/Institutions/Southern-University-System/json/2022-2023/Southern-University-at-New-Orleans-Academic-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Southern-University-System/json/2022-2023/Southern-University-at-New-Orleans-Academic-Catalog.json

Southern University at New Orleans Academic Catalog > Academic Regulations > Degrees and Graduation Requirements

Degrees and Graduation Requirements

Degrees Offered

Associate of Arts (A.A.)

Addictive Behaviors Counselling & Prevention

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Child Development and Family Studies	Psychology
English	Public Administration

Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.)

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Addictive Behaviors Counseling & Prevention	Educational Studies
Biology	Forensic Science
Business Administration	Health Information Management Systems
Computer Information System	Mathematics
Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)

Masters

Criminal Justice (M.A.)

Computer Information Systems (M.S.)

Museum Studies (M.A.)

Social Work (M.S.W.)

 

Certification Only Program

Early Childhood Education Grades PK-3

Elementary Education Grades 1-5

Secondary Grades 6-12 – Biology

Secondary Grades 6-12 – English

Secondary Grades 6-12 – Mathematics

Secondary Grades 6-12 – Social Studies

All-Level Grades K-12 Art Education

All-Level Grades K-12, Health and Physical Education

Degrees with Distinction

Latin Honors

Baccalaureate degrees will be conferred with the following distinctions and cumulative grade point averages:

CUM LAUDE	3.20 - 3.49
MAGNA CUM LAUDE	3.50 - 3.79
SUMMA CUM LAUDE	3.80 or above

Grades for all courses pursued/attempted, including courses repeated to raise a grade, will be used in determining eligibility for graduating with honors. Suspended grades and grades deleted by "Academic Amnesty" will be used in computing honors. No grade of "F" should appear on the transcript if the student is to receive Latin honors.

Transfer students are eligible for Latin Honors provided they satisfy the following criteria:

No grade of F should appear either on the transferred transcript or the Southern University at New Orleans transcript.

The average is to be computed on all hours pursued just as if they were earned at Southern University at New Orleans.

All work pursued at other campuses within the Southern University System will be evaluated as if pursued at Southern University at New Orleans.

Other Honors

A student with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above, regardless of grades, who is ineligible for Latin Honors, will be recognized as graduating "WITH HONORS" at commencement. ALL grades for all courses pursued/attempted, including courses repeated to raise a grade, and suspended grades deleted by "Academic Amnesty" and/or otherwise suspended, will be used in computing the cumulative grade-point average.

Requirements for Graduation

Catalog

The catalog that determines the curricular requirements for an undergraduate degree is the catalog in effect at the time of entry. Each candidate for a degree must fulfill the requirements of the curriculum in which the degree is expected. A minimum of a C average in courses taken in the major and minor fields must be earned. A student is permitted to graduate according to the Catalog for the year in which the major was selected, provided there has been no break in the student's matriculation. Note: Candidates in teacher education must earn a grade of C or above in each general education course. This requirement is part of the assessment for proficiency in the respective teaching area.

Transferring from one university/college to another is not regarded as an interruption of enrollment; however, the interval between withdrawal from the previous university/college, if any, and enrollment at Southern University at New Orleans, is the controlling factor. A break of one or more semesters will require the student to meet requirements in effect at latest re-entry to the University. Exception to this regulation will occur when external agencies add additional requirements that all graduates must meet, e.g. the Board of Regents, the State Legislature, etc., or BESE Board of Education certificate.

Under no circumstances may a Catalog more than ten (10) years old be used. Students, whose enrollment here or elsewhere, is interrupted (either voluntarily or involuntarily) for at least two consecutive semesters, will be subject to the catalog in effect at the time of re-entry. Students who are unable to complete a degree program within ten years after entering the University are expected to follow the Catalog in effect during their eleventh year of attendance (or the Catalog in effect the year of graduation).

Students who wish to pursue an additional degree and/or alternative certification on a non-degree basis after completing the first degree may follow the same Catalog if (a) no more than ten years have elapsed and (b) there has not been a break from the University of more than one semester.

Student wishing to graduate under a Catalog different from that specified by University policy may submit a request (appeal) in writing to the Office of Academic Affairs. This appeal should be endorsed by the advisor and department head. Only exceptional cases with extenuating circumstances will be considered.

The student is responsible for obtaining in writing from the academic advisor with approval of the department chair, college dean, and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, any waiver or other deviation from the approved curriculum and from requisites for the degree sought.

Credit Hours and Quality Points

Requirements for a degree include both quantitative (credits) and qualitative (quality points) standards. The total number of credits and quality points may vary with several curricula. The minimum for the baccalaureate degree is 120 semester hours and 220 quality points. The minimum for the associate degree is 62 semester hours and 124 quality points. A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 must be attained.

Residence Requirement

A student who expects to become a candidate for a degree at Southern University at New Orleans must (1) spend at least two semesters (or four summer sessions) at the University; (2) earn at least thirty-one semester hours of credit and sixty-two quality points in the courses pursued and (3) complete the senior year and at least 25% of the total credits required for graduation in residence as a major in the academic college/program from which degree is sought. (Work completed through credit examination or military experience may not be used to satisfy these requirements). In the case of a student transferring from another college/program within the University, with the concurrence of the student's former dean/department head, the requirements for residence in the academic college/program from which a degree is sought may be waived.

Undergraduate Minors

A minor is that part of a degree program consisting of a specified group of courses in a particular discipline or field. The minor consists of 18 credit hours required in an undergraduate curriculum. Please consult your departmental/academic advisor to determine whether a minor is required in your particular field and the specific courses needed to fulfill this requirement.

Test Requirements

All students must pass the Writing Proficiency Examination and fulfill other departmental exit examinations prior to graduation. Special examinations may be required by individual programs, and students must be notified through the prescribed curriculum in such cases.

Community Service Learning (CSL)

Southern University at New Orleans requires that all undergraduate students complete sixty (60) hours of community service as a requirement of graduation. Community Service work must be completed to obtain clearance to participate in graduation ceremonies. Community Service must be completed at an approved non-profit organization or a pre-approved location by the Community Service Coordinator. Students cannot receive pay of any sort for the service performed. Students who have met the work hour requirements of internship/practicum courses - as may be required by their departments/colleges - will be deemed to have met the University’s community service work hour requirements.

Important information about Community Service Learning hours:

• Site approval must be obtained from the CSL Coordinator
• CSL application must be completed prior to the commencement of service learning hours
• The CSL Coordinator is available to assist students with site placement

CSL HOURS ARE WAIVED IF THE STUDENT MEETS THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

• The student is twenty-five (25) years or older when enrolling as a first-time freshmen and has earned a high school equivalency certificate
• The student is an international student
• The student has a certificate verifying that the disability would jeopardize the welfare of the student and/or the host organization.

Multiple Majors

Students who are academically gifted and who have the time are afforded the opportunity to achieve breadth as well as depth in their education experience and to better prepare themselves for a career or graduate studies by pursuing two or more distinct majors simultaneously. A student pursuing a double major will receive a diploma for each degree earned, and certification of the majors will be indicated on the student's transcript.

A student pursuing multiple majors must meet the requirements for each major as set by the University. The student must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit at Southern University at New Orleans, must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and must receive favorable recommendations from the academic advisors in both areas and be approved by both chairpersons and both deans.

To pursue two majors simultaneously, students must petition the department chairperson(s) and dean(s) of the college(s) of the appropriate curricula. An approved course of study must be planned in consultation with both academic advisors and shall be presented to both chairpersons and deans for approval. A copy of this approved course of study shall be transmitted to the Office of Records.

Unless otherwise indicated in a particular program, a student may use the same courses to meet specified requirements for the double majors. Prior approval must be obtained from each department chair and dean.

A second (or additional) major will be indicated on the diploma and transcript only if requirements are completed prior to graduation.

Requirements for a Second Baccalaureate Degree

Students who have a baccalaureate degree from SUNO or any other accredited college or university may earn a second baccalaureate degree provided the following conditions are met:

1. Complete a minimum of thirty-one (31) semester hours above the requirements for the first degree.
2. Complete all subject requirements for the second degree.
3. Meet all quality point average and grade requirements applicable to the second degree.

Changes in Degree Requirements

The University reserves the right to add or delete course offerings in any curricula when such actions are deemed necessary to strengthen the curricula and better prepare students for the world of work or for admission to graduate and professional schools.

Students must meet the curricula requirements for a degree outlined in the Southern University at New Orleans catalog. Students are responsible for knowing degree requirements. Under normal conditions a student should follow the catalog used for enrollment at the time of the initial registration at SUNO. If a student drops out of school for one year and returns, the student must follow the curriculum as indicated in the catalog current at the time of re-enrollment.

Commencement

Candidates for certificates or degrees are required to participate in the exercises of the commencement season. No degree will be conferred unless the student is present to receive it or has secured written permission from the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs to graduate in absentia. Commencement exercises will be held as stated in the academic calendar. Participation in commencement exercises is restricted to students who have satisfied all academic requirements for degrees and financial requirements prior to the time of commencement.

In the event that a grievance, which appeals a decision on whether the student is eligible to graduate and earn a degree, filed by a candidate for graduation is in progress and the grievance cannot be resolved before commencement, individual cases will be reviewed by the Office of Academic Affairs to determine whether the student will be allowed to participate in commencement exercises. Participation in commencement, if allowed, will not constitute the certification that is required to issue to the student an earned degree. The grievance shall continue until such time as a final decision is rendered or the grievance is withdrawn.

Procedures for Obtaining a Diploma

During the semester prior to the one in which graduation is anticipated, candidates must request of their department their academic records for compliance with degree requirements. (Each college establishes its own degree requirements, which are listed in that college's section of this catalog.) A formal application for a degree (available in departmental offices) must be completed with an advisor and approved by the appropriate department chair and college dean. Each candidate must be recommended for graduation by the department.

Candidates must:

• state their name on the application as they wish to have it appear on the diploma and in the commencement program;
• pay the non-refundable graduation fee and submit the application to the Office of Records for review by the deadline/date indicated in the semester calendar;
• clear all financial indebtedness to the University prior to commencement;
• complete one of the curricula as outlined in the Catalog. The University requires a minimum of 120 hours with a cumulative average of 2.0; earn at least thirty-one hours in residence and a passing score on the Writing Proficiency Examination;
• fulfill departmental and college exit requirements;
• complete the senior year in residence;
• be present for commencement exercises unless given permission to graduate in abstention by the Office of Academic Affairs.