FAQ's

Degree Requirements

• What are the English and Mathematics Requirements
• Filing for Graduation
• General Education Requirement Courses offered in the College
• GPA Requirement
• Minor-Outside Specialization
• Pre-Major Status
• Physical Education Credits
• Residency Requirements
• Transfer Credits and Rights and Responsibilities
• Upper-Division
• How to apply for Admission to UNLV

Registering for Courses

• How to Register
• Course Load Recommendation

Student Advising Center

• Advisors
• When Should I Visit?
• Course Overload
• UNLV Forms

What are the English and Mathematics Requirements?

English - You must take a total of nine (9) credits of English. These courses should be taken in the following sequence:

ENG 101 (3 credits)

ENG 102 (3 credits)

One three credit Literature course – Selected from ENG 231 or ENG 232

All students will be blocked from registering for ENG 101 or ENG 102 unless you supply either test scores to Undergraduate Recruitment (no more than three years old) or visit the English Composition Director (FDH 6^th floor) to show proof of completion of ENG A or ENG 101. You may also fax proof (UNLV evaluated transcript sent to you by Undergraduate Recruitment at the time of your acceptance) to the English department in advance of your arrival (702-895-4801) and they will fax permission for you to register to the Registrar.

The necessary test scores are:

If you qualify for the ENG 101 waiver, you need to take only six (6) credits: ENG 102 (3 credits) and a Literature (3 credits)

Mathematics - Again, as in English, scores are necessary for placement (maximum of 18 months old); otherwise preparatory courses are required. You will not be blocked from any MATH course, but you will be required to show proof of scores or of the completion of preparatory courses on the first day of class. Please consult the chart below before registering for Mathematics courses to make sure you are qualified to take the required course. Some mathematics courses may be considered repeat courses. Consult your catalog or see an advisor.

Transfer students will receive an evaluated transcript from Admissions designating how many credits will be allotted in regard to fulfillment of this requirement. If you are a transfer student from a school that is on the quarter system, this scenario may change depending on what you have taken and what Admissions has accepted. Please see an academic advisor if you are unclear as to what remaining credits, if any, are necessary.

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Filing for Graduation

When do I file for graduation and what is the process?
When you have completed 90 credits and are 2 semesters away from graduation, you should file. If you wait until the last semester, you may discover that you have missed a requirement and that graduation has to be delayed. Be aware that deadlines for filing are listed in each semester schedule.

Steps for Filing

• Go to Registrar’s Office (FRA) and tell them you wish to file for graduation. They will register your request and ask you to return on a specific date (usually 5-10 working days).
• When you return to pick up the application from FRA114C, bring the application to the Advising Center (no appointment is necessary to drop off the application). At that time you will leave the application for completion by an advisor. You will also need to make an appointment to pick up and review your application at a later date. Do not complete any portion of the graduation application. You will be given instructions on what to complete when the application is dropped at the Advising Center.
• After you have picked up the signed and completed application from the Advising Center, then proceed to the appropriate department office of your major where the application will be reviewed and signed by the respective Chair/Director.
• After all signatures are obtained, take the application to the Bursar’s Office (SSC-first floor) and pay the $50.00 graduation fee.

The Graduation Office will pick up the application from the Bursar’s Office. You should receive a letter regarding the specifics of Graduation, including purchasing your robe, when, where, and at what time the ceremony will be held, and other important information. Your diploma will be mailed approximately six weeks after graduation.

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GPA Requirement

What GPA do I need to remain in good standing with the College?
You must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 in all majors in the Greenspun College of Urban Afffairs. A 3.0 GPA is necessary for JMS students under 2006-2010 catalog.

Each student enters UNLV with an admissions GPA. Your admissions GPA is determined either by your cumulative high school grades or by your cumulative GPA of all non-UNLV or UNLV special student college/university courses taken prior to your formal entrance into UNLV. Once you have completed one semester at UNLV as an admitted student, your Admissions GPA is replaced by your UNLV GPA. These two GPAs are never combined or averaged. Also, any courses you complete outside of UNLV (while concurrently enrolled at UNLV) are transferred in to complete course requirements, but these “outside” grades will not be averaged in to your UNLV GPA. In order to stay in good standing with the College of Urban Affairs, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or 3.0 depending on your major and catalog year. Below is a guide to show you how to compute your GPA:

If you find yourself on probation, the fastest way to improve your GPA is to repeat courses in which you received low grades as long as you are certain you can improve your score on the first repeat. The second grade will replace the first, improving your GPA. Subsequent repeats are usually not advisable unless you need the course to graduate. SEE YOUR ADVISOR!!!

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Minor-Outside Specialization

Do I have to declare a minor?
While many of our majors have outside areas of specialization, or outside emphasis, you do not have to fulfill these by declaring a minor unless you are a Journalism Student. Under the 2006-2010 catalog JMS students are required to have a minor. You just need to complete the required number of credits in these areas approved by an advisor and, in some cases, by the faculty as well.

How do I declare a minor?
To declare a minor, go to the College/Department in which the minor is housed. Their advising center or faculty advisor (depending on the major) will complete the necessary forms. If you wish to declare a minor in the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, come to CDC #11 for the necessary paperwork. (Map to Student Advising)

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Pre-Major Status

What is "pre" and how do I get out of the "pre" status?
Some of our majors have specific courses that you must complete with certain grades before you are allowed into the 300 and 400 level classes in our program. You are in “pre” status until these requirements are fulfilled and have a cumulative UNLV GPA of 2.50. When you have completed the “pre” course and have at least a 2.50 GPA, If you are changing from a pre-major (except SWK) to a full-major, fill out the form in the Urban Affairs Advising Center.

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Physical Education Credits

How many physical education credits count toward graduation?
Only four physical education (PEXs) credits count toward graduation. Students can take as many PED courses as they would like.

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Residency Requirement

What does the residency requirement mean?
In order to graduate in your declared major, you must complete 30 uninterrupted credits while registered in that particular major. Please read page 56 of the current catalog for more information.

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Transfer Credits And Rights And Responsibilities

If I transfer in more than 62 credits from a two-year institution, will I have to make up credits?
You must have 62 credits from a four-year institution to graduate. If you transfer in more than 62 credits from a two-year institution, it is possible that you would have to take additional classes to make up the difference. You should see an advisor if this is a concern you have. Students who have a transfer agreement in place from a UCCSN institution do not have to complete 62 credits at UNLV. Importantly, you should know and understand both student and institution transfer rights and responsibilities.

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Upper Division

What is upper division?
Upper division refers to classes numbered 300 and 400.

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How to Register

How do I register for classes?
You may register on the web throughwww.unlv.edu/registration. For instructions, refer to the guide provided at the above site.

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Course Load Recommendation

How many credits should I register for each semester?
To plan your credit load each semester, ask yourself the following questions:

• Will I be working? Part-time? Full-time?
• Am I a Millennium scholar?
• Am I receiving financial aid or scholarship funds?
• Will I be involved in social activities?
• How demanding are my family responsibilities?

If you are receiving scholarship funds or financial aid, you are required to take a minimum of 12 credits unless otherwise specified by the terms of your aid or scholarship. Please note that it is recommended that if you are working:

• Full-time (40 hours per week) only 6 credits per semester are advised.
• Part-time (30 hours per week) only 9 credits per semester are advised.
• Part-time (20 hours per week) only 12-15 credits per semester are advised.

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Advisors

Are students assigned a particular advisor?
No. We welcome you to make an appointment with our advisors, Adrian or Ebony. If you have already worked with one of them and wish to continue, it is permissible and we suggest you make that request at the time you make your appointment.
You may also schedule an appointment to meet with our director, Adam Sikula, if you wish.

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When Should I Visit?

Am I required to visit the Advising Center every semester?
No. We suggest you visit as often as you need to. We have some students that come every semester and some that only come once per year. We strongly suggest that you come at least once per year to make sure you are registering for the correct courses.

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Course Overload

How do course overloads work and how do I qualify to overload a semester?
Under most circumstances, taking more courses than allowed in a semester is not advised, especially if you are working. However, if you wish to overload, the maximum amount of credits allowed without petition per semester is:

• Spring/Fall semester – 18 credits (up to 22 credits with petition) Maximum credit load for first year students is 17 credits.
• Summer semester
  • First session 3 credits (up to 7 credits with petition)
  • Second and third sessions – 6 credits (up to 11 credits with petition)

If you wish to take more than the maximum credits allowed, you will need to petition to overload. You will use the University petition form and complete the form including all courses you wish to register for that semester. The petition form and any signatures needed may all be obtained at the Urban Affairs Advising Center. It is not necessary to petition the Faculty Senate Academic Standards Committee. Once you receive the approval signatures, take the form to the Registrar’s Office, and they will allow you to register.

Please note:

• Only students with a 2.5 or higher can request an overload.
• If you are on probation, you will not receive overload approval.
• If you are a first-year student, you will not receive overload approval.

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UNLV Forms

What forms should I be familiar with here at UNLV?
The Petition. Petitions are used for appealing relief or waiver from a UNLV policy or requirement. Examples of why you may petition include:

• To request that a grade of “F” be removed from your transcript because of extenuating circumstances.
• To request that a transfer course be accepted for a requirement that for some reason Undergraduate Recruitment and/or the Advising Center have refused.
• When you have missed the designated drop date and wish to drop a class due to extenuating circumstances.
• For course overloads (see above)

Where do I to Obtain the Petition?

• Some of the departments use a departmental petition for some requests and a university petition for other requests. Please check with the Advising Center if you wish to make use of a petition. The Advisors will help determine which petition you need. They will also guide you in regard to necessary documentation. Department petitions are available in the Advising Center and in the Department/School Office. University petitions are available in the Advising Center and the Registrar’s Office (FRA).

What is the process?

• Departmental/School Petition: Once you have obtained and completed the petition and gathered the necessary documentation, you will need to have the necessary signatures to carry it forward. In regard to a department petition, you may only need the Department Chair’s and the undergraduate coordinator’s signatures. Upon approval you are responsible for supplying a copy to be placed in your permanent file located in the Urban Affairs Advising Center.
• University Petition: You will need signatures from one of the Advising Center’s Advisors, the Department Chair, and the College Dean. Securing approval is dependent on the weight of your case, the authenticity of your accompanying documentation and your explanation on or attached to the petition form. Approval signatures do not insure your petition will be granted. Once all approval signatures have been secured, we will forward your University petition to the Faculty Senate Academic Standards Committee for you. This body, composed of students and faculty members, determines the outcome of the petition. Students will receive a letter of confirmation from the Faculty Senate Academic Standards Committee with an assigned University petition number indicating the receipt of the petition and possibly a request for any further required documentation. The evaluation process usually takes 5-8 weeks after all requested documentation has been received. Decisions are mailed to your home address.

Academic Program Change. (Change of Major Form). An Academic Program form is used for the following:

• To change from one completely different major to another
• To change from a pre-major status to a full major
• To add a second major or add a minor
• To change from pre-major status to a full major

What is the process?

• You need to pick up the Change of Major form from the Advising Center or the Registrar’s Office.
• If you are adding a major or a minor, or changing to a completely different major outside the College of Urban Affairs, take the form to the Advising Center or the Major of choice to obtain the necessary signature. For example, if you are adding a Psychology major or a History minor, you would take the form to the Wilson Advising Center in WRI B130. If you are changing completely to a Business major, take the form to the Business Advising Center in Beam Hall.
• If you are changing from a pre-major (except SWK) or from a probationary status and are staying in the same major, fill out the form in the Urban Affairs Advising Center. One of the staff will verify if you qualify to change status and if so, the form will be signed and you will return that form to the Registrar’s Office. If you wish to make an appointment with your new department, please wait 2-3 weeks so the Advising Center will have received your permanent file containing the pertinent information to correctly advise you.

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Difference Between Dual Major and Dual Baccaulearate

What is the difference between a Dual Major and a Dual Baccalaureate?
You can complete a dual major (more than one course of study) by completing the requirements for each major. At graduation time, you will have both majors listed on one diploma (example: Bachelor of Arts, Communication and Sociology). Please note that if you are completing a Bachelor of Science degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree, you may only complete this as a dual baccalaureate degree. If you wish to complete two separate degrees, or a dual baccalaureate, you will need to complete all requirements from both areas of study, including an additional 30 credits of coursework, for a minimum total of 154 credits. See an advisor or refer to your catalog for additional information.

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