2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Academic Information

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