Credit/GPA and General Education Core Requirements

General Information

Which Catalog?

The College of Southern Nevada publishes an annual catalog that covers the fall semester through the following summer term. Each bachelor, associate degree or certificate of achievement student seeking to graduate from CSN is required to satisfy course requirements as defined in the college catalog.

A student may select the catalog year governing requirements for graduation under the following circumstances:

1. The year in which the student enrolled, or
2. The year the student officially selects a program of study, or
3. The year in which the student will complete the degree requirements for an associate, bachelor’s degree or a certificate of achievement.

If a degree is offered for the first time after a student has enrolled, the student may choose the catalog year in which the degree or major was first offered. The selected catalog may not be more than six years old at the time of graduation for students receiving an associate degree or certificate of achievement, and not more than ten years old at the time of graduation for students receiving a bachelor’s degree.

Credit and GPA Requirements

All candidates for graduation must earn a minimum of 30 credits for a certificate of achievement, 60 credits for an associate degree and 120 credits for a bachelor degree. Candidates for graduation must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Candidates for graduation must complete a minimum of 15 semester credit hours within CSN. For the Associate of Applied Science degree, a minimum of 15 credits must be earned in the special program requirements. Non-traditional credit, credit transferred from another institution, or credit earned through the course challenge process may not be used to establish the 15 credit residency requirement.

CSN General Education Core Requirements

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, humanities, values and diversity, humanities and fine arts.

• 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.

For the Comprehensive Degree Requirements, go to:

https://www.csn.edu/sites/default/files/documents/general_education_for_aa_as_and_ab_degrees_policy_0.pdf

or
https://www.csn.edu/sites/default/files/documents/general_education_requirements_for_aas_degrees_policy.pdf

Transfer Degrees

Students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university can earn the Associate of Arts, Associate of Business, or the Associate of Science degree. These degrees provide the first two years of a four-year degree. Any student transferring from the College of Southern Nevada with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Business, or an Associate of Science degree will have that degree counted as fulfilling UNLV’s general education requirements without the necessity for a course-by-course articulation.

Always see a counselor to outline a detailed degree plan of study and to obtain all current information on CSN degree requirements leading to graduation. See Transfer Students’ Rights and Responsibilities .

Course Numbering Information

All undergraduate courses in the 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:

Course numbers with a “B” suffix may be non-transferable for a NSHE baccalaureate degree; for example ACC 223B .

General Education Requirements

AA/AB/AS General Education Requirements  

AAS General Education Requirements