University Names

History
Norfolk State University (NSU) is a four-year, state-supported, coed, liberal arts institution, founded in 1935 as the Norfolk State Unit of Virginia Union University (VUU). In 1942, the school became independent of VUU and was named Norfolk Polytechnic College. Within two years, by an act of the Virginia Legislature, it became a part of Virginia State College (VSC), and granted its first bachelor’s degrees in 1956. The college divided from VSC in 1969 and was named Norfolk State College. When granted university status in 1979, the school’s name changed to Norfolk State University. NSU continues its mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education for an ethnically and culturally diverse student population, equipping them with the capability to become productive citizens who continually contribute to a global and rapidly changing society. Norfolk State offers 36 Undergraduate, 15 Master’s, and 2 Doctorate degrees with new Bachelor’s degree program being offered in Optical Engineering and Master’s degree programs in Optical Engineering, Computer Science, and Criminal Justice. Eighty-five students attended the first classes held in 1935; today NSU boasts an enrollment of more than 6,500 with students from all sections of the United States and 38 foreign countries. Although a young institution, the University prospers as one of the largest black institutions in the nation. It ranks 9th among schools graduating African Americans with bachelor\’s degrees. Located on the former site of the 50-acre Memorial Park Golf Course, which the city of Norfolk sold to the school for one dollar, the campus now encompasses 134 acres of land and 31 buildings. The Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall is a large health, physical education, and ROTC complex with a seating capacity of 7,500. Other facilities include a 30,000-seat football stadium; a television studio and radio station, an African art museum, and a magnificent multi-purpose performing arts center. Research facilities include a life sciences building with a planetarium and a materials research wing with crystal growth, organic synthesis, laser spectroscopy, and magnetic resonance equipment.

Accrediation
Norfolk State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees.

Costs per Year
$ 23,909

Financial Aid-Institutional Funding
Percent of students who received financial aid: 81% Financial Aid Specific to the School The Alumni Association Scholarship is available to students meeting varying criteria as determined by each individual alumni chapter. Students should contact the NSU Alumni Affairs Office. Presidential/ Board of Visitors\ Scholarships are given to Virginia residents with at least a 3.0 GPA and 900 SAT or 19 ACT. Students must be first-time freshmen or transfers and must enroll full-time. Students should contact the Admissions Office.

Financial-Aid Deadline
April 15 (fall); January 2 (spring)

Admission Deadline
April 1 (recommended fall); October 15 (recommended spring); nursing applicants December 1 prior to fall semester of desired entry.

Entrance Requirements
SAT I score of 800 or ACT score of 17 Graduation from an accredited high school (or equivalent) and completion of a minimum total of 22 academic units to include 4 English, 3 mathematics, 3 science, 3 history and social sciences, 2 health and physical education, 1 fine arts or practical arts, and 6 electives; official high school transcripts; and two letters of recommendation from counselor and teacher. A nonrefundable application fee is required. Admission Application Deadline Rolling admissions; April 1 (recommended fall); October 15 (recommended spring); nursing applicants December 1 prior to fall semester of desired entry. Admission Contact: Director of Admissions Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504 Phone: 757-823-8396 Fax: 757-823-2078

Graduation Requirements
A minimum of 120 semester hours of credit; completion of the General Education Core requirements; minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0; have met all requirements of the curriculum leading to the degree for which he/she is a candidate; have spent a minimum of two semesters in residence at Norfolk State University, and have earned a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit during this period, including all of the courses required by the senior year curriculum.

Student Body Profile
Total enrollment: 6,839 In-state students: 4,897 Out-of-state students: 1,942 Undergraduate students: 5,968 Graduate students: 871 Ethnic/racial makeup: African American, 6,019; Caucasian, 561;

Student Life
Campus Regulations: Cars must be registered. Residence hall visitation permitted during designated hours. Campus Services: Health clinic, personal and psychological counseling, career counseling and placement, disability services, student employment, and tutoring. Campus Activities: Social and cultural activities include theater, concerts, orchestra, jazz and marching band, choir, and dance. Other activities include films, art exhibits, recitals, and seminars. Students may get involved in the student-run newspaper or yearbook. Communications majors may work at the student-run radio station, WNSB. Leadership opportunities are found in the Student Government Association (SGA) or the more than one hundred-ten student organizations. Greek letter fraternities include Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, and Phi Beta Sigma; sororities include Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta. Seventeen Honor societies are also represented on campus. Housing Availability 1944 housing spaces; freshmen given priority; off-campus housing permitted.

Faculty Profile
Number of faculty members: 457 Student/teacher ratio: 16:1 Full-time faculty members: 314 Part-time faculty members: 143 Faculty members with doctorates or other terminal degrees: 42%

School Calender
August-May (semester hours) Commencement and conferring of degrees: May and December Three summer sessions

Degrees
Associate degree programs: Architectural Drafting, Nursing Bachelor of Arts: Economics, English, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages (French/Spanish), Graphic Design, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Music Media, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Urban Planning Bachelor\’s degree programs: Accounting, Administrative Systems Management, Tourism and Hospitality Management, General Business, Early Childhood Education, Exercise Science, English, Business Education, Fine Arts and Graphic Design, Journalism, Mass Communications, Music Education, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Interdisciplinary Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Electronics Engineering, Health Information Management Program, Health Services Management, Medical Technology, Nursing, Vocational/Industrial Education, Building Construction Technology, Computer Technology, Design Technology, Electronic Technology, Social Work, Optical Engineering Master\’s degree programs: Applied Sociology, Chemical Physics, Community Psychology, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Education of the Gifted, Media and Communications, Music, Pre-Elementary Education, Severe Disabilities, Social Work, Teaching, Urban Affairs, and Urban Education, and Visual Studies Doctoral degree programs: Social Work, Clinical Psychology