Major

Students wishing to change their major may submit a change of major request via the NSC Portal.

Removal from a Major

Students on disqualification are removed from a major status by the Office of the Registrar. Students may also be removed from a major at any time if they are not making satisfactory progress toward a degree or are in violation of college conduct regulations or ethical standards of the professional program in which they are majoring. This action must be approved in writing by the Provost, upon recommendation of the Academic Deans, and filed with the Office of the Registrar.

Change of Name

A student may change his or her name by completing a Name Change form in the Office of the Registrar. Certain types of identification (i.e. driver’s license, marriage license) are required depending on the type of name change (i.e. clerical error, legal change).

Class Absences

There are no official absences from any college class. It is the personal responsibility of the student to consult with the professor regarding absence from class.

Religious Holiday Policy: It is the policy of NSHE to be sensitive to the religious obligations of its students. Any student missing class, quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holidays shall, whenever possible, be given an opportunity during that semester to make up the missed work. The make-up will apply to religious holiday absence only. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor in writing if the student intends to participate in a religious holiday which does not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. This policy shall not apply in the event that administering the assignment at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the institution which could not have reasonably been avoided. Any student who is denied a make-up option after appropriately notifying the instructor shall have the right to appeal that decision through the normal appeal mechanism in place at the college. A student must make the initial appeal to the department chair or coordinator of the program in which the class is offered. If it is not resolved at that level, the student may appeal to the Dean or Director.