Academic Information

All beginning freshmen are required to participate in Orientation and  enroll in UNIV 1002 - University Strategies #  as a part of the first semester class load.  The orientation program helps students begin the transition to university student.  Students must attend Orientation since it is a component of and includes credit points for UNIV 1002, University Strategies.

The University Strategies course meets the entire first semester and carries two semester credit hours.  Students meet in small groups with faculty and also participate in larger group activities that familiarize them with important academic, social, developmental, and financial concepts which are essential to a successful first year.   Together, Orientation and the University Strategies course are designed to ease the transition to NSU and provide information pertaining to campus life and the varied concerns that freshmen encounter while beginning their college careers.

First year students are advised through the University Advising Center until they choose a major field of study.  After declaring a major, students will be advised by Academic Advisors and Faculty Advisors in their major field of study.

NSU provides both physical and online library services.  Physical library facilities are available at all campuses: Tahlequah, Broken Arrow, and Muskogee.  Library services include coordinated acquisitions, cataloging, reference, circulation, instruction, and interlibrary loan.  For more information concerning the resources, services, and policies of NSU libraries, please visit our home page at HYPERLINK “http://library.nsuok.edu/index.html

The John Vaughan Library at the Tahlequah campus is a three-story, 120,000 square foot facility.  It contains over 1.2 million physical items including over 400,000 books, bound periodicals, and cataloged Government Documents; 3,903 cartographic items; 56,766 graphic materials; 3,965 computer files; 13,004 audio-visual materials; 763,761 microforms; and 5,743 subscriptions.  The library houses a special collection of Native American heritage materials and an archival collection of local, county, and university records and historical photographs.

The library facilities on the Broken Arrow campus offer students an environment that is conducive to individual or group study and research.  The library houses a growing collection of print and electronic information resources as well as access to all library materials physically housed at other NSU campuses through courier and interlibrary loan.  In addition to individualized reference services, librarians provide library instruction classes in two library computer labs.

The Muskogee campus library includes reference, reserve, and circulating collections in traditional paper format.  Library staff members provide reference, circulation, interlibrary loan, and instruction in the use of library resources.  The library provides a document delivery service from the Tahlequah collection and the Internet base collections are available to all students 24/7. 

The libraries also provide access to online resources and services that are available to all students and faculty from the Internet at HYPERLINK “http://library.nsuok.edu/index.html.”  Online services currently include Internet access to over 140 databases containing a wide variety of information resources including electronic books; full text journals; journal indexes; electronic versions of reference books in a variety of subject areas; online maps, test information, design images, etc.  The growing electronic book collection contains over 42,000 titles.  The library provides access to a collection of almost 47,000 Internet based journal titles.

As a result of continuing study, the faculty at Northeastern State University believes that all students should participate in certain common experiences during the first two years of college work and that such a program of common experiences is best designated as General Education.  NSU’s General Education course work provides students extensive experiences that are both rich and important in preparing them to live in a democratic society.  General Education serves as the foundation for future, program-specific learning and serves students by developing essential academic knowledge and skills needed for future course work.

With this general philosophy, NSU’s faculty have developed a General Education course sequence which has these student learning outcomes.  After completing the General Education core, students should demonstrate their ability to

1. Communicate effectively through writing, listening, speaking, and reading;
2. Recognize and analyze works in the humanities ( literature, art, music, philosophy, and religion) as expressions used to communicate perspectives on the human condition;
3. Identify and evaluate political, historical,  and social forces that shape the past, present, and future;
4. Become globally-aware citizens through an understanding and appreciation of human and cultural diversity;
5. Understand physical and biological phenomena and their importance for the welfare of society;
6. Apply methods of scientific inquiry;
7. Use quantitative symbolic systems to solve problems and interpret data;
8. Understand and apply concepts and activities that promote good health and life skills; and
9. Use critical thinking to analyze and solve problems.

Baccalaureate (or Bachelor’s) degree curricula are designed to help students demonstrate both general education learning outcomes and those of a major field of study.  Each degree curriculum is organized in two divisions: the lower division, comprising approximately the first two years of study and including classes numbered at the 1000 and 2000 level, and the upper division, in which the student pursues the major or area of special concentration selected.  During the first two years, students are required to take prescribed courses in English, the arts, humanities, health and physical education, the social sciences and the natural sciences.  This broad spectrum of courses at the lower division level allows students to sample fields of interest and finalize decisions regarding majors before entering upper division course work.  When available, free electives allow students to explore content areas. Within upper division course work,  students complete the prescribed courses for major and minor fields.  Academic and faculty advisors will counsel and guide students to the most efficient way to reach general education and major requirements.

1. Degrees are conferred at the close of fall, spring and summer semesters.  Candidates for degrees must file an application for bachelor’s degrees.  Students must apply for graduation no later than the following dates:  August 15 for Fall, January 15 for Spring, and March 15 for Summer. Students should run a degree audit each semester and meet with their academic advisor to plan their schedule.
2. The minimum number of semester hours required for a degree is one hundred twenty-four, of which a maximum of 4 hours can be physical education activity courses.  A minimum of 60 hours, excluding physical education activity courses, must be taken at a baccalaureate degree granting institution.  At least forty of the required 124 must be of senior college level (3000 and 4000 level) excluding physical education activity courses.
3. Students must earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 to attain a degree, excluding any courses repeated or reprieved as detailed in the State Regents’ Grading Policy and excluding physical education activity courses.  Students who enter with advanced standing or transfer credit must satisfy the additional requirement of earning a 2.0 GPA at this University (NSU).  (For description of grade points, see Undergraduate Grade-Point Calculations.)
4. At least 18 hours or fifty percent of the major, whichever is greater, must be satisfactorily completed at NSU.
5. A student must spend in residence at this University a minimum of thirty weeks with the completion of at least thirty semester hours exclusive of correspondence work and/or extrainstitutional credit.
6. At least fifty percent of the major requirements on a bachelor’s degree program must be upper division courses (3000 and 4000 level).
7. No more than one-fourth of the requirements for the bachelor’s degree may be completed by correspondence, extension, and/or prior learning credit.
8. All grades for correspondence, incompletes, and for transcripts of work completed at other schools MUST be in the Office of the Registrar within two weeks following the close of the semester for the student’s name to remain on the Roster of Graduating Students.
9. SECOND BACHELOR’S DEGREE.  A second undergraduate degree may be earned by completing all required courses and grade point requirements for the degree (major).  All prior undergraduate course work will be considered, and applicable course credit will meet the requirements for the additional degree.  A minimum of 30 additional semester hours in residence beyond the date of the most recently completed bachelor’s degree (minimum 154 total hours) is required.
10. State Regents’ policy guarantees that students transferring to an Oklahoma public four-year university with an associate in arts or associate in science degree (two-year degrees) from another Oklahoma public college will have satisfactorily completed all freshmen and sophomore general education requirements at the four-year university.  Some majors may require other specific general education courses as program prerequisites or program requirements.  If a student transfers to a university before completing an associate of arts or associate of science degree, the student must meet the general education requirements of the four-year university.
11. The catalog in effect at the time of the student’s initial full-time enrollment in an Oklahoma State System college or university shall govern lower-division prerequisites and general education requirements, provided that the student has had continuous enrollment.  The catalog in effect at the time the student officially declares a major will govern the degree requirements for the major and minor, provided that the student has had continuous enrollment.  Continuous enrollment will be defined as not being out of an Oklahoma State System college or university for more than two consecutive enrollment periods.  Students who have been out three semesters will be subject to any new degree requirements.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree from another regionally accredited college or university may earn a second bachelor’s degree at NSU by completing the required courses for the degree (major), including at least 30 additional semester hours in residence beyond the date of the most recently completed bachelor’s degree.   

Students who have completed a previous bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University may complete a second undergraduate degree by completing all required courses and grade point requirements for the degree (major), including at least 30 additional semester hours in residence beyond the date of the most recently completed bachelor’s degree.  If courses were completed in the first degree and are required courses for the second undergraduate degree, the department chair must make an appropriate substitution for the required courses(s) needed in the second degree.  The course substitutions must be communicated to the student and the Office of the Registrar for an exception to be entered into the degree audit system.

Students who have earned a first bachelor’s degree are considered to have met the English and computer proficiency requirements.  The general education requirements as well as the state requirement for American history and political science, for the second bachelor’s degree will be considered completed for students with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited regional institution.  However, if a course or courses from the general education are prerequisites to courses required for the major of the second degree or are program prerequisites, these courses must be completed.

A major used for the first bachelor’s degree cannot be used as a major for the second bachelor’s degree.  A second bachelor’s degree with a major in General Studies is not available. 

Dual Major 

(Sometimes called double degrees, double majors or second majors)

Students may earn a dual major (while currently enrolled) by completing all requirements for both majors.  A minimum of 124 hours must be completed for graduation with a minimum of 30 unduplicated semester credit hours for each major.  Total hours will vary depending upon the requirements for both majors. The student must choose which major will be considered the first major.  If duplicated courses are required for both majors, the advisor for the second major must make an appropriate substitution for the required course(s) needed in the second major as needed to reach the minimum of 30 unduplicated semester credit hours.  If the second major requires fewer than 30 hours, the advisor must specify courses which will make up the difference.  If the second major requires at least 30 unduplicated hours, no substitutions will be required.  The course substitutions must be communicated to the student and to the Office of the Registrar for an exception to be entered into the degree audit system.  Students may not choose General Studies or Vision Science as a dual major.  Students declaring a double major need not declare a minor.

Students entering NSU with a high school deficiency must successfully remediate the deficiency within the first 24 hours attempted.  Otherwise, all subsequent enrollments will be restricted to deficiency removal courses until all deficiencies are removed.  Students must complete zero level courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better or score appropriately on placement tests in order to remove the deficiency.

Students in all classes are subject to non-attendance withdrawal and/or administrative withdrawal.  This may adversely impact financial aid, veteran’s benefits, and/or athletic eligibility, therefore it is important that students attend class regularly and contact their instructor regarding absences.

Students who enroll in a course or courses and never attend may be withdrawn for non-attendance “NA”.  The non-attendance withdrawal “NA” can be processed beginning the first day of the third week and ending the last day of the fifth week of a sixteen week course.  Courses on other formats (eight week, four week, etc.) will be based on the same percentages of completion for the timeframe a non-attendance withdrawal can be processed.  

Students who enroll in a course or courses and have poor attendance or participation as determined by the instructor may be administratively withdrawn “AW.”  The administrative withdrawal “AW” can be processed from week six through week twelve of sixteen week courses.  Courses on other formats (eight week, four week, etc.) will be based on the same percentages of completion for the timeframe an administrative withdrawal can be processed.

Students who are withdrawn for non-attendance or administratively withdrawn will be responsible for payment and repaying any financial aid received for the course or courses that must be returned to the provider.

Students are encouraged to take the placement tests well before classes begin so they can study and retest, if necessary, to attempt to avoid taking developmental classes.  Students must wait a minimum of thirty days after taking the placement tests before they are eligible to retest.  Only one opportunity for a retest will be allowed to each student in each subject area, and the student must be within 10 points of passing in order to retest.  Once classes begin, only exceptional circumstances will warrant retesting, and the student must seek approval from the instructor teaching the class to be retested in that subject area.

Northeastern State University is committed to assisting students in meeting their goal of graduation in four years.  Toward that end, NSU has developed a Four-Year Graduation Plan to assist students in planning their progress toward a bachelor’s degree.  Not all degree programs are included in the Four-Year Graduation Plan and some programs have specific criteria that must be met in order for the agreement to be valid.  Students who are interested in this plan should contact the University Advising Center for more information.

All students receive academic advisement upon admission to Northeastern State University.  During an enrollment appointment, new students will meet with University Advisors to learn about university and departmental requirements, discuss their educational plans, and select courses.

Students who are undeclared, have no preference or are ineligible to declare their major are advised by University Advisors in the University Advising Center.  Students interested in pursuing careers in pre-professional health, computer science, engineering or music should declare their intent as soon as possible to ensure proper advisement.  Students with declared majors are advised in one of the four college advisement centers by Academic Advisors and within their academic departments by Faculty Advisors.  All Broken Arrow campus students declare their major upon intake with an Academic Advisor.

Because regular consultation with an advisor is critical to student success, NSU will place periodic enrollment holds on all students at key checkpoints to ensure progress toward graduation.

NSU has developed a four part assessment program in conjunction with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s requirements and expectations of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  All freshmen students scoring below 19 on individual ACT sub-tests in English, Math, Reading, and Science must complete a placement test before enrolling in classes in these areas.  New students will also be asked to participate in a Freshman Survey and Freshman Inventory.  Mid-level general education assessment will occur after students complete between 45 and 70 hours at NSU.  Near the end of the student’s plan of study, outcomes assessment of the major will occur.  Students will be asked to complete a Senior Survey before graduation and may periodically receive an Alumni Survey as part of the assessment plan.

Students may earn credit for courses delivered electronically at Northeastern State University or at one of the approved off-campus locations either through interactive television (ITV), web-based internet (online) or blended (combination of online and face-to-face) formats.  These courses earn regular college credit as specific degree requirements or electives.  For more information on courses delivered by electronic media, student should consult the class schedule and/or instructor listed for those courses designed as ITV, online, or blended.

Credit for courses is designated in terms of semester hours.  The last digit of a course number indicates the number of semester hours of credit to be earned. When zero is the last digit of a course number, the course carries variable credit.  At NSU, most master’s programs require a minimum of 36 credit hours with a few programs requiring additional hours to meet professional and accreditational requirements. Master’s programs requiring more than 36 graduate credit hours include the counseling psychology program and the occupational therapy degree.

Northeastern State University operates on a two 16-week semesters (fall and spring) plus an eight-week summer term calendar.  In addition, intersession classes of various lengths are operated between the three regular terms. Short-term courses are conducted during the regular terms with a first 8-week session and second 8-week session during the fall and spring term and a first 4-week and second 4-week session during the summer term.  These time frames are consistent with the definition of “academic term” as defined by the OSRHE Academic Policy Manual, section 3.13.2.

Face to face courses: At NSU, one semester credit is equivalent to a minimum of 800 clock minutes of credit hours, meeting 50 minutes each week for 16 weeks (OSRHE, 3.18.3). Classes taught in lengths less than 16 weeks will have the minutes per session adjusted to equal a total of 800 instructional minutes per credit hour. The vast majority of classes offered at NSU are 3 credit hours. These courses meet 150 minutes per week, either 50 minutes three times a week or 75 minutes twice a week.  To be succesful, students should expect to spend additional time outside of formal instructional time for each class at a rate of 2-3 hours per week for each credit hour taken.

Laboratory credit is normally awarded at a rate not to exceed one-half the instructional rate. One semester-hour of credit is normally awarded for completion of a laboratory meeting a minimum of 1600 minutes (100 minutes per week for sixteen weeks). 

Online (including blended) classes require an equivalent amount of work for each 800 minute clock hour.  To insure that online classes meet this requirement, the same course syllabus, goals, and learning objectives  as those found in the face to face courses are used.  Online courses are reviewed to insure that the equivalent amount of work and learning is being accomplished.

Students should note that the hours for study abroad courses, practica, internships, externships, or clinics differ due to the nature of the experiential learning environment.  However, an equivalent amount of work is required to meet learning objectives, learning activities, and learning outcomes

Full-time Student: To be considered full time, an undergraduate student must be enrolled in at least six (6) hours in a summer session and at least 12 hours in a fall or spring semester.  Zero “0” level courses which are taken to complete a skill or curricular deficiency are counted when considering full-time status of the student for financial aid.  Zero “0” level courses are only counted if completed during the first year when considering full-time status for athletic eligibility.

Normal Load: The average or normal semester enrollment is considered to be 14-19 semester hours of work.  When this amount of credit is regularly earned, it will lead to the completion of all degree requirements in eight semesters or four school years.  Students must earn at least 31 hours of credit per academic year to complete their degrees in four years.

Above Average Load: A student who has demonstrated superior scholastic ability may be approved for a load above the normal.  The semester hour load is determined in conference by the advisor and the student and is based upon the student’s past performance.  Students approved for an overload may enroll in more than 19 hours during a fall or spring semester and more than nine (9)  hours during the summer term.  In no case shall the maximum load exceed one and one-half times the number of weeks in a given semester. (Oklahoma State Regents regulation, January 31, 1977). This maximum load figure is a combined number of hours from NSU, including online and arranged classes, plus hours from any other college or university that the student attends during the semester.  Graduate students should refer to the Graduate Catalog for information on semester loads. Intersession classes count as part of the load for the semester that they precede.

Students on Probation:  An undergraduate student who is on academic probation or academic notice will be restricted to no more than 16 credit hours in a fall or spring semester (this includes intersession classes).  

Undergraduate class standing at the beginning of a semester is determined as follows:

• Freshman: less than thirty semester hours
• Sophomore: 30 - 59 semester hours
• Junior: 60 - 89 semester hours
• Senior: 90 + semester hours.

A student who does not have an earned degree and is not seeking to complete any degree or certificate program is classified as a Special student.  A student who has an earned degree and is admitted as an undergraduate is classified as a Post Graduate student. 

Courses numbered in the 1000’s are intended primarily for freshmen, in the 2000’s for sophomores, in the 3000’s for juniors, in the 4000’s for seniors.  Those in the 5000’s are graduate courses open only for enrollment to graduate or professional students.

The last digit of a course number indicates the number of semester hours of credit to be earned.  A course number followed by an “L” indicates a non-credit laboratory course associated with a corresponding lecture.

Courses numbers beginning with a “0” indicate remedial work and do not count toward hours earned, hours attempted, accumulated grade point average, or graduation.

Mid-term grades will be posted for all freshmen, sophomores, student athletes, and students on academic notice or probation.  Final grade reports may be accessed via goNSU. 

A faculty member may initiate a change of grade after grades have been submitted to the registrar’s office provided that:

1. Justification for the grade change is made in writing to the Dean and attached to the “Change of Grade Form,” and
2. The change is submitted within the first eight weeks of the semester following awarding of the original grade.

A student may petition a grade change by using the Grade Appeals Process if satisfactory resolution cannot be achieved after consultation with the instructor and/or Dean.  The Grade Appeals Process must be formally initiated with a written appeal to the Dean within four months following awarding of the original grade.  Please contact the dean of the college in which the grade was given for a copy of the grade appeals process.

NSU recognizes bachelor’s degree candidates who have demonstrated superior academic performance.  Students who qualify for honors based upon course work up to their final semester will be recognized on the commencement program.  Final determination of honors will be based upon all course work completed for the degree and will be posted on the student’s transcript and diploma after successful completion of all degree requirements.

To be eligible for such recognition a candidate must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours at NSU.  Students must meet the grade point average for graduation with honors in all NSU courses completed and in all courses attempted at all institutions attended.

The honors designation and requisite grade point averages (not rounded) shall be:

Summa Cum Laude - 3.8 - 4.00
Magna Cum Laude - 3.6 - 3.79
Cum Laude - 3.4 - 3.59

Students must meet all degree requirements for graduation as outlined in the General Degree Regulations section above.

Degrees are conferred at the end of fall, spring and summer semesters.  Students completing degree requirements at the end of a summer term may participate in the spring commencement. Tahlequah campus graduation ceremonies are held during the fall and spring of each year and are open to all NSU students. The Broken Arrow campus graduation ceremony is held only during the spring. Broken Arrow students completing in the fall may attend the ceremony at the Tahlequah campus in December or may attend the Broken Arrow ceremony the following May.

Each student who expects to complete degree requirements must file an application for bachelor’s degree by March 15 for summer graduation, August 15 for fall graduation, and January 15 for spring graduation.  If requirements are not met, students must reapply for the appropriate semester.

Degrees are recorded on the student’s transcript. Diplomas will be mailed approximately twelve weeks after the conferral date.

Graduation Requirements Deadlines

In order for the degree to be posted in the semester for which the student applied, all documentation must be received in the Office of the Registrar within two weeks of the close of the semester.  If documentation is not received within the timeframe, the student will have to reapply for the next graduation conferral term.  Documentation may include:  official transcripts (mailed directly from the school) of course work completed at other schools, capstone experiences, courses with incomplete grades changed to permanent grades, grade changes and/or course substitutions. 

Each semester, Northeastern State University recognizes students who have achieved superior academic performance through being named to the President’s Honor Roll and the Dean’s Honor Roll.  To be eligible for such recognition the student must be an undergraduate (who has not earned a degree) and meet one of the criteria below:

President’s Honor Roll

Complete at least 12 hours of regularly graded NSU undergraduate, 1000-4999 level, course work (Pass-Fail and “0” level classes do not count) with a grade point average of 4.00.

Dean’s Honor Roll

Complete at least 12 hours of regularly graded NSU undergraduate, 1000-4999 level course work (Pass-Fail and “0” level classes do not count) with a grade point average of 3.50 with no grade below a “B.”

If it is necessary for a student to drop a single class, withdraw from a single class, or withdraw completely from all courses at the university, the student must complete the process by doing the following:
 

• Drop a single course (on or before the full refund date) - The student can drop via goNSU unless he/she has a hold that impacts registration.  In the case of a hold, contact the Office of the Registrar or the University Advising Center.
   
• Withdraw from a single course - The student can withdraw via goNSU unless he/she has a hold that impacts registration.  In the case of a hold, contact the Office of the Registrar or the University Advising Center.
   
• Completely withdraw from all courses - The student must complete a Semester Withdrawal form.  The form is also available in the Office of the Registrar at the Tahlequah Campus or the Enrollment Services Office at the Broken Arrow or Muskogee campuses.

Drop During Refund Period - if a student drops a class during the refund period, the course will not appear on their academic record. 

Withdrawal Before or During the Twelfth Week - if a student withdraws from a single class or completely from the university after the refund period through the end of the twelfth week of a regular fall or spring semester, the instructor will assign a “W” (withdrew passing) regardless of the student’s progress in the course.  The automatic “W” period for short term classes is prorated at 3/4 time from the start of class.

Withdrawal After the Twelfth Week - If a student withdraws from a single class or completely from the university after the twelfth week (automatic “W” period), the instructor will assign a “W” or “F” depending on the student’s standing in the class at the time of withdrawal.  A “W” will be assigned if the student was passing at the time of withdrawal. An “F” will be assigned if the student was failing at the time of withdrawal.

Drop and withdrawal deadlines are published each semester in the schedule of courses.  Failure to follow the above procedures may have a negative impact on your standing with the university and financial aid status.
 

Freshmen students with fewer than 30 credit hours, with a GPA of 1.7 to less than 2.0 will be placed on academic notice.  A student must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA for the duration of his/her college experience with the exception of freshmen on academic notice and academic probation.

A student will be placed on academic probation if she/he fails to meet:

*All courses in which a student has a recorded grade will be counted in the calculation of the grade-point average for retention purposes excluding any courses repeated or reprieved as detailed in the State Regents’ Grading Policy and excluding remedial/developmental (pre-college) courses and physical education activity courses.

A student who achieved a grade point average of 2.0 or above in regularly-graded course work, not to include activity or performance courses, during the last semester enrolled will be allowed to continue as a student regardless of the cumulative grade point average.

Academic Probation and Suspension: Any student not maintaining satisfactory progress toward academic objectives will be placed on probation for one semester.  At the end of that semester, the student must have a semester GPA of 2.0 in regularly-graded course work, not to include activity or performance courses, or meet the minimum cumulative GPA standard required above, in order to continue as a student.  Students not meeting either of these criteria will be suspended and may not be reinstated until one regular semester (fall or spring) has elapsed.  At that time, the student may petition the Admission Appeals Committee for readmission consideration.

Students suspended in the spring semester may attend, at the discretion of the suspending institution, the summer session immediately following spring suspension.  However, such students may enroll only in core academic courses which meet the general education requirements or degree requirements.  Only students under first-time suspension status at the suspending institution are eligible.  To continue in that fall semester, such students must achieve a 2.0 or better semester GPA or raise their retention GPA to the required level.

The administration at NSU realizes that there are times when extenuating circumstances prohibit a student from making satisfactory progress during his/her probationary semester. The appeals process allows for the examination of each individual situation where a student feels special consideration should be granted.  A decision is then made as to whether extenuating circumstances do exist.

Suspension Appeals: Students wishing to petition the committee must submit an application for admission and a Suspension Appeals form to the Office of Admissions.  Applications for admission and appeals forms are due by July 15 for consideration for the Fall semester, November 15 for the Spring semester and April 15 for Summer term.  The student may be required to appear before the committee.  Denial will be automatic for non-attendance.

The petition may be approved for probationary readmission if, in the best judgment of the committee, conditions appear to be favorable for the student to regain satisfactory progress. Such students are readmitted on probationary status and must maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester while on probation or raise their cumulative GPA to the designated level.  Should a student be suspended a second time, she/he cannot return until she/he has demonstrated the ability to succeed by attending another institution and raising his/her cumulative GPA to the retention standards.

A senior who has failed to meet the graduation/retention grade point average of 2.0 may request to enroll in an additional 15 semester hours in a further attempt to achieve the requirements for graduation.  Students may take up to 15 semester hours in one semester or if the student takes less than 15 semester hours, they must maintain the current retention standards of achieving an overall GPA of 2.0 for that semester in order to continue.  Students may apply for the “Senior Rule” extension through the Office of the Registrar. Such students will be afforded this extension one time only.

NSU has adopted a three-part Academic Forgiveness Policy for currently enrolled undergraduate students as outlined in the State Regents’ Grading Policy.  The first part of the policy allows students to repeat a maximum of 4 courses (up to 18 semester hours) of “D” and “F” grades and have only the second grade earned, even if it is lower than the first grade, used in the calculation of overall GPA.  If a student repeats an individual course more than once, all grades earned, with the exception of the first, are used to calculate the GPA.  The second part of the policy allows students to apply for an academic reprieve for up to two consecutive semesters of course work under certain circumstances.  The third part of the policy allows students to renew their academic career after an extended absence under circumstances that warrant a fresh start.  Students may receive no more than one academic reprieve or renewal in the academic career, and only one option (reprieve or renewal) can be used.  Requests for repeated courses, academic reprieve, or academic renewal must be submitted in writing on the appropriate form to the Office of the Registrar at Northeastern State University.  For more information concerning the Academic Forgiveness Policy, contact your advisor or the Office of the Registrar.

Academic misconduct includes cheating (using unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise), plagiarism, falsification of records, unauthorized possession of examinations, intimidation, and any and all other actions that may improperly affect the evaluation of a student’s academic performance or achievement, or assisting others in any such act or attempts to engage in such acts.  Academic misconduct in any form is inimical to the purposes and functions of the University and therefore is unacceptable and prohibited.

Any faculty member, administrator, or staff member may identify an act of academic misconduct and should report that act to the department head/college dean, Vice President for Academic Affairs or administrative supervisor.

Students violating the standards of academic honesty are subject to disciplinary action including reduction of a grade(s) in a specific course, assignment, paper, or project; a formal or informal reprimand at the professorial, dean, or academic vice president level; expulsion from the class in which the violation occurred; expulsion from a program; or expulsion from the university.

Each student, upon matriculation at the University, assumes an obligation to obey all rules and regulations made by properly constituted authorities.

The University may not release records including transcripts for students who have financial or other obligations to the University, or who are found responsible for not complying with University regulations and policies outlined in the Policy Manual of the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma. 

A hold on records or the suspension of a student can be authorized by the President, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, or the Vice President of Student Affairs as outlined in University policies and procedures. 

Regular attendance in classes is required. Excessive absences may be reflected in the grade assigned.

Absences for university-approved functions may be permitted only after the activity sponsor has received authorization.  This approval does not excuse students from fulfilling assignments and tests in the course, but authorizes them to receive reasonable accommodations from the instructor in fulfilling the assignments.  It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor prior to the event to make arrangements for the classes missed.

To be eligible to represent the university in any intercollegiate contest, university-sponsored activity, or otherwise use the name of the Northeastern State University, a student must be currently enrolled and in good standing with the university (not owing money or on conduct probation) and meet the requirements of the sponsoring organization/activity.

“If a student is called to active military service during a term in which the student has completed an amount of work sufficient to receive a grade, as determined by the university, the university may award a grade to the student and give the student academic credit for the full semester’s work. If the student has not completed an amount of work sufficient to receive a grade, the university may refund or waive tuition and fees in accordance with the policy of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education,” as stated in Regional University System of Oklahoma policy manual. (RUSO, 4.2 Military Leave) 

The following guidelines governs faculty responsibility toward students who are called to active military duty. These guidelines are not applicable to annual training for reservists or National Guard personnel which fall under regular University absence policies.

1. Student called to active military duty as a war measure: If the student has attended classes through the twelfth week of a regular semester (at least three-fourths of other terms), the grade earned up to the time he/she is called to duty will be that issued for the course.
2. Student called to active military duty, but not as a war measure:
   1. A student may withdraw with 100 percent refund;
   2. Instructor may permit an incomplete if the student is making satisfactory progress.
   3. Faculty may allow the student other alternatives.
3. If student attendance ends prior to twelfth week of classes, a 100 percent refund will be issued.
4. The student must provide a copy of his/her military orders to the Office of Registrar before a refund is issued or an incomplete form is processed.
5. If a student is called to active duty, and stops attending classes without notifying instructors, a grade of “F” will be assigned at the end of the semester.  Subsequently, upon receipt of appropriate documentation, a change of grade may be processed utilizing the Grade Change Procedure.

English Proficiency - Faculty

Oklahoma Statutes 70 O.S. §3224 and §3225 (2001) provide that all instructors, including all graduate teaching assistants, now employed or being considered for employment at institutions within the State System shall be proficient in speaking the English language so that they may adequately instruct students. (OSRHE 3.24)

Exceptions include the instruction of courses that are designed to be taught predominantly in a foreign language and elective, special arrangement courses such as individualized instruction and independent study courses.

Complaints

Students who have a concern regarding the English proficiency of an instructor should talk first with the department chair.  If the issue is not resolved, the student may speak with the dean, and if the issue is not resolved at the dean’s level, the student may contact Academic Affairs.  Students may file a formal complaint using the Student Complaint Form, accessible at http://offices.nsuok.edu/Portals/17/Student%20Complaint%20Form.revised.6.26.12%20%281%29.pdf

English proficiency is required of all students graduating from NSU.  English proficiency consists of three components.  All three components must be successfully completed in order to demonstrate English proficiency.

Component 1. Student Placement

1. Students with high school deficiencies will be required to complete English 0123 during the first semester of enrollment or successfully score at or above the qualifying score on the Test of CPT-Sentence Skills Test.
2. All first-time entering students scoring less than 19 on the ACT-English sub-test and less than 3.25 high school GPA in English will be required to take the CPT-Sentence Skills Test.  Transfer students who have not completed English 1113, Freshman Composition I, will be required to take the CPT-Sentence Skills Test if their ACT-English sub-test is less than 19 and high school GPA in English is less than 3.25.
3. Students scoring above the qualifying score on the CPT-Sentence Skills Test will be allowed to enroll in English 1113.
4. Students scoring below the qualifying score on the CPT-Sentence Skills Test must successfully complete English 0123 with a grade of “C” or better prior to enrollment in English 1113.
5. Students taking English 0123 must take the CPT-Sentence Skills Test at the end of the course.  Students who do not pass the course with a grade of “C” or better must re-enroll in English 0123 until they are successful in passing the course.
6. All students must complete Component 1 of English Proficiency (achieving a qualifying score on the CPT-Sentence Skills Test or passing English 0123) within the first 24 hours.  Failure to meet this requirement may block registration with the exception of enrollment in English 0123.
7. Students who are unsuccessful in passing English 0123 are advised to undertake additional educational experiences to improve their skills in addition to continued enrollment in English 0123 each semester until this requirement is satisfied.  These experiences may include but are not limited to:
   1. attending tutorial sessions in a writing lab.
   2. personal individualized study.

Component 2.  ENGL 1113 & 1213 completed with grades of “C” or better

  (OR demonstrated competency through advanced standing.)

1. After completing English 0123, all students must continue in the appropriate courses each succeeding semester until the English composition requirements are satisfied in full.
2. All students who have not completed English 1113 and English 1213 with a grade of “C” or better will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English composition by:
   1. re-enrolling in English 1113 and/or English 1213 and passing with a “C” or better, or
   2. passing the CLEP test for English composition.
   3. complete the WritePlacer online test with a score of 6 for proficiency in ENGL 1113 or a score of 7 for proficiency in ENGL 1113 and ENGL 1213.
3. Students who take English 1113 by CLEP will meet the requirements of Component 2 of English Proficiency by making a “C” or better in English 1213. Students who successfully complete English 1213 by CLEP will meet the requirements of Component 2 of English Proficiency.
4. All students should complete the English requirements at the earliest opportunity.  It is advisable for students to complete component 2 in the first 60 credit hours.
5. Writing ability of students will be assessed as part of the Mid-Level General Education assessment.

Component 3. Writing Intensive Experience in the Major

1. All students are required to complete a writing intensive experience in their major.
2. At a minimum, all students will experience at least one upper division course that has extensive writing assignments.

Note: English proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Approved February 1992
Amended September 15, 1992
Amended February 17, 1994
Revised February 8, 1995 due to CEPC changes
Revised July 8, 1999
Revised March 23, 2004

Computer proficiency is a graduation requirement for all students.  Students should complete the requirement in the first 30 hours of course work.  Transfer students are expected to have completed this requirement by the time they transfer to NSU.  Transfer students who have completed an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree at an Oklahoma community college or a community college in which NSU has an articulation agreement are considered to have met this requirement along with their general education curriculum.  Transfer students who have not completed an AA or AS degree and have not completed the computer proficiency requirement before entering NSU will be required to enroll in the appropriate Computer Proficiency course during the first semester of enrollment at NSU. 

Students must demonstrate computer proficiency, which includes the competent use of a variety of software and networking applications, through one of the following options:

1. Successfully completing a high school computer science course that meets the State Regents’ high school curricular requirements; OR
2. Satisfying NSU’s computer proficiency assessment; OR
3. Successfully completing CS 1003/IS 1003 Computers in Modern Society or EDUC 4823 Technology in Education (for education majors only).