- The Curriculum
- Course Load
- Academic Standing and Minimum Grade Requirements
- Semester Credit Hour
- Course Level/Number
- The Grading System
- Auditing Courses
- Change of Curriculum Within a Program
- Continuous Registration
- Course Substitutions
- Grade Appeal
- Incomplete Grades
- Repeating Courses
- Registration and ID Cards (SpartanCard)
- Residence Requirements
- Books and Spartans All Inclusive Learning Program
- Thesis / Dissertation
- Time Limit
- Transfer of Credit
- Withdrawal from Courses
- Withdrawal from the University
The requirements which are listed below apply to all graduate students at Norfolk State University. It is the student’s responsibility to be knowledgeable of and comply with all policies, procedures, and regulations. Specific departmental and program requirements are available in departmental offices, websites, and program handbooks.
The Curriculum
The curriculum is the vehicle through which the University seeks to make its most significant impact upon the lives of students. Developing, implementing, and updating curricula is the responsibility of the faculty and academic administrators. Curricular offerings are described in this catalog for each academic program.
Course Load
A regular full-time graduate student must be enrolled in nine (9) credit hours to 15 credit hours per semester during the academic year. Students enrolled in at least three (3) and no more than eight (8) credit hours per semester are considered part-time. Students enrolled full-time or part-time may be eligible for federal financial aid.
Academic Standing and Minimum Grade Requirements
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 (“B”), from semester to semester, is required to maintain good academic standing as a graduate student and meet the requirements for a graduate degree.
Any student who fails to maintain a 3.00 GPA will be automatically placed in probationary status and must, within the next 12 credit hours (including mini-terms), elevate their GPA to 3.00 in order to remain in the graduate program.
Grades in all courses taken as a graduate student are used in determining whether a student has met the GPA of 3.00 (“B”) requirement to remain in good academic standing. Students whose GPA falls substantially below 3.0 may be suspended or dismissed (see table below), based on guidelines established by the academic program and approved by the Graduate Council. A student who believes the probation or suspension was due to an error in a grade assigned should follow the Grade Appeal Process listed in the Graduate Catalog.
Probation and Suspension Thresholds for Graduate Students who have completed at least 6 graduate semester hours at NSU.
| Cumulative GPA in Graduate Courses at NSU | Good Academic Standing | Academic Probation | Academic Suspension (For 1 year) | Dismissal (For 4 years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 and above | Automatic | |||
| 2.60 - 2.99 | Automatic | |||
| 2.0 - 2.59 | Automatic | Possible | ||
| Below 2.0 | Automatic | Possible |
Students who have been suspended for a year, upon re-admission, will be advised by their Graduate Program Coordinator/Director (GPC/GPD) on how to improve their GPA. They will be required to do so within the next completed 12 credit hours. The GPC/GPD will inform the student of the courses required to be repeated to improve their GPA.
Students who have been dismissed from their program and wish to return will be required to submit an application for admission as a new graduate student. All prior grades will be suppressed.
Semester Credit Hour
Semester Credit Hour is the unit of instruction used for computing the amount of work required for assigning credit. Academic credit is awarded in the form of a semester credit hour, which reflects the amount of engaged learning time expected of a typical student enrolled not only in traditional classroom settings but also in laboratories, studios, internships, and other experiential learning, including distance and correspondence education. One semester hour is equivalent to one 50–70 minute period of instruction or lecture per week for 15 weeks. Two or three 50-minute periods of laboratory sessions are equal to one period of instruction or lecture. Mini-term courses are equivalent to the time required for full-semester courses. Faculty assign and monitor semester credit hour assignments.
Course Level/Number
Course level/Number is an indicator of the knowledge and skills that are expected to be taught and learned in a course. Course level indicates the progression of learning, rigor, and content. Generally, the course level is indicated by the course numbering system. Graduate-level courses start at 500 and go up to a potential ceiling of 999.
| Course Number | Course Level |
|---|---|
| 500-599 | First Year Graduate |
| 600-999 | Upper Level Graduate |
In general, course prefix numbers ranging from 500-799 designate master’s level coursework. Depending on the program, doctoral-level course prefixes may range from 500-999. In general, doctoral-level courses are designated by course prefixes ranging from 700-999.
The Grading System
The grade point system, based upon all graduate hours graded at Norfolk State University is used to calculate student scholarship. The table below depicts the grading symbols and points used to calculate grade point averages.
| Grade | Quality Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.000 | |
| A- | 3.700 | |
| B+ | 3.300 | |
| B | 3.000 | |
| B- | 2.700 | |
| C+ | 2.300 | |
| C | 2.000 | |
| C- | 1.700 | |
| F | 0.000 | |
| I | None | Incomplete |
| W | None | Official Withdrawal |
Transfer credits from institutions where the pass/fail grading system prevails will be interpreted as “B” unless the awarding institution submits with the transfer credits, a copy of its policies that would justify the interpretation of the transfer credits otherwise.
The established University policy will prevail regarding the awarding and use of the “W” grade.
Auditing Courses
Students who desire to attend courses but do not wish to receive course credit may audit such courses, with permission from the instructor. Even though no grade will be received for the course, the student is required to pay the required fee. To audit a course the student must complete the Course Request Form and place an “AU” in the “Tuition Hours” column of the form. The instructor’s signature should be placed in the “Comments” column on the same line as the audited course. The auditing student is expected to attend classes regularly but is not required to submit assignments or take examinations. Changing from audit to credit or from credit to audit is permitted only during the scheduled “Add” period. Audited courses may be dropped during the scheduled “Drop” period.
Change of Curriculum Within a Program
Students wishing to make a curriculum change from one track/concentration to another within a graduate degree program must execute the Change of Curriculum form. This form must be signed by the program officer of the graduate program in which the student is enrolled. The Change of Curriculum form may not be used to make a change from one graduate degree program to another because admissions requirements for graduate programs vary. The Change of Curriculum form is processed in the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
Continuous Registration
The Continuous Enrollment Procedure (CEP) at Norfolk State University is designed to facilitate continuous academic progress, support student success, and ensure timely completion of degree requirements. CEP protects the student’s status in their academic program. Continuous enrollment is designed for students who have completed all their required courses, are working on finalizing their projects, theses, or dissertations, and are in good academic standing.
To guarantee a student’s position in the program, the student must register for their department’s designated one-credit hour research course. This is required for each semester/term in which they wish to maintain enrollment status without regular coursework. The registration must be completed before the add/drop deadline of the semester. Students will be terminated from the program if they do not enroll in continuous enrollment.
Continuous enrollment is available during spring and fall semesters, allowing students to maintain enrollment without taking a full course load. Students anticipating summer graduation must enroll in a continuous enrollment course. Students may utilize continuous enrollment until their program’s time limit is reached.
The cost of continuous enrollment is equivalent to one-credit hour rate. Students enrolled in a one-credit hour research course are not eligible for federal financial aid and certain scholarships or grants may not apply during this period.
A student who is working on their project, theses, or dissertation and is not continuously enrolled at Norfolk State University, excluding summer sessions, must submit an application for readmission. Readmission Applications are available at http://www.nsu.edu/applyonline.
Course Substitutions
Course substitutions involve Norfolk State University courses and should not be confused with the awarding of transfer credits. Students may request that a course taken at Norfolk State University be substituted for a prescribed course to meet a degree requirement in the student’s academic program. Course substitutions must be submitted the following semester after successful completion of the course and approved by the Program Coordinator and the Dean of The School of Graduate Studies and Research.
Grade Appeal
The instructor has the responsibility for evaluating coursework and determining grades; however, the student has the right to appeal a grade believed to be in error. The appeal process may involve the following steps and may be resolved at any level:
- The student confers with the instructor involved.
- The student and instructor (preferably together) confer with the chairperson of the department offering the course.
- The student and instructor (preferably together) confer with the dean of the school in which the department is housed.
When the above steps do not resolve the issue, the student may initiate a formal written appeal through the Faculty/Student Grievance Committee to the Provost for its review and recommendation. Appeals should not be taken lightly by either the student or the instructor.
The student is responsible for verifying the accuracy of his or her academic records. Grade appeals should be made immediately after the grade in question is received. No appeals will be considered after one year has elapsed or after graduation, whichever is earlier.
Incomplete Grades
A grade of “I” is assigned when a student has maintained a passing average but for reasons beyond his/her control, the course requirements have not been met. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor to remove the “I” grade. The instructor will set a time limit, usually no later than mid-term of the next semester, for the removal of the 'I'. After a one (1) year time limit, the “I” grade will automatically change to the “F” grade. No student will be allowed to participate in commencement with an “I” on his/her record.
Repeating Courses
A student who has received a final grade of B- or lower in a course may repeat the course. Students must consult with their academic advisors regarding minimum course grade requirements and policies for repeating courses. The course to be repeated must be taken at Norfolk State University and taken prior to completion of the degree at Norfolk State University. The normal registration procedure must be followed when registering for repeat courses, and the grade earned will be posted to the student’s record. The credit and quality points for the highest grade earned (one grade only) will be used to calculate the student’s GPA. All courses attempted (the original course attempted and the grade for that course) will remain on the student’s permanent record and will appear on the transcript.
Registration and ID Cards (SpartanCard)
Registration for graduate students takes place in the department. The graduate student must consult with an advisor in his/her respective department to plan her/his program of study.
All graduate students are classified as “Day” students and are required to secure an I.D. card appropriately marked “Graduate Student.” I.D. cards are issued or updated during the registration period.
I.D. cards provide access to the following:
- library and media center;
- recreational facilities;
- the Student Activities Center;
- parking privileges on campus, and
- financial offices at the University.
Residence Requirements
The minimum residency requirement for a graduate degree is one academic year. This residency requirement reflects the graduate faculty’s concern that students experience sustained academic concentration directly related to the degree sought. Therefore, it is required that graduate students pursue their studies as fully participating members of their respective programs for a minimum of one academic year. Students in fully online programs do not have to meet this residency requirement.
Books and Spartans All Inclusive Learning Program
Spartans All Inclusive Learning (SAIL) is a course material model that reduces the cost of materials for students and ensures they have all their materials across all courses prior to the first day of class. Instead of purchasing materials a la carte, the cost will be included in their tuition or as a charge. The bookstore will provide each student with a convenient package for physical books and digital materials will be delivered directly to Blackboard. The cost is $25.00 per credit hour.
The program provides all required textbooks, lab manuals and digital textbook versions to eligible students. The program does not include consumables that cannot be returned and reused such as lab goggles, dissection kits, molecular model kits, engineering kits or nursing kits. The deadline to return all rental textbooks is the last day of finals. The program provides you with the option to purchase textbooks at a reduced rate during the return period.
All NSU students will be automatically enrolled in the SAIL program. Students have the option to opt out of the program by completing the SAIL Opt-Out Form. Opting out means you will not receive access to your required course materials in a convenient package at a discounted rate. Title IV financial aid recipients have the option of purchasing their books at their own expense or by using their excess FA funds at the Barnes & Noble College bookstore.
Thesis / Dissertation
A student completing a thesis or dissertation will develop his/her plan in consultation with her/his major advisor. The thesis/dissertation must include a significant problem and demonstrate the student’s competence in research methods and overall scholarship.
Students should obtain a Thesis Guide from the School of Graduate Studies and Research. It is the responsibility of the student to follow all guidelines and procedures for submitting the thesis or dissertation for processing. Final copies of theses and dissertations are submitted to the University Library.
Time Limit
A student matriculating at Norfolk State University in a master’s degree program will be expected to complete all requirements for his/her degree within a five-calendar year period. Doctoral and terminal degree students must complete degree requirements within an eight-academic year period.
Exceeding time limit:
In both master's and PhD programs, it's essential for students to familiarize themselves with the specific time limit policies of their institution and program, as well as to communicate regularly with their academic advisors or graduate program coordinators. Additionally, students should be proactive in seeking support and resources if they encounter challenges that may affect their ability to meet program deadlines.
A reasonable exception to the time limit may be granted to a student by written petition to the Graduate Program Coordinator prior to the expiration of the time limit. Students requesting an exception must also submit a plan of action for completing all degree requirements. Exception requests are reviewed and approved at the program level and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies and Research for final approval. Approvals are granted for no more than one year and only two exceptions are allowed. Students and Graduate Program Coordinators are notified in writing of extension approvals. Forms for an extension request can be found on the Office of Graduate Studies website.
Students who do not complete their degree requirements within the allowable time limit will be deactivated from their program and must re-apply for admission if they wish to continue their program (see the Re-admission Procedures under Admissions)
Transfer of Credit
Generally, a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours of graduate work completed at another regionally accredited institution may be accepted as transfer credit, provided that
- the credits have not previously been used or applied to a degree at another institution;
- the grade earned in the course is “B” or above;
- the courses are comparable to those offered in the program to which the applicant is applying;
- approval is granted by the graduate program area; and
- the credits were earned within five (5) years prior to registration.
Graduate programs that require 60 semester credit hours may approve up to 24 credit hours of transfer credits, this policy also applies to courses taken at Norfolk State University.
Transfer credits are not included in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average. For clarification regarding the transfer of credit for specific courses, applicants should consult the Graduate Program Coordinator.
Withdrawal from Courses
A graduate student may officially withdraw, voluntarily and without penalty, from a course in accordance with the dates stipulated in the University Calendar. To withdraw, a student must file a withdrawal petition that is available in the academic unit or the Registrar’s office. The final grade for the course(s) dropped is a “W.”
Students who withdraw from all courses after the second week of the semester are considered to have been enrolled for the semester. Degree-seeking students who withdraw from all courses for one semester, excluding summer sessions, may enroll in the subsequent semester provided they have not attended another college or university since last attending NSU, have not been suspended from NSU, and otherwise are eligible to return.
Fees for students who withdraw or reduce their course load will be adjusted in accordance with the University’s Fee Adjustment Schedule which is printed in the Registration Booklet. Financial aid eligibility may be affected by reducing the course load after financial aid has been awarded.
Withdrawal from the University
University policy requires a student to complete an Application for Withdrawal when enrollment is terminated before the end of a semester or summer session. The Application for Withdrawal may be obtained from the department head/advisor or the Registrar’s Office and must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the last day of class. The student should discuss the matter with their advisor or Program Coordinator/Director before processing the Application for Withdrawal. The last day to officially withdraw from all classes is the last published date for all classes.
If the student is ill or otherwise incapacitated and cannot complete the withdrawal process, the student must contact, or have someone else contact the Dean of Student's Office immediately.
A student who fails to adhere to the published deadlines for withdrawing from all classes or withdrawing from the university will be charged the appropriate tuition and will receive a failing grade (F).
Note: Under no circumstance does non-attendance constitute an official withdrawal from the university.