The Academic Year
The academic year consists of 30 weeks of instructional time divided into two semesters. The first semester begins in late August and ends before the Christmas holidays; the second semester begins in January and ends in May. See the academic calendars provided in the front of this catalog.
There is a short Thanksgiving recess that begins at the end of classes on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and ends on the Monday immediately after Thanksgiving. There will be approximately three weeks between the end of the first semester and the beginning of the second semester. There is a spring vacation period of one week beginning on Monday of the week following mid-semester examinations. Classes resume the following Monday. Instruction is also suspended on legal holidays, i.e., Labor Day, Lee, Jackson, King Day and Independence Day.
The Summer Session
An optional summer session is offered and includes two mini terms; a six-week term and a four-week term. It offers significant opportunities for entering freshmen and other students who wish to accelerate their studies and satisfy degree requirements. Various short workshops and institutes on topics of current interest are part of the summer offerings. The summer session begins one week after the conclusion of the spring semester.
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 Numbering
The three digit number will convey the course level and certain specific information as outlined:
| Course Number | Course Level |
|---|---|
| 100-199 | Freshman Level Courses |
| 200-299 | Sophomore Level Courses |
| 300-399 | Junior Level Courses |
| 400-499 | Senior Level Courses |
| 500-599 | First Year Graduate Courses |
| 600-699 | Graduate Courses |
Seniors who meet the qualifications outlined in the Graduate Catalog may, with the approval of the graduate program director, enroll in 500 level courses.
Unit of Instruction
The semester credit hour is the unit of instruction used for computing the amount of work required for assigning credit. One semester hour is equivalent to one 50-minute to 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.
Major Course of Study
Courses are organized around the major, the subject or area around which students center their studies according to talents, interests, and future plans. Usually, a student has confirmed a choice of a major by the end of the sophomore year, by which time he or she might have taken some beginning courses in the major field. The student will then take advanced courses in the major in the junior and senior years.
The major consists of a minimum of 27 semester hours in a subject or discipline. In addition to courses in the major, the student also gains general knowledge and determines interest in various fields of study in general education courses and electives.
Elective Courses
Courses not taken to fulfill general education or major requirements may be chosen as electives to complete the minimum of 120 semester hours required for graduation. In the choice of electives, students should be guided by their prospective work and interest.
Minors
Norfolk State University provides an opportunity for undergraduate, degree-seeking students to pursue studies in a minor. The minor may be chosen to complement the major, to provide recognition of study in a second academic area, to meet an area of interest by the student, or to increase job opportunities upon graduation. Completion of a minor is optional and is not required for degree completion. Minors are offered in Accounting, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, English, Fine Arts, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Military Science, Mass Communications/Journalism, Music, Physics, Political Science, and Sociology.
Students who wish to pursue a minor must consult with the academic advisor at any time, but no later than the time to submit an application for graduation, and must declare a minor by completing a Change of Major/Minor Form. The minor will not appear on the diploma. All applicable University, school and departmental (major and minor) policies and procedures must be followed. Appropriate paperwork must be completed in a timely manner and must meet applicable deadlines.
Degrees and Certificates Offered
Degree Program Name
CERT Health Services Management
CERT Accounting
CERT African and African Diasporan Studies
CERT Going Places/Tourism and Hospitality
CERT International Studies
CERT Logistics Management
CERT Paraprofessional Education Program
AS Architectural Drafting
BA Drama and Theatre
BA English
BA Fine Arts and Graphic Design
BA History
BA Political Science
BA Psychology
BA Sociology
BA/BS Interdisciplinary Studies
BMUS Music
BS Accountancy
BS Biology
BS Business
BS Chemistry
BS Computer Engineering Technology
BS Computer Science
BS Construction Management Engineering Technology
BS Early Childhood Education
BS Electrical and Electronics Engineering
BS Electronics Engineering Technology
BS Exercise Science/Physical Education
BS Health Services Management
BS Information Technology
BS Mass Communications
BS Mathematics
BS Nursing
BS Optical Engineering
BS Physics
BS Tourism and Hospitality Management
BSED Elementary Education
BSED Special Education and Teaching
BSW Social Work
GRAD CERT CyberPsychology
MA Criminal Justice
MA Media and Communications
MA Special Education
MA Urban Affairs
MA Urban Education
MAT Teaching
MFA Visual Studies
MHA Healthcare Administration
MHI Master of Health Informatics
MMUS Music
MPH Public Health
MS Computer Science
MS CyberPsychology
MS Cybersecurity
MS Electronics Engineering
MS Materials Science
MSW Social Work
PHD Clinical Psychology (w/ODU)
PHD Materials Science and Engineering
PHD Social Work