Nicholls State University (NSU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Nicholls State University (NSU) is located in Thibodaux, Louisiana. NSU sits on 210 acres in the heart of “Cajun Country” about 50 miles away from New Orleans. When it first opened in 1948, it was a junior college associated with Louisiana State University. It was not until 1958 that it became its own four year institution of higher learning and not until 1970 that the official name became Nicholls State University, named after Louisiana war hero and Supreme Court Justice Francis T. Nicholls. NSU is accredited through the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

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Information Summary

Ranks 14th in Louisiana and 859th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	82.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$23,118
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	24 / 1090
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	20 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	74% / 55%
Enrollment Total (all students)	6,453

Academics

NSU offers a vast array of programs of study from associate degrees to master’s degrees in four different colleges. The College of Arts and Science offers what might be considered a mix of both non-conventional and traditional major options, such as agricultural business and geomatics. The College of Business Administration offers fields of study that can be found in most major universities, such as accounting and computer information systems. One can find an extensive selection of degrees, such as programs in early interventionist education and family and consumer sciences in the College of Education. Meanwhile, the College of Nursing and Allied Health offers majors in a variety of subjects from communicative disorders to dietetics.

NSU also offers programs of study that lead to certification; furthermore, course offerings at NSU are not restricted to traditional classroom settings nor to traditional university offerings. The Distance and Continuing Education programs uniquely make this possible. Through distance education, students from virtually anywhere are given access to enroll in courses online that can help them fulfill their degree requirements. The department of continuing education in general offers non-credit professional development or community courses covering topics such as computers and finance to whomever is interested.

The John Folse Culinary Institute offers associate and bachelor degrees in culinary arts. Associate degrees are available in child development and preschool management and petroleum services. Those individuals interested in pursuing a graduate degree will also be happy to note that NSU offers graduate level studies in a variety of majors. Currently, graduate degrees are offered in marine and environmental biology and psychological counseling, for example. For additional information on pursuing a graduate degree at NSU, prospective students should contact the department of their choice.

NSU also offers an honors program and an early acceptance program to Tulane University for medical school. The process of early acceptance into Tulane University Medical School has two parts. The first part is the nomination process in which only 4 students will be selected. Perspective students should have a 3.5 minimum GPA within their sophomore year; they must have also completed 6 hours of foreign languages prior to graduation. They are also required to complete an admissions application that includes three letters of recommendation, a personal statement and official transcripts and an interview with the Early Acceptance Committee. Once nominees are selected they must complete their bachelor program with at least a 3.5 GPA and pass the MCAT with a minimum score of 27.

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Admissions

Nicholls’ admission policies are changing and will affect the incoming 2012 students and 2014 students. The current requirements for incoming freshmen are the following: students must meet the regent core, academically require no more than one developmental course or remedial class, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, have at least a 21 ACT score, and rank within the top 50% of their class.

Transfer students must have a minimum of 12 credits, a minimum 2.0 GPA and must not need to take any remedial classes. By 2012 transfer students must have at east 18 credits and these credits should already include completed English and math college level courses.

International students must submit a TOEFL score of a minimum of “500 paper/173 computer/61 Internet”. They must also provide ACT/SAT scores. Further information regarding international admissions can be obtained directly from the college’s website. Adult students 25 and over seeking admission need to provide an official high school transcript.

Those interested in pursuing a graduate degree must already hold a bachelors degree and provide an official undergraduate transcript. A prospective graduate student is also required to submit an admissions application, have at least a 2.5 and must meet the requirements of the program of study s/he wishes to enter which varies with each master degree program.

The Honor Program requires incoming freshman to have a composite ACT score of 25. Current students and transfer students need to earn at least a 3.2 GPA in at least 12 credit hours to be considered for the program. To remain in the program honor students must maintain a 3.2 GPA, complete 1 honor course per year with a grand total of 18 honor credits. Honor students must also attend honor forums, write an honor thesis and honors prospectus to actual obtain an official honors degree.

Financial Aid

The Financial aid process is as usual: students need to fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This document is available online at www.fafsa.ed. gov. It is the only form used to determine one’s eligibility for federal loans, grants, and/or work study.

The school itself allocates about 6 scholarships to first time freshman with ACT scores 24 and higher and a minimum high school GPA of a 3.0, examples of these scholarships include the NSU Scholar Scholarship and the Academic Excellence Scholarship. Over 100 other scholarships for all undergraduate students are available such as the Horatio Alger Scholarship and the Enola Jeandron Autin Memorial Scholarship, so students should actively search for and be vigilant about contacting financial aid regarding scholarships on a continual basis.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5429th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Louisiana.

Students

NSU has a total enrollment of over 6,500 students. NSU has a highly active Greek life. There are 6 IFC chapters, such as Theta Xi and Tau Kappa Epsilon, 3 NPC chapters, such as Delta Zeta and Phi Mu and six NPHC chapters, such as Omega Psi Phi and Alpha Phi Alpha. Nicholls has a series of annual events that offers a true sense of the many activities on campus that students can participate in such as Welcome Back Day, Winter Fest and Homecoming and Crawfish Day, a staple food of Louisiana.

Nicholls has over 114 campus organizations like Alpha II Omega a religious organization, the American Association of Drilling Engineers an academic club, a special interest club like the Asian Culture Club and finally honorary clubs like Hospitality and Management. Nicholls also hosts a number of intramural sports like flag football and volleyball offered in the fall and basketball and softball offered during the spring.

There are many helpful resources that students can take advantage of to improve their foray in the world of higher education. The tutoring center offers peer tutoring that assists students in math, chemistry, biology, physics and even social sciences such as history. Writing tutors help students prepare class essays, assisting in the brainstorming process as well as the mechanics of writing, including tutorials on how to organize and clarify points in ones writing.

Counseling services by qualified counselors and peer advisors are also available. These counselors offer one on one 45 minutes sessions that address personal and career issues. Group counseling and couple counseling that focuses on relationship issues are also offered. The counseling center also conducts general workshop and presentations that are offered to classes, resident halls or departments and organizations. The peer educators known as SEALS focus on educational presentations, campaigns and team building activities addressing issues such as alcohol abuse prevention and other health and safety issues.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

NSU’s fourteen athletic teams are members of the NCAA Division I Southland Conference Organization. There are six athletic men’s teams: baseball, football, basketball, tennis, golf and cross country. The eight women athletic teams include basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, softball, soccer and volleyball.

Additional School Information

NSU has three new resident halls: The Scholar Hall (primarily houses honor program students and students with high GPA’s), Millet Hall and Zeringue Hall. These halls offer private and semi private double occupancy rooms that also conveniently have private bathrooms. Each room has a mini refrigerator and a microwave, these rooms are fully furnished and also include high speed wireless internet, individual telephone lines and ceiling fans. The three resident halls are designed with a game room, media room, TV rooms, study rooms, laundry facilities and BBQ areas. Ellender and Calecas halls are traditional dorm rooms that offer quad occupancy with one shared bathroom. These halls were once all female and all male halls respectively, but have become coeducational dorms. North and South Babington Hall also follows the same floor plan as the previous, having quad occupancy and a shared bathroom. These halls also have community kitchens, laundry facilities and lobby areas. La Maison du Bayou are apartment living units for upperclassmen. This large building has all the luxuries of apartment living such as private/individual parking, a complete fitness center and a convenience store.

Bibliography

US News & World Report LP. " Nicholls State University: Overview". Web. 10 May 2011.

Nicholls State University. Web. 10 May 2011.

City of Thibodaux. Web. 10 May 2011. <http://www.ci.thibodaux.la.us/>

Nicholls State University