Requirements for Graduation

Application for Graduation

Students must apply for graduation by the following deadlines.

Spring graduation application due by October 1^st
Summer graduation application due by October 1^st
Fall graduation application due by May 1^st

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

To view the full policy, visit nsc.edu/college-policies/baccalaureate-degree-requirements/.

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 University 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 University 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 University 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 University, 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 University - 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 University. 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:

A. Minimum GPA: Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, including all post-secondary coursework attempted, as well as an overall NSU 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).

B. Four-year Institution credits: A minimum of half of the required credits for a baccalaureate degree must be earned at a 4-year institution.

C. Other academic requirements: Additional academic requirements may be established by the Dean of each School.

Resident Credit Requirement

Candidates of a bachelor’s degree at Nevada State University must complete 30 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 University.

Additional Baccalaureate Degrees

After Previous NSU Degree: The following requirements apply to students pursing an Additional Baccalaureate Degree after completing a previous degree at Nevada State:
1. The student must reapply for admission to the University;
2. The student will be held to all School, major, and graduation requirements for the catalog year in which they are readmitted;
3. Core curriculum requirements completed for previous degrees completed at Nevada State will satisfy core curriculum requirements for the Additional Baccalaureate Degree, with the exception of any new or additional core curriculum requirements effective in the catalog year of readmission;
4. The student must complete 30 upper-division credits in residence for the Additional Baccalaureate Degree. Credits that applied to earlier degrees earned from Nevada State, even those in excess of the 120 required for graduation, may not be applied towards the residency requirement for an Additional Baccalaureate Degree. Specific courses required for the Additional Baccalaureate Degree that were taken for an earlier degree earned at Nevada State will be waived; however credits towards residency must be made up through general electives.
After Previous Baccalaureate Degree from Another NSHE Institution: : The core curriculum will be fulfilled by the previous degree, with the exception of any variation to core requirements required by the school or degree. A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree from another NSHE institution must meet the following requirements for an Additional Baccalaureate Degree at Nevada State:
1. Complete all school and major requirements for the Additional Baccalaureate Degree;
2. Complete a minimum of thirty (30) upper-division credits in residence at Nevada State University;
3. Complete any variations to the core curriculum required for the Additional Baccalaureate Degree.
After Previous Baccalaureate Degree from an Institution outside of NSHE: A student earned a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. regionally-accredited institution must meet following requirements:
1. Complete all school and major requirement for the Additional Baccalaureate Degree;
2. Fulfill all core curriculum requirements that have not been fulfilled by the previous degree;
3. Complete the Nevada Constitution core curriculum requirement, either by taking a relevant course at an NSHE institution or via Credit By Exam;
4. Complete a minimum of thirty (30) upper-division credits in residence at Nevada State University.

Unsatisfactory Academic Status

Undergraduate students who have less than a 2.0 GPA for any given semester as well as less than a cumulative 2.0 on all university work are making unsatisfactory academic progress. This endangers students' academic standing and leads to the penalties described in the following sections on warning, probation and disqualification.

Students pursuing the bachelor's degree may not earn credits or grade points in university courses numbered below 100 in an attempt to apply those credits toward a four-year degree or to raise their GPA.

Declare and/or Change of Major

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

Students may pursue separate undergraduate majors or degrees at the same time. Students must meet the requirements of the catalog year in which they declare the first major or degree. A student cannot graduate until all requirements are met for all declared degrees or programs; students who choose to not complete one or more declared program(s) must officially drop that major or degree.

To view the full policy, visit nsc.edu/college-policies/multiple-majors-degrees/.

Multiple Majors (Similar Degree Types)

The following requirements apply to students pursuing Multiple Majors:

The student must meet all admission requirements (e.g., minimum GPA or standardized test scores) for each declared major;
The student must complete all core curriculum and program requirements for each declared major;
Limitations and prohibitions:
1. Except as noted in I.3.a below, students who declare more than one emphasis, track, or concentration within a major are classified as pursuing a single major with multiple emphases, tracks, or concentrations, but do not qualify as pursuing Multiple Majors:
  1. Secondary Education majors may pursue more than one concentration as Multiple Majors, provided they meet the exclusive credits requirement in I.4 below;
  2. Students may Double-Dip classes between emphases, tracks, or concentrations within a single major;
2. Students may not pursue a major in a discipline and a major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in the same (or a substantively similar) discipline (e.g. Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Criminal Justice) as Multiple Majors. If there is a question regarding whether an Interdisciplinary Studies concentration is substantively similar to a major in a discipline, the relevant academic Dean(s) will make a final determination;
Double-Dipping courses is allowed between declared Multiple Majors. However, a minimum of twelve (12) credits required for the major (not including core curriculum, or other non-major-specific credits) must be exclusive to each declared major and may not be Double-Dipped. Any twelve (12) distinct major credits may fulfill this requirement; they do not have to be specifically approved. If the published coursework for the majors cannot be completed in a manner that allows for 12 distinct credits between them, they are not eligible to be pursued as Multiple Majors;
Required courses from one major may be applied as general electives for the other declared major(s);
No additional credits are required beyond the minimum credits required for graduation (120 for most majors) as long as the requirements for all declared majors are completed at the time the degree is conferred;
All declared majors will appear on the student's transcript and diploma. Only one diploma is issued.

Simultaneous Degrees

When a student declares majors that involve different degree types, additional credits are required.

Degree Types: Nevada State University offers the following distinct types of baccalaureate degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts;
- Bachelor of Science;
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration;
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
- Bachelor of Public Administration;
- Bachelor of Arts in Education;
- Bachelor of Science in Education;
- Bachelor of Applied Science
Prohibited Degree Combination: The following degrees may not be pursued as Simultaneous Degrees:
1. Due to their unique admissions and core curriculum requirements, Bachelor of Applied Science degrees cannot be combined with any other type of degree and so cannot be pursued as Simultaneous Degrees;
2. Students may not declare the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Psychology as Simultaneous Degrees.
Secondary Education Degree Exceptions: Combining a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education or Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with the corresponding discipline-specific Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science is not considered a different degree type and does not qualify as a Simultaneous Degree (e.g. Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a Concentration in Mathematics and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics are not considered separate degree types). Students combining such degrees will follow the requirements stated above for Multiple Majors.
Degree Requirements: The following requirements apply to students pursing Simultaneous Degrees:
1. All School, major, and degree requirements must be met for each declared degree, including any variations to the Core Curriculum approved by the School offering each degree;
2. Students must complete sixty (60) total upper-division credits in residence at NSC;
3. Required courses from one degree may be applied as general electives (lower- or upper-division) for the other declared degree(s);
4. Double-Dipping is allowed between declared Simultaneous Degrees. However, a minimum of twelve (12) degree-specific credits (not including core curriculum, elective, and other non-degree-specific credits) must be exclusive to each declare degrees and may not be Double-Dipped;
5. Students must file separate graduation application cards for each degree type;
6. All degrees will appear on the student's transcript and a separate diploma is issued for each type of degree.
Financial Aid Considerations: Students receiving financial aid should consult with a financial aid counselor before declaring Simultaneous Degrees to carefully assess the impact on their eligibility for financial aid. Because Simultaneous Degrees require additional coursework, students may need to enroll in additional terms.

Declaring Three or More Majors or Degrees

Students wishing to pursue three (3) or more majors or degrees, or four (4) or more of any combination of majors, degrees, or minors, must make an appointment with the Academic Advising Center to discuss all degree requirements for the full set of programs. If the credits required to complete all requested majors, degrees, and/or minors totals more than one-hundred eighty (180) credits, the Academic Advising Director must review and approve the declaration of all programs beyond two (2). The Academic Advising Director may consult with relevant academic Deans as needed to reach a decision.

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 university 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.

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.

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