College of Arts & Sciences

Advising FAQ

Am I required to see an advisor?

You are strongly encouraged, but not required to see an advisor unless you are a freshman or a transfer student with less than 30 hours. An advising hold will automatically be placed on Norse Express and you will be unable to register for classes until you see your advisor. Only your advisor can remove this hold, so please do not ask the departmental secretary to remove your hold.

Who is my advisor and how do I schedule an appointment with my advisor?

You can find your advisors name by logging in to Norse Express. If no advisor is listed, call the department office at (859) 572-5321 to find out who your advisor is. You can find your advisor's office hours, phone number, email, and exactly how to schedule an appointment on the faculty page. Faculty are involved in many activities on campus. They teach, conduct research, meet with students, attend committee meetings, have departmental responsibilities and have campus service commitments. Thus, most faculty will be unable to meet with you if you show up without a scheduled appointment.

When should I make an appointment with my advisor?

Priority registration occurs in October for spring registration and March for fall and summer registration.  You are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment 1-2 weeks before priority registration begins.

How should I prepare for meeting with my advisor?

Preparation is key to a successful meeting with your advisor. You should examine your general studies and degree check sheets to what courses you need for graduation then check the schedule of class for availability. The next step is to create a mock schedule with at least 2-3 back-up classes. Be sure to include the course number and name. In addition to meeting with your advisor to discuss your schedule, faculty are also available to discuss potential careers and academic pursuits. Please note that some faculty make separate appointments for scheduling versus career advising. Contact your advisor to make either a scheduling and/or career advising appointment.

Here's an example of the schedule of classes to bring to your advisor:

  • JUS-101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • PSC-100 - American Politics
  • PSY-100 - Introduction to Psychology
  • MAT-205 - Intro to Statistical Methods
  • AFR–100 - Intro to Afro-American Studies

Your advisor will suggest other classes or approve the classes that you would like to take. Most advisors will not plan the times and days for you to take classes due to the time consuming nature of this process. In other words, advisors will suggest the classes and then you can pick the days and times that coincide with your work and social schedule when you register.

When can I register for classes?

You register for classes based upon the number of credit hours earned to date. Those students with the most credit hours will register first, while those with the fewest number of hours register last. 

If I can register on line, why should I meet with an advisor?

It is important to meet with an advisor to be certain that the courses you are taking will be applied toward your graduation requirements.

How do I get a copy of my degree plan and my course records?

Degree plans/checklists are in your file, which is why it is important to meet with your advisor. You may also view a Degree Audit from Norse Express.

What is the catalog and why is it important?

The university catalog includes pertinent information on general studies and your major requirements necessary to graduate. You have 8 years to complete your degree or you will be required to move to a more current catalog. If you are uncertain about which catalog applies to you, please see your advisor or contact the Registrar’s Office (572-5556)

What if I have an advising hold?

If you are unable to register because of an advising hold, please see your advisor. Our departmental secretaries do not remove holds without your advisors permission.

What if I am on probation?

If you are on probation, you will have two holds: an advising hold and a Dean’s hold. You must first meet with your advisor in order to remove the advising hold. Then, you must see Janis Cassiere (SL 401A) who will meet with you and remove the Dean’s hold.

What is my grade point average (GPA) and how do I find it?

Your GPA can be found on Norse Express.

What if I get a "D" of "F" in a class?

If you earn a "D" or "F" in a required course for your major, you must retake the course. You will need to pick up an Option to Repeat Form from the Registrar’s Office (AC 301). This form can also be found on Norse Express. It is recommended that you fill out this form before you retake the course. If you repeat the class and do not complete and return the Option to Repeat Form, your new grade will not replace the original "D" or "F".

What if I want to change majors?

You can change majors at anytime. Just go to the Registrar’s office and fill out a Program Change/Declaration form. Then your file will be moved to the new department in a few weeks.

How do I declare a minor or area of concentration?

You must complete a Program Change/Declaration form to declare a minor or area of concentration. This form is available at the Registrar’s Office (AC 301). It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they have met all the requirements of their chosen minor or area of concentration. Minor/concentration requirements can be found in the catalog. Students can also schedule an appointment with an advisor in the area in which they have declared a minor/concentration. For example, if a student wants to minor in psychology, he or she can obtain the requirements by reviewing them in their catalog or meeting with a psychology advisor.

Can I have a major and a minor / area of concentration in the same department?

Yes. Students in our department often use other majors in the department to satisfy the area of concentration / minor requirement. Please note that you cannot major and minor in the same subject (i.e., you cannot major and minor in political science, but you can major in political science and minor in criminal justice). If you pick a minor or concentration outside the department, you must get that department to certify your minor / area of concentration certification. 

What is the 45-hour rule?

All bachelor’s candidates are required to successfully complete 45 semester hours of 300 level or above.  In other words, most students will take fifteen 3 credit-hour classes at the 300 or 400 level. We do not recommend that freshmen take 300 level courses. All programs in our department already have several 300/400 level classes built in to the core. These required classes will count toward the 45-hour rule. It is your responsibility to enroll in classes at the 300/400 level when you register to ensure that you have earned a minimum of 45 credit hours before you graduate. 

What do I need for graduation?

Refer to your catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements, but here are the six basic items that need to be completed:

  • A minimum of 128 semester hours. The last 30 hours must be taken at NKU and a minimum of 25 percent of the semester hours required for a degree must be taken at NKU.
  •  General studies requirements.
  •  Major requirements. 
  •  An area of concentration - 12 hours with same designator over 300 level -- or a minor. 
  •  Grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 on all work attempted at NKU and at least 2.00 on all college and major work attempted.
  • Forty-five semester hours of successfully completed 300 level or above coursework is required of all bachelor's candidates.

How, where and when do I file for degree candidacy and graduation?

You must submit a Graduation Certification Form and a Program Certification Form when you are ready to apply for graduation. Both forms are available at the Registrar’s Office (AC 301). The Program Certification form must be completed and turned in to the Department of Political Science (217 LA). Please allow at least one week for the faculty member to process your paperwork. You must turn in the Program Certification Form no later than October 1 for processing. We recommend that you call (572-5321) before coming to get your Program Certification form to ensure that it has been completed. Then, you must return both forms to the Registrar’s office. The registrar requires that both the Graduation Certification and the Program Certification forms be turned in at the same time. 

What if I have a class substitute for a requirement in the major?

Occasionally, we will accept an equivalent substitute for a course from another institution. In that case, you must fill out the Course Substitution Form to ensure that you are meeting the appropriate requirement with that course.