Catalog

2023-2024

Undergraduate Degree and Program Requirements

Degrees Offered

Nebraska Wesleyan University provides undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences with selected complementary professional programs. The University’s curricula lead to the following degrees:

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The specific degree a student pursues is determined by his or her major. Several majors are available for more than one degree, and in these cases, the student selects the pursuant degree based on future academic/professional plans or personal preference. Students pursuing more than one major should refer to the policy on Additional Majors .

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Ultimate responsibility for completion of degree requirements lies with the student. Nebraska Wesleyan University provides faculty advising and online academic analyses to assist students in monitoring degree progress.

Candidates for all baccalaureate degrees must complete the following requirements:

A minimum of 126 credit hours, of which
- at least 18 are earned in 3000-level or 4000-level courses
- at least 32 are earned at Nebraska Wesleyan University
- no more than 12 approved graduate-level credits may apply
A major of at least 30 credit hours, of which
- at least 12 are earned in 3000-level or 4000-level courses
- at least 12 are earned in residence at Nebraska Wesleyan
- (when student pursues more than one major, refer to rules under Additional Majors)
The general education Archway Curriculum
A minimum GPA of 2.00 with
- no more than 25 credit hours graded “D+”, “D” or “D-”
- no credit hours graded lower than “C-” in the major, minor, or supporting program [note some majors require higher grades]
- no credit hours graded “P*” earned in the major, minor, or supporting program unless approved by the department chair or program director
- no more than one course with a grade of P* toward the Archway Curriculum requirements, and that course must be in the Foundational Literacies area
A capstone course (or courses) for each major, completed in residence at Nebraska Wesleyan. Capstones differ by major, but in every capstone students shall:
- synthesize and integrate cumulative knowledge;
- apply learning and create new knowledge;
- work independently, bringing their own ideas to their work;
- present the results of the capstone work to an audience;
- meet rigorous professional and disciplinary standards;
- reflect on their own development.
- (The capstone requirement is waived for students who complete degree programs by transferring credit from a professional program previously and officially approved by Nebraska Wesleyan University or for students who transfer a senior comprehensive course from a study abroad experience that has been previously approved by that department chair or program director.)

Catalog Determination of Degree Requirements for Graduation

Students must meet graduation requirements stipulated in the catalog of their original matriculation (enrollment) as a degree-seeking student at Nebraska Wesleyan. A student may choose a subsequent catalog under which to complete graduation requirements provided they enrolled as an undergraduate degree-seeking student in that academic year and the catalog has not expired.

All degree requirements (Archway Curriculum, major, and minor requirements) must be completed from the same catalog.

If a course listed under a student’s degree requirements is no longer offered, it will be replaced with a course recommended by the department or program. Any modifications to degree requirements must be submitted by the appropriate major or minor advisor on a Modification of Program Requirements form. These requests must include a rationale from the advisor detailing the need for the program modification and then be approved by the Dean of Undergraduate Programs and the Assistant Provost for Integrative and Experiential Learning (if major capstone or other Archway Curriculum requirement modification).

Undergraduate Catalog Time Limit

Beginning in fall 2019, undergraduate catalogs have a six-year time limit (the 2023-2024 catalog will expire the last day of the summer term 2029). Students have six years from their semester of original matriculation to complete a degree program in effect when they initially registered. A student may choose a subsequent catalog under which to complete graduation requirements provided they were enrolled as an undergraduate degree-seeking student in that academic year and the catalog has not expired.

Reactivation

NWU students who choose not to take courses for more than two consecutive academic terms must apply for reactivation. Reactivated students will follow the requirements stated in the undergraduate catalog at the time of reactivation and enrollment. A student may choose to follow a catalog for any academic year in which they were a degree-seeking student at NWU which has not expired. Beginning in 2019, undergraduate catalogs have a six-year time limit (the 2023-2024 catalog will expire the last day of the summer term 2029).

Residency Requirement

All baccalaureate degree students must take 32 credit hours of coursework in residence at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Any request for exceptions must be directed to the Executive Committee for approval.

Majors

A major consists of at least 30 credit hours under the direction of a department or an interdisciplinary program. Major requirements in effect at the time a student declares a major govern his or her program unless he or she chooses requirements stipulated in a later catalog.

A major must include at least 12 upper-level credit hours (courses numbered 3000-4990), as well as 12 credit hours earned in regular Nebraska Wesleyan classes. (Credit earned by examination does not count as earned in regular NWU classes.)

Majors Offered

Departmental

Interdepartmental

Interdisciplinary

Gender and Sexuality Studies
Integrative Studies (student designs own major)
International Studies

Pre-professional Studies
Nebraska Wesleyan does not offer majors in pre-professional programs. It does provide foundation courses for future study in the following professional fields through its academic departments:

Declaring a Major

Major requirements differ across and within departments. When selecting a major, students should meet with department chairs for information and counsel beyond what is included in each department’s section in this catalog.

A traditional undergraduate student declares a major by filing the Major/Minor Declaration form in the Registrar’s Office. Students may declare a major any time after their first semester and are expected to do so during their sophomore year. After a traditional undergraduate student has declared a major, he or she is assigned an advisor in the major department. The student then works closely with the advisor to plan each semester’s course work. Students are required to meet with their advisor each semester to get advisor permission for registration.

Once a student declares a major, he or she must meet requirements specified in the catalog in effect at the time the major is declared, unless he or she chooses requirements stipulated in a later catalog.

Additional Majors

Students may earn more than one major, depending on the desired majors. Students choose their primary major and earn the degree designated with that major.

When the student’s additional major(s) is designated for the same degree as her/his primary major, the student earns one degree with two (or more) majors. Requirements for each major must be met, including supporting programs. Each major must contain no fewer than 25 credit hours required for the major that are not common to the student’s other major(s). When a major is designated for more than one degree option and the major requirements differ based on the degree, the student must complete the requirements for the degree being earned.

When the student’s additional major(s) is not designated for the same degree as her/his primary major but is available as an additional major for that degree, the student may earn one degree with two (or more) majors. Requirements for each major must be met, including supporting programs. Each major must contain no fewer than 25 credit hours required for the major that are not common to both majors.

When the student’s additional major(s) is not designated for the same degree as her/is primary major and is not available as an additional major that degree, the student must complete two degrees in order to have the additional major(s). Earning two degrees requires an additional 25 credit hours beyond the 126 credit hour minimum (total of 151 credit hours). The credit counted toward a major and supporting program for one degree cannot be counted toward the major and supporting program for the second degree.

Supporting Programs

Many majors require students to strengthen the program of concentrated study. To fulfill these requirements, students work with their advisors to develop a supporting program that involves one or more additional disciplines. A supporting program consists of courses selected from other fields acceptable to, or designated by, the major advisor.

Supporting program requirements for students who are completing a minor or a second major may be reduced or waived upon the recommendation of the appropriate department chair.

Minors

A minor consists of a minimum of 12 credit hours and is defined by the department or interdisciplinary program offering it. Students may earn more than one minor at Nebraska Wesleyan.

Each minor must contain at least 12 hours of course work not counted toward any other major or minor the student is earning. A minor must include at least 4 credit hours earned in regular Nebraska Wesleyan classes.

The Executive Committee is authorized to accept a minor not offered at Nebraska Wesleyan. In such instances, the Nebraska Wesleyan department most closely related to that discipline recommends the minor and approves the courses, content, and number of hours required.

Once a student declares a minor, he or she must meet the requirements specified in the catalog in effect at the time the minor is declared unless he or she chooses requirements stipulated in a later catalog.

Minors Offered

Departmental

Interdepartmental/Interdisciplinary

Academic Advising

Nebraska Wesleyan offers academic advising to all degree-seeking students from their first registration until graduation.

For traditional undergraduate students, a faculty advisor provides initial academic guidance to each entering student during the registration process. From Prairie Wolf Welcome in August until a student declares a major, the student’s Archway Seminar instructor serves as his/her academic advisor and is available for guidance in the exploration of life, career, and educational goals. Once a major is officially declared, the student is assigned a major advisor in the department.

Questions and concerns regarding academic advising should be directed to the Registrar's Office or the Dean of Undergraduate Programs.

Graduation

Each student is responsible for making certain he or she has met all degree requirements. Faculty advising and a check system by the Registrar’s Office help students monitor their progress toward graduation.

Candidacy for Graduation

In order to be a candidate for graduation, a student must file his or her graduation application in the Registrar’s Office. Graduation applications are due on December 15 of the previous year for students graduating in May and August 15 of the year students intend to graduate in December.

The faculty recommends graduation candidates to the Nebraska Wesleyan Board of Governors for approval.

Nebraska Wesleyan confers degrees twice per year, in December and May; however, graduation ceremonies are held only once a year, in May. All candidates are encouraged to participate in the commencement ceremony; however, students have the option of graduating in absentia.

No student is allowed to participate as a graduation candidate in more than one commencement ceremony unless returning for a second degree. If a student was published in the commencement ceremony program, but did not attend the commencement, they are not allowed to participate in a later ceremony (unless returning for a second degree). Students will receive their diploma when all graduation requirements are met, but the student will not be allowed to be published in or walk in more than one commencement ceremony.

Post-Baccalaureate Options

Additional Major or Minor for Nebraska Wesleyan Graduates
A Nebraska Wesleyan graduate may take additional coursework at Nebraska Wesleyan to complete a major or minor not originally earned with, but applicable to, his or her degree. As with any major, an additional major must consist of at least 12 upper-level credits as well as 12 credit hours earned in regular Nebraska Wesleyan courses, and must include a senior comprehensive. The additional major must contain no fewer than 25 credit hours that are not common to the student's other major(s). An additional minor will consist of at least 4 credit hours from regular Nebraska Wesleyan classes. A minor must contain at least 12 credits not common to the students major(s) or other minor(s). Because an additional degree is not earned, no diploma is issued; the additional major or minor is recorded on the student’s transcript.

Second Baccalaureate Degree for Nebraska Wesleyan Graduates
A Nebraska Wesleyan graduate wishing to earn a second baccalaureate degree must meet all requirements for the second degree and complete 25 credit hours in residence in addition to the 126 required for the first degree. The credit counted toward a major and supporting program for one degree cannot be counted toward the major and supporting program for the second degree. Students will receive a diploma for the second degree and may participate in the Commencement ceremony.

Baccalaureate Degree at Nebraska Wesleyan for Graduates from Another Institution
A person wishing to earn a baccalaureate degree at Nebraska Wesleyan who has already received a baccalaureate degree from another regionally-accredited institution must fulfill the 32 hours in residence requirement. The major shall not be in the same discipline as the major the student has previously completed. All rules regarding majors must be met.

Certification for Teaching
Certification for teaching is available for persons who have already completed a bachelor’s degree (at Nebraska Wesleyan or another accredited institution). Unless a second bachelor’s degree is desired (in this case, see previous section), graduation requirements at Nebraska Wesleyan do not need to be met; only the education requirements for state certification are required. Contact Nebraska Wesleyan’s Department of Education for details.

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