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Education majors must meet the following requirements for Admission to Teacher Education, which should be obtained by the end of the sophomore year or early in the junior year.  Application for Admission to Teacher Education is made in EPSY 302, Educational Psychology.

     1.) A grade of C or higher in the following classes:    ENGL 101 English Composition
                                                                                    SPCM 101 Fundamentals of Speech
                                                                                    EPSY 302 Educational Psychology
                   *EPSY 302 is normally taken by the end of the sophomore year.
     2.)  Take and pass the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST), which is given at Northern
            approximately five times each year (twice during the fall and spring semesters, and once
            during the summer).  Students should take the PPST early during the freshman year. The
            PPST is a national exam that requires enrollment approximately 6-8 weeks prior to taking
            the test. Results are received approximately 4-6 weeks after taking the test. Passing PPST
            scores are as follows:
                    Math - 171 or higher
                    Writing - 172 or higher
                    Reading - 173 or higher
     3.) A Northern GPA of 2.60 or higher.

Students should not be allowed to register for the following classes without Admission to Teacher Education. Students who have not been Admitted to Teacher Education will have their registration  for these courses cancelled.

*Upper Division Courses in Professional Education include:

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FRESHMAN (32-34 semester hours)                                                JUNIOR  (32 semester hours)

General Education:                                                                               General Education:
                                                                                                                 Secondary Education Courses:
    ENGL 101 English Composition I................3 crs*                          PSYC 327 Child & Adoles. Devel. ..............3 crs
    ENGL 201 English Composition II ..............3 crs*                          SPED 435 Students w/Sp Needs .................1 cr
    MATH 102 College Algebra or ..................3 crs*                         Secondary Junior Block:
       MATH 143 Appl. Finite Math                                                       EDFN 325 Inst.Design .................................1 cr
       WEL 100 Princ. Fitness                                                                   SEED 300 General Sec Methods ................2 crs
       & Wellness/lab ...........................................2 crs                            SEED 301 Secondary Field Exp ..................2 cr
                                                                                                                   SEED 450 Teaching Reading 2 crs
     Science (2 courses)                                                                           (Music Majors take only SEED 450)
    6 hours from…..…………………………......6 crs*                         Major Coursework ..................................15 crs
            BIOL 101-102 Bio Surv (3 crs)                                                  Minor Coursework . ..................................6 crs
            CHEM 106-107 Chem Surv (3 crs)
            PHYS 101-102 Surv of Phys (3crs)
OR                                                                                                           SENIOR (32-33 semester hours)
             One year sequence Biology,
             Chemistry, or Physics (8 crs)                                                  Secondary Education Courses:
                                                                                                                   EDFN 475 Human Relations ......................3 crs
    Social Sciences/Arts & Humanities General                                   SS 300 SD Native Americans ....................3 crs
    Education courses……………...........12 crs                                     Special Methods (480)…………………2-3 crs
    Major Coursework…………………….3crs                                    Secondary Professional Semester:
                                                                                                                 EDER 415 Educ. Assessment ..................2 crs
        SOPHOMORE  (32 semester hours)                                       EDFN 439 K-12 Issues in Educ. ..............2 crs
General Education:                                                                              EPSY 420 Class Management ..................2 crs
Social Science, Arts & Humanities general                                       HLTH 400 Elements of Health .................2 crs
education courses .............................................9 crs                           SEED 488 Student Teaching ...................8 crs
    SPCM 101 Fund of Speech ..........................3 crs*                        K-12 Majors take 4 credits each of
Secondary Education Coursework:                                                    ELED 448 and Seed 448 Student Teaching
    EPSY 302 Educ Psychology ........................2 crs                          Major Coursework ..................................3 crs
Major Coursework ........................................11crs                           Minor Coursework ..................................5 crs
Minor Coursework .........................................7 crs

*These courses should be taken prior to the second                         Minimum of 128 semester hours is needed for
semester sophomore year.  These are general education                   graduation.
courses, which give the student basic reading, writing,
math, scientific and critical thinking skills necessary for                    A student may elect to take one year of a
successful completion of their university experience.                        science to meet the science requirement.

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FRESHMAN (32 semester hours)                                              JUNIOR  (32 semester hours)

General Education:                                                                           Major Coursework:
    BIOL 101-102 Biology Survey** ...............3 crs*                             ARTE 311 Art/Craft Elementary ........2 crs
    CHEM 106-107 Chemistry Survey                                                      MUS 350 Music Methods/Elem.........2 crs
      or PHYS 101-102 Survey/Phys..................3 crs*                                     or MUS 351 Elem Meth Exper.
    ENGL 101 English Comp I ...........................3 crs*                             PE 360 Phys Educ Act Elem.................2 cr
    ENGL 201 English Comp II ..........................3 crs*                   AM elementary Junior Block I (taken 1st):
    GEOG 210 World Geography ......................3 crs*                            EDFN 325 Instr Design..........................1 cr
                                                                                                                     ELED 341 Teach Lang Arts/Elem........2 crs
    HIST 151 US History I                                                                         ELED 350 Teaching Reading/Elem......2 crs
        or HIST 152 US History II .......................3 crs*                            ELED 353 Issues/Elem Reading............2 crs
    HLTH 250 First Aid/CPR ............................2 crs                               ELED 301 AM Elem Jr Field Exp...........1 cr
    MATH 102 College Algebra or .................3 crs*                  PM Elementary Junior Block II
        MATH 143 Appl. Finite Math                                                     (taken 2nd):
    SPCM 101 Fund of Speech ........................3 crs*                            ELED 322 Elem Science Teacher...........2 crs
    FINE ARTS & HUMANITIES ...................6 crs*                            ELED 323 Math for Elem Teacher.........2 crs
                                                                                                                   ELED 342 Teach Elem Soc Stud............2 crs
                                                                                                                   ELED 301 PM Elem Jr. Field Exp............1 cr
SOPHOMORE  (30-33 semester hours)                                   Minor Coursework.......................................11 crs

General Education:                                                                    SENIOR (32 semester hours)
    POLS 100 American Government ..............3 crs*
    FINE ARTS & HUMANITIES ...................6 crs*                Major Coursework:
     WEL 100 Prin.Fitness/Wellness ..............2 crs*                            EDFN 475 Human Relations.....................3 crs
     MIS 105 Intro. to Computers ....................3 crs*                            SS 300 SD Native Americans...................3 crs
        (or proficiency exam)                                                          Professional Semester
                                                                                                                    EDER 415 Educ. Assessments..............2 crs
Major Coursework:                                                                                EDFN 439 K-12 Issues............................2 crs
    EPSY 302 Educational Psych ....................2 crs                                EPSY 420 Class Management................2 crs
    LIBM 205 Literature for Child ...................2 crs                                HLTH 400 Elements of Health...............2 crs
    MATH 341 Foundations of Math ............3 crs                               ELED 448 Student Teaching..................8 crs
    MATH 342 Algebra & Geom.for                                          Minor Coursework/Electives.........................10 crs
        Elem. Teach ............................................3 crs
    PHSI 105 Phys Sci/Earth Sci Elem ...........3 crs                     The elementary methods could be taken during
    PSYC 327 Child Development ..................3 crs                     the 2nd semester of the junior year and the 1st
    SPED 100 Intro/Exceptional Child ...........3 crs                     semester of the senior year with the minor hours
                                                                                                        and other course work shifted back to the
*These courses should be taken prior to the                          junior year.
second semester sophomore year.  These are
general education courses, which give the                             ENGL 101, SPCM 101, EPSY 302 with
student basic reading, writing, math, scientific                       minimum grades of C and the PPST, must be
and critical thinking skills necessary for                                  completed to be admitted to teacher education.
successful completion of their university                                A 2.60 cumulative GPA and a 2.60 GPA in
experience.                                                                                     your major are also required.

**A student may elect to take the one-year of                    Minimum of 128 semester hours needed for
sequence biology (8 cr) to meet the science                           graduation.
requirement.

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FRESHMAN (33 semester hours)                                               SENIOR (33 semester hours)
General Education:
    BIOL 101-102 Biology Survey ....................3 crs*                        EDFN 475 Human Relations ......................3 crs
    CHEM 106-107 Chemistry Survey                                                 Endorsement………………….................... 6 crs
        or PHYS 101-102 Survey/Phys ...............3 crs*                    Professional Block+
    ENGL 101 English Composition I ..............3 crs*                        EDER 415 Educ. Assessment..................... 2 crs
    ENGL 102 English Composition II .............3 crs*                        EDFN 439 K-12 Issues in Educ.................. 2 crs
    GEOG 210  World Geography ....................3 crs                           EPSY 420 Class Management ....................2 crs
    HIST 151 US History I                                                                     HLTH 400 Elements of Health ...................2 crs
        or HIST 152 US History II .......................3 crs*
    MATH 102 College Algebra or ..................3 crs*                    SPED Block (only in spring):
        MATH 143 Appl. Finite Math(3 cr)                                            SPED 460 Fam Sys & Coll w/Prof. ...........2 crs
    POLS 100 American Government  ..............3 crs*                          SPED 470 Assess/Educ Prog ..................2 crs
    SPCM 101  Fund.of Speech ........................3 crs*                          SPED 475 Assess/Meas. in SPED ...........2 crs
    Arts & Humanities .......................................3 crs                            SPED 485 Special Education Law.............2 crs
Major Coursework:                                                                             SPED 488 Student Teaching ....................8 crs
    SPED 100 Intro/Exceptional Child ..............3 crs**
                                                                                                             *These courses should be taken prior to the
SOPHOMORE  (34 semester hours)                                            second semester sophomore year. These are
General Education:                                                                            general education courses which give the
    Arts & Humanities .........................................9 crs.*                     student basic reading, writing, math, scientific
     WEL 100/100A Wellness/lab ......................2 crs.                        and critical thinking skills necessary for
     MIS 105 Intro to Computers…….................3  crs.*                     successful completion of their university
              Or proficiency exam                                                                experience.
Major Coursework:                                                                            Special education majors must take Biology.
    EPSY 302 Educational Psyc ..........................2 crs
    MATH 341 Found of Math ..........................3 crs                       **SPED 100 and SPED 200 are the only SPED
    PSYC 327 Child  & Adol Devel ....................3 crs                        courses that can be taken withou being admitted
    SPED 200 Survey of Lrn.Dis .........................6 crs**                   to teacher education. It is very important that
     Endorsement  .................................................6 crs                        you plan to take them in the freshmen and
                                                                                                                sophomore year as outlined.
JUNIOR  (34 semester hours)
(includes summer session)                                                                 +Students must  make arrangements for
Teacher Education:                                                                            placement in elementary and secondary
    PE 360 PE/Elem School ..................................2 cr                          settings in SPED student teaching at a
    SS 300 SD Native Americans ........................3 crs                        meeting with the Director of Field Experiences
    HLTH 250 Advanced First Aid & CPR .......2 crs.                       during the first nine weeks of the semester
AM Elementary Block I (taken 1st-fall)                                        prior  to the semester in which their student
    EDFN 325 Instr Design……………...............1 cr                          teaching is to be completed.
    ELED 301 AM Elem Jr. Field Exp...............…1 cr
    ELED 350 Teaching Read/Elem….................2 crs
    ELED 353 Issues/Elem Reading…................2 crs
PM Elementary Block II (taken 2nd-Spring)
    ELED 323 Math for Elem Teacher.................2 crs
Major Coursework:
    SPED 300 Methods of Tch SPED….............6 crs
    SPED 440 Diag/Corr Read Dis….............….2 crs
Junior Summer:
    SPED 450 Trans Plan Spec Stu….............…3 crs
    SPED 480 Literacy Practicum…............……2 crs

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FRESHMAN (34 semester hours)                                             Double Major Coursework:
                                                                                                               SPED 301 Methods of Lang.Arts ......................1 cr
General Education:                                                                           SPED 302 Methods of Func.Math .....................1 cr
    BIOL 101-102 Biology Survey ......................3 crs*                     SPED 303 Methods of Func. Writing ................1 cr
    CHEM 106-107 Chemistry Survey                                                SPED 304 Methods of Ind.Liv.Mgmt ................1 cr
    or PHYS 101-102 Survey/Phys .....................3 crs*                     SPED 305 Methods of Behav.Mgmt .................1 cr
    ENGL 101 English Composition I .................3 crs*                     SPED 306 Methods of Class Mgmt ..................1 cr
    ENGL 201 English Composition II ................3 crs*                    SPED 440 Diag/Corr of Literacy ........................2 crs
    GEOG 210  World Geography .......................3 crs                 Jr. Summer
    HIST 151 US History I                                                                    SPED 450 Trans Plan  ........................................3 crs
    or HIST 152 US History II .............................3 crs*                      SPED 480 Literacy Practicum ..........................2 crs
    HLTH 250 First Aid/CPR ...............................2 crs
    MATH 102 College Algebra or ....................3 crs*              SENIOR (32 semester hours)
    MATH 143 Appl. Finite Math
    POLS 100 American Government .................3 crs*              Professional Block+
    SPCM 101  Fund.of Speech ..........................3 crs*                    EDFN 439 K-12 Issues in Educ. ........................2 crs
    WEL 100 Princ. FitnessWellness .................2 crs.                     EPSY 420 Class Management........................... 2 crs
Double Major Coursework:                                                           HLTH 400 Elements of Health ...........................2 crs
    SPED 100 Psyc.Char.Ex..Child ......................3 crs**                 ELED 448 Student Teaching ..............................8 crs

SOPHOMORE  (35-38 semester hours)                                 SPED Block (only in spring):
                                                                                 SPED 460 Fam Systems. .....................................2 crs
General Education:                                                                          SPED 470 Educ Prog...........................................2 crs
Arts & Humanities 12 crs.*                                                           SPED 475 Assess in SPED ................................2 crs
                                                                                 SPED 485 SPED Law. .........................................2 crs
Double Major Coursework:                                                           SPED 488 Student Teaching ............................8 crs
    ARTE 311 Art/Crafts Elem .............................2 crs
    EPSY 302 Educational Psyc ...........................2 crs               *These courses should be taken prior to the second
    LIBM 205 Literature for Children ..................2 crs               semester sophomore year. These are general education
    MATH 341 Found of Math ...........................3 crs                courses which give the student basic reading, writing,
    MUS 350 Music Methods/Elem ...................2 crs                math, scientific and critical thinking skills necessary
       Or MUS 351 Elem Music Methods                                    for successful completion of their university
    PHSI 105 Physical Science/Elem ..................3 crs                experience.
    PSYC 327 Child  & Adol Devel ....................3 crs
    SPED 201 Survey of Lrn.Dis .........................1 cr**            ** SPED 100 and SPED 201-206 are the only SPED
    SPED 202 Survey of Behav.Dis ....................1 cr**            courses that can be taken without being admitted to
    SPED 203 Survey of Dev. Dis .......................1 cr**            teacher education. It is very important that you plan
    SPED 204 Survey of Sens.Impair ..................1 cr**            to take them in the freshmen and sophomore year as
    SPED 205 Survey of Phys. Impair .................1 cr**            outlined. Since this is a double major you will not
    SPED 206 Survey of Lang. Impair .................1 cr**            have extra time in the junior and senior year to take
    MIS 105 Intro to Computers ..........................3 crs*            freshmen or sophomore courses. Summer school
         Or proficiency exam                                                           may provide some schedule flexibility for you.

JUNIOR  (39 semester hours)                                                +Do not try to take elementary or secondary student
(includes summer session)                                                        teaching and SPED student teaching in the same
Teacher Education:                                                                   semester. Students must make arrangements for
    PE 360 PE/Elem School ...................................2 cr                 placement in elementary or secondary student
    SS 300 SD Native Americans .........................3 crs              teaching and in SPED student teaching at a meeting
    MATH 342 Alg/Geom - Elem Tch .................3 crs              with the Director of Field Experiences during the
    EDFN 475 Human Relations ...........................3 crs              first six weeks of the semester prior to the semester
AM Elementary Block I (taken 1st - Fall)                             in which their student teaching is to be completed.
    EDFN 325 Instr Design ....................................1 cr
    ELED 301 AM Elem Jr Field Exp .....................1 cr               A minimum of 128 semester hours is needed for
    ELED 341 Teach Lang Arts/Elem ...................2 crs            graduation.
    ELED 350 Teaching Read/Elem .......................2 crs
    ELED 353 Issues/Elem Reading ......................2 crs            ENGL 101, SPCM 101, EPSY 302, with minimum grades
PM Elementary Block II (taken 2nd-Spring)                      of C and the PPST must be completed to be admitted
    ELED 301 PM Elem Jr Field Exp ......................1 cr               to teacher education. A 2.60 cumulative GPS and a 2.60
    ELED 322 Elem Science Teacher ....................2 crs             GPA in your major are also required.
    ELED 323 Math for Elem Teacher ..................2 crs
    ELED 342 Teach Elem Soc Stud .....................2 crs

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The Honors Program is designed to further challenge Northern’s best students.  In order to take part in the program, an entering freshman will have graduated in the top 25% of his or her class and earned an ACT score of 26 or above.  Once a student has started at Northern, students can be admitted to the program on the recommendation of a professor, and should have a GPA of 3.25 or higher.  If you know of a student you think ought to be in the program, please contact the director.

Once in the program, a student can choose to take just a few honors courses, or s/he can work towards graduating In Honoribus, the highest academic honor offered at Northern.  In order to graduate with an honors degree, a student must complete 18 hours of honors-designated courses, which includes a senior project of 3-5 credits.

Students can meet the requirements for the honors degree in several ways:

Courses listed as “Honors” in the course schedule.  These classes are nearly all capped at 15 students so that the classes may encourage greater participation and interaction between the students and the professor.  These classes do not necessarily involve more work (more papers, or more tests) for the students, but are intended to be more intellectually challenging.  Most of these courses are general education course that have been designated as “honors.”  Because they are nearly all general education classes, students must start on their honors degree requirements as early in their career as they possibly can.

“Contracting for Honors.”  Students can approach a professor whose class they are taking and ask that they contract with the instructor to take that course for honors credit.  If the professor agrees, the student and professor decide what work the student must complete in order to receive the honors credit.  Then the student fills out a form (available from the Honors Director) giving copies to the professor, the director, and the registrar.  The student will not get extra credits for this, but the credits s/he would normally receive will be designated on the transcript as “honors.”

Senior Project.  Every student must complete a senior project in order to graduate In Honoribus.  These are much like master’s theses in that the student selects a committee, defines the project with the help of that committee, and has a final defense when everything is completed.

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A learning disabled student is, by definition, a student that does not learn in the same way as a non-learning disabled student does.  Somewhere in the process of taking in, storing and retrieving information, there is a breakdown.  The student is at least of average intelligence but performs significantly below expectations for a person of his/her IQ.  The student is not dumb, stupid, lazy, unmotivated or ill-prepared.  He or she is learning disabled.

Chances are, one of your advisees has some type of learning disability. If not this year, maybe next, but certainly soon you will be confronted with a situation involving a learning disabled student. Only a few short years ago, most students with learning disabilities did not attempt to pursue a college degree. As the numbers continue to rise, faculty advisors are met with new challenges and are forced to confront some of their own presuppositions.

Many students entering NSU have already been identified as learning disabled. However, a large percentage of these students are unwilling to draw attention to themselves and do not want to be perceived as different. Therefore, many learning disabled students will not identify their disorder to the advisor.  It is important that a non-judgmental and helpful approach be taken.  Students who do identify themselves as learning disabled should be strongly encouraged to use the services provided by the Office of Disability Services in Lincoln Hall.

There are some signs to look for which may signal a learning disability.  Following is a partial list of critical features important in the determination of dyslexia, one of the most common learning disabilities on campus.  This list is not exhaustive and should be used as a guideline only.

Signs that a student may be dyslexic:

1. Reading comprehension is below the expected level for student's intelligence and experience.
2.  Reading comprehension is more accurate than writing output (given unlimited time).
3. Labored oral reading.
4. Difficulty in organization.
5. Inadequate memory span - visual and/or auditory - for   a) orientation of letters (b, d, q)       b) order of letters in word or number sequence (saw/was, no/on, felt/left), and   c) verbal and  written information.
6. Poor spelling:  a) adds sounds, syllables and/or words  b) omits sounds, syllables and/or     words,  c) substitutes sounds, syllables and/or words and  d)  most errors are in some way      related to the correct spelling.
7. Dysgraphia (illegible handwriting).
8. Inconsistency in repeated spelling attempts of the same word.
9. Concept of word breaks down toward middle and end of polysyllabic words.
10. Simple sentence structure.

 

 
 
 

If your advisee or any of your students fit several of these criteria, a referral to the Office of Disability Services is recommended.

Recommendations for test accommodations are based on an individual student's specific learning disability/disabilities (SLD).  Some students require multiple accommodations.  The most common are:

a)   Additional time.  This accommodation is generally implemented directly by the
      professor/instructor with the student.
b)   The provision of readers or a private testing room where the student can read out loud
      (some students need a visual-auditory format to assist in comprehension and memory).
c)   The provision of scribes and/or computers.  Students with severe writing/spelling deficits
      often get caught up in the mechanical (visual/motor) aspect of writing.  This student, often
      verbally expressive, can dictate information and/or in some cases also overcome much of the
      disability through the use of a word processor.  Tape recording test responses may also be an
      appropriate alternative.
d)   Oral testing.  Best administered directly by the professor/instructor.
e)   Private room.  Recommended for students with severe distractibility.

Students with SLD have documented process disorders.  Without additional time or an appropriate test presentation, some students are forced to read quickly and answer impulsively, often with an inadequate understanding of what has been asked.  Some will not complete the test.  In effect, the test can become a measure of disability rather than a measure of ability and acquired knowledge.

What can I do to assist the student with a learning disability in my class?
a)   Be aware that many students with learning disabilities have been misunderstood and "mislabeled"  for years as incapable of college success.  They may hesitate to identify themselves until they are sure that they will  need accommodations in your class.  As a result, some students may appear anxious and uncomfortable in their approach.
b)   Ask the student specific questions about his or her learning disability in order to better understand how to accommodate.
c)   Provide students with a structured learning environment, if possible.  A syllabus and/or course outline can be  extremely helpful in assisting the students to isolate important information and study more effectively.
d)   Keep in mind that the student with a learning disability, although he or she may acquire, express or interpret  certain information differently, is learning "able."

Any questions, concerns, or requests for information should be directed to the Office of Disability Services in SC 217 at 626-2371.

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To be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics at NSU, students must:

1.  Be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours.

If a  student drops below full-time status (12 hours), s/he will immediately become ineligible to compete. Athletes must obtain the signature of the Athletic Director to drop any class.

Credits earned must be acceptable degree credit (courses which fulfill the degree requirements in  a designated program of study as listed in the NSU catalog). Remedial courses such as MATH 095  and ENGL 010W are considered acceptable degree credit during the first year only.

Up to six hours of summer school, along with the previous fall and spring semesters, will count  toward the required total of credit hours earned.

4.  NCAA requirements mandate that student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of:
                1.6 after 1st season
                1.8 after 2nd season
                2.0 after 3rd season

However, NSU academic policy requires students to maintain the following:

Students who do not maintain these GPAs will not be allowed to enroll.

6.  Not have competed in more than four seasons.

7.  Not have enrolled in more than ten semesters.

TO  HELP ENSURE  THE ACADEMIC PROGRESS OF AN ATHLETE:

1. Advise the athlete to enroll in 15 credit hours each semester, so if the student needs to drop a class, s/he        will still remain eligible. Classes that start with "0" do not count toward athletic eligibility (i.e. ENGL  010W, MATH 095), except in the first year.
2. Try not to enroll athletes in classes that will meet from 3-6 p.m. Monday - Friday since this is practice time for most athletic teams.
3. Do not schedule Wednesday night classes, since many conference games are held on this night.
4. Remind the athlete that they are responsible to contact their professors to make up any missed classwork because of an athletic event they have attended.

 

 
 
 

NOTE: Athletes will attend study table if they have a cumulative GPA of less than 2.3. If they achieve a  2.3 GPA or above, they will be exempt from study table. First semester freshmen and transfer  students are required to attend.

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Students who transfer to NSU must:

*Take the English placement exam (COMPASS), if their ACT scores are older than 5 years or they
   have never taken the ACT  OR   transfer a course equivalent to ENGL 101, English Composition.
*Take the math placement exam, if their ACT scores are older than 5 years or they have never
   taken the ACT, (if they have not taken a math course at another institution)  OR  contact the
   registration staff in Enrollment Services to determine which math class to register for (if they have
   taken a math class at another institution).
*Officially declare a major to receive an evaluation of their transfer credits. Undeclared students
  should schedule an appointment with the registration staff in Enrollment Services to determine what
  credits transferred.

Current NSU students who intend to transfer to another institution must:

*Contact the institution to which the transfer is intended to request a catalog and specific
  course/program requirements (to help in planning NSU courses).
*Establish a contact (Registrar, Department Chair, etc.) at the institution. Remember that the
  institution to which the transfer is planned (not NSU) determines what transfer credits will be
  accepted.
*Obtain written confirmation from the person who evaluates transfer credits regarding which NSU
  courses will transfer. This is especially wise if the transfer is planned for another semester or two
  down the road - students want to be sure the courses they take at NSU will transfer.
*When the transfer is desired, request that an official copy of their academic record be sent to the
   transfer institution.
*If the student at NSU or any other post-secondary institution received financial aid, send a copy of
  the financial aid transcript.

Transfer credits:

When a student wants to transfer one or more courses to NSU from another institution while attending Northern (taking a class at a college near home during the summer, etc.), s/he should contact Enrollment Services for prior approval to ensure the course will transfer to NSU.

Generally, credits transfer from one accredited institution to another accredited institution. General Education courses typically transfer fairly easily, while specific major/program courses differ greatly from institution to institution and may have stricter requirements. However, students should plan ahead and contact the school for transfer information as early as possible.

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General Information:

Students apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Priority consideration is given to students who apply by March 1 each year.

In order to be eligible to receive federal financial aid, a student must be accepted for admission and enrolled in a program leading to a degree or certificate.  An undergraduate student must be enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester, or in a combined total of at least six credit hours during the summer terms, to receive financial aid.  A graduate student must be enrolled in at least four credits. Enrollment status is calculated based on the number of credit hours the student is enrolled in on the term’s census date.

Students who are enrolled in correspondence courses only may have additional eligibility requirements that must be met.  Undergraduate students with extremely high need who are enrolled less than half time may be eligible to receive a Pell Grant. Remedial  (MATH 095, ENGL 010W, etc.), correspondence, and internet courses all count toward financial aid eligibility.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy:

Federal regulations require that a student maintain satisfactory academic progress to receive Title IV federal student aid.  Title IV funds include Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grant, Federal Work study, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and Federal PLUS Loan.

A student must maintain all three of the standards listed below.

1. A student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average according to his/her current grade level:
  Freshman - 1.8    Sophomore - 1.9    Junior - 2.0    Senior - 2.0    Graduate Student - 3.0

A review takes place at the end of each term (fall, spring, and summer).  A student is placed on probation at the end of a term if he/she fails to maintain the required cumulative GPA.  (Remedial and audited coursework are excluded.)  Any transfer student who has less than a 2.0 GPA or has been on probation at or suspended from the transferring institution will enter NSU on probation.

Any student who has two consecutive terms of probation will be suspended unless the term GPA is above 2.0.  In this case the student will have one additional semester in which to raise the cumulative GPA to the minimum standard.  However, any student who has a cumulative GPA of less than .50 at the end of any term will be suspended.

Please note that being reinstated academically does not automatically restore a student’s financial aid eligibility.   (See appeal process below.)

2.  A student must complete (with a D grade or better) at least 70% of the total cumulative credits attempted.  A review takes place annually at the end of the Spring Semester.

"Credits attempted" is defined as the number of hours (remedial and audited coursework are excluded) that appear on the student’s transcript at the end of the term.   This includes all NSU as well as transfer credits. Grades of F (failure), W (withdrawal), U(unsatisfactory),  I (incomplete), and IP (in process) will count as credits attempted but not satisfactorily completed.

3.  Northern State University has established a limit on the maximum number of credit hours attempted for which a student may receive Title IV aid.  All credits attempted, including transfer hours, repeated hours, and those for which the student received no financial aid, are included in the total. Remedial course work hours are excluded.  The maximum number of credits is based on the degree pursued.
                                            Type of Degree   Maximum Credit Hours Attempted
                                           One-Year Certificate                         46
                                           Associate                                          91
                                           Bachelor's   (128-hour Program)     183
                                           Bachelor's   (150-hour Program)     214
                                           Master's      (32-hour Program)         46
                                           Master's      (48-hour Program)         69
 

Appeal (Reinstatement) Process:
A student who fails to make satisfactory progress may appeal the termination of financial aid eligibility.  Such appeals will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted no later than the end of the first week of the term for which the appeal applies.

Miscellaneous

If you or your advisees have questions about financial aid eligibility, please visit with the financial aid staff in Enrollment Services (DH-101) prior to changing enrollment status.  Refer to the NSU Catalog for additional information about applying for financial aid, types of financial assistance available, and scholarship application procedures.

Academic Advisement
Handbook