Degrees/Majors/Minors/Concentrations

This is an archived copy of the 2017-18 Catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.norwich.edu/.

DEGREES

Students may not use Graduate Level credits (courses numbered above 499) to meet Undergraduate requirements, this includes transfer credits.   Graduate credits must be beyond those required for the baccalaureate degree, and cannot count toward the baccalaureate degree.

Students must be in Good Academic Standing to be awarded a degree.

All requirements for all degrees, majors, minors, concentrations must be completed prior to the degree being posted.

Undergraduate

Norwich University awards the following undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.  Degree candidates are subject to the degree/major requirements of the catalog year which they have declared.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Complete overall requirements.

  • A minimum of 120 or more total undergraduate credits in courses numbered 100-499.
  • A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above for all undergraduate credits.
  • Complete at least one-fourth of the required degree credits from Norwich University.


Bachelor of Science (BS)
The Bachelor of Science degree includes General Education requirements plus a minimum of 30 credits toward a specific major so that a minimum of 120 credits are earned.  BS degrees are awarded with majors in Accounting, Architecture Studies, Athletic Training, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Communications, Computer Science, Computer Security & Information Assurance, Construction Management, Criminal Justice, Cyber Security, Education, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering, Environmental Science, Exercise Science, Geology, Health Sciences, International Business, Management, Management Studies, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, National Security Studies, Neuroscience, Nursing, Physical Education, Physics and Strategic Studies & Defense Analysis.

BS requirements:
Refer to the specific major section of this catalog.

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The Bachelor of Arts degree includes General Education requirements, Bachelor of Arts requirements plus a minimum of 30 credits toward a specific major so that a minimum of 120 credits are earned.  BA degrees are awarded with majors in Criminal Justice, Chinese, English, History, International Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Spanish, and Studies in War & Peace.

BA Requirements:

  1. A minimum of 24 credits in the major completed with a grade of C or higher (the number of credits will vary per major and may be up to 30).
  2. Knowledge of a modern language as indicated by:
    • passing an achievement test administered by the Department of Modern Languages, or
    • passing one 6 credit Modern Language course taught in the target language at the 112 level, or
    • passing one 3 credit Modern Language course taught in the target language at the 206 level or higher.  Modern Language courses taught in English do not satisfy this requirement. Students may not obtain credit for courses taken at a level lower than that for which they have already demonstrated proficiency. 
      • The Foreign Language Placement Test is used for placement in Norwich language courses only.   No credits toward graduation are awarded based on the student’s score on this test.
  3. A minimum of two 3-credit Intercultural Knowledge and Competence courses.  The courses meeting this requirement emphasize a comparative approach which involves multiple perspectives regarding one or more cultural differences (ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexuality, disability studies, etc.) within the United Sates or across multiple societies.
  4. Courses satisfying this requirement must be taken from OUTSIDE the major program, meaning the course must have a subject different from the courses in the student's designated primary major program.
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence Courses:
CN (Chinese courses 205 or higher)
FR (French courses 205 or higher)
GR (German courses 205 or higher)
SP (Spanish courses 205 or higher)
Comparative Criminal Justice Systems3
World Literature I3
World Literature II3
American Ethnic Literature & Cultural Literature3
Literature of the Developing World3
Topics in World Literatures3
The History of Civilization I3
The History of Civilization II3
Ancient Greece and Rome3
The Middle Ages: Europe 500 - 15003
Early East Asian Civilizations3
Modern East Asian Civilizations3
History of the Middle East3
Survey of Sub-Sahara Africa3
Asian Politics3
Cross-Cultural Psychology3
Cultural Anthropology3
Racial and Cultural Minorities3
Topics in Sociology3


Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS)
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree includes General Education requirements, major-specific requirements, plus a minimum of 30 credits; 120 total credits are required. 

Graduate

Norwich University awards the following graduate degrees: Master of Architecture (MARC), Master of Arts in History (MAH), Master of Arts in Military History (MMH), Master of Arts in Diplomacy (MDY), Master of Arts in International Relations (MIR), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Civil Engineering (MCE), Master of Public Administration (MPA),Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ), Master of Science in Executive Leadership (MSEL), Master of Science in Leadership (MSL), Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance (MSISA), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).  Degree candidates are subject to the degree/major requirements of the class catalog year to which they have declared.

Graduate Degree Requirements:

  • Complete at least 30 credit hours of course work as prescribed by the program of admission.
  • Complete at least two-thirds of the required degree credits at Norwich University.
  • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • Earn no more than six credits worth of C/C+ grades.
  • Attend the required on-campus Residency Conference  (not required for MARC graduates).


Earning Two Undergraduate Degrees
Students may elect to fulfill the requirements of the BA, BS and BIS degrees in different majors and be awarded separate degrees.  For example, a student may earn a BA in Psychology and BS in Computer Science.  

  • The General Education requirements for the University only need to be met once; however, students must meet any specific General Education requirements for the academic program(s) and all major requirements for each degree.
  • Students are awarded separate diplomas for each degree.
  • Both degrees are listed on the official transcript.


Earning Two Graduate Degrees
Students may earn more than one master’s degree through the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies in two different programs.  For example, a student may earn a MBA and a MPA. 

  • A minimum of 45 graduate credits are required to be awarded multiple master’s degrees (MBA, MPA, MSL, etc.)
  • Students are awarded separate diplomas for each degree.
  • Both degrees are listed on the official transcript


MAJORS

Baccalaureate Degrees: The field of academic specialization within a degree. It is defined as the departmental requirements of:

  • at least 30 credits
  • at least two courses must be at the 300-400 level.
  • Interdisciplinary majors may include courses from more than one related academic discipline


Master Degrees through the College of Graduate & Continuing Studies: 

  • At least 30 credits (500 level (or above))
  • Attendance at a Residency conference


Master Degree in Architecture:

  • At least 34 credits (500 level)


Choice of Major
Students must meet requirements, as determined by the Department Chair/School Director, to be accepted into the desired major.
Change of Major
To change a major requires students to submit a signed Major/Minor Declaration form to the Registrar’s Office. The form requires the approval of the Department Chair/School Director, the assignment of the new adviser and the old adviser and the catalog year that the student will follow.

Additional Majors
To declare an additional major, students submit a signed Major/Minor Declaration form to the Registrar's Office. The form requires the approval of the current adviser, and Department Chair/Director of the second major as well as the second adviser assigned by the Department Chair/School Director of the second major. The student will follow the catalog year of the primary major.

Earning Two or More Undergraduate Majors
Students may elect to fulfill the requirements for two or more majors and be awarded a multiple-major degree. Such action requires the approval of all departments.  For example, a student may earn a BS in Engineering and Management. 

  • All majors must be a BA, BS, or BIS degree. 
  • The General Education requirements for the University only need to be met once; however, students must meet any specific General Education requirements for the academic program(s).
  • All requirements for all majors must be met. If majors are different degrees, then the student applies for two degrees (see above).
  • Students may not earn both a major and a minor in the same field of specialization.
  • All requirements for all majors must be completed prior to the degree being posted.
  • Students are awarded one diploma for all majors
  • All majors are listed on the official transcript (as one degree).

Dismissal from a Major
School Directors/Department Chairs have the authority to dismiss a student from a major for aca­demic deficiency or unsatisfactory performance in a clinical program or an internship, pract­icum or program. Copies of dismissal letters must be sent to the Registrar’s Office.

MINORS

A minor consists of:

  • Six courses of three or more credits completed with a grade of C or higher.
  • No more than two of the six courses may be transfer courses (from another institution/or exams such as CLEP). 
  • May include courses from more than one related discipline.
  • Students may not earn a concentration, a minor or a major in the same field of specialization.

Earning Two or More Undergraduate Minors
Students may elect to fulfill the requirements for two or more minors and be awarded a multiple-minor degree. Such action requires the approval of all departments. 

  • All requirements for all minors must be completed prior to the degree being posted.
  • Minors are not printed on diplomas
  • All minors are listed on the official transcript


To declare a minor, students submit a signed Major/Minor Declaration form to the Registrar's Office. The form requires the approval of the student’s adviser, the De­partment Chair/ School Director of the academic department that offers the minor. Minor requirements will follow the catalog year of the student’s primary major. Minors cannot be added after a Bachelor’s Degree has been awarded.

Minor Major/Concentration Prohibited
Accounting Accounting major
Architecture Architecture Studies major
Biology Biology major
Business Administration Accounting major, Management major
Chemistry Biochemistry major, Chemistry major
Chinese Chinese major
Coaching Coaching concentration
Communications Communications major
Computer Crime & Forensics Forensics concentration
Construction Management Construction Management major
Criminal Justice Criminal Justice major
Computer Science Computer Science major, Computer Security & Information Assurance major
Cross-Cultural Psychology Psychology major
Economics Financial Economics concentration
Engineering Management Construction Management, Engineering Management major
Engineering Science Civil Engineering major, Engineering major, Electical & Computer Engineering major, Mechancial Engineering major
Engineering Psychology Psychology major
English English major
Finance Financial Economics concentration
Forensic Psychology Psychology major
Geology Geology major, Environmental Science major with Environmental Geology concentration
Health Health concentration
History History major
Information Assurance Computer Science major, Computer Security & Information Assurance major
Leadership Leadership concentration
Marketing Marketing concentration
Mathematics Mathematics major
Neuroscience Neuroscience concentration
Physics Physics major
Political Psychology Psychology major
Political Science Political Science major
Psychology Psychology major
Spanish Spanish major
Sports Management Sports Management concentration
Writing Writing concentration

Dismissal from a Minor
School Directors/Department Chairs have the authority to dismiss a student from a minor for aca­demic deficiency or unsatisfactory performance in a clinical program or an internship, pract­icum or program. Copies of dismissal letters must be sent to the Registrar’s Office.

CONCENTRATIONS

Undergraduate concentrations are available only to students enrolled in the major under which the concentration is listed.

A concentration consists of:

  • Complete at least 18 credits in a specialized area within a major
  • No more 9 credits may be transfer credits (from another institution/or exams such as CLEP).
  • May include courses from more than one related academic discipline.
  • Students may not earn a concentration, a minor, or a major in the same field of specialization

Earning Two or More Undergraduate Concentrations
Students may elect to fulfill the requirements for two or more major concentrations and be awarded a multiple-concentration (for the same major) degree. Such action requires the approval of all departments.  For example, a student may earn a BS with a major in Management with an Economics concentration and a Management major with a Marketing concentration. 

  • All concentrations must be from majors that are either a BA or BS.  If the concentrations/majors are different degrees, then the student applies for two degrees (see above).
  • All requirements for all concentrations for all majors must be completed prior to the degree being posted.
  • Students may not earn the same concentration for different majors, degrees, or programs
  • Concentrations are not awarded after a Bache­lor’s Degree has been awarded
  • Concentrations are not printed on diplomas
  • All concentrations are listed on the official transcript

Earning Two or More Graduate Concentrations
Students may elect to fulfill the requirements for two or more concentrations and be awarded a multiple-concentration degree. Such action requires the approval of the Program Director.  For example, a student may earn a MS in Leadership with a Public Sector Leadership concentration as well as an Organizational Leadership concentration.

  • All concentrations must be from the same graduate program.  If concentrations are from different programs, then the student applies for two degrees (see above).
  • A minimum of 42 graduate credits are required to be awarded a multiple-concentration degree.
  • Students are awarded one diploma for all concentrations.
  • Concentrations are not printed on diplomas
  • Concentrations are listed on the official transcript (as one degree).
  • To declare a concentration, students submit a signed Major/Minor Declaration form to the Registrar’s Office. The form requires the approval of the student’s advi­ser, the Department Chair/School Director of the academic department that offers the concentration.  
  • Concentrations are not awarded after a Master’s Degree has been awarded

Course Waiver or Substitution

To waive a prerequisite course requirement, students must be given approval from the Department Chair/School/Program Director.
To waive courses for major or minor course requirement, students must secure signatures/approval from:

  • Advisor
  • Department Chair/School/Program Director of the Student’s Major

on a Degree Program Waiver /Substitutions form. Credits waived must be replaced with Free Electives.

To substitute courses for major or minor requirements, students must secure signatures/approval from:

  • Advisor
  • Department Chair/School Director of the Student’s Major

on a Degree Program Waiver /Substitutions form. The advisor must indicate what course will be used to replace the major or minor requirement.

CERTIFICATES

An academic certificate certifies that a person has received specific education and therefore is considered competent in a certain specific skill area.  The specific number of credits required for certificates vary by the individual certification program. 

A certificate consists of:

  • Credit-bearing 6-36 credits
  • Non-Credit 0 credits (minimum four contact hours)
  • May include courses from more than one related discipline.

Earning Two or More Certificates

  • Students may elect to fulfill the requirements for two or more certificates and be awarded both certificates. 
  • A student may apply credits earned as a certificate toward another major, minor, or concentration.
  • Students are awarded separate diplomas for each certificate.
  • All certificates are listed on the official transcript.
Undergraduate and Graduate Courses Taken Simultaneously

Students are not allowed to be enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses simultaneously at Norwich. Courses taken at the undergraduate level may not be used toward meeting any graduate degree requirements.  Courses taken at the graduate level may not be used toward meeting any undergraduate degree requirements. 

DIPLOMA & TRANSCRIPT

  • Diplomas are printed with degree, major and Latin honors and are not considered official documents.
  • Apostilled diplomas are printed with degree, major and Latin honors, include a letter of authenticity, are notarized and are considered official documents for international students.
  • Military College of Vermont (MCV) diplomas are awarded to Cadets who have met requirements set by the Commandant as published in the Corps of Cadets & ROTC section of the catalog.
  • Transcripts are official student record of all courses enrolled in and the grades earned.
    • Undergraduate transcripts are printed with degree, major, minor, concentration, Latin honor.  Also Dean’s List honors and academic standing are listed for each term enrolled.
    • Graduate transcripts are printed with degree, major, and concentration
Majors and Concentrations
Minors
Cerificates

A certificate may be awarded for a conference, a course, a seminar, or a designated set of courses or seminars focused on a specific topic or theme which students may study separately from or in addition to their degree requirements. The purpose of certificate study is to give students the opportunity to pursue a subject of interest in a prescribed manner and with specific completion requirements.Completion of the requirements will be recognized by the awarding of a certificate document from the university.

Origination of a certificate offering will occur within an academic unit within a College.Certificates may be constructed from existing and/or newly created courses or seminars.

All credit-bearing and non-credit certificates will meet the following quality standards:

  • Subject matter will be appropriate to the Norwich University mission;
  • Courses will be led by appropriately credentialed instructors;
  • Curriculum will address identified learning goals
  • Appropriate review and maintenance of the content will be conducted by the sponsoring academic unit. 

Credit and Non-Credit Certificate Definitions:

Graduate Certificate
This certificate may be comprised of 6-36 credit hours of graduate credit. Origination and planning will occur within the College. Students enrolled in a graduate certificate program will be classified as non-matriculating graduate students.

Undergraduate Certificate
This certificate may be comprised of 6-36 hours of undergraduate credit or equivalent number of competency units .Students enrolled in an undergraduate certificate program will be classified as non-matriculating students.

Certificate of Completion
This zero-credit certificate is awarded for participation in a short-term conference, course, set of courses, seminars or other learning event developed around a specific topic or area of knowledge for which degree credit is not awarded.A certificate of completion requires a minimum of four contact hours of study.Students enrolled in a Certificate of Completion program will be classified as students.

Certificate Approval and Maintenance
  • Certificates must be approved by the University Curriculum Committee (UCC) and become effective for the next catalog.  Students who wish to meet the revised requirements must declare the catalog under which the revised certificate requirements were approved.
  • Credit-bearing or competency-based certificate offerings are reviewed and approved by the sponsoring academic unit (program/department/school), the unit’s Chair, Director and/or the College Dean, College Curriculum Committee and the University Curriculum Committee and are applicable under the next catalog.
  • Non-credit earning certificates will be reviewed and approved by the sponsoring academic unit (program/department/school), the unit’s chair/director/manager, the College Curriculum Committee, and the College Dean and are applicable under the next catalog.
  • Certificate curriculum/content will be reviewed annually for rigor and relevancy. Any changes made will be reviewed by the appropriate academic unit and approved by the sponsoring academic unit, the unit’s chair/director/manager, the College Curriculum Committee, and the College Dean and the University Curriculum Committee and are applicable under the next CGCS catalog.
Admission, Enrollment and Completion
  • The CGCS Program Director/Manager or on-campus College Dean or designee makes all admissions decisions.
  • Admission into a certificate program does not guarantee admission into a Norwich University degree program.
  • All courses/seminars required for a certificate are taken at Norwich University; transfer credit is not permitted.
  • For credit-earning courses/seminars that comprise certificates, the normal grade and/or GPA requirements are in effect for the level of credit the certificate carries:
    • 2.0 cumulative GPA and D- or higher grades for undergraduate students
    • 3.0 cumulative GPA and C or higher grades for graduate students
  • Credits earned as part of a certificate may be applied in whole, or in part, to a Norwich University degree program (subject to minimum grade and/or GPA requirements as listed above).  The Program Director/Manager/Chair of the relevant program approves/denies all requests for credit. 
  • Certificates cannot be attached to a previously awarded degree.
  • Students may not be awarded a Certificate and a Major Concentration in the same specialization.
  • Upon completion of all requirements the certificate will be posted to the student’s official transcript using the last day of the session/term in which the certificate requirements were completed. 
Certificate Discontinuation

An academic unit may request the College Curriculum Committee, the College Dean and the University Curriculum Committee to approve elimination of a certificate program if:

  • There have been no certificates issued in a three-year period
  • The originating academic unit recommends