The most frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) posed by undergraduate day students.
Q. Who is my academic advisor?
Q. Why do I need an academic advisor?
Q. When should I meet with my advisor?
Q. Is it important to get to know professors? What are office hours for?
Q. How many credits do I need to be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior?
Q. How can I receive credit for AP classes that I took in high school?
Q. What classes fulfill a "Free Elective?"
Q. What is a Global Marker?
Q. Can I take Continuing Education (CE) and/or SNHU ONLINE classes?
Q. What will happen if I drop a class?
Q. What happens if I am unable to attend class due to emergency or illness?
Q. Can I take courses at any other college or university and use them towards my degree at SNHU?
Q. How do I change my advisor?
Q. How do I change my major?
Q. How do double majors and minors work?
Q. Can I repeat a course?
Q. I received a grade of Incomplete ("I") from my professor. What can I do now?
Q. Where can I get help/tutoring for my classes?
Q. How many credits can I take in a semester?
Q. I want to take more than six (6) a semester. How do I get permission?
Q. How do I find out about Study Abroad?
Q. I have a disability, how do I get help?
Q. What are "holds" on my record and how do I get them lifted?
Q. I think I am ready to graduate, what do I need to do?
If you are not sure who your advisor is, just check the ”My Profile” screen on mySNHU. If an advisor is not listed, contact the Academic Advising Office, stop by Exeter Hall 59 or call 603.645.9630 and one will be assigned to you.
(Back to Top)
Your advisor will help you identify your academic, career, and personal goals. She/he will also help you; develop an academic plan consistent with your goals, understand the university's academic policies and requirements, and refer you, as needed, to other university offices and resources. Lastly and most important, you must meet with your advisor to review and approve your course schedule prior to the course registration period each semester.
You will want to meet with your advisor at least three (3) times during each semester. Your first meeting should occur within the first three weeks of the semester. A second meeting should be scheduled around mid-semester (8th or 9th week) to review your mid-term grades, your goals and academic plan. Your third advisor meeting should take place prior to the course registration period for next semester. Although we recommend you meet at least three (3) times each semester, it is important to maintain regular contact with your advisor via email, phone and/or face-to-face visit during office hours throughout the year. You should also plan ahead, especially during course registration times, and schedule an appointment.
It is always useful to get to know your professors. Professors hold regular, weekly, scheduled office hours. The times and locations will be listed on your course syllabus (usually distributed on the first day of class). Office hours are a good time to discuss ideas generated in class, clarify assignments, and share common interests with your professors. Establishing a connection with your professors will be helpful when you need letters of recommendation when applying for Study Abroad programs, internship opportunities, graduate school, and employment opportunities.
Freshman status requires 0-29 credits
Sophomore status requires 30-59 credits
Junior status requires 60-89 credits
Senior status requires 90+ credits
To receive credit for AP courses that you successfully completed in high school, you must have official copies of your scores sent to the Office of the Registrar for approval. Once your scores are received by the Office of the Registrar, they will be evaluated and credit will be awarded as appropriate. To receive credit you must have received a score of 3 or higher.
Any course the University offers for graduation credit, that is not already required for your degree program (and that you meet the prerequisites for), can be used to fulfill a “free elective” requirement. Free elective credits can also be fulfilled through internship and/or study abroad experiences. Please contact the Career Development Center for information about internship opportunities and the Study Abroad Office for opportunities to study overseas.
Global Marker courses are courses that make students aware of other cultures and the global environment. Global Marker courses focus on such topics as: the inter-connectedness of different regions and cultures; specific characteristics of non-western regions and cultures; skills of particular use in international business and travel; and the history, politics and geography of the world.
Students can fulfill these requirements by either studying abroad or by taking at least two courses with global markers. A list of the global markets courses available at Southern New Hampshire University can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Undergraduate Day students must file a petition to take Continuing Education (CE) and SNHU Online courses with the Academic Advising Office during the academic year. Petitions will be reviewed and once approved students are enrolled in the requested CE/Online course (pending seat availability). Undergraduate day students must be enrolled in at least four (4) DAY classes to be eligible, and there is no "guarantee" you will be enrolled in the requested course. Please remember that your undergraduate day student tuition covers up to 18 credits/semester. If the CE/Online course will give you more than 18 credit hours in a semester (Fall or Spring), you will need to Petition to Take an Overload and pay the additional tuition fees.
There are many issues to be aware of when considering whether to drop a class. Therefore, it is important for you to speak with either your academic advisor or an advisor in the Academic Advising Office (Exeter 59).
If you drop a course and it brings you below 12 credits (which is considered full-time), you should be aware of the following:
- It may jeopardize your financial aid eligibility. Check with the Financial Aid Office for clarification of their policy.
- It you live in campus housing, it may affect your eligibility to remain a resident student. Please check with the Residence Life .
- If you are an athlete, it may affect your eligibility to play a collegiate sport. You should check with your coach.
- It may make you ineligible for certain medical insurance benefits. You should check with your parents, guardian, or insurance company.
- If you are an international student, it may cause you to be “out of status” with Immigration. Please check with an advisor in International Student Services.
In the event of an emergency or prolonged illness (more than a few days) you should notify the Academic Advising Office and your advisor. The Academic Advising Office will contact your instructors and inform them you will not be attending class. You will also be asked to supply appropriate documentation of your illness and/or emergency upon your return to classes. Remember, an excused absence from class does NOT excuse you from the work, tests, exams, etc. you miss. It is your responsibility to contact your professors and complete all "make-up" work in a timely manner.
Yes, but it is recommended that you obtain PRIOR approval from the Office of the Registrar. You will need to complete a form and return it to the Office of the Registrar for approval before taking a class elsewhere. Obtaining prior approval will assure (assuming you receive a final grade of "C" or better) the credits will be accepted for transfer by SNHU.
Students who want to change their advisor need to complete and file a Change of Advisor form with the Academic Advising Office (Exeter 59).
Steps to Change a Major:
1. Fill out a Change of Major Form, which are available in the Academic Advising office or online (Change of Major Form).
2. Meet with your advisor and have them sign the form.
3. Schedule a meeting with an Academic Advisor in the academic Advising Office. Please call 603.645.9630 or stop by: Exeter Hall, suite 59 and schedule an appointment to meet with an Academic Advisor.
Please note that all students are required to meet with both their advisor and an advisor in the Academic Advising Office.
Students need to complete the requirements of each major in addition to the BA/BS core requirements. Students interested in a double major should meet with an advisor in the Academic Advising Office and will need to have the Change of Major form signed by the Dean. You can only double major within the same school at Southern New Hampshire University. For example: you can major in Marketing and Advertising (both within School of Business) but you cannot double major in Marketing and Elementary Education (School of Business and School of Education)
Minors normally require 15-18 credit hours. To pursue a minor, please see your advisor or an advisor in the Academic Advising Office. To declare a minor, you must submit an Application for Minor form to the Academic Advising Office.
Yes. Students may repeat courses for credit. It is recommended that students who fail a course(s) repeat the same course(s) at SNHU. In such instances, the most recent course grade will be used when computing the Cumulative G.P.A. However, all prior grades will appear on a student's transcript.
If you received a grade of incomplete ("I") in a course, you need to contact your professor and determine what you need to do to make up the incomplete work. You must complete all the required work as outlined in the agreed upon by you and your instructor. Grades of Incomplete ("I") are changed to a grade of “IF” if the work is not completed according to the conditions outlined in the
Depending upon the course, there are various resources available to students needing assistance. The first step would be to meet with your professor during his/her office hours and discuss your concerns. The Learning Center also offers walk-in help services, as well as one-on-one tutors and peer mentors.
Most students enroll in five (5) courses each semester. However, full-time undergraduate day students can take up to 18 credits, six (6) courses/semester. Students interested in taking six (6) courses should meet with their advisor to discuss their intentions and options.
If you want to enroll in more than 18 credits, six (6) courses during a semester, you will need to meet with your academic advisor or an advisor in the Academic Advising Office and submit a Petition to Take an Overload. If your petition is approved, you will be required to pay additional tuition fees.
To learn about study abroad programs contact Study Abroad Programs.
You will need to establish that you are eligible to receive the appropriate university services and accommodations by opening a file with the Office of Disability Services.
“Holds” on your record can be but are not limited to academic or financial holds, disciplinary sanctions, library fines, parking fines, etc. When you have a "hold" on your record you are not able to adjust your schedule, receive transcripts, etc. In order to have a hold "removed" or "lifted", you will need to contact the appropriate office or department. If you have a any question or need more information contact your advisor or the Academic Advising Office.
Once you have successfully completed a minimum of 90 credits, you are eligible to Petition to Graduate . Once your Petition to Graduate has been submitted, the Office of the Registrar will conduct a degree audit and send you a letter detailing the results of their audit.
