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25.1: Choice of Catalog
According to the Nevada Revised Statues, “a student at a university or state college within the System completes the full course of study for a diploma of graduation if, in accordance with the policy of the Board of Regents, the student satisfies the requirements for graduation and a degree as set forth in the catalog of the university or state college that is in effect at the time the student: (a) First enrolls in the university or state college or is admitted to the academic program or department of the student’s major if the program or department has a formal process for admitting students to the program or department; or (b) Graduates, whichever the student elects. A student who changes…major must elect the catalog of the year of the latest change of the major or the year of graduation. A student may not elect a catalog that is more than 10 years old at the time of…graduation” (NRS 396.560(3)).
Undergraduate students at NS can remain on the catalog in effect during their term of entry for up to 10 years. If a catalog is more than 10 years old, the student must follow the catalog requirements in effect for the year the student graduates.
NS does not guarantee the awarding of a degree based on the unchanged requirements of a particular catalog. Periodic revisions of degree requirements are made because of changes in occupational qualifications or the expectations of accrediting or licensing bodies. The dean, with approval from the provost and president, may require reasonable adherence to school and department requirements published in a recent or current catalog. The school must communicate the changes to affected students.
The following rules regarding choice of catalog apply in specific circumstances:
1. Change of major: The year a student enrolls as a degree-seeking student at NS is the student’s assigned catalog year. If a student changes major, or was classified as undecided and selects a major, the catalog year updates to the year the student changed or selected the major.
2. Multiple majors: Students who declare multiple majors may graduate with the additional majors under the catalog of the year when they declared each major or the year they graduate. The catalog year for additional majors does not affect the catalog year of the first major.
3. Summer bridge programs: Students who applied for fall admission to NS and are reclassified as summer admits in order to participate in a University-sponsored summer bridge program will be assigned to the catalog in effect for the fall semester immediately following the bridge program.
4. Other summer admits (excluding summer bridge participants): Students who applied and were admitted for a summer term may follow the catalog of the fall semester immediately following their summer enrollment. Students must request to be moved to the fall catalog through the Office of the Registrar. Students are encouraged to first meet with an advisor to ensure they understand any consequences of the catalog change.
5. Returning students: Returning students are assigned to the catalog year when they are re-admitted. They may request to follow the catalog of the year of their initial admission and enrollment at NS, providing that catalog is not more than 10 years old when they graduate. Requests are submitted to the Office of the Registrar. Students are encouraged to first meet with an advisor to ensure they understand any consequences of the catalog change.
a. Students returning from a University-approved leave of absence (such as approved military leave) may follow the catalog rights described in the relevant leave of absence policy.
b. If unusual circumstances caused an extended absence without approved leave, a student may petition for an exception to policy allowing them to re-enroll without reapplying and being readmitted to NS. Exceptions must be approved by the provost (or designee).
6. Transfer students: Any exceptions for students transferring from other NSHE institutions will be stated in transfer agreement documents.
7. Other exceptions: The president may waive catalog requirements or approve exceptions to catalog year assignments. Exceptions are made at the president’s discretion on a case-by-case and cannot be appealed.
25.2 Academic Requirements
To graduate from NS, undergraduate students must meet the following requirements:
1. Minimum GPA: Earn a Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, including all postsecondary coursework attempted, as well as a NS GPA of at least 2.0, as calculated by the Office of the Registrar. This requirement excludes courses graded as Audit, Incomplete, Not Reported, In Progress, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, and Withdraw (AD, I, NR, X, S, U, and W, respectively).
2. Four-year institution credits: For students on catalogs from Fall 2022 or earlier, at least half of the required credits for their degree must be earned at a 4-year institution.
3. Other academic requirements: A school may establish additional academic requirements.
4. NS residency: Complete 30 upper-division credits at NS.
25.3 Related Information
– Academic Catalog (Admissions Information)
– Admissions information for Returning Students
25.3.1 Revision History
– Revisions approved by Dr. Vickie Shields on 6/26/2019 and President Bart Patterson on 7/15/2019.