Specific Requirements for Degrees and Other Programs

Upper Division Requirements

I. Major or Major/Minor

Specific requirements in each major field are enumerated in the sections for the various areas in which majors are offered. Fifty percent of the major requirement on a bachelor’s degree program must be upper division courses (courses numbered 3000 or 4000), and 18 hours or half of the major, whichever is greater, must be taken at NSU.  Majors with 56 hours or more hours do not require a minor.

II. One minor, or second major 18-36 hours

The minor consists of 18 semester hours. Minors must be chosen from an academic subject area other than the first major. Degrees which are considered a major/minor do not require additional hours in a minor.  Students majoring in a field of business are required to complete the business core in lieu of a minor or a second major.

Minors must be completed simultaneously with a major degree program. A minor may not be completed by itself, independent of a major program. This means a minor cannot be earned after a bachelor’s degree has been conferred. At least one active major must be declared in order to pursue a minor. Multiple minors can be linked to the completion of a single major.

Also be aware that since the minor must be completed with a major, any outstanding minor requirements will prevent the awarding of the degree for a major (even if the major does not require a minor). In order to graduate without an unrequired and incomplete minor, the minor must be removed from your records before your degree can be processed.

III. Electives to make a total of not less than 124 hours

Major Fields Offered

The distinction between the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees is largely that of selection of a major subject and the number of liberal arts and sciences courses required.  If a minor is required, the student must select one minor or a second major.

Bachelor of Arts

• American Indian Studies
• Cherokee Cultural Studies
• Communication Studies
• Creative Writing
• Drama
• English
• Geography and Sustainability Studies
• History
• Media Studies
• Music
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Spanish

Bachelor of Science

• Applied Physics
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Cyber Security
• Environmental, Health and Safety Management
• Health and Human Performance
• Homeland Security
• Integrative Biology
• Legal Studies
• Mathematics
• Nutritional Sciences
• Organizational Leadership
• Psychology
• Speech Language Pathology

Additional Information

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Programs at Northeastern State University that prepare students for initial licensure as educators are designed to meet the licensure standards set by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Students seeking licensure in another state are advised to contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to determine specific requirements of guidelines for reciprocity. Northeastern State University cannot confirm whether a particular licensure program meets requirements for licensure outside of the State of Oklahoma. For a list of the state departments of education that oversee professional teaching licensure, see the U.S. Department of Education website - State Contacts page.

For questions related to licensure, please contact Lois Buttress (buttress@nsuok.edu). 

General Education

Students planning to major in Education must meet General Education requirements (49-51 hours).  Education students can take a language course under the “Global Perspectives” area which will count as their “language other than English” requirement and can take EDUC 4823 - Technology and the 21st Century Learner for computer proficiency.  Education majors are encouraged to see their advisor regarding these requirements and the additional 4 X 12 requirements listed below for Elementary, Early Childhood and Special Education majors. 

4 x 12 Requirements (Elementary, Early Childhood, and Special Education majors)

From the courses listed in the General Education section and those in their major prior to their full internship, Elementary, Early Childhood, and Special Education majors must complete (with a minimum grade of “C”), a minimum of:

12 hours in Communication Arts (English, Literature, Communication Studies)
12 hours in Social Science (Geography, History, Economics, Political Science, Psychology)
12 hours in Math
12 hours in Science

Foreign Language Competency:

All education majors must demonstrate novice high competency in a language other than English.  This competency can be met through university-level coursework or arranging an oral proficiency test in the target language.  See an advisor for more information.

Upper Division Requirements

I. Major (minimum of 40 hours)

Specific requirements in each major field are enumerated in the selections for the various areas in which majors are offered. Fifty percent of the major requirement on a bachelor’s degree program must be upper division courses (course numbered 3000 or 4000).

II. Professional Education (29 hours)

Final Semester: Intern Teaching and Seminar - 12 hours

III. Electives to make a total of not less than 124 hours

Bachelor of Arts in Education

MAJORS

• Art
• Cherokee
• English
• Social Studies
• Spanish

Bachelor of Music Education

(Instrumental, Vocal, Keyboard/Instrumental, Keyboard/Vocal, Percussion)

This specialized major adheres to all requirements for teacher education with these additional considerations.  See the program listing for more information.

Bachelor of Science in Education

MAJORS

• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Health and Physical Education
• Mathematics
• Science Education (Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Space)
• Special Education-Mild/Moderate Disorders

Additional Information 

Requirements

Bachelor of Business Administration

I.  General Education
II.  Business Core 
III.  Business Major
IV.  Electives - to make not less than 124 total hours  

MAJORS:

• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Health Organizations Administration
• Hospitality and Tourism Management
• Information Systems
• International Business Management
• Management
• Marketing
• Supply Chain Management

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Art Major / Minor)

I. General Education 
II. Major/Minor 
III. Electives to make not less than 124 total hours

Bachelor of General Studies

I. General Education 
II. Three Areas of Specialization (Areas are selected from available minors. With approval from the program coordinator, one area may be tailored to meet individual needs.) 
III. General Studies Capstone 
IV. Electives to make not less than 124 total hours

Bachelor of Science in Medical Lab Science

I. General Education/Prerequisites
II. Pathways
A. Degree Completion 2+2 
B. Internship 3+1 
III. Electives to make total of not less than 124 hours

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

I. General Education/Prerequisites
II. Major/Minor 30 + 30 hours (30 hours of the major is transfer credit or credit-by-examination for previous nursing courses.)
III. Nursing Support Courses 
IV. Electives to make total of not less than 124 hours

Bachelor of Social Work

I. General Education/Prerequisites 
II. Major 
III. Electives to make total not less than 124 hours

Bachelor of Technology

I. General Education/Prerequisites 
II. Bachelor of Technology Core 
III. Technical Courses 
IV. Electives to make not less than 124 total hours

Additional Information

Liberal Arts and Science Courses

Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS) Courses are identified in catalog course descriptions.

“Liberal Arts and Sciences Courses” are those traditional fields of study in the humanities; social and behavioral sciences; communication, natural and life sciences; mathematics; and the history, literature and theory of the fine arts (music, art, drama, dance). Courses in these fields whose primary purpose is directed toward specific occupational or professional objectives, or courses in the arts which rely substantially on studio or performance work are not considered to be liberal arts and sciences for the purpose of this policy. (OSRHE, Undergraduate Degree Requirements, 3.15.2) 

Students accepted for early admission into a professional program may be eligible to complete an NSU bachelor’s degree utilizing the following procedure.  This process must be initiated within eighteen months of the student’s last semester of enrollment at NSU under the following conditions:

Student is accepted into a professional program before completing bachelor’s degree at NSU.

• Health Programs: Chiropractic, dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, veterinary medicine (excludes physician assistant/associate, nursing, allied health programs)
• Law School 

Student must have already completed:

• At least 94 earned hours
• OSRHE requirements: English and computer proficiency, United States History, and United States Government
• NSU general education requirements
• Residency requirements for major and degree 

Additional restrictions:

• Student may lack no more than 30 hours to complete graduation requirements.
• A maximum of 30 hours (all upper level) from the professional program may be transferred back to NSU to complete graduation requirements.

Once the student has successfully completed the first year in professional school the student will:

• Reapply for admission to NSU.
• Submit an official transcript from professional school.
• Complete an Application for Bachelor’s Degree.

When all documentation is received:

• Admissions will readmit the student and notify the Office of the Registrar.
• The student will meet with an academic advisor who will recommend how the hours from the professional program may be applied to satisfy the remaining degree requirements and submit a proposal to the appropriate department chair.
• The Department Chair will review the recommendations and submit approved exceptions to the Office of the Registrar specifying how the professional transfer work will be applied.
• The registrar’s office will enter approved transfer work and exceptions, verify that degree requirements have been met, and confer the degree for the current semester.