Nevada System of Higher Education: An Overview
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) is a state government unit in Nevada that oversees its public system of colleges and universities. Formerly known as the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN), it was formed in 1968 to oversee all state-supported higher education in the state. NSHE comprises two doctoral-granting research universities, two state colleges, three community colleges, and one research institute.
Structure and Governance
In any complex system there are many moving parts. Nevada’s System of Higher Education is its superpower. The connected higher education system in Nevada allows all institutions to benefit from each other. In our case, we have a publicly elected Board of Regents that oversee the system, makes budgetary decisions, and enact system-wide policies. NSHE’s System Administration office carries out state-wide initiatives to ensures the Board of Regents policies are implemented throughout the system.
Institutions within NSHE
The Nevada System of Higher Education oversees a diverse range of institutions, each contributing to the state's educational landscape. These institutions include:
- University of Nevada, Reno (UNR): Established in 1874 as a land-grant institution, the University of Nevada, Reno, is the oldest university in the state. It is the flagship institution of the state and known as the University of Nevada. UNR is classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning as an R1 - Very high research activity university.
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV): The University of Nevada, Las Vegas was the second four-year university in the state to be founded, initially as Nevada Southern University in 1957.
- College of Southern Nevada (CSN): Founded in 1971 as Clark County Community College and later renamed the Community College of Southern Nevada before gaining its current name, the College of Southern Nevada is the largest institution of higher education, public or private, in Nevada.
- Other institutions include two state colleges, three community colleges, and one research institute.
Degree Programs Offered
NSHE institutions offer a variety of degree programs to cater to different academic and professional goals:
- Certificate of Achievement (CA): Focuses on job-specific skills.
- Associate of Arts (AA): The associate of arts degree is designed for students who are planning to transfer to a university to complete a bachelor's of arts degree. The completion of the associate of arts, associate of science, and associate of business degree at a community college automatically fulfills the lower-division general education requirements at any other NSHE institution. (Title 4, Ch.
- Associate of Science (AS): The associate of science degree is designed for students who are planning to transfer to a university to complete a bachelor's of science degree. The completion of the associate of arts, associate of science, and associate of business degree at a community college automatically fulfills the lower-division general education requirements at any other NSHE institution. (Title 4, Ch.
- Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS): A master’s degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded after the completion of a program of one to three years in duration. Postgraduate Education, often known as graduate education, involves studying for degrees or other qualifications for which a first or bachelor’s degree is required, and is normally considered to be part of tertiary or higher education.
Transfer Policies and Procedures
The following presents the policies and procedures that govern student transfers between NSHE institutions. It is intended to inform students of their rights and responsibilities and affirm institutional responsibilities. Student Success is the Nevada System of Higher Education’s top priority.
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- Transfer credit for courses taken at other NSHE Institution is governed by policies established in the Board of Regents Handbook, Title 4, Chapter 14, Sections 16, 17, and 18 and Title 4, Chapter 16, Section 31.
- All undergraduate courses in the NSHE must be common-course numbered with equivalent courses offered throughout the System. An NSHE common course numbering master file shall be maintained by the Office of the Chancellor and published on the Web.
- Each institution shall determine the acceptability of general elective transfer courses, and departmental, college, or other requirements or equivalents shall be forwarded to the appropriate department or college for course evaluation. If general elective credit from a non-NSHE institution is granted by one NSHE institution, then all NSHE institutions shall accept the credit unless the facts on which the original decision was based have changed. Appropriate consultation with the faculty is required throughout the evaluation process. (Title 4, Ch.
- Baccalaureate level courses included as part of the associate of arts, associate of science, or associate of business degree will transfer to any other NSHE institution at a minimum as general elective credit. (Title 4, Ch.
- All baccalaureate academic majors at a university or college must have current transfer agreements with NSHE community colleges. Transfer agreements shall be developed collaboratively by both the baccalaureate degree-granting institution and the associate degree-granting institution for each baccalaureate program where a corresponding associate program exists. Absent a corresponding associate program, the transfer agreement shall be based on the general transfer degree (AA, AS, or AB with no emphasis or major). (Title 4, Ch.
- In addition to the NSHE Core requirements established in pursuant to Title 4, Chapter 14, each university may define additional courses for inclusion in an institutional core curriculum. The establishment of such core must be clearly defined in the course catalog. (Title 4, Ch.
- Access information about the transfer of specific courses, credit hours, grades, and degree requirements.
- Appeal any NSHE institution’s transfer-related decision.
- Notice: Students have all the above rights and any others as summarized from the Board of Regent Handbook. Understand the transfer policies and procedures of the institution they are considering for transfer.
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