Advising FAQ
The faculty of the English Department is committed to providing helpful and accurate advising for its majors. Students can schedule meetings with advisors to get assistance in planning class schedules each semester that fulfill general university requirements and requirements for the English major.
Here is a list of questions frequently asked by students. If there's a question on your mind that is not answered here, please contact your advisor, consult the University Catalog or call the English Department at (859) 572-5416.
Am I required to see an advisor?
All majors in the English Department are required to see an advisor. An advising hold will automatically be placed on Norse Express and you will not be able to register for classes until you see your advisor. Only your advisor can remove this hold. Students seeking secondary education certification will also have an advisor from the College of Education.
Who is my advisor and how do I schedule an appointment with my advisor?
Each major will choose an advisor or have one assigned to them. You can also find your advisor on Norse Express for students. There will likely be an appointment sheet on your advisor's office door for you to sign. If you have questions, please call the department at (859) 572-5416.
When should I make an appointment with my advisor?
Priority registration will usually begin in March and October. You are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment 1-2 weeks before priority registration begins. Advisors make their own appointments after students contact them. Please call the department at (859) 572-5416 for help.
How should I prepare for meeting with my advisor?
You should examine your general studies and degree check sheets to see what courses you need for graduation. Then check the schedule of classes for availability. The third step is to create a mock schedule with at least two or three alternate classes. Be sure to include the course number and name of each class. In addition to meeting with your advisor to decide on your schedule, you can discuss potential careers and other academic pursuits.
What about declaring a major?
The university permits students to declare a major at the time they register as freshmen. Under no circumstances, however, must this initial declaration be considered as binding. It is quite possible for freshmen students uncertain about their major to declare an "undecided" major.
Students seeking the bachelor's degree will be required to declare a major before completion of 50 semester hours earned. Transfer students entering with more than 50 earned semester hours will be required to declare a major by the end of their first semester of enrollment.
It is very important that the student keep the Office of the Registrar notified of decisions concerning his/her major. It is the student's responsibility to file a Declaration/Change of Major form with the academic department and the Registrar's Office.
How do I register for classes?
Students register for classes on Norse Express. To enter the site, you will need to list your social security number and PIN number, which is your birthday expressed numerically, (Example: January 5, 1983 would give you a PIN number of 010583). Norse Express allows you to:
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Check classes for availability
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Register for classes
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Check your schedule and grades
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Update your personal information
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View your transcript and degree audit
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View your personal financial aid information
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View your account summary/credit card payment
Updating personal information (address and phone number) is very important for students because this is one way the department can contact a student.
Every student also has an email account with NKU. This can be forwarded to another email or managed however the student wishes. Instructors and advisors will occasionally use email to contact their students so it is very important that students check their email account.
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 audit or transcripts?
Degree audits are available through Norse Express and can be used to determine courses taken and courses still needed. You can view and print a copy of your transcripts from Norse Express as well. However, to obtain an Official Copy of your transcript, you must go to the Registrar's Office in Room 301 of the Academic Center.
How do I get a copy of the checklist for my major?
Blank checklists are available in the Undergraduate Degree Programs section of this website. You can also acquire them in the English Department office in Room 500 of Landrum Academic Center. Your personal checklists are kept in your advising folder. Ask for a copy of your checklist at your next advising appointment or call the office (859-572-5416) to obtain a copy for your records.
What is the University Catalog and why is it important?
The University Catalog includes pertinent information on general studies and your major requirements necessary to graduate. You have eight 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 at 859-572-5556.
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 meet with your advisor to have one hold removed. Then you must see Assistant Dean Janis Cassiere (SL 401A), who will meet with you to 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. Please see the University Catalog for a detailed explanation of how grade point averages are calculated.
What if I get a "D" of "F" in a class?
If you receive 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". There are exceptions so you should see your advisor for additional information.
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 University 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 Journalism, he or she can obtain the requirements by reviewing them in their catalog or meeting with a Journalism advisor.
What if I want to change majors?
You can change majors at anytime. Just go to the Registrar's Office (AC 301) and fill out a Program Change/Declaration form. Then your file will be moved to the new department in a few weeks.
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. The 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?
You need to meet the following six requirements:
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Minimum total of 128 semester hours, the last 30 of which must be taken at NKU. At least 25% of the semester hours required for a degree must be taken at NKU.
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General studies requirements
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Major requirements
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Area of concentration - 12 hours with same prefix over 300 level OR a minor OR a second major.
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Grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 on all work attempted at NKU. A GPA of at least 2.5 on all major work attempted.
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Minimum of 45 semester hours of 300 level or above successfully completed coursework are required of all bachelor's degree candidates.
All graduating students must also complete a Senior Assessment before graduating. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
How, where and when do I file for degree candidacy and graduation?
Students planning on graduating in the next year should stop by the Registrar's Office (AC 301) to pick up a packet of graduate information which includes the Program Certification Form.
The Registrar requires that both the Graduation Certification and the Program Certification forms be turned in at the same time. Both forms must be filled out at the beginning of the semester prior to the semester you are graduating. For example, if you plan to graduate at the end of the 2010 spring semester, your paperwork is due before the end of September in 2008. Late paperwork will not be accepted and will delay your graduation an entire semester.