2020 - 2021 CATALOG This publication provides information concerning the programs at Nichols College and does not constitute a contract with the student. The policies and procedures contained in the 2020-2021 Nichols College Catalog will remain in effect until June 30, 2021. Nichols College reserves the right to change at any time the rules governing admission, tuition, fees, courses, the granting of degrees, or any other regulations affecting the campus community. Such changes are to take effect whenever College officials deem necessary and will be communicated via written notice whenever possible or other means as appropriate. NICHOLS COLLEGE Center Road P.O. Box 5000 Dudley, Massachusetts 01571-5000 Catalog of Nichols College August 2020 Volume LII Table of Contents Minors in Liberal Arts 83 Business Administration Minor 83 Civic Leadership and Politics Minor 83 Gender and Diversity Studies Minor 83 Liberal Arts Minor 84 President’s Message 2 Certificate in Business Analytics 84 Nichols College Mission 3 Certificate in Entrepreneurship 84 General Information 4 Certificate in Terrorism Studies 84 Undergraduate Degree Options 4 Other Academic Programs 85 Graduate Degree Options 4 Dual Degree Programs 91 Memberships 4 Course Descriptions 94 Historical Highlights 5 Accounting 94 College Resources 6 Art 95 Statements of Policy 8 Communication 96 Admissions Policies and Procedures 10 Criminal Justice 98 Graduate & Professional Studies 14 Critical Writing, Reading and Research 99 Student Finances 16 Dance 99 Financial Regulations 16 Economics 100 Financial Aid 21 English 101 Nichols College-Funded Student Aid Programs 22 Entrepreneurship 103 State Funded Programs 27 Environmental Science 104 Federally Funded Programs 27 Finance 104 Academic Affairs 29 Gender and Diversity Studies 105 Student Life 29 History 106 Athletics 30 Honors 108 The Student Involvement Office 30 Hospitality Management 109 Student Support Services 32 Human Resource Management 110 Administrative Regulations 35 Humanities 110 Student Regulations 35 Information Technology Management 111 General Regulations 35 Interdisciplinary Studies 111 Information Technology Regulations 36 International Business 112 Academic Regulations 38 Leadership 113 Academic Policies 39 Legal Studies 114 Nichols College Academic Honesty Policy 44 Liberal Arts 114 Academic Programs 47 Management 114 Undergraduate Degree Programs 47 Marketing 115 Programs in Business Administration (BSBA) 47 Mathematics 116 Programs in Liberal Studies (BA) 47 Music 117 Accounting 48 Philosophy 118 Business Analytics 49 Political Science 118 Corporate Finance & Investments 50 Psychology 119 Criminal Justice Management 51 Religion 121 Digital and Social Media Marketing 52 Seminar 121 Economics 53 Sociology 122 Finance 54 Spanish 122 General Business 55 Sport Management 122 Hospitality Management 58 WAY 124 Human Resource Management 60 Inactive Courses 124 International Business 62 GPS - Course Descriptions 125 Management 63 Common Core 125 Marketing 64 Master of Business Administration (MBA) Core 125 Marketing Analytics 65 MBA Electives 125 Sport Management 66 Master of Organizational Leadership (MSOL) 126 Programs in Liberal Studies (BA) 68 Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) 127 Communication 68 Master of Science in Counterterrorism 127 Criminal Justice 70 Administration and Faculty 128 Economics 72 Board of Trustees 128 English 74 Faculty and Staff 129 History 76 Faculty Emeriti 133 Mathematics 78 Accreditations 134 Psychology 79 Directions to Nichols College 135 Minors in Business 81 Academic Calendar 136 2020 – 2021 Catalog 1 President’s Message Dear Student, Within a supportive community, Nichols College transforms today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders through a dynamic, career-focused business and professional education. This mission guides all of our efforts and ensures that our students benefit from a range of curricular and co-curricular opportunities that give them a distinct advantage in the workplace. Our faculty, many of whom are former business leaders, executives and owners, bring a unique perspective to the classroom and continually work to develop teaching methods that promote a meaningful educational experience. Programs such as the Professional Development Seminar, a four-year series of one-credit courses designed to enhance the professional and personal development of students beyond academics, have become the cornerstone of a Nichols education. Nichols is steadily defining leadership education for the next generation of students. Every day, we dedicate ourselves to their professional development and they amaze us with their capacity to discover their own leadership potential. The Nichols experience unfolds in a welcoming environment where students are encouraged to learn and grow under the guidance of mentoring faculty and staff committed to student success. We place an importance on educating the whole student by fostering an appreciation of the arts and sciences, emphasizing the integration of technology in the classroom, and promoting student involvement in Division III athletics and an array of club and co-curricular activities. The College boasts over 15,000 alumni and countless success stories of our graduates putting their Nichols degrees to productive use. On average, more than 95 percent of our graduates secure jobs or are in a graduate program within six months of graduation. Employers report that our students are well prepared for the world of work and effectively present themselves. We are also especially proud of the fact that Nichols is ranked 13th nationally as a Best Value Business College by Payscale.com and has been awarded “Best Business Educa- tion” by the Worcester Business Journal’s Best of Business readers’ poll in 2014 and 2016-2020. Our outcomes represent our programming well. The building blocks to a practical business education are detailed in this Catalog. We look forward to getting you started and to helping you grow and succeed at Nichols College so that one day you may put your Nichols degree to work. Sincerely, Susan West Engelkemeyer, Ph.D. 2 Nichols College Return to Table of Contents Nichols College Mission Nichols College Mission Statement Within a supportive community, Nichols College transforms today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders through a dynamic, career-focused business and professional education. To support its mission, Nichols College Each educational goal is supported by learning outcomes that • Offers an experiential business curriculum with a strong clarify what the Nichols student will accomplish as evidence liberal arts foundation, that is enhanced by the scholarship of success. These outcomes have been identified by business of practice and pedagogy. leaders as vital for the success of their employees. The College will engage in a continuous process of assessing student learning • Integrates research and scholarship into the student outcomes as they relate to related educational goals. Assessment experience with programs that cultivate and enhance results will allow us to improve our curriculum and pedagogy on professional skills and readiness. an ongoing basis. • Develops the communication and critical thinking abilities, the ethical and cultural perspectives, and the necessary I. Communication teamwork skills that are required of leaders in a global Effectively express and accurately comprehend concepts and economy. facts using a range of appropriate and current communication methods. Nichols College Educational Goals and Outcomes Nichols College is a teaching institution whose primary mission II. Critical Thinking and Quantitative Analysis centers on the intellectual, personal, and professional develop- Utilize qualitative and quantitative problem-solving skills to ment of each student. The educational goals of the College are to analyze and interpret information. prepare students for careers in business, public service, and the professions, by means of improving their skills and competencies, III. Ethics and Personal Accountability and to actively engage within our community and the global Recognize and assess questions of right and wrong and demon- society. strate a willingness to act responsibly in personal and professional life. All students will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the fundamental principles of their major fields of study. In particular, IV. Civic and Social Engagement students majoring in business administration should possess Articulate an understanding and appreciation of cultural and an understanding of the key business functions of accounting, human differences, acknowledging the interconnectedness of a finance, economics, information systems, management, global society and one’s social and civic responsibility to the and marketing and an awareness of the interaction of these community, the nation and the world. concepts in the practice of business and their relationship to government and public policy. Students majoring in the liberal V. Leadership and Teamwork arts will demonstrate similar understanding of the basic concepts Work effectively and collaboratively in a group, assume leadership pertaining to their areas of concentration, allowing for a solid when appropriate, and support leadership in others. foundation that could lead to graduate studies. Through the general education curriculum, all students will also develop an awareness of the arts, sciences, as well as professional skills, and their importance in the complete development of the well-educated citizen. 2020 – 2021 Catalog 3 Return