Academic Program Opportunities

Academic Common Market

The Academic Common Market is a cooperative tuition-reduction agreement among 16 Southern Regional Education Board states. The program allows Kentucky students who are interested in an academic program not offered at a public/state-funded university in Kentucky to pay in-state tuition at participating public/state-funded colleges and universities. The list of programs included in the ACM is revised periodically to reflect the changing needs and offerings of participating states. The 16 states that participate in the ACM are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida (graduate-level only), Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (graduate-level only), Virginia, and West Virginia. For more information, contact: Academic Common Market Institutional Coordinator, Founders Hall 508, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099, 859-572-6578 or the Council on Postsecondary Education, Kentucky ACM Coordinator, Frankfort, KY 40601, 502-573-1555.

Cooperative Education

Office: Career Services
Location: University Center 225
Telephone: 859-572-5680
Fax: 859-572-6996
Email Address: careerservices@nku.edu
Web Address: http://careerservices.nku.edu
Director: Bill Froude
Co-op Manager: Heather Deters

Cooperative education is an academic option that incorporates relevant work experience into a student’s program of study. This learning experience involves gainful employment, and academic credit is earned and applied toward associate and bachelor’s degrees. The employment experience is planned, supervised, and coordinated by employers, faculty coordinators, and career services’ staff. Students register for CEP 300  in order to receive cooperative education credit. For instructions, visit the website (http://careerservices.nku.edu/students/coopinternships.html).

Requirements

To be admitted to the cooperative education program, a student must have an overall GPA of at least 2.20 based on a 4.00 scale. This GPA must be maintained throughout the student’s cooperative education experience. To qualify as candidates for the program, associate degree students must have completed 15 semester hours; bachelor’s degree students must have completed 30 semester hours.

Academic Credit

Students may work part time or full time, earning academic credit - one, two, three, or six credits - based on the total number of hours they work each semester. Students enrolled for six credits (full-time employment for an entire semester) are considered full-time students for the purposes of student benefits and activities. Credits earned in cooperative education count toward NKU graduation requirements for the associate or bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degree students may apply a total of 12 semester hours toward graduation requirements; associate degree students may apply a total of 6 semester hours. Cooperative education is graded pass/fail. Cooperative education credit does not replace any general education requirements. The application of cooperative education credit toward the degree will be determined by the student and the academic advisor. Academic loads may vary depending on special arrangements agreed to by a student’s academic unit and Career Services.

Tuition

Cooperative Education students pay the usual tuition and fees; there are no special fees associated with Cooperative Education.

First-Year Programs

Location: University Center 120
Telephone: 859-572-5913
Email Address: firstyearprograms@nku.edu
Web Address: http://firstyear.nku.edu
Director: Jeanne Pettit
Other Key Personnel:

Assistant Director: Sarah Maguire
Department Specialist: Leah Cook
Lecturer: Tracy Hart
Freshman Specialist in History: Bonnie May

The Office of First-Year Programs is responsible for coordinating five major academic initiatives for freshmen: (1) UNV 101 , (2) learning communities, (3) Alpha Lambda Delta, a freshman honors society, (4) freshman specialists, and (5) the Book Connection. In addition, First-Year Programs offers UNV 301 , a unique opportunity for qualified upperclassmen to mentor freshmen and gain teaching experience.

UNV 101: Orientation to College and Beyond

This course is an active-learning experience designed to help students make a successful transition to university life. UNV 101  provides students with essential information about university policies, rules, procedures, and resources. UNV 101  topics include learning styles, critical and creative thinking, diversity, college success skills, choosing a major and a career, and research strategies. Students are required to attend class and to interact with their instructor and classmates. Throughout the course, students are strongly encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning inside and outside of the classroom. Students will learn skills essential for a positive transition to college and to future transitions in their lives.

UNV 101  is a graded, academic, three-credit-hour course limited to freshmen. It counts as an elective that may be applied toward graduation. UNV 101  is taught by a specially trained group of instructors who come from various areas and disciplines across campus. Some sections may be team-taught by two instructors or be part of a learning community. Students may enroll for a UNV 101  course during registration. No special permission is needed.

Alpha Lambda Delta

Alpha Lambda Delta is a freshman honors society for first-time, full-time freshmen. Minimum criteria include that students must be in the top 20 percent of their class and earn a 3.5 GPA at the end of their first semester. Students are invited to join, and an induction ceremony is held to honor students’ academic achievement, during the spring semester of students’ freshman year.

Learning Communities

Learning communities organize popular courses, including many general education courses, to promote student learning and to enhance connections among students, and among students and faculty. Typically, a group of 24 students enrolls in two or three courses that are linked together. Because they have shared classes, these students are more likely to become friends, form study groups, participate in class discussions, experience a deeper level of learning, and get to know faculty. Learning communities are open to all students, and students can choose from a wide range of options when they register for classes. However, students must register for all the courses linked together in a learning community.

Freshman Specialists

Freshman specialists are faculty who specialize in teaching and advising freshmen. They complete additional training and participate in learning communities while teaching freshman-level general education courses within their disciplines. Freshmen with a major in history/geography are advised by a freshman specialist.

The Book Connection

The Book Connection creates a sense of community and welcomes students to the academic life of the university by engaging them in a campus-wide discussion of a book of common interest. Every year, a different book is selected. All first-year students are given the book at their orientation. Many faculty who teach first-year courses use the book in their classes. During the fall semester, there are additional curricular and co-curricular activities, including an essay/art contest and a campus visit from the author of the selected book.

UNV 301: University 101 Teaching Internship

UNV 301  students mentor NKU freshmen taking UNV 101  and help them successfully transition to college. Assisting in UNV 101  gives UNV 301  students an opportunity to develop abilities they will need for work or graduate school. Moreover, they develop these abilities in the university - a setting in which they have become “experts.” UNV 301  students sharpen their ability to facilitate small-group discussions and to speak in front of groups; develop leadership and mentoring skills; and gain classroom teaching experience. UNV 301  students reflect upon their experiences as they participate in regular classroom meetings, contribute to online discussions, read materials relevant to the mentoring experience, and submit written work.

UNV 301  is a graded, three-credit-hour course that is limited to students who have earned a GPA of least 3.0. Enrollment in the course is selective and requires instructor consent. The course counts as an elective that may be applied toward graduation. UNV 301  is taught by a seasoned UNV 101  instructor who guides the mentorship process.

Grant County Center

Location: 390 North Main, Williamstown, KY 41097
Telephone: 859-824-3600
Fax: 859-824-3625
Email Address: grantcounty@nku.edu
Web Address: http://grantcounty.nku.edu
Associate Director: Correy Eimer
Other Key Personnel:

Secretary: Connie Lawrence
Lecturers: Matt Birkenhauer, Sam Lapin

The NKU Grant County Center, located in Williamstown, Ky., is dedicated to increasing access to education for the residents of Grant, Gallatin, Owen, southern Boone, and Pendleton counties and surrounding areas. At the NKU Grant County Center, classes are small, services are outstanding, and the staff is supportive. Classes are available onsite and via interactive television. More information about the NKU Grant County Center can be obtained by calling the center at (859) 824-3600 or by email (GrantCounty@nku.edu).

Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities

NKU is a member of the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities, which allows NKU students to take courses from GCCCU member schools and from schools affiliated with the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education when those courses are not available at NKU.

A list of colleges and universities that are members of GCCCU or SOCHE follows the list of policies below.

Policies

1. NKU students may enroll in courses at a GCCCU member institution providing that the course(s) is not offered at NKU for one academic year. Exception: the student has officially applied for graduation with the Office of the Registrar and needs a course(s) to graduate. If the course(s) is not available at a GCCCU campus, then, and only then, students can enroll for those courses at a SOCHE school. Course availability at a consortium college or university is on a space-available basis and students are responsible for ensuring they have taken the necessary prerequisites for consortium course(s).
2. Students must be degree seeking and in good academic standing to participate in the consortium.
3. Course load policies stipulate that:
   1. Students may enroll in no more than two courses at the consortium (non-NKU) institution in any one semester.
   2. The student’s total load is governed by NKU’s course load policy.
   3. Student enrollment at the consortium institution may not exceed one-half of total class load for any one semester, and student must be enrolled in course(s) at NKU.
4. The total number of consortium semester hours a student may take is limited to 12.
5. Students enrolling at a member institution in the summer must either:
   1. Also be enrolled at NKU in the summer, or
   2. Have been enrolled at NKU at least half-time during the preceding spring semester, in which case they are not required to be enrolled at NKU during the summer.
6. Tuition and fees:
   1. Students who take courses through the consortium program pay tuition to NKU at the regular NKU tuition rate applicable to specific degree programs.
   2. Students are required to pay course-related fees at the host institution.
7. Students must have prior approval from the vice provost to enroll in course(s) through GCCCU or SOCHE. In addition:
   1. Courses for credit toward an academic major must be approved by the chair of the major department.
   2. Courses for credit toward an academic minor must be approved by the chair of the department housing the minor.
   3. Courses for credit in the general education program must be approved by NKU’s director of general education.
8. Course credits and grades for courses earned under this program will be posted on the NKU transcript.
   1. Credit hours earned under this program are considered as credits earned in residence at NKU.
   2. If credits earned are in quarter hours rather than semester hours, they will be multiplied by two-thirds to convert them to semester credit hours; for example three quarter hours = two semester hours.
9. Students must observe all regulations of the host institution.

Course offerings and course schedules for a particular institution are available on the website of that institution. Forms for registering for this program are available in the Office of the Registrar. Additional information can be obtained by calling NKU’s Office of the Registrar at 859-572-5556.

Member Institutions of GCCCU

Art Academy of Cincinnati
Athenaeum of Ohio
Chatfield College
Cincinnati Christian University
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Gateway Community and Technical College
God’s Bible School and College
Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Miami University (including Hamilton Campus and Middletown)
Mount St. Joseph University (formerly College of Mount St. Joseph)
Northern Kentucky University
Thomas More College
Union Institute and University
University of Cincinnati (including Clermont College and UC-Blue Ash)
Wilmington College
Xavier University

Member Institutions of SOCHE

The SOCHE includes several of the GCCCU institutions plus the following:

Air Force Institute of Technology
Antioch College (including Antioch University Midwest)
Cedarville University
Central Michigan University
Central State University
Clark State Community College
Edison Community College
Kettering College
Miami-Jacobs Career College
Miami University Middletown
Miami University Regionals
Sinclair Community College
Southern State Community College
Union Institute and University
United Theological Seminary
University of Dayton
Urbana University
Wilberforce University
Wilmington University
Wittenberg University
Wright State University

Honors Program

Location: Honors House
Telephone: 859-572-5400
Fax: 859-572-6091
Email Address: honors@nku.edu
Web Address: http://honors.nku.edu
Interim Director: Belle Zembrodt
Other Key Personnel:

Coordinator of Advising: David Kime
Admissions and Student Services Coordinator: Vacant
Administrative Specialist: Brittany Smith

Full-time faculty: April Callis, Ali Godel, Kristin Hornsby, Rachel Zlatkin
Undergraduate Programs:

Minor: University Honors Scholar Distinction  

Thinking about the program: The NKU honors program is a supportive, nurturing, and challenging academic community for highly motivated and intellectually curious students. The honors program specifically promotes cross-disciplinary reasoning, exchange of ideas, trans-disciplinary applications, and project creation and management.

Honors education involves ongoing interaction with peers and instructors in a dynamic environment where the individual student voice is important, where all members of a class learn from one another, and where each student can locate and explore his or her personal passion in relation to a given topic. Above all else, the honors program is an environment that consistently promotes academic excellence.

The honors program serves students from all of NKU’s undergraduate colleges and academic departments and actively works with the colleges and academic departments to enable any student, regardless of major, to finish the honors program. Coordinated advising between honors and academic departments facilitates a smooth curricular flow for all honors students.

The 21-credit-hour program includes 15 credits of coursework, as well as a 6-credit independent project known as a capstone, completed under the direction of an NKU faculty member chosen by the student in consultation with the honors program.

Students who complete the honors program earn the distinction of University Honors Scholar on their diploma and transcript. This distinction counts as a secondary area in graduation requirements.

Special opportunities for our students: The honors program encourages students to think across discipline-specific boundaries, to envision and articulate connections between disciplines that may not seem to be readily connected, to see applications of their studies beyond the university to a larger global community, and to imagine innovative solutions. The learning outcomes of honors courses include demonstration of superior communication skills, both in writing and speaking, analysis, synthesis, and critical thinking. The capstone project is the exit requirement for the honors program and affords students the opportunity to engage in independent research or creative work, an undertaking particularly valued by potential employers, graduate schools, and professional schools and programs. Similarly, the designation University Honors Scholar on the diploma and transcript is a distinction that provides students with a competitive edge.

The honors program supports co-curricular activities that include activities to promote civic engagement, global perspectives, and leadership experiences. The honors program awards scholarship money to students in the program to support travel experiences of various kinds, including trips that are part of honors courses, study-abroad endeavors undertaken as part of an academic major, travel related to conferences, and capstone expenses.

Special admission requirements: NKU’s honors program is open to incoming freshmen, continuing NKU students, and transfer students. Prospective students should apply by visiting the honors website (http://honors.nku.edu) and completing the honors application form.

Note: The honors application is separate from the NKU application for admission.

For incoming freshmen, qualifying academic credentials include: ACT composite score of 26 or above or SAT combined score of 1180 or above; demonstrated success in AP or IB courses; a high-school GPA of 3.5 or above; or ranking in the top 10 percent of the high school graduating class, as well as the application essay.

For continuing students, a GPA of 3.25 or above qualifies a student to apply to honors. The formal application via the website, including the writing samples, is required.

You should also know: To remain active within the honors program students must maintain a 3.25 overall GPA (including all early-admit and transfer courses) and also enroll in one honors course at least every other semester. Students who do not complete one honors course within two semesters will lose honors status. Students will be considered on probation in the honors program if their GPA drops below a 3.25. Students will lose honors status if their GPA remains below a 3.25 for two consecutive semesters. Students may reapply to the honors program once their GPA is again at 3.25 or above. Honors students are required to meet with an honors program academic advisor the first year in the program and are encouraged to meet with an honors advisor every semester.

ROTC

ROTC Air Force
Telephone: 513-556-2237
Email: afrotc@ucmail.uc.edu
Web Address: www.uc.edu/afrotc
Contact at NKU: AFROTC Cadet Recruiter

Air Force ROTC Aerospace Studies is offered through a cooperative agreement with the University of Cincinnati. Qualified NKU freshman and sophomore students may participate in the program and may compete for scholarship opportunities through the United States Air Force ROTC.

Air Force ROTC prepares students to assume positions as commissioned officers in the U.S. Air Force, through a combination of classroom and practical leadership experiences, and esprit-de-corps activities with others in the cadet wing. Graduates are commissioned as second lieutenants trained to begin careers as pilots, navigators, engineers, program managers, scientists, space and missile operators, air battle managers, nurses, security forces or maintenance officers, as well as any of the more than 150 officer career fields offered.

The Air Force ROTC program begins with a general military course. Freshmen-and sophomore-level students participate in classroom work, a one-credit hour aerospace studies course, and a hands-on leadership-skills laboratory course. The program consists of 12 credit hours in aerospace studies courses that count toward your degree requirements. (Students must consult their academic advisor for details.)

Students interested in additional information may visit the national website (http://www.afrotc.com) or the local website (www.uc.edu/afrotc.html), or call 513-556-2237. Refer to the course descriptions section of this catalog for a list of military science (MSC) consortium courses.

ROTC Army
Location: Founders Hall 200 and 206
Telephone: 513-745-1066 or 513-745-3076
Email: roachw2@nku.edu
Web Address: http://www.xavier.edu/rotc
Contact at NKU: William Roach
Faculty: Lt. Col. Kevin Wissel, Steve Harmon, Capt. Tim Bill, Capt. Brandon Andrews, 1st Lt. William Roach, Master Sgt. Leonard Kacuba, Sgt. 1st Class Todd Barger, Staff Sgt. Justine Wininger

Military science/Army ROTC is offered through a consortium agreement with Xavier University. The Department of Military Science at Xavier is located in St. Barbara Hall on Xavier’s campus and may be reached during business hours at 513-745-1066. An office is located on NKU’s campus in Founders Hall 200 and 206. The faculty listed above work in offices at both Xavier and NKU.

The Department of Military Science offers a commission as a second lieutenant and provides an opportunity for men and women to study subjects of recognized military and educational value, which assist them in gaining the foundations of leadership. The primary purpose of ROTC is to produce quality leaders to serve as commissioned officers in the United States Army, the Army National Guard, and the Army Reserves.

A commission is earned through a two-, three-, or four-year participation in the ROTC program. The four-year program is completed at the university and consists of courses numbered below 300 in the freshman and sophomore years, followed by courses numbered 300 and above in the junior and senior years. The two-year program begins with credit granted for prior military training, including basic training, or a four-week paid summer camp at Fort Knox, Ky., between the sophomore and junior years that teaches the student all subjects covered in the courses numbered below 300. In the two-year program, the student completes the courses numbered 300 and above during the junior and senior years. Courses numbered below 300 are taken on a voluntary basis. There is no military obligation incurred for taking courses numbered below 300. The courses numbered 300 and above qualify the student for a commission as an officer in the United States Army. A military obligation is incurred for taking courses numbered 300 and above. Admission to courses numbered 300 and above must be approved by the chair of the military science department.

Selective admission requirements: Army ROTC seeks to produce officers for the United States Army, which means that only high-quality applicants with demonstrated leadership ability are sought and retained. To enroll in Army ROTC, students must be in good physical condition, be full-time students in good academic standing with their university, and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

Non-contracted (basic course) cadets must obtain a “sports physical” from a physician who must attest that there is nothing that would preclude the student from normal participation in a regular physical education class. Cadets who seek to contract must meet the Army physical fitness standards by passing the Army Physical Fitness Test and meeting the Army’s prescribed height, weight, and body fat standard, be medically qualified by the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board, possess at least a 2.0 GPA, and maintain full-time enrollment in a bachelor’s degree program. No prior military training is required, and students are not required to enlist in the Army to join ROTC. However, students who do have prior military service or who are current Army National Guard or Army Reserve members may be granted credit for MSC 100- and MSC 200-level classes, at the discretion of the professor of military science. Current National Guard and Reserve soldiers are encouraged to contact the department for information on gaining a commission through the simultaneous membership program.

More information about the program and details regarding specific courses are available on the website (http://www.xavier.edu/rotc). Refer to the course descriptions section of this catalog for a list of military science (MSC) consortium courses.

Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement

Location: Griffin Hall 527
Telephone: 859-572-1448
Fax: 859-572-1445
Email Address: engage@nku.edu
Web Address: http://civicengagement.nku.edu
Executive Director: Mark Neikirk
Coordinator: Collette Thompson

For students who are looking for a chance to get outside of the classroom and learn from the real world, NKU opens doors they might not have imagined possible. For those who are looking to engage in lively discussions of current events and public policy, NKU welcomes their voices. The Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement coordinates and encourages learning opportunities in both of these crucial areas: service and citizenship. The center also is the home of NKU’s nationally recognized Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project, which allows students to evaluate community needs and address those needs with mini-grants to nonprofit agencies.

Service

NKU students have travelled to California’s agricultural valleys to learn about migrant workers and to New Orleans’ Ninth Ward to learn about disaster relief. Closer to home, they have built web pages for small nonprofit agencies, designed exhibits for community museums, chipped in after tornadoes for disaster relief, and partnered with inner-city residents to address community needs. This marriage of curriculum and community service is called service learning. NKU offers about 50 service-learning classes each semester. Students will find service-learning classes across all majors. The Scripps Howard Center also works with academic departments to support internships, alternative spring breaks, applied research, and independent studies to provide additional routes for connecting academic experiences to community service.

Citizenship

Students interested in public affairs and current events will be attracted to programs sponsored or co-sponsored by the Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement. Students explore community, state, national, and international issues in the classroom and beyond the classroom. University-sponsored public forums draw students and the community together to discuss timely topics, from healthcare to new media, from the economy to education. The Scripps Howard Center also conducts nonpartisan voter registration drives; and maintains an on-campus bulletin board, Democracy Square in Steely Library, for the exchange of ideas and commentary on public affairs; and coordinates NKU’s Newspaper Readership Program to promote a climate of inquiry about public affairs and current events.

Do you have an idea about how to engage your fellow students? Contact the Scripps Howard Center for support.

Student Research and Creative Opportunities

The university strives to enhance the experiences of students by offering opportunities that enable them to fund and present research and creative work. Students can obtain funding for materials, supplies, equipment, software, or project-related travel while they conduct a project under the mentorship of a faculty member. Funding guidelines are available online (http://rgsrs.nku.edu/research/rgc/opportunities.html).

Students can also present their work at NKU’s annual Celebration of Student Research and Creativity. This event, held during the spring semester, highlights students’ achievements in a broad array of scholarly and creative activities. Students display their work through posters, oral presentations, interactive demonstrations, performances, and exhibits of artistic work. For further information, contact the Office of Research, Grants, and Contracts at 859-572-5136 or visit the web (http://celebration.nku.edu).

Study Abroad

Office of Education Abroad
Location: University Center 330
Telephone: 859-572-6908
Fax: 859-572-6650
Email Address: studyabroad@nku.edu
Web Address: http://studyabroad.nku.edu
Director: François LeRoy

The Office of Education Abroad coordinates all education abroad programs at NKU. Through membership in several consortia, third party providers, its own exchange agreements with foreign universities, and independently designed programs, the Office of Education Abroad is committed to providing students with a variety of affordable opportunities for education throughout the world. In addition to study abroad options, students can participate in internships, volunteering and service learning experiences, as well as new Study Away programs within the United States. Education majors have the opportunity to teach overseas as part of their student teaching experience. Students earn academic credit for courses taken abroad through these programs. Students should consult with their advisors to ensure that courses taken abroad will count toward their general education, major or minor requirements.

Students may participate in a wide range of courses and programs to fit the academic needs and objectives of all students.

Student and faculty exchanges are offered in the following locations:

The office also provides information on numerous international scholarships including the NKU International Study Scholarship, Beyond the Classroom SOC 100 Award, Rhodes, National Security Education Program, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, and British Marshall Scholarship.

All interested students should stop by the Office of Education Abroad to meet with a specialist to discuss these and other opportunities available to enrich their education. They may also call 859-572-6908 or visit the website (http://studyabroad.nku.edu).