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 Academic Policy No. 2 - Operations, Ch.25.}

Choice of Catalog

According to the Nevada Revised Statues, “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…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…graduation” (NRS 396.560(3)).

Undergraduate students at NS can remain on the catalog in effect during their term of entry for up to 10 years. If a catalog is more than 10 years old, the student must follow the catalog requirements in effect for the year the student graduates.

NS 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 bodies. The dean, with approval from the provost and president, may require reasonable adherence to school and department requirements published in a recent or current catalog. The school must communicate the changes to affected students.

The following rules regarding choice of catalog apply in specific circumstances:

Change of major: The year a student enrolls as a degree-seeking student at NS is the student’s assigned catalog year. If a student changes major, or was classified as undecided and selects a major, the catalog year updates to the year the student changed or selected the major.
Multiple majors: Students who declare multiple majors may graduate with the additional majors under the catalog of the year when they declared each major or the year they graduate. The catalog year for additional majors does not affect the catalog year of the first major.
Summer bridge programs: Students who applied for fall admission to NS and are reclassified as summer admits in order to participate in a University-sponsored summer bridge program will be assigned to the catalog in effect for the fall semester immediately following the bridge program.
Other summer admits (excluding summer bridge participants): Students who applied and were admitted for a summer term may follow the catalog of the fall semester immediately following their summer enrollment. Students must request to be moved to the fall catalog through the Office of the Registrar. Students are encouraged to first meet with an advisor to ensure they understand any consequences of the catalog change.
Returning students: Returning students are assigned to the catalog year when they are readmitted. They may request to follow the catalog of the year of their initial admission and enrollment at NS, providing that catalog is not more than 10 years old when they graduate. Requests are submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Students are encouraged to first meet with an advisor to ensure they understand any consequences of the catalog change.
1. Students returning from a University-approved leave of absence (such as approved military leave) may follow the catalog rights described in the relevant leave of absence policy.
2. If unusual circumstances caused an extended absence without approved leave, a student may petition for an exception to policy allowing them to re-enroll without reapplying and being readmitted to NS. Exceptions must be approved by the provost (or designee).
Transfer Students: Any exceptions for students transferring from other NSHE institutions will be stated in transfer agreement documents.
Other exceptions: The president may waive catalog requirements or approve exceptions to catalog year assignments. Exceptions are made at the president’s discretion on a case-bycase and cannot be appealed.

Academic Requirement

In order to graduate, students must meet the following requirements:

Minimum GPA: Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, including all postsecondary coursework attempted, as well as an overall NS GPA of at least 2.0, as calculated by the Office of the Registrar. This requirement excludes courses graded as Audit, Incomplete, Not Reported, In Progress, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, and Withdrawal (AD, I, NR, X, S, U, and W, respectively).
Four-year Institution credits: For students on catalogs from Fall 2022 or earlier, at least half of the required credits for their degree must be earned at a 4-year institution.
Other academic requirements: A school may establish additional academic requirements.
NS Residency: Minimum of thirty (30) upper-division credits must be taken at NS to graduate with an undergraduate degree from the 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.

Declare and/or Change of Major

Students wishing to change their major may submit a change of major request with the Office of the Registrar.

Students may pursue separate undergraduate majors or degrees at the same time. Students follow the requirements of the catalog year in which they declare the major or the catalog year when they will graduate. 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.

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.

Academic Minors and Concentrations

_{For additional information, refer to Academic Policy No. 2 - Operations, Ch. 30.}

Academic Minors

A minor program requires students to complete at least 18 credits, including at least nine (9) or more credits in upper division courses.

Declaring a minor is optional unless otherwise stated by a degree program. Students wishing to declare a minor may submit an Add or Change of Minor request with the Office of the Registrar. A minor appears on a student's transcript but is not printed on their diploma.

Requirements and Limitations

Undecided students and non-degree-seeking students cannot declare a minor;
Students cannot declare a major and minor of the same discipline. Decisions regarding whether a major and minor are in the same discipline are made by the dean;
Students follow the minor requirements of the catalog year in which they declare the minor or the catalog year when they will graduate;
Students can declare no more than 3 minors. At least 9 credits must be unique to each minor and cannot be counted toward the other minor(s);
Course overlap is allowed between minor, major, and/or Core Curriculum requirements. At least 9 credits must be unique to the minor and cannot overlap with major requirements;
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all required courses;
A minor cannot be added after a student’s degree has been conferred;
If a student decides not to complete a declared minor, they must drop the minor by completing the Add or Change a Minor e-form with the Office of the Registrar. Degrees and diplomas cannot be posted or issued until all declared programs are completed.

Concentrations

Concentrations are groups of courses that differentiate specializations within a program.

Concentrations that are included in the name of a major/degree and submitted for external review and approval as part of the name (such as presentation to the Board of Regents and the accrediting agency) will appear on a student’s diploma. If a concentration is not formally approved as part of the name of a program, it will appear on a student’s transcript but not on their diploma.