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 earned hours. An advising hold will automatically be placed on myNKU and you will be unable to register for classes until you contact your advisor. Only your advisor can remove this hold; so please do not ask the departmental secretary to remove it.

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

You can find your advisors name by logging in to myNKU. If no advisor is listed, call the department office at (859) 572-5321 to be assigned to an advisor. 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 winter and spring registration and March for fall and summer registration.  You are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment 1-2 weeks before Priority Registration begins. A good rule of thumb is to schedule an appointment  prior to Fall Break and Spring Break.

How should I prepare for meeting with my advisor?

Preparation is key to a successful meeting with your advisor. You should examine your Foundation of Knowledge and degree check sheets as to what courses you need for graduation then check the schedule of classes for availability. The next step is to create a mock schedule with at least 2-3 back-up classes, including 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. Contact your advisor to make either a scheduling and/or career advising appointment.Students should visit MyNKU and print the following to take to the advising appointment:

1) unofficial transcript
2) degree audit
3) if a freshman, mid-term grades

For assistance in gathering these 3 documents, cal the myNKU Support Center at (859) 572-6911.

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
  • STA-205 - Intro to Statistical Methods
  • BLS–100 - Intro to Black 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.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 and to ensure that advising holds have been lifted.

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

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

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  (859) 572-5556.

What if I have an advising hold?

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

What if I am on academic probation?

If you are on academic probation, you should 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. The lecturer/retention specialist located in Founders Hall # 449 advises all probationary CJUS, INTS,ACJS and PSC majors. Then, you must see Arts and Sciences Advising Center (FH 330) who will remove the Dean's hold and register for you.

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

Your GPA can be found on myNKU on your Unofficial transcript.

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 print a Repeat Option Form from  http://registrar.nku.edu/  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 Repeat Option Form, your new grade will not replace the original "D" or "F", rather the 2 grades will be averaged. Students have 4 Repeat Options available to them.

What if I want to change majors?

You can change majors at anytime for most majors. Just go to the new department's office and fill out a Program Change/Declaration form. 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 registrar.nku.edu/forms/studentforms.php. 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. Departmental approval on the Program Change/ Declaration Form is NOT needed for a minor or area of concentration.

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

Yes. Students in our department often use other majors in the department to satisfy the second major/ 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 secondary area of study outside the department, you must get that department to sign  yoursecond major/ minor / area of concentration program certification to graduate. 

What is the 45-hour rule?

All bachelor’s degree candidates are required to successfully complete 45 semester hours of courses at the 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 or 400 level courses. All programs in our department already have several 300/400 level classes built into 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 120 semester hours. The last 30 hours of which must be taken at NKU and a minimum of 25 percent of the semester hours required for a degree must be taken at NKU.  
  • Foundation of Knowledge requirements.
  • Major requirements.
  • A secondary area of study: a second major, area of concentration (12 hours with the same designator over 300 level), or 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.
  • 45 semester hours of successfully completed 300 level or above coursework is required of all bachelor's  degree 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. The Program Certification form must be completed and turned in to the Department of Political Science (FH 436). 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 May graduation or April 1st for August or December graduation 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, AC 301. The Registrar requires that both the Graduation Certification and the Program Certification forms be turned in at the same time, along with the graduation fee. 

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, your advisor must sign and request approval for the substitution on a Course Substitution Form to ensure that you are meeting the appropriate requirement with the substituted course.