Undergraduate Degree Programs and Requirements

Degrees Offered

Nebraska Wesleyan University provides the following degrees through University College's adult undergraduate programs:

Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Ultimate responsibility for completion of degree requirements lies with the student. Nebraska Wesleyan University provides 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
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 a 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" unless approved by program director
- no more than one course with a grade of P* may count toward the Archway Curriculum requirements, and that course must be in the Foundational Literacies area
A senior comprehensive course for each major, taken in residence at Nebraska Wesleyan, consisting of at least one of the following:
- successful completion of a comprehensive examination in the major discipline, or
- successful completion of a thesis or independent study in the major discipline demonstrating ability to conduct research, or
- successful presentation of a performance, exhibition, or an internship appropriate to the major discipline.

Catalog Determination of Degree Requirements for Graduation

Students must meet graduation requirements stipulated in the catalog under which they first matriculate as a candidate for a degree at Nebraska Wesleyan. However, a student may select requirements announced in a subsequent catalog instead of those in effect when he or she first matriculated. 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.

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. The same holds true for the declaration of a minor.

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

The following majors are offered in University College's Adult Undergraduate Program:

(Health Science is a major not currently admitting new students.)

Each major consists of at least 30 credit hours under the direction of the program. Major requirements in effect at the time a student declares a major (matriculates in the program) 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.)

An adult student may earn more than one major. For policies regarding this, refer to Addditonal Majors section.

Minors

The following minors are offered through University College's Adult Undergraduate Program:

A minor consists of a minimum of 12 credit hours and is defined by the program offering it.

Each minor must contain at least 12 hours of course work not counted toward the student's major(s) or any other minor(s). 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. A student may not earn a minor in the same discipline of a certificate she or he has earned or is pursuing at NWU.

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 October 1 of the previous year for students graduating in May and April 1 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. See the Registrar for additional information.

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 credit hours earned in regular Nebraska Wesleyan courses and must include a senior comprehensive. An additional minor will consist of at least 4 credit hours from regular Nebraska Wesleyan classes. 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.

Course Catalogs