2025-2026 Catalog and Student Handbook

Dec 05, 2025

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2025-2026 Catalog and Student Handbook

Academics and General Education

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Areas of Study
Schools/Departments/Divisions
eLearning
Course Numbering

Course Prefix by Department
Course Substitution
Instruction Methods
Notice for Practicums/Interns/Etc.

Final Exams
General Education
Honors Program

Areas of Study

Degrees and certificates at CSN are grouped into 11 Areas of Study. Students may pick a topic they are interested in and then work with their advising unit to select their specific major. The 11 Areas of Study are listed below. Click on them to learn more about each area of study.

Looking for a listing of degrees and certificates for each area of study? Visit the Academic Majors portion of this catalog and click on “Sorted by Areas of Study.”

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Schools, Departments, and Divisions

Academics at CSN is organized into six schools and two divisions. Within the six schools are 20 academic departments. Below is a breakdown of the schools, departments and divisions at CSN. Please visit the Academic Affairs section of the CSN website at csn.edu/academic-affairs to learn more about each school, department, and division.

Ralph and Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences

Department of Dental Sciences, Diagnostic Evaluation and Rehabilitation Services
Department of Health Related Professions
Department of Nursing

School of Advanced and Applied Technologies

Department of Applied Technologies
Department of Computing and Information Technology
Department of Media Technologies

School of Arts and Letters

Department of Communication
Department of English
Department of Fine Arts
Department of World Languages

School of Business, Hospitality and Public Services

Department of Accounting and Finance
Department of Business Administration
Department of Criminal Justice and Emergency Services
Department of Hospitality Management

School of Education, Behavioral and Social Sciences

Department of Education
Department of Human Behavior
Department of Social Sciences

School of Science, Engineering and Mathematics

Department of Biological Sciences
Department of Mathematics
Department of Physical Sciences

Division of Workforce and Economic Development

Division of Apprenticeship Studies

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What is eLearning?

eLearning is an innovative development in higher education that uses technology to facilitate learning without the limitations of time or place. CSN offers courses online so that students around the world can complete a certificate or associate degree without stepping foot in a classroom.

eLearning students use state-of-the-art technology to connect to faculty members, course mates, and advisors. The great advantage of eLearning is that it gives students the flexibility to achieve an appropriate balance of work, family, community, and educational commitments.

CSN’s online courses link students with their faculty member and course mates online through the World Wide Web (Canvas). Online courses are asynchronous, which means that students can sign on and participate at times convenient to them.

Online students need to be prepared to interact with their faculty member and course mates in writing. Strong reading and writing skills in the English language are critical.

The Online Campus creates convenient, high-quality learning opportunities in order to increase capacity and meet the immediate and long-term needs of the community. This endeavor specializes in high quality courses and comprehensive student services and pursues continuous improvement and innovation. CSN has a strategy that includes developing college-wide expertise in online learning, a systems approach to online learning support, a branding of its program characteristics, and a focus on achieving desired learning outcomes along with student and faculty satisfaction. The Online Campus has a centralized web presence with exemplary online student services, a comprehensive student orientation to online learning and Canvas, and faculty resources.

Online courses include the following typical elements:

asynchronous, frequent student and faculty participation
lectures and assigned readings (from textbooks and online resources)
individual and group assignments (for example, case studies and discussion questions)
individual and group papers
use of online library resources
online and proctored quizzes and examinations

Need more information on eLearning? Contact the Office of eLearning at:

702-651-5619 (main phone number)
elearning@csn.edu (email)
Visit the Learn Online page of the CSN website at csn.edu/education-and-training/learn-online

What Do I Need to Be Successful?

Success in online courses depends on self-discipline and the ability to learn without face-to-face interaction. CSN’s online courses maintain the same rigor and high standards of its classroom courses. Academic progress is established and maintained through regular course participation.

Online students need to be prepared to interact with their faculty member and course mates in writing. Strong reading and writing skills in the English language are critical. CSN now has a Student Online Readiness course to prepare you to be more successful when taking online courses at CSN. To access the Student Online log in here https://go.csn.edu/LoginPolicy.jsp. On the next page select MyCoyoteSuccess and then the Student Online Readiness Assessment. At the successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate that you can share with your instructors.

What is an ePortfolio?

CSN offers students access to an ePortfolio through classes they are enrolled in. Students can collect and organize their work from both inside and outside the classroom. From their latest class essay to photos and comments posted during study abroad, the ePortfolio enables students to integrate classroom, co-curricular, life, and work experiences. The ePortfolio supports all common file types – from documents and spreadsheets to sound recordings, photographs, and video clips.

Technical Requirements to Take an Online Course

To participate in an online course via the World Wide Web, you should have:

an Internet service provider (ISP)
an active CSN student email account, and
Some courses, such as those in business, finance, and accounting, require additional software such as a Windows-based spreadsheet program or MS Project.

Canvas

Canvas is a web-based learning management system (LMS) used by CSN faculty to create and present online courses and used by CSN students to engage in and access those online courses.

Technical Requirements

For best performance, Canvas should be used on the current or first previous major release of Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. For more technical information, visit the Canvas Basics Guide.

Mobile users should visit Canvas Mobile Users for more information.

Before Logging into Canvas

Before you try to log into Canvas, ensure your Student Network account is up and running. You must activate your CSN student network account to log into Canvas. You can activate your account by going to https://csnstudent.csn.edu/stuverify/. Please be patient since once you have activated your account because it may take up to a day for the account to become active.

Remember - you will not be able to access your online course until the first day the course begins. Make sure you know when the first day of your online class is set to begin and log in that day.

Steps to Log into Canvas

After your CSN student network account is active go to www.csn.edu.
On the top of the page, click on Login.
On the new page click on Canvas – Online Courses.
On the next page you will need to enter your username and password for GoCSN.
On the new page click on Canvas - Online Courses.

It is that simple, you should now see your courses!

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Course Numbering Information

All undergraduate courses in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) must be common course numbered with equivalent courses offered throughout the System.

A system-wide course numbering rubric for all institutions shall be maintained so that baccalaureate transfer courses are clearly identified for student reference prior to registration under the following general course numbering parameters:

Remedial & Developmental Courses	001 - 099
Lower-Division Courses	100 - 299
Upper-Division Courses	300 - 499

Course numbers with a “B” suffix, such as ACC 223B, may be non-transferable for a NSHE baccalaureate degree. In addition, courses with a “B” suffix CANNOT be used to satisfy general education or degree requirements for Associate of Arts, Associate of Business, and Associate of Science degrees.

Upper division courses numbered 300-499 cannot be used to satisfy general education requirements on Associate of Arts, Associate of Business, Associate of Science, Associate of General Studies, or Associate of Applied Science degrees.

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Course Prefix by Department

The following is a list of course prefixes and which academic department(s) are over each prefix.

Course Prefix	Department/Division
ABDY	Department of Applied Technologies
AC	Department of Applied Technologies
ACC	Department of Accounting and Finance
ADT	Department of Applied Technologies
AES	Department of Criminal Justice and Emergency Services
AIT (205B)	Department of Applied Technologies
AIT (280 & 281)	Department of Computing and Information Technology
ALS	Department of English
AM	Department of World Languages
ANTH	Department of Human Behavior
APP	Department of Apprenticeship Studies
ARA	Department of World Languages
ARM	Department of World Languages
ART	Department of Fine Arts
ASB	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
AST	Department of Physical Sciences
AUTO	Department of Applied Technologies
AV	Department of Applied Technologies
BIOL	Department of Biological Sciences
BRL	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
BUS	Department of Business Administration
CADD (421)	Department of Physical Sciences
CADD (all other)	Department of Applied Technologies
CAPS	Department of Counseling and Retention Services
CEE	Department of Physical Sciences
CEM	Department of Physical Sciences
CHEM	Department of Physical Sciences
CHI	Department of World Languages
CHS	Department of Health Related Professions
CIT	Department of Computing and Information Technology
CLS	Department of Dental Science, Diagnostic Evaluation & Rehabilitation Services
CMA	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
COM	Department of Communication
CONS	Department of Applied Technologies
COT	Department of Accounting and Finance
CPD	Department of Human Behavior
CPE	Department of Applied Technologies
CPT	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
CRJ	Department of Criminal Justice and Emergency Services
CRS	Department of Health Related Professions
CS	Department of Computing and Information Technology
CSCO	Department of Computing and Information Technology
CSEC	Department of Computing and Information Technology
CUL	Department of Hospitality Management
DA	Department of Dental Science, Diagnostic Evaluation & Rehabilitation Services
DAN	Department of Fine Arts
DH	Department of Dental Science, Diagnostic Evaluation & Rehabilitation Services
DT	Department of Applied Technologies
DWA	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
DWF	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
ECE	Department of Education
ECON	Department of Social Sciences
EDU	Department of Education
EE	Department of Applied Technologies
EGG	Department of Applied Technologies
ELEC	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
EMHS	Department of Criminal Justice and Emergency Services
EMS	Department of Criminal Justice and Emergency Services
ENG (110, 113, & 114)	Department of World Languages
ENG (all other)	Department of English
ENV	Department of Physical Sciences
EPD	Department of Education
EPY	Department of Education
ESL	Department of World Languages
ET	Department of Applied Technologies
FAB	Department of Hospitality Management
FIL	Department of World Languages
FIN	Department of Finance and Accounting
FLCV	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
FLOR	Department of Applied Technologies
FMM	Department of Applied Technologies
FREN	Department of World Languages
FT	Department of Criminal Justice and Emergency Services
FUNS	Department of Health Related Professions
GAM	Department of Hospitality Management
GEOG (106)	Department of Social Sciences
GEOG (al other)	Department of Physical Sciences
GEOL	Department of Physical Sciences
GER	Department of World Languages
GIS	Department of Computing and Information Technology
GLO	Department of Social Sciences
GLZR	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
GRC	Department of Media Technologies
GRE	Department of World Languages
HAW	Department of World Languages
HHP	Department of Health Related Professions
HIST	Department of Social Sciences
HIT	Department of Health Related Professions
HMD	Department of Hospitality Management
HUM	Department of English
IRW	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
IS	Department of Computing and Information Technology
ITAL	Department of World Languages
JOUR	Department of Communication
JPN	Department of World Languages
KOR	Department of World Languages
LAS	Department of World Languages
LAT	Department of World Languages
LAW	Department of Business Administration
LIB	CSN Libraries
MA	Department of Health Related Professions
MATH	Department of Mathematics
ME	Department of Physical Sciences
MGT	Department of Business Administration
MHDD	Department of Human Behavior
MIL	Department of Criminal Justice and Emergency Services
MKT	Department of Business Administration
MOT	Department of Applied Technologies
MT	Department of Applied Technologies
MTT	Department of Applied Technologies
MUS	Department of Fine Arts
MUSA	Department of Fine Arts
MUSE	Department of Fine Arts
MWA	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
NRES	Department of Physical Sciences
NURS	Department of Nursing
NUTR	Department of Biological Sciences
OPE	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
OPHT	Department of Dental Science, Diagnostic Evaluation & Rehabilitation Services
OPME	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
PDA	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
PEX	Department of Criminal Justice and Emergency Services
PHAR	Department of Health Related Professions
PHIL	Department of Social Sciences
PHO	Department of Media Technologies
PHYS	Department of Physical Sciences
PLA	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
PLCM	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
PN	Department of Nursing
PORT	Department of World Languages
PPF	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
PSC	Department of Social Sciences
PSY	Department of Human Behavior
PT	Department of Dental Science, Diagnostic Evaluation & Rehabilitation Services
PTD	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
RDTP	Department of Dental Science, Diagnostic Evaluation & Rehabilitation Services
RE	Department of Business Administration
READ	Department of English
RFR	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
RST	Department of Social Sciences
RUS	Department of World Languages
SCT	Department of Applied Technologies
SEA	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
SMTL	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
SOC	Department of Human Behavior
SON	Department of Health Related Professions
SPAN	Department of World Languages
SRGT	Department of Health Related Professions
STAT	Department of Mathematics
SUR	Department of Physical Sciences
TCA	Department of Hospitality Management
THAI	Department of World Languages
THTR	Department of Fine Arts
TLS	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
TMST	Division of Apprenticeship Studies
URST	Department of Social Sciences
VETN	Department of Health Related Professions
VID	Department of Media Technologies
WELD	Department of Applied Technologies
WMST	Department of Social Sciences
WWT	Department of Applied Technologies

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Course Substitution

A student may apply to substitute a course if he/she completed a course that is similar in content to a required course. The student is not granted any additional credit but is merely allowed to substitute a course not listed as a requirement for a course which is required.

The course substitution cannot overrule the mandatory 15 credit CSN residency requirement.

Course Substitution Procedures

Students will need to see their advising unit or an academic counselor to submit a substitution request.
The advisor or counselor must attach a degree sheet with the correct catalog year, a copy of the student’s unofficial CSN transcript or a copy of the student’s transfer credit report, and a catalog course description to the substitution request form. Upon submission of the form, the request is electronically routed to the degree granting chairperson.
The degree-granting chairperson recommends approval or denial and routes the substitution request to the required course department chairperson.
The required course department chairperson reviews and recommends approval or denial of the substitution request. The request is then routed to the Office of the Registrar.
If there is a disagreement between the degree granting department chairperson and the required course department chairperson, the request is routed to the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs for final approval or denial.
The student receives notification via email on the completion of the process. This process can take up to four weeks.

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Instruction Methods for Academic Courses

The instruction method refers to the way a course section is delivered. When searching for course sections in MyCSN, students see the “Instruction Method” toward the right side of the screen and is the second-to-last column listed just before the “Status” of the class. Below are descriptions of the different instruction methods CSN uses for delivering courses.

In-Person (P)

A course section that requires enrolled students to meet on-campus/in-person at regularly scheduled times, primarily in a classroom or lab. Students in these courses are usually expected to be physically present for all course meetings during the semester.

Hybrid (HY)

A course section that requires pre-scheduled in-person meetings one or more times during the semester while other coursework is conducted over the internet using a learning management system (e.g. Canvas). The amount of face-to-face instruction and online coursework varies between course sections.

Coyote Flex (CF)

A course section that requires enrolled students to meet with the instructor at pre-defined days and times. These meetings may be conducted in one of two ways:

Some students attend the class in-person/on-campus while other students attend virtually, or
Some students attend the class at one campus, while other students attend from another campus. The classrooms are connected virtually.

Web-Online (WB)

A course section conducted over the internet using a learning management system (e.g. Canvas) that requires:

NO virtual or in-person/on-campus class meetings on predefined days and times.
MAY require an on-campus activity (e.g. tests, exams, lab work, etc.) at some point during the semester.

Different course sections have different course features for learning and instruction – some are self-paced while others follow a set schedule – organized according to the course syllabus. This type of course is known as asynchronous online instruction.

Web-Remote (WR)

A course section conducted over the internet using a learning management system (e.g. Canvas) that requires:

VIRTUAL (Online) class meetings with the instructor on pre-defined days and times.
MAY require an on-campus activity (e.g. tests, exams, lab work, etc.) at some point during the semester.

Different course sections have different course features for learning and instruction organized according to the course syllabus. This type of course is known as synchronous online instruction.

Special Circumstance (SC)

Used only in emergency situations when an In-person (P), Hybrid (HY), or CoyoteFlex (CF) course must be conducted fully over the internet due to an emergency (e.g. COVID Pandemic).

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Notice for Practicums, Internships, Etc.

Practicums, Practical Experience, Practical Application, On-the-Job Training, Cooperative Education, and Clinical Experience Students may be required to take practical training courses in the form of internships, practicums, or residencies depending on the academic discipline in which they are enrolled. This training may be accomplished at College of Southern Nevada (CSN) facilities or at offsite locations, depending on the specialty. All such courses share commonalities, including:

Students must register in advance.
CSN instructors are responsible for developing course requirements and supervising the progress of students.
Regular meetings between students and instructors provide opportunities for guidance and evaluation. These interactions are generally held on a weekly basis.
Practical training experiences require significantly more time than a regular course.
Students are evaluated on their progress and assigned either a letter grade or a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade, as determined by the appropriate academic department. The satisfactory grade is not calculated into the student’s GPA.
All practicums, internships, or residencies are granted full credit toward graduation, do not extend degree requirements, and are mandatory in several degree and credential programs.

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Final Examinations

Final examinations are held at the end of each semester. Students are required to take the final examination at the time and place scheduled by the instructor in order to receive credit for the course.

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CSN General Education Core Requirements

For comprehensive degree requirements click one of the following links below:

Completing general education at CSN results in fulfilling the following student learning outcomes in the categories of English composition, mathematics, analytical reasoning, constitution, communication, literature, natural science, social science, values and diversity, humanities and fine arts. The general education learning outcomes include:

Construct college-level academic and professional writing using appropriate conventions.
Employ research methods including how to obtain and use information via both print and electronic media.
Solve problems in quantitative mathematical reasoning including probability, statistics, geometry, and consumer mathematics.
Experience or interpret cultural, social and other differences, present in our society.
Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical foundations of analytical reason and its connection to natural language.
Examine and interpret the United States and Nevada constitutions.
Demonstrate general academic literacy applied to oral communication appropriate to different audiences and purposes.
Use critical reading skills to engage and analyze literary texts.
Define and apply basic concepts in one or two scientific disciplines.
Acquire appreciation or introductory knowledge about social sciences and their insights about individual or group behaviors.
Acquire appreciation or introductory knowledge of the humanities or languages, and at least one of the fine arts.

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Honors Program

Please note - The Honors Program is not accepting new students at this time.

The mission of the Honors Program at the College of Southern Nevada is to provide high-achieving students with an enriched academic environment that promotes intellectual curiosity, social awareness, and scholarly excellence.

Program Outcomes

Synthesize, evaluate, integrate, and apply information through multiple formats and approaches from a variety of sources.
Identify and apply methodologies, principles, and research strategies required for creative interdisciplinary scholarship.
Express ideas and concepts precisely and persuasively in multiple formats.
Work both independently and collaboratively on projects, encouraging a sense of community, and fostering relations through academic discourse.
Engage with a wide range of ideas, cultures, values, and beliefs.

Admissions Requirements

Students interested in participating in the Honors Program must submit an application for admittance and meet the following criteria:

New student

Student must submit an unofficial transcript.
Student must have achieved a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Student must submit two letters of recommendation from former teachers or advisors.
Student must submit a 500 – 1000 word essay on a topic(to be determined by the committee) that illustrates to the committee either the student’s personal views on a current event or addresses the student’s personal priorities and goals.

Existing Student

Student must submit an unofficial CSN transcript.
Student must hold a 3.25 GPA after completed credits (with no grade lower than a C).
Student must submit two letters of recommendation from former teachers or advisors.
Student must submit a 500 – 1000 word essay on a topic (to be determined by the committee) that illustrates to the committee either the student’s personal views on a current event or addresses the student’s personal priorities and goals.

Requirements to Stay in the Program

Student must maintain a 3.25 GPA (with no grade lower than a C).

Please Note: Intellectual motivation is a significant factor in acceptance into the program; consequently, those students who may fall short of the GPA criteria, but wish to undertake the challenge, may be considered for admission into the program at the discretion of the Honors Committee.

Course Offerings

Not every course will be offered each semester. Click on a course below to read more about that course.

* Students registering for BIOL 251H do not have to be part of the Honors Program but do have to meet the prerequisite requirement: BIOL 190

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