General Information

Academic Advising

Undergraduate students who wish to plan their programs or who need advice on any academic matter should consult an Academic Advisor. This may include, but is not limited to: planning for degree programs, choosing courses, clarifying academic procedures or regulations, determining academic standing, experiencing academic difficulty, utilizing college advanced standing or university transfer credits, requesting a course overload, obtaining a letter of permission to take courses from another university (on-campus or through distance education), planning around extended medical absences, planning program/courses for an international exchange, planning for graduate or professional programs, planning for a second degree, waiving of program requirements/academic regulations through academic appeal/petition.

Academic Advisors are available year-round. Appointments may be made through the Academic Advising Office (A207), by contacting the secretary at 705.474.3461, extension 4358.  Drop-in hours are also available. Please check with the Advising office for details.

Please note that students in all programs are also encouraged to consult with faculty members concerning course selections, particularly as it relates to planning for graduate studies.

Students are responsible for ensuring that the courses in which they register meet the degree requirements of their programs.

Biidaaban Community Service-Learning Program (BCSL)

Biidaaban Community Service-Learning (BCSL) is an educational approach combining theory taught in the classroom with real-world experience in the community. Students in a course offering Biidaaban Community Service-Learning placements volunteer for a set number of hours in projects and activities in a variety of community organizations and schools across North Bay and area. The placement and related course assignments are applied to course credit and are designed to give students an opportunity to explore connections between theory and practice. It is also an opportunity to further develop a sense of social responsibility and leadership skills. Supporting literacy and numeracy for Aboriginal youth is a specialized focus of BCSL and many placements in the program are assigned in related settings.

For more information, including a list of community organizations and schools who host Biidaaban Community Service-Learning placements, please visit the BCSL website at: www.nipissingu.ca/servicelearning. 

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Certificates

Nipissing offers the following certificates[1]:

Certificate in Aboriginal Leadership: Available to any graduating student who has otherwise met the requirements for the certificate. Please consult the Aboriginal Leadership Certificate section for details.

Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)-Lifespan: Available to students in an Honours Specialization, Specialization, or Major in Child and Family Studies or Psychology.

Certificate in Applied Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention (EIBI)-Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD):  Available to students in a Bachelor of Arts Honours Specialization, Specialization, or Major in Child and Family Studies or Psychology.

Certificate of Bilingualism: Students of Nipissing University are eligible for a Certificate of Bilingualism if they demonstrate superior ability in French and in English. Candidates must successfully complete: thirty credits at Nipissing; six credits upper level taught in English (minimum “B” required); six credits upper level taught in French (minimum “B” required); and the Certificate of Bilingualism written and oral exams. The exams are offered annually. Applications are available in the Office of the Faculty of Arts and Science and are due along with the required fee, early in the fall term.

Certificate in Digital Classics:  Available to any graduating student who has otherwise met the requirements for the certificate. Please consult the Classical Studies section for details.

Entrepreneurial Finance Certificate:  Available to students in a BBA or BComm degree. Please consult the Bachelor of Business Administration program section for details.

Certificate in Digital Humanities: Available to any graduating student who has otherwise met the requirements for the certificate. Please consult the Digital Humanities section for details.

Certificate in Environmental Management and Certificate in Geomatics: These certificates are available to students in an honours program in Geography, Environmental Geography, and Environment and Physical Geography. Please consult the Geography program section for details.

Financial Product Sales Professional Certificate: Available to students in a BBA or BComm degree. Please consult the Bachelor of Business Administration program section for details.

Certificate in Financial Services: Available to students in the Bachelor of Commerce program. Please consult the BComm section for details.

Certificate in Forest Resource Management and Conservation: Available to any graduating student who has otherwise met the requirements for the certificate. Please consult the Biology section for details.

Certificate in Game Design and Development: Available to students completing a Computer Science or Mathematics program. Please consult the Computer Science or Mathematics program section for details.

Certificate in Health Studies and Gerontology: Available to any graduating student who has otherwise met the requirements for the certificate. Please consult the Sociology program section for details.

Certificate in Human Resources Management: Available to students in a BBA or BComm degree. Please consult the Bachelor of Business Administration program section for details.

The iLEAD Business Experience Certificate: Available to students in a BBA or BComm degree. Please consult the Bachelor of Business Administration program section for details.

Certificate in Peace and Violence Prevention Studies: Available to any graduating student who has otherwise met the requirements for the certificate. Please consult the Political Science program section for details.

Certificate in Neuroscience: Available to students in a BSc (Honours) in Biology or Psychology. Please consult Biology or Psychology section for details.

Certificate in Program Evaluation and Applied Research (PEAR): Available to students in an Honours Specialization or Specialization in Child and Family Studies or Psychology.

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Changes to Program or Courses

Please refer to the Registration Procedures and Regulations section (See Academic Changes and Withdrawals).

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Class Hours

The number of hours per course is normally shown under the course description in the Calendar. Total class lecture hours may vary between courses, but will total at least 72 hours per six-credit course and at least 36 hours per three-credit course. The number of hours and class meetings scheduled per week varies by term and by course.

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Course Loads/Overloads

The following regulations apply to all students with the exception of students admitted in the Concurrent program, prior to September 2015, who will be allowed the maximum loads as described in their program requirements:

Full-time Students

  1. Full-time students will normally be allowed to register in a maximum of 30 credits in the Fall/Winter Term and a maximum of 30 credits in the Spring/Summer Term and may not be registered in more than 15 credits at any one time;
  2. Upper year full-time students with excellent academic records (“B+” or better) may, with the permission of an Academic Advisor, take a maximum three-credit overload during each session of the Fall/Winter Term, provided they had no failing grades on a minimum course load of 30 credits in the previous Fall/Winter Term and no failing grades in the previous Spring/Summer Term;

Part-time Students

  1. Students admitted on a part-time basis will normally be allowed to register in a maximum of 12 credits in the Fall/Winter Term and a maximum of 6 credits in the Spring/Summer Term;
  2. Upper year part-time students with excellent academic records (“B+” or better) may, with the permission of an Academic Advisor, take a maximum three-credit overload during each session of the Fall/Winter Term provided they have no failing grades in the previous 30 credits completed;

Students on Probation

  1. Students on probation will normally be allowed to register in a maximum of 24 credits in the Fall/Winter Term and a maximum of 18 credits for the Spring/Summer Term, and may not be registered in more than 12 credits at any one time.

Please note:

  • Overloads will not be permitted in the Spring/Summer Term;
  • Course loads are calculated on all courses in which a student is registered (i.e. the total of all courses at Nipissing University and by Letter of Permission from other universities).

Exchange Programs

Policy for Exchange Students

  1. Exchanges are normally open to students during the second or third year of their program. Students in their graduating year will be considered on an individual basis.
  2. Preference will be given to students whose average is 75% or higher. However, students whose average is 70-74% may be considered for an exchange.
  3. Nipissing will grant a full complement of 30 credits for a full-time year (or 15 credits for one full-time semester) in an exchange program.
  4. Nipissing will approve the student’s application for graduation when after returning, the student completes all possible discipline specific requirements in the time required to complete the total number of credits for that degree.
  5. Students who are accepted for an exchange program and have qualified for a scholarship will receive the scholarship during the exchange year as if they were studying on campus. Students who earn scholarships and awards at Nipissing University and choose to study abroad remain eligible for such awards upon their return to Nipissing, provided they are successful.

Please contact the International Student Support Services and Programs for further information regarding the procedure for exchanges.

Individualized Study Courses

Policy on Individualized Study Courses

  1. In order to be eligible to take any individualized study course, undergraduate students must be entering (or already registered in) the third or fourth year of a four-year program. In addition, the desired course(s) must be in the student’s declared program(s) of study. In the case of a course which is only an elective, a minimum overall average of 70% is required as well.
  2. Any student who meets the above criteria and wishes to take an individualized study course during the following Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter Session must apply in writing to the discipline concerned no later than February 15. This application shall include a brief outline of the proposed topic or project, the proposed faculty supervisor and the signature of one faculty member in the discipline (normally the intended supervisor) who has been consulted and who supports the request.
  3. In the case of individualized study courses which are program requirements, any student who will be entering the final year of the degree program (and who will therefore need the course in order to graduate) shall be permitted to take the course, provided he/she has submitted an appropriate application as outlined above. However, it must be clearly understood that, until final approval is granted (usually after a meeting of the discipline held for this purpose), there is no implied guarantee that the proposed topic/project, the designated faculty supervisor or the chosen session will be accepted.
  4. Individualized study courses which are electives (and therefore not required) are a privilege rather than a right. The approval of applications for such courses shall consequently be subject to the availability (and willingness) of faculty supervisors, as well as to budgetary considerations.
  5. In making decisions concerning applications for individualized study courses in any discipline, required courses shall be given clear priority over those which are merely electives. In particular, elective individualized study requests shall be approved only after all requests for required courses have been accommodated.
  6. Each applicant for an individualized study course shall be informed in writing of the outcome of his/her application by March 1. When the course in question is a degree requirement, the application shall either be approved as submitted or approved with specified alterations (which may include changes in topic, supervisor and/or session). In the case of elective individualized studies, applications may be approved as submitted, approved with specified alterations or rejected (on the basis of content, availability of supervisors or budgetary considerations).
  7. Only after students have received written approval to take an individualized study course will they be permitted to advance register and/or register for the course.

At Nipissing University, individualized study courses may be directed studies and research (thesis) courses or practicum/placement courses.

The following is a list of the directed studies and research (thesis) courses:

  1. ADMN 4335, ADMN 4336, BIOL 4986, BIOL 4995, CHFS 4105, CHFS 4505, CLAS 3505, CLAS 4495, COSC 4896, COSC 4897, CULT 4105, DIGI 4006, ECON 4005, ENGL 4695, ENGL 4795, GEND 4005, GEOG 4986, GEOG 4995, HIST 4015, HIST 4055, MATH 4496, MATH 4497, PHED 4986, PHED 4995, PHIL 4105, POLI 4105, PSYC 3916, PSYC 3917, PSYC 4105, RLCT 4005, SOCI 4006, SOCI 4007, SOCI 4096, SOCI 4097, SWLF 4005, TMGT 4417

Practicum/placement courses:

  1. ADMN 3337, ADMN 4337, CHFS 4017/PSYC 4017, CHFS 4205/PSYC 4225, CHFS 4305/PSYC 4235, CHFS 4316/PSYC 4316, COSC 3997, COSC 4997, CRJS 4346, LEAD 3147, STEC 3997, STEC 4997

The following courses may also have special approval processes. Please check with the respective departments.

  1. ADMN 3096, ADMN 3146, ADMN 3336, ADMN 4146, ADMN 4155, ADMN 4165, ADMN 4346, BIOL 4886, BIOL 4887, BIOL 4976, BIOL 4997, CRJS 4446, ENGL 3516, ENGL 3517, FAVA 4125, GEOG 4976

Letter of Permission

A student may be permitted to take course(s) at another university for credit. A Letter of Permission to undertake such courses must be obtained from an Academic Advisor before registering at the other university.

Students enrolled in the Consecutive Education Program are not permitted to take courses from another University for credit towards their Bachelor of Education program.

The Letter of Permission will specify the minimum grade required to transfer the course to Nipissing University.

It is the student’s responsibility to send to the Registrar an official transcript of grade(s) from the host university. Upon receipt of the transcript, the course(s) will be entered on the student’s academic record. The grade(s) received for course(s) completed on a Letter of Permission will not be used in the calculation of averages.

Letters of Permission are not normally issued unless students are in good academic standing. Only under exceptional circumstances are Letters of Permission issued for students to complete the last 30 credits in their degree program. A fee is charged for each Letter of Permission and normally requires two to four weeks to process.

Students enrolled at another university may be admitted to Nipissing University for purposes of transfer of credit to their home university. Please refer to the Admission to Non-Degree Studies (See Letter of Permission Applicants).

Limitations on Courses

Number of Attempts to Complete a Course

Students may only make two attempts to complete a course. When a second attempt on a course is made, the higher grade obtained of the two attempts will be used in the calculation of averages. If a student fails the course on a second attempt after first passing, then the credits obtained on the first attempt will be kept. A student may attempt a course for a third time, only with departmental approval.

Number of Credits in a Single Discipline

a)   Three-year (General)

      The maximum number of credits a student may take in a single discipline towards a degree is 54 credits.

b)   Three-year (Liberal)

      The maximum number of credits a student may take in a single discipline is 30 credits, and 54 credits in any two disciplines combined.

c)   Bachelor of Arts (Four-year and Honours), Bachelor of Science (Four-year and Honours), Bachelor of Business Administration

      The maximum number of credits a student may take in a single discipline towards a degree is 84 credits.

 d)  Bachelor of Fine Arts

      The maximum number of credits a student may take in fine arts towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts is 90 credits.

For the purposes of these regulations, language courses taken in the student’s second language (French or English) are excluded from the discipline count.

Number of Credits in a Single Discipline in the First Year of Study

During their first year of study or the first 30 credits, students may not take more than six credits in the same subject, except as may be required by a specific program regulation approved by Senate, or as may be approved by the Dean.

Number of First Year Courses

The maximum number of first year (1000 level) courses in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce is 42 credits. (Except in the Child and Family Studies program and Bachelor of Arts (Liberal) where the maximum is 48 credits at the first year level). The maximum number of first year level courses in Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Physical and Health Education and Bachelor of Science is 48 credits.

Minors

Students have the option of including a Minor in specific areas as part of their degree. Completing a Minor within a degree allows students to study a subject that academically complements or is completely separate from their program of study. A Minor consists of 18 credits as designated by the relevant discipline.

Successful completion of a Minor will be recorded on Nipissing’s official transcript. It is the student’s responsibility to apply for a Minor at the time they apply to graduate. A student cannot become eligible for a Nipissing Minor after graduation. Please note that if a Minor requirement is already being used to satisfy a program requirement, additional courses in the Minor must be taken to meet the required 18 credits for the Minor; for example, if a Criminal Justice program and a Sociology Minor both require SOCI 1016, a student may use this course to satisfy both the program and Minor, however, they must present 18 additional credits in SOCI to satisfy the SOCI minor requirement. Please refer to the appropriate discipline for specific minor requirements.

Minors are currently available in Anthropology; Biology; Business (Business Administration, Human Resources, Marketing, and Corporate Responsibility); Chemistry; Child and Family Studies; Classical Studies; Computer Science; Economics; English Studies; Environmental Science; Film; Fine Arts (Studio/Art History and Visual Studies); French; Gender Equality and Social Justice; Geography; History; Legal Studies; Mathematics; Media, Culture, and Communications; Native Studies; Philosophy; Political Science; Psychology; Religions and Cultures; Social Welfare and Social Development; Sociology; and Spanish.

Please note that minors offered are subject to course availability.

General Restrictions:

  • No more than six credits at the 1000 level can count towards a minor (with the exception of minors in Business Administration and Human Resources).
  • Must be in a discipline other than the student’s program of study.

Grade Requirements: In order to declare a Minor upon graduation, students must successfully complete the required courses for the minor with a minimum overall average of 60%.

Residency Requirements: To be considered for a Nipissing University degree with a Minor, students must successfully complete at least nine credits of the minor at Nipissing.

Note:

•     Minors and Teaching subjects may have different requirements. Please refer to the Admission Requirements for the Bachelor of Education for teaching subject requirements.

Residency Requirements

To be considered for a Nipissing University undergraduate degree, students must successfully complete at least 30 Nipissing University credits.

In addition, students must successfully complete at least half (50%) of the required courses for each declared area of study with Nipissing University, with the following exceptions:

  1. A student who applies for a Bachelor of Commerce degree must successfully complete 30 Nipissing Business credits
  2. A student who applies for a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice must successfully complete 30 Nipissing Criminal Justice credits.
  3. Students completing an Honours Double Major must successfully complete a minimum of 18 Nipissing credits in each Major.

Students who apply to graduate with a Minor(s) must successfully complete at least half (50%) of each Minor with Nipissing.

Senate Changes to Degree Requirements

Degree requirements that are in any way modified by Senate in one calendar year will normally apply to students admitted the following academic calendar year unless otherwise specified by Senate. Students currently enrolled may choose to graduate under either the new regulations or the previous regulations. However, they must choose one or the other set of regulations in its entirety.

Statistics Course Equivalences

A student in a degree program cannot retain credit for more than nine credits of introductory statistics courses. Students will normally take the course offered by the discipline in which they are registered. The introductory statistics courses are: ADMN 2606, CHFS 2026, ECON 2126, GEOG 2026, MATH 1257, MATH 2076, PSYC 2126, and SOCI 2127.

Either PSYC 2126/PSYC 2127 or SOCI 2126/2127 will be accepted for degree requirements for PSYC/SOCI combined programs.

Students who transfer from Psychology to Sociology or vice-versa will be required to meet the statistics and methodology requirements as follows:

Students transferring from Psychology to Sociology after having completed PSYC 2126 and PSYC 2127 are recommended to take SOCI 2126. If they have taken PSYC 2126 only, they will be required to take both SOCI 2126 and SOCI 2127. Students transferring from Sociology to Psychology after having completed SOCI 2126 and SOCI 2127, will not be required to take either PSYC 2126 or PSYC 2127. If they have completed SOCI 2126 only, they will be required to take both PSYC 2126 and PSYC 2127 Transfers from either inside the University or outside, from a discipline other than PSYC or SOCI, will be allowed to retain credit for a three-credit research design or statistics course, but must enrol in the appropriate PSYC or SOCI courses.

 

[1]Please note that all certificates are awarded at the time of graduation.

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