Northwestern State University Telephone: 318.357.6011 Toll Free: 800.327.1903 Academic Colleges/Schools/Departments Telephone: email: College of Arts and Sciences 318-357-4330 [email protected] Louisiana Scholars’ College 318-357-4577 [email protected] School of Biological and Physical Sciences 318-357-5323 [email protected] Mrs. H. D. Dear, Sr. and Alice Estelle Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts 318-357-4522 [email protected] Fine and Graphic Arts 318-357-4522 [email protected] Music 318-357-4522 [email protected] New Media, Journalism, and Communication Arts 318-357-5360 [email protected] Theatre and Dance 318-357-4483 [email protected] Criminal Justice, History, and Social Sciences 318-357-6967 [email protected] English, Foreign Languages, and Cultural Studies 318-357-6272 [email protected] Mathematics 318-357-4308 [email protected] College of Business and Technology 318-357-5161 [email protected] School of Business 318-357-5161 [email protected] Engineering Technology 318-357-6751 [email protected] College of Nursing and School of Allied Health College of Nursing 318-677-3100 [email protected] School of Allied Health 318-677-3020 hicksjnsula.edu Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development 318-357-6288 [email protected] School of Education 318-357-6144 [email protected] Health and Human Performance 318-357-5126 [email protected] Military Science 318-357-5157 [email protected] Psychology 318-357-6594 [email protected] Social Work 318-357-5493 [email protected] The Graduate School Graduate School 318-357-5851 [email protected] Academic Records, Registration, Transcripts, Veterans Affairs University Registrar’s Office 318-357-6171 [email protected] 318-357-6170 [email protected] 800-807-8849 Admissions Office of Admissions 318-357-4078 [email protected] 800-767-8115 Business Affairs Human Resources 318-357-6152 [email protected] Student Accounting 318-357-6902 [email protected] Financial Aid 318-357-5961 [email protected] 800-823-3008 Recruiting, Tuition and Fees Office of University Recruiting 318-357-4503 [email protected] 800-327-1903 Academic Advising Services 318-357-6980 [email protected] Counseling and Career Services 318-357-5621 [email protected] Electronic and Continuing Education 318-357-6355 [email protected] First Year Experience and Leadership Development 318-357-5559 [email protected] Health Services 318-357-5351 [email protected] Housing 318-214-5400 [email protected] Police Department 318-357-5431 [email protected] Student Activities and Organizations 318-357-5438 [email protected] Student Affairs, Dean of Students 318-357-5286 [email protected] Student Online Support/Student Help Desk 318-357-6696 [email protected] Student Support Services 318-357-5901 [email protected] Testing 318-357-5246 [email protected] All written communications should be directed to the proper University office and should be addressed to: Northwestern State University Natchitoches, LA 71497-0002 NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA A Member of the University of Louisiana System NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA 71497-0002 https://www.nsula.edu UNIVERSITY CATALOG Vol. CIII 2018-2019 Published by the University Registrar’s Office of Northwestern State University, University Parkway, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71497-0002. Entered as periodicals at the post office in Natchitoches, Louisiana 71497-0002, under the Act of July 16, 1904. This University Catalog presents the current curricula, educational plans, course offerings, requirements and policies of this University. The provisions described in this Catalog do not constitute an offer for a contract which may be accepted by students through registration and enrollment in the University. The University reserves the right to change any curriculum, plan, course, requirement and policy and any other provision at any time during the student’s period of study at the University. 2 CONTENTS Academic Calendar, 2018-2019 ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Glossary ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 The University ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Admission to the University................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Financial Aid ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 20 Academic Information ......................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Academic Regulations ......................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Student Life/Services ........................................................................................................................................................................... 40 Electronic and Continuing Education ................................................................................................................................................... 45 Academic Colleges, Departments, and Curricula College of Arts and Sciences ...................................................................................................................................................... 46 Louisiana Scholars’ College ............................................................................................................................................... 50 School of Biological and Physical Sciences ....................................................................................................................... 70 Mrs. H. D. Dear, Sr. and Alice Estelle Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts ........................................................ 75 Fine and Graphic Arts ................................................................................................................................................. 76 Music .......................................................................................................................................................................... 78 New Media, Journalism, and Communication Arts ..................................................................................................... 82 Theatre and Dance ...................................................................................................................................................... 83 Criminal Justice, History, and Social Sciences ................................................................................................................... 84 English, Foreign Languages, and Cultural Studies ............................................................................................................. 88 Mathematics ....................................................................................................................................................................... 91 College of Business and Technology ......................................................................................................................................... 92 School of Business ............................................................................................................................................................. 93 Engineering Technology ..................................................................................................................................................... 97 College of Nursing and School of Allied Health ...................................................................................................................... 100 Gallaspy Family College of Education and Human Development ........................................................................................... 112 School of Education ......................................................................................................................................................... 113 Health and Human Performance ....................................................................................................................................... 124 Military Science................................................................................................................................................................ 126 Psychology ....................................................................................................................................................................... 128 Social Work ...................................................................................................................................................................... 131 The Graduate School ........................................................................................................................................................................ 132 Courses of Instruction ...................................................................................................................................................................... 140 Administration of the University ...................................................................................................................................................... 243 Faculty ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 247 Index ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 262 3 ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2018-2019 FALL 2018 AUGUST 13 .................................... Monday ......................................................................................................... semester begins/faculty on call 13-19 ............................... Monday-Sunday ................................................................................. regular registration via NSUConnect TBA ............................................................................................................................................................................... faculty institute 15 ....................................... Wednesday ............................................................................... advising CENLA/FT. POLK/SHEVEPORT 16-17 ................................. Thursday-Friday ................................................................................................... advising NATCHITOCHES 16 ....................................... Thursday ........... Freshman Connection for all unregistered new students (9:00 AM Natchitoches Campus) 18 ....................................... Saturday ................................................................................................ residence halls open for all students 19 .................................... Sunday .................................................................................................................New Student Convocation 19 .................................... Sunday ......................................... last day to resign from all 16-week and A-term classes with 100% refund 20 .................................... Monday............................................................ first day of classes ALL CAMPUSES (16-week and A-Term) 20-28 ................................. Monday-Tuesday ............................................................................................. late registration (fee applies) 28 ....................................... Tuesday .......................... final day to register, add courses, or make section changes for 16-week & A-term 28 ....................................... Tuesday ...................... final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted (16-week & A-term) 29 ....................................... Wednesday................................ dropping 16-week and A-term courses with a “W” begins via NSUConnect SEPTEMBER 3 ...................................... Monday................................................................................................................................ Labor Day Holiday 4 ......................................... Tuesday ................................................................................... final day to appeal a grade from spring 2018 4 ......................................... Tuesday ................................. final day to remove “I” grade with approved 60-day waiver from spring 2018 24 .................................... Monday ................................................................................ 5-week grades due to be entered by 11:55 p.m. OCTOBER 1 ...................................... Sunday ........................ final day for undergraduate and graduate students to apply for fall 2018 graduation 1-2 ..................................... Monday-Tuesday................................................................................................................................ Fall Break 3 ......................................... Wednesday............................................................................................................... classes resume at 8:00 AM 3 ......................................... Wednesday.................................................................. final day for removal of “I” grades from summer 2018 6 ...................................... Saturday ................................................................................................................ last day of A-term classes 8 ...................................... Monday ....................................................................................................................... B-term classes begin 15 .................................... Monday ..................................................................................... midterm grades to be entered by 11:55 p.m. 16 ....................................... Tuesday ............................................. final day to register, add courses, or make section changes for B-Term 22 .................................... Monday .............................. final day to resign from all 16-week courses, drop courses with a grade of “W” .................................................................................................................................. or change from credit to audit (16-week courses) NOVEMBER 16 ...................................... Friday........................ final day to resign from all B-term courses or drop B-term courses with a grade of “W” or change from credit to audit (B-term only) 19-24 ................................. Monday-Saturday ........................................................................................................... Thanksgiving Holiday 26 .................................... Monday .................................................................................................................... classes resume (8 a.m.) DECEMBER 3 ...................................... Monday .................................................................................final day to appeal a grade from summer 2018 3 ...................................... Monday ............................. final day to remove “I” grade with approved 60-day waiver from summer 2018 4 ......................................... Tuesday .................................................................................................................................. last day of classes 5-10 ................................... Wednesday-Monday ............................................................................................................. final examinations 10 ....................................... Monday.................................................................................. candidate grades due to be entered by 5:00 p.m. 11 ....................................... Tuesday ......................................................................................... all grades due to be entered by 4:00 p.m. 14 ....................................... Friday ................................................................................................................................. residence halls close 14 ....................................... Friday............................................................................................. commencement exercises/semester ends 4 ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2018-2019 SPRING 2019 JANUARY 8 ...................................... Monday ........................................................................................................... semester begins/faculty on call 7-13 ................................. Monday-Sunday ................................................................................... regular registration via NSUConnect 9 ......................................... Wednesday.............................................................................. advising CENLA/FORT POLK/SHREVEPORT 10-11 .................................. Thursday-Friday ..................................................................................................... advising NATCHITOCHES 10 ....................................... Thursday ............ Freshman Connection for all unregistered new students (9:00 a.m./Natchitoches Campus) 12 ....................................... Saturday .................................................................................................. residence halls open for all students 13 .................................... Sunday .......................................................................... last day to resign from all classes with 100% refund 14 ....................................... Monday ............................................................... first day of classes ALL CAMPUSES (16-week and A-term) 14-23 ................................. Monday-Wednesday ................................................................. late registration via NSUConnect (fee applies) 21 .................................... Monday ............................................................................................................... Martin Luther King Holiday 23 ....................................... Wednesday ................... final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted (16-week & A-term) 23 ....................................... Wednesday ............................................................. final day to register, add courses, or make section changes 24 ....................................... Thursday ..................................... dropping 16-week and A-term courses with a “W” begins via NSUConnect FEBRUARY 11 ....................................... Monday ................................ final day to resign from all A-term courses or drop A-term courses with a grade of “W” or change from credit to audit (A-term only) 12 ....................................... Tuesday ................................................................................ final day for removal of “I” grades from fall 2018 18 .................................... Monday .................................................................................. 5-week grades due to be entered by 11:55 p.m. MARCH 1 ......................................... Friday ......................... final day for undergraduate and graduate students to apply for spring 2019 graduation 4-5 ..................................... Monday-Tuesday................................................................................................................ Mardi Gras Holidays 6 ......................................... Wednesday.................................................................................................................. classes resume at 12 noon 9 ......................................... Saturday ....................................................................................................................... last day of A-term classes 11 .................................... Monday.................................................................................... midterm grades due to be entered by 11:55 p.m. 11 .................................... Monday ......................................................................................................................... B-term classes begin 12 ....................................... Tuesday ..................................................................................... A-term grades due to be entered by 11:55 p.m. 18 .................................... Monday ............ final day to resign from all 16-week classes with a grade of “W,” drop courses with a grade of “W,” or change from credit to audit (16-week only) 19 ....................................... Tuesday ................................................ final day to register, add courses, or make section changes for B-term APRIL 1-5 ..................................... Monday-Friday................................................................................................................................ Spring Break 8 ...................................... Monday ..................................................................................................................... classes resume (8 a.m.) 15 .................................... Monday .............................. final day to resign from all B-term courses or drop B-term courses with a grade of “W” or change from credit to audit (B-term only) 15 .................................... Monday.......................................................................................... final day to appeal a grade from fall 2018 15 .................................... Monday........................................ final day to remove “I” grade with approved 60-day waiver from fall 2018 MAY 3 ......................................... Friday .................................................................................................. last day of classes (16-week and B-term) 4-9 ..................................... Saturday-Thursday .................................................................................................................. final examinations 8 ......................................... Wednesday ........................................................................... candidate grades due to be entered by 12:00 noon 10 ....................................... Friday ............................................................................................................................ commencement exercises 11 ....................................... Saturday ................................................................................................................................ residence halls close 13 ....................................... Monday ..................................................................... all grades due to be entered by 12:00 noon/semester ends 5 ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2018-2019 SUMMER 2019 MAY 16-17 ................................. Thursday-Friday ............................................................................................... advising for 12-week session 20 .................................... Monday........................................................................................................................... 12-week session begins 21 ....................................... Tuesday ......................... final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted for 12-week session 21 ....................................... Tuesday ................................... final day to register, add courses, make schedule changes for 12-week session 22 ....................................... Wednesday....................................................... dropping 12-week classes with a “W” begins via NSUConnect 27 .................................... Monday ..................................................................................................................... Memorial Day Holiday 30-31 ................................. Thursday-Friday .............................................................................advising for 8-week and 1st 4-week sessions JUNE 3 ...................................... Monday ................................................................................................ 8-week and 1st 4-week sessions begin 4 ......................................... Tuesday ..........................................................final day to drop a class and be refunded or have fees adjusted for 8-week and 1st 4-week sessions 4 ......................................... Tuesday ..................................................................... final day to register, add courses, make schedule changes for 8-week and 1st 4-week sessions 5 ......................................... Wednesday....................................................... dropping classes with a grade of “W” begins via NSUConnect for 8-week and 1st 4-week sessions 17 .................................... Monday........................... final day to resign from all courses or drop courses with a grade of “W” or change from credit to audit for 1st 4-week session 27-28 ................................. Thursday-Friday ............................................................................................ advising for 2nd 4-week session 28 .................................... Friday ......................................................................................................................... 1st 4-week session ends JULY 1 ...................................... Monday ............................... final day for undergraduate and graduate to apply for Summer 2019 graduation 1 ...................................... Monday .................................................................................................................. 2nd 4-week session begins 1 ...................................... Monday..........................final day to resign from all courses or drop courses with a grade of “W” or change rom credit to audit for 8-week session 1 ...................................... Monday..........................final day to resign from all courses or drop courses with a grade of “W” or change from credit to audit for 12-week session 2 ...................................... Tuesday ........................................................ all grades for 1st 4-week session due to be entered by 11:55 p.m. 2 ......................................... Tuesday .............................. final day to register, add courses, make schedule changes for 2nd 4-week session 2 ......................................... Tuesday .................... final day to drop a class and be refunded or hav e fees adjusted for 2nd 4-week sessions 4 ......................................... Thursday..................................................................................................................... Independence Day Holiday 4 ......................................... Thursday.... ................ dropping classes with a grade of “W” begins via NSUConnect for 2nd 4-week session 12 ....................................... Friday........................................................................... final day for removal of “I” grades from spring 2019 15 .................................... Monday ........................... final day to resign from all courses or drop courses with a grade of “W” or change from credit to audit for 2nd 4-week session 26 ....................................... Friday...................................................................................................... 8-week and 2nd 4-week sessions end 30 ....................................... Tuesday ................................. all grades for 8-week and 2nd 4-week sessions due to be entered by 11:55 p.m. AUGUST 9 ......................................... Friday.................................... all grades for 12-week session due to be entered by 12:00 noon/semester ends 9 ........................................ Friday.......................................................................................... 12-week session ends, residence halls close The Academic Calendar, with important dates and deadlines, is also published on the University Registrar’s web page (http://www.nsula.edu/registrar). 6 GLOSSARY Academic (Scholastic) load — the totals of semester hours of Graduation Grade Point Average — is calculated by course work for which a student is registered in a semester or dividing adjusted quality points by adjusted quality hours. summer session. Major — that part of a Degree Program which consists of a Academic Catalog Year — catalogs are in effect beginning specified group of courses in a particular discipline(s) or with the fall semester and remain in effect for the following field(s). The name of the Major is usually consistent with the spring and summer semesters. Degree Subject Area. A Major usually consists of 25 percent or more of total hours required in an undergraduate curriculum. Adjusted Quality Hours — calculated by subtracting credit hours for “F” grades and repeated classes from total quality Minor — that part of a Degree Program which consists of a hours. specified group of courses in a particular discipline(s) or field(s), consisting usually of 15 percent or more of total hours Adjusted Quality Points — calculated by subtracting quality required in an undergraduate curriculum. points received for repeated classes from total quality points. Overall Cumulative Grade Point Average — obtained by Auditor — one who pays fees and registers for a class or dividing the total number of quality points by the total number classes as an observer only and receives no credit for it. of quality hours. Cancellation — a process where all courses are removed from Prerequisite — a requirement that must be satisfied, often a student’s academic record. registration in another course, before a student can take a Concentration — an alternative track of courses within a course. Major or Option, account for at least 30 percent of the Major Quality Hours — the credit hour value of the course. requirements. Quality Point — a numerical value assigned to each of the Corequisite — concurrent requirement; usually a course or letter grades A through F. The grade of A is valued at four some other condition that must be taken or met at the same quality points for each semester hour of credit in the course. B time as another course. is three points per hour, C is two, and D is one. A grade of F has Curriculum — an officially approved combination of courses, a quality point value of zero. These values are used in satisfactory completion of which may lead to a degree or other calculating a student’s “grade point average’’ and academic goal. standing. Degree — the title of the award conferred on students upon Registrar — the University official responsible for compiling completion of a unified program of study (e.g., Associate of and keeping secure the official records of each student’s Science, Bachelor of Arts). scholastic achievement. The Registrar’s Office is a principal Degree Designation — each authorized program at public source of information and advisement on matters such as institutions of higher education is listed in the Board of registration, scheduling, and academic standing. Regents’ Inventory of Degree and Certificate Programs under Residence Requirement — a requirement that students the category “Degree Designation” (e.g., Bachelor of Science, pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees at NSU must earn Bachelor of Arts). a specified number of semester hours in regularly scheduled Degree Program — grouping of campus-approved courses coursework. For the baccalaureate degree, students must earn and requirements (e.g., minimum GPA required, at least 25 percent of the semester hours required for the degree comprehensive examinations, English and Math proficiency) through instruction at NSU. which, when satisfactorily completed by a student will entitle Resignation — a student’s voluntary termination of enrollment him or her to a degree. in all classes which is carried out in accordance with University Degree Subject Area — a primary discipline which procedures. constitutes the focus of a Degree Program. When a student Scholastic probation — status of a student who is not doing satisfactorily completes a Degree Program, the student will be satisfactory work in classes as specified elsewhere in this entitled to a degree in the appropriate subject area (e.g., catalog. Biology, History, Nursing). Semester Average — a student’s grade-point average based Degree Title — the complete label of a Degree Program, on the total number of quality points earned divided by total consisting of a Degree Designation (e.g., Associate of Science) number of quality hours in a given semester. and the Degree Subject Area (e.g. Criminal Justice). Semester Grade Point Average — obtained by dividing the Dismissal — final termination, by proper University authority, total number of quality points earned for a semester by the of a student’s enrollment in the University. number of hours attempted that semester. Elective — a course required in a curriculum without specific Semester hour — the numerical value of a course usually identification; the student “elects’’ the course to be taken. The based on the number of hours spent in the class per week in a area in which the elective must be chosen is sometimes regular session. A credit or semester hour generally represents specified. one hour of class work a week. Good Standing — the status of a student who is eligible to Suspension — temporary denial to a student, by proper continue in or return to the University. University authority, of permission to register for classes at Graduate Student — a student who has received a NSU. baccalaureate degree and has been officially admitted to Transfer student — one who has attended another college or Graduate Studies. university prior to entering NSU. 7 THE UNIVERSITY HISTORY which it was named, Natchitoches was fortified by the French in 1714 as an outpost of their New World empire facing Northwestern State University of Louisiana stands on Spanish Texas to the west. The city today takes pride in its ground that has been dedicated to learning for well over a standing as the oldest permanent settlement in the entire hundred years. Prior to the Civil War a portion of the present Louisiana Purchase Territory. Although the fires of Civil War campus was the property of the Bullard family of Natchitoches. scarred the Cane River Country, Natchitoches escaped As early as 1856 the Bullard mansion was in use as a convent relatively unharmed, and many traces of its colonial and by the Religious Society of the Sacred Heart. The following antebellum heritage remain. year a school building was erected at the convent, and in 1884 Now a city of about 25,000, Natchitoches has an excellent the property was purchased by the town and parish of system of public schools, numerous churches, a large modern Natchitoches. Three of the four great white columns that once hospital, and a progressive municipal government. Situated on supported the east gable of the Bullard mansion still stand on the banks of the beautiful Cane River, Chaplin’s, and Sibley “The Hill” and often serve as the unofficial symbol of the lakes, and lying in the heart of Louisiana’s lake and forest University. country, the city may be described as colorful and unique. The State Legislature by Act 51 of 1884 created a The Nursing Education Center at 1800 Line Avenue in Louisiana State Normal School for the preparation of teachers. Shreveport is the residential campus for the Department of A member of the Legislature, Leopold Caspari, offered the Undergraduate Studies in Nursing and Graduate Studies and convent site as a campus for the School with the anticipated Research in Nursing. The Nursing Education Center is approval of the citizens of Natchitoches. The offer was composed of institutional facilities including instructional areas accepted, and from 1885 to 1918 the Normal School offered and administrative/faculty offices. The College of Nursing and two years of study for the training of teachers. Baccalaureate School of Allied Health also provides academic and staff programs were then inaugurated, and the State Constitution services to support clinical experiences and degree offerings adopted in 1921 changed the name of the school to Louisiana at the NSU campus centers in Alexandria and Leesville. State Normal College. The Northwestern State University Center at Fort Polk is The resources and curricula of “Normal” grew steadily to on LA Highway 467, approximately midway between meet the increasingly diverse requirements of Louisiana’s Leesville and the main gate of Fort Polk. It occupies 160 acres expanding population. In 1944, the Institution’s excellent of land deeded to NSU by the United States Army. service in its broader role was accorded formal recognition in The Northwestern State University CENLA Campus Act 326 of the Legislature, which changed its name to Center serves the central Louisiana area with select degree Northwestern State College of Louisiana. programs through the Learning Center for Rapides Parish Northwestern maintained and strengthened its long (LCRP). The LCRP, managed by the Louisiana Board of tradition of leadership in public service and academic endeavor Regents, is a consortium of postsecondary institutions and became, in 1954, the first college under the jurisdiction of partnering to expand educational offerings in the area. The the Louisiana State Board of Education to offer the Master’s academic facility is located within the England Industrial degree. The Educational Specialist degree was first offered in Airpark & Community in Alexandria and is easily accessible to 1966. major highways connecting the various parishes of central On June 18, 1970, Governor John J. McKeithen signed Louisiana. the legislative act which brought the old school its greatest distinction by changing its title to Northwestern State MISSION University of Louisiana. In 1980, the old campus quadrangle where the columns Northwestern State University is a responsive, student- stand was entered into the National Register of Historic Places oriented institution that is committed to the creation, under the title “Normal Hill Historic District.” dissemination, and acquisition of knowledge through teaching, In 1984, Northwestern State University celebrated its research, and service. The University maintains as its highest Centennial with lectures, concerts, social events, and an priority excellence in teaching in graduate and undergraduate effective fund-raising effort that established the Centennial programs. Development Fund. In addition to the main campus in Northwestern State University prepares its students to Natchitoches, the University maintains full-service campus become productive members of society and promotes centers in Shreveport, Leesville, and Alexandria and offers economic development and improvements in the quality of life instruction at eight continuing education sites in the central and of the citizens in its region. northwest areas of the State. VISION LOCATION Northwestern State University strives for educational The main University campus covers an area of some 916 quality through excellence in teaching and research, innovative acres immediately west of Natchitoches, Louisiana. The city use of technology, and exceptional service to students and other is in the northwestern part of the state about 50 miles northwest constituencies. of Alexandria and 75 miles southeast of Shreveport, The University seeks to attract and develop outstanding Louisiana’s third largest city. students and faculty and to provide them with the resources The campus, encompassing rolling pine hills and rich river needed to promote optimal learning and service. By bottom land, is one of the most spacious and attractive in the maintaining a student-oriented environment, Northwestern will South. The natural beauty of the site drew people to it even in offer challenging and rewarding academic experiences prehistoric times. Long the home of a major Indian tribe for augmented and enriched with opportunities for cultural, social, 8