FAQ | Brendawoodfordfebresadvising

Student FAQ

General Questions

Can I use a tablet/Chromebook to complete my coursework?

No. You need a computer that's compatible with Windows 11 (Home or Pro). Before purchasing a computer, make sure that it has the right technology requirements: Technology Requirements and Support

Does SNHU provide laptops for students?

No, but you may be able to get discounts with your preferred vendor as an SNHU student. SNHU partners with Dell and Apple to provide students with special offers. If purchasing a computer through Dell, please contact your academic advisor for the SNHU Member ID #.

Are there any resources available for students to access a computer?

Public libraries often offer computer and internet access. Some even provide laptop lending programs. You can search for nearby libraries by using the WorldCat Library Search Engine.

If you need additional assistance sourcing technology requirements, the following organizations* may be helpful:

Computers with Causes provides computers to those in need based on a strict need assessment, background and reference check.
EveryoneOn helps unlock social and economic opportunities by connecting families in underserved communities to affordable internet service, computers, and digital skills training.
GiveITGetIT is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help nonprofits, families and individuals overcome what hinders access to technology.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefit program that provides eligible households with a discount on broadband service. *Please note that SNHU does not have any affiliation with these organizations.

I don't have Microsoft Office 365 on my computer. What can I do?

As an SNHU student, you can download Microsoft Office 365 for free. Please email your academic advisor at advising@snhu.edu to obtain instructions on how to download it.

I have issues logging into the student portal/SNHU email/Brightspace? What should I do?

Whenever you're having technical difficulties or issues accessing SNHU systems, please reach out to the IT Service Desk.

Submit a Ticket to the IT Service Desk This link opens in a new window. Please bookmark this page for easy future access.

Chat with the IT Service Desk This link opens in a new window.

Call the IT Service Desk: 1.855.877.9919. Phone support is available 7 days a week, 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m. EST.

How can I purchase SNHU merch?

You can purchase SNHU merch HERE.

I don't feel like I have a support system at SNHU. How can I make friends or get involved in extracurricular activities at the university?

College is not all about academics. We want to feel like we belong, that we're connecting with our peers and leaders and engaging in activities beyond the online classroom.

You can find a group, club, or organization to join on SNHU Connect. If you're a first generation student, consider joining the First-Gen Learner Resource Group.

Additionally, be aware of university events that are announced in your student portal (mySNHU) homepage. Attending SNHU virtual events is a great way to connect with others at SNHU. Finally, keeping up with SNHU News may also help you feel more connected to the university.

Check out upcoming events HERE.

I am not clear on the enrollment requirements at SNHU. What is the course load requirement for a full-time student vs. a part-time student?

SNHU works on a trimester structure. There are three trimesters in an academic year, and each trimester has two 8-week terms. If you complete 3 credits per term (6 credits in a trimester), you are considered a half time/part-time student. If you complete 6 credits per term (12 credits in a trimester), you are a full-time student. If you're at least a part-time student, you may be eligible for student loans. If you complete one course per trimester, you're considered a less than half time student and you will not be eligible for loans.

How can I access the university's Academic Calendar?

Please see the Academic Calendar HERE.

What is the best way to reach you (my academic advisor)?

Often times when students call the advising line (877-591-4723) they hope to connect with me. Unfortunately, more times than not, I am on a call with another student or in meetings throughout the day.

The best way to reach me is either by email or by booking an appointment with on my booking page. My visiting my booking page, you can see my available days and times. Visit @AdvisingSupportWithBrenda.

Academic Concerns

Academic Honors & Merit Pages

What are the GPA and enrollment requirements for me to make the Honor Roll, Dean's List or President's List?

The Honor Roll recognizes students with a term GPA (not cumulative GPA) of 3.5 or higher. Eligible students may also appear on the President's List or Dean's List if they meet additional criteria.

For questions about the Honor Roll, please contact meritpages@snhu.edu. At the close of each reporting term (fall, spring, summer), SNHU publishes the President's List and Dean's List to recognize those who have demonstrated academic excellence.

President's List: Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum GPA of 3.700 and above.

Dean's List: Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum GPA of 3.500 to 3.699 are named to the Dean's List

NOTE: Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week trimester or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, spring and summer.

For questions about the President's List or Dean's List eligibility, please contact registrar@snhu.edu.

What is Merit Pages?

Merit Pages is SNHU’s student achievement platform, designed to recognize academic success and provide you with a space to showcase your accomplishments.

SNHU creates Merit profiles on a rolling basis, requiring no action from you. When an account is created, a personalized welcome email is sent to your SNHU email.

Learn more about customizing your Merit Pages profile

Academic Standing

What GPA do I need to be in good academic standing with the university?

You need a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA. A 2.0 is a C.

My GPA fell below a 2.0. What happens next?

If your cumulative GPA fell below a 2.0 you will be placed on the first level of scholastic warning. There are several levels of scholastic warning before an academic suspension and academic dismissal. Learn more about scholastic standing HERE.

It will be critical for you to obtain a C or higher grade in every course moving forward until you get to a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Once your cumulative GPA is at a 2.0, you will be removed from scholastic warning.

Course retakes can improve your cumulative GPA. When you successfully complete a retake, the new grade replaces the failed one in your GPA calculation. The failed grade, however, will still appear on your transcript."

Anticipated Graduation Date

I checked my academic evaluation. Why don't I see my anticipated graduation date listed? Am I missing something? Where can I find this information?

Your academic evaluation will not show your anticipated graduation date. It's hard to provide this information since all students at SNHU are working through their degree at their own pace. Every student has a different timeline for getting to graduation. Please email me at advising@snhu.edu, and I will provide you with an anticipated graduation date.

Assignments Deadlines

I missed the Thursday discussion. Can I submit it late?

There is no late policy in place for the Thursday discussions. However, if you have a valid reason for being unable to submit your discussion, email your instructor and ask if they would accept a late submission of your discussion post.

If permitted to post past the deadline, you will likely need to submit it no later than the week the discussion was due to receive credit.

I missed the Sunday deadline. Can I still submit my assignment?

Yes. While there is no late policy for discussion posts, there is a late policy in place for Sunday assignments. You have 7 days past the Sunday deadline to submit it for a 10% penalty. For example, if your assignment was due Sunday, October 5th, you have until the following Sunday, October 12th, to submit the assignment.

When you submit an assignment late, please make sure to email your instructor. They do not receive automatic notifications from Brightspace when students have uploaded a late assignment.

If you missed the late assignment deadline, please email your instructor and explain the reason(s) why you missed the late assignment deadline. Feel free to ask for an additional extension, but keep in mind that it may not be granted. Instructors can provide extensions at their discretion.

Ceremonial and Latin Honors

How can I be eligible for Ceremonial and Latin Honors?

Information about Ceremonial Honors can be found HERE.

Commencement and degree conferral

When is commencement in 2026?

Commencement is held twice a year, in the spring and fall. You have the option of participating in the in-person commencement ceremony in Manchester, NH or participating virtually. See the upcoming commencement dates below:

In-Person Commencement

SNHU Arena | 555 Elm St., Manchester, NH

Sunday, May 3, 2026

10 a.m. ET

Online Undergraduate Health Professions, Nursing and Social Sciences Programs

Virtual Commencement

Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET

Join the YouTube Premiere or watch the recording later.

Future Dates

Fall 2026 Commencement: Sunday, November 15, 2026
Fall 2026 Virtual Commencement: Saturday, December 5, 2026

Fore more information about commencement, please click HERE.

Course Materials

I purchased my book(s) at the online bookstore, but I can't locate my access code. How can I obtain my access code(s)?

When you purchased your book(s), you should have received a confirmation email with instructions on how to access your book.

Alternatively, you can also access your book through your bookstore account. Follow the instructions below:

To locate the access code(s) for your book(s), follow these steps:

Navigate to the SNHU online bookstore.
Log in to your account.
- First time users must create an account.
In the top navigation, select the “Menu” option.
Select the “Your Digital Content” tab.
Select "Reveal Code” to the right of the purchased title's name to display any purchased access code.
Select "Launch" to the right of the purchased title's name to access if it is only accessible from the digital bookshelf.

If you're still unable to locate your access code, contact the e-book customer service department at 844-602-9861. They're available from 8AM - 8 PM ET Monday-Friday.

I received instructions to create a VitalSource Bookshelf account to access my book. Can you explain what VitalSource Bookshelf is and guide me through the process of accessing my book?

Yes, VitalSource Bookshelf is a platform for accessing and reading eTexbooks. If you don't have a VitalSource Bookshelf account, you will need to create one HERE.

Please watch the video tutorial provided below for creating a VitalSource Bookshelf account and accessing your book.

VitalSource Bookshelf Training Modules

My ENG-130/ENG-190 course uses a MacMillan Achieve book. How do I access my book? I don't see the book in VitalSource Bookshelf.

Macmillan Achieve is a digital teaching and learning environment. You will be able to access your e-text through the Macmillan Achieve links placed throughout your course. This is the only way to correctly access the Macmillan Achieve content.

After you've purchased your book, look for the confirmation email from the bookstore that contains your access code. Generally, the bookstore will email you the access code/passkey within 24 hours of purchase. If you do not receive it within 24 hours, please check your spam. If you still do not see it, please call the bookstore at (844) 602-9861 for assistance.

Alternatively, you can log into your bookstore account and navigate to your "Digital Content" to retrieve your access code.

Once you have your access code, go to your course homepage, click on the Course Menu, then click on Modules, and finally on MacMillan Achieve. To access your book, click on the link Register for MacMillan Achieve, as seen on the screenshot below:

For more information on MacMillan Achieve, view the MacMillan Achieve Student Guide.

My course uses Soomo. What is it and how do I access my book through Soomo?

Soomo is an interactive e-textbook provider that SNHU uses for several of its courses, such as PSY-222 - Research Methods.

After you purchase your book book, look for the confirmation email from the bookstore that contains your access code. Generally, the bookstore will email you the passkey within 24 hours of purchase. If you do not receive it within 24 hours, please check your spam. If you still do not see it, please call the bookstore at (844) 602-9861 for assistance.

Alternatively, you can log into your bookstore account and navigate to your "Digital Content" to retrieve your access code.

Once you have obtained your access code/passkey, go to your course homepage, click on the Course Menu, then click on Learning Modules, and then click on Soomo. Click on My eMaterials to access your book. See the screenshot below:

For guidance on Soomo-related issues, consult the Soomo Student Help Center This link opens in a new window. If you have a course-specific question, contact your instructor or the SNHU Help Desk at 1.855.877.9919.

My course uses Zybooks. What is it and how do I access my book through Zybooks?

Zybooks is an online educational platform that specializes in interactive, digital textbooks for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects.

After you've purchased your book, look for the confirmation email from the bookstore that contains your access code. Generally, the bookstore will email you the passkey within 24 hours of purchase. If you do not receive it within 24 hours, please check your spam. If you still do not see it, please call the bookstore at (844) 602-9861 for assistance.

Alternatively, you can log into your bookstore account and navigate to your "Digital Content" to retrieve your access code.

Once you have obtained your access code/passkey, go to your course homepage, click on the Course Menu, then click on Learning Modules, and then click on Start Here. Scroll down to where it says MAT-240-Zybook and click on it. See the screenshot below:

Watch Introduction to Zybooks for a better understanding of how this interactive book works.

Course Registrations/Drops/Withdrawals

How can I register for classes?

At SNHU, your academic advisor will register you classes each term so that you don't have to worry about registering and focus on what's important - successfully completing your course(s). Your academic advisor will make sure to register you for classes that fulfill your general education, major, and concentration or minor requirements, if applicable.

The term just started. Can I still add/drop a course(s)?

Yes, you can add/drop a course in Week 1 of the term. You have until Sunday evening of Week 1 to call academic advising (877-591-4723) or email advising@snhu.edu to add/drop a course. If you drop a course, it will not appear on your academic transcript.

The term has started, and I want to withdraw from my course(s). Can I withdraw?

You can withdraw from a course(s) at any point in the term except for Week 8. There are no withdrawals in the final week of classes.

While it's possible to withdraw from your course(s) until Sunday of Week 7 of the term, there are some things to consider before proceeding with a course withdrawal.

Course Withdrawals:

During Week 1 (Drop period): No tuition charged or 100% refund if full payment is submitted
During Week 2: 50% tuition charged or 50% refund if full payment is submitted
After Week 2: 100% tuition charged or no refund if full payment is submitted

With a course withdrawal, you will earn a course grade of "W" which will appear on your academic transcript. Even if you withdraw from your course, it will count as an attempted course and it will impact your Satisfactory Academic Progress.

While a "W" will not impact your cumulative GPA, it will often leave you with a balance and it could impact your financial aid eligibility for the current and future terms. It is critical that you speak with Student Financial Services (SFS) about potential financial impacts that can result from a course withdrawal. Call SFS at 877-455-7648 or email them at studentfinance@snhu.edu.

Requests to withdraw must be submitted to me via the Course Withdrawal Form. In all cases, the date of withdrawal is the date the completed form is received. No paper withdrawal forms or emails will be accepted. For the purpose of withdrawals, all term weeks start on Monday and end on Sunday.

Before submitting a course withdrawal form, email me at advising@snhu.edu or schedule a call with me to discuss your reasons for wanting to withdraw and discuss alternative options. Please book an appointment with me @AdvisingSupportWithBrenda.

If you have an extenuating circumstance, such as the death of an immediate family member or an unexpected hospitalization or illness, your best option may be to submit an emergency withdrawal. Let's talk about your best option.

ENG-130/ENG-190

English has never been my best subject. What supports are available to help me be successful in ENG-130 - Foundations of Written Communication and ENG-190 - Research and Persuasion?

If you struggle with writing your papers, are not the best with grammar, or don't know how to properly cite your sources using APA style, you can do the following:

Submit your assignments to the writing center for feedback. Through the academic support tab in your course homepage, click on the written feedback tile. Upload your assignment, be specific about the kind of help you need, and within 12 hours will receive feedback from a tutor. You will receive an email notifying you when the feedback is ready for you to view.
Book a workshop. Workshops are led by a coach or tutor and are set up as group sessions where you can ask questions and get to know your peers. You can access available workshops through the academic support tab in your course homepage. Use keywords to find available workshops, such as academic writing, writing help, and APA. Try different keywords to find the right workshop for you. See an example below:

Connect with a 24/7 Drop-In Tutor. In addition to submitting your work to the writing center for feedback or booking a workshop, you can also connect with a tutor at any time of the day. Access 24/7 Drop-In Tutoring through the academic support tab in your course. To get writing help, select writing as the topic and live writing help as the subject as shown below.

Check out the resources available through the Shapiro Library and the Academic Resource Center.

Financial Aid Related Questions

When should I submit my FAFSA?

The 2026-2027 FAFSA is available now. Don't wait. Complete it here.

How can I apply for scholarships?

As an SNHU student, you have access to thousands of scholarships on Scholarship Universe. See what scholarships you may qualify for. Scholarships are a great way to pay for college without going into debt.

I was notified by Student Financial Services that I lost my financial aid. What can I do to have my financial aid reinstated?

When students receive financial aid from the federal government, they are agreeing to the following 1) maintain a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA and to have a course completion rate of at least 67%. If you have not met the terms of the agreement when your progress is reviewed each year, you lose you financial aid.

Your financial aid can be reinstated by submitting what is called a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal. As part of the appeal, you must answer four questions that ask you to address why you were not able to be successful, what has changed allowing you to be successful, what your action plan will be to be successful moving forward, and what you will do if you encounter obstacles again in the future. The appeal form also asks you to complete a time management plan, where you will include 15-16 hours of schoolwork each week.

When you submit the appeal form, it will be reviewed by your academic advisor to ensure that it has sufficient details to be submitted to the appeal committee. If modifications are needed, your advisor will notify you, and you will need to make the necessary edits before your advisor submits it for review.

A committee of three members of leadership will review your appeal and either approve or deny it. If approved, your financial aid will be reinstated, and you will need to meet the requirements of the academic plan set for you. If the appeal is denied, you have the option of submitting a new appeal. Your academic advisor will share the committee's feedback as to why your appeal was denied so that you can improve your appeal.

Instructions on how to complete the SAP appeal are available in the Resources page on this website, under the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal section. Please follow the instructions carefully.

Free Electives

What are free electives?

Free electives are courses in any subject in the 100-400 level range for which you meet the prerequisite requirements. For instance, if you're a Criminal Justice major who is interested in creative writing, you might consider completing ENG-226 - Introduction to Creative Writing as a free elective. If you're a Psychology major with an interest in becoming a case manager for a government agency or non-profit, you may want to have an understanding of the human services field and complete HSE-101 - Introduction to Human Services.

How many free electives do I need for my program?

Review your Academic Evaluation to see how many free elective credits are required for your program. To access your Academic Evaluation, click on View Your Academic Evaluation under the Quick Links in your student portal (mySNHU) homepage.

How do I go about selecting my free electives?

You can select free electives by browsing courses in the Academic Catalog, asking your academic advisor for recommendations, and reviewing the free elective resources available to you under the Free Electives section on this website's resources page.

Some students choose to complete some or all of their free electives through Sophia Learning. If that's something you are considering, please email me for more information or book an appointment with me @AdvisingSupportWithBrenda to receive guidance. Do not start Sophia classes without connecting with me first.

General Course Concerns

I am struggling in my course(s) this term. What should I do?

If you're struggling in your course, ask yourself why. Are you struggling with understanding the course materials? Are you having difficulty completing your assignments due to poor time management? Is there something going on personally (e.g., job loss, financial hardship, death of a loved one) that is making it hard for you to focus?

Once you've determined the reason(s) you're struggling, take the following steps:

Email your instructor and ask for help. Remember, your instructor is there to support you and clarify any questions or concerns you may have about your discussions/assignments. If you're struggling because of personal challenges, be transparent and let your instructor know what's going. You will be surprised at how many are willing to work with you and will help create a plan for you to successfully complete their course. If your instructor offers virtual office hours, book an appointment to facilitate the conversation.
Contact your academic advisor. As your academic advisor, we can address your struggles together and discuss your options for attaining success. You don't have to figure it out on your own.
Connect with Academic Support. Through the academic support tab in your course homepage, you can access 24/7 Drop-In Tutoring, Learning Support Specialists (formerly known as peer tutors), Workshops, and Academic Coaching. When looking for a Workshop that fits your needs, type in keywords such as APA, writing, or Statistics. If you're struggling with time management, task prioritization or organization, I recommend scheduling an appointment with an academic coach.

Grading system

What is the undergraduate grading system used at the university?

View the grading policy for more details.

I was graded on an assignment and I feel that the grading was unfair and the instructor did not follow the guidelines and rubric. What should I do?

The first thing you should do is contact your instructor. Email them or if the instructor offers virtual office hours, attend their office hours and speak with them about your concerns. Ask for clarity on how you were graded and provide evidence of why you believe you were graded unfairly.

If after communicating with your instructor you are unable to reach a resolution and still feel your grade should be changed as a result of arbitrary or capricious grading, you can submit a dispute form. The university's Office of Dispute Resolution team will reach out to you within a few business days to address your concerns. To help expedite the dispute process, attach relevant documentation (e.g., screenshots of feedback provided in Brightspace or in an email) to the dispute form at the time of submission.

My instructor uses Turnitin. What is that and how can it impact my grades?

Turnitin is a tool instructors used to check the originality of your assignment by comparing it against a vast database of documents, such as articles, book chapters, and other submissions. It generates a similarity report with a percentage, where a higher percentage indicates more similarity to other sources in the database."

If a similarity report with a high percentage is generated for your assignment, your instructor may share concerns about plagiarism and may submit your assignment to the Office of Community Standards for review. Often, instructors will give you a temporary 0 (F) until the Office of Community Standards completes the review of your assignment.

If the Office of Community Standards has found evidence of plagiarism or AI use, your instructor will notify you and the 0 will remain. If it was determined that you didn't plagiarize or use AI, your instructor will grade your assignment and update the grade.

To ensure that your assignment is original, get in the habit of paraphrasing any information obtained from a source and make sure to cite your sources properly. You must use in-text citations and include a references section whenever sources are included. Use quotation marks if you are directly quoting an author and cite the source. While AI can be a great tool to use to brainstorm ideas and to check your grammar, avoid using AI to draft your assignments. Use your own words. Do not be tempted to copy output from AI tools such as Chat GPT.

As a social science major, you will be citing your sources using APA style. Learn about APA style citation by looking at the resources available through the Shapiro Library, the Academic Resource Center, and on this site.

Incomplete Grades

I am struggling to complete my coursework due to personal challenges, and I heard I can get an incomplete grade. What does that entail?

Incompletes can be granted to students at the discretion of the instructor. If you've completed up to 70% of your coursework before the end of the term, this is something you can request from your instructor in Week 8 of the term.

If an incomplete grade is granted, you will have up to 30 days from the last day of the term to complete any missing coursework.

An incomplete grade is a great option for students who have been actively participating in their course for most of the term but may suddenly have experienced an unforeseen extenuating circumstance such as the loss of a loved one, a hospitalization, or a natural disaster.

Information about the incomplete grade policy is available HERE.

Instructor Communication

My instructor responded to my email and I found their tone to be inappropriate (e.g., rude, disrespectful). What should I do?

Please email me at advising@snhu.edu and forward me any email exchanges between you and the instructor where you felt they responded to you inappropriately. I will take screenshots of the communication and submit a ticket to the Dean's Office so that they can investigate the matter. Generally, the Dean's Office responds within one business day.

It's been over 24 hours since I emailed my instructor and I have not received a response. What should I do?

While instructors are required by the university to reply to student emails within 24 hours of receipt, I always tell students to give their instructors some grace. Instructors are human too, and something may have come up for them. If you can, wait up to 48 hours for a response.

If 48 hours have passed and you have not received a response, please email me at advising@snhu.edu, and I will send a follow-up email to your instructor and copy you on the email. If the instructor does not respond within 24 hours of receiving my email, I will reach out to the Dean's Office to assist with the matter.

My instructor is not honoring my Online Accessibility Center (OAC) accommodations. What should I do?

At the start of each term, please make sure to send your OAC accommodations to all of your instructors.

If your instructor is not honoring your OAC accommodations when grading your assignments, please email your instructor to remind them of your OAC accommodations and reattach the letter you received from the OAC.

When you email your instructor, please copy the OAC (oac@snhu.edu) and advising (advising@snhu.edu) in the email. By copying the OAC, you give them permission to intervene on your behalf and connect with your instructor. We may also need to reach out to the Dean's Office or the Office of Dispute Resolution, depending on the situation.

Major/Minors/Concentrations

I'm not sure I've selected the right major to achieve my long-term goals. What should I do?

Choosing the right major is not always easy. Ask yourself the following questions:

What major(s) are you thinking of? How will the major help you achieve your long-term career goals?
What do you want to do when you graduate? What's your ideal job?
Have you looked at career prospects for the major you're considering?

If you're changing your major, particularly after some time at SNHU, ask yourself these additional questions:

Why do you want to change your major?
How would the new major better suit your needs?
Will you have to take more classes if you change your major, and if so, will it be worth the cost?
Will your catalog need to be updated, and if so, what additional classes will you need to take?

Let's work together to figure out what is the best option for you. Book an appointment with me @AdvisingSupportWithBrenda. so that we can discuss what majors you're thinking of. At the same time, contact the career services department. Career advisors can provide students with guidance and information when determining what major is best suited for the career path they envision. They can be a helpful resource.

Contact Information

Career Services

Phone: 888-672-1458

Email: cocecareer@snhu.edu

Website: Career 360: Online Student Virtual Career Center

Business hours:

Monday-Thursday - 8AM – 8PM ET

Friday - 8:00AM - 7:30PM ET

Once you've spoken to me and/or a career advisor and are ready to make the program change, complete the Program Modification Form. If you've selected a non-social science major, I will request that a new academic advisor is assigned to you, one who is an expert on your chosen major.

What is a minor and do I need one?

Adding a minor is not a requirement for any degree program. It is optional.

A minor is essentially a secondary program or area of focus that requires fewer credits to complete. At SNHU, minors generally require you to complete 15-18 credits in the selected field. Completing a minor is a great way to explore a field that complements your major. For instance, I have students who major in psychology and minor in criminal justice because they're interested in the intersection between psychology and the justice system and may have long-term plans of providing law enforcement support or clinical services to crime victims.

Adding a minor to your program is also a great way to explore an area of interest completely unrelated to your major. For example, one of my Psychology advisees added a minor in creative writing because she enjoys writing as a hobby.

A minor can be valuable because it can demonstrate that you have a diverse skill set and open the door for new job opportunities.

Adding a minor will not require extra courses or time to complete your degree, as the requirements for the minor are fulfilled by your free elective credits.

See what minors are available to online students here. Once you've selected a minor, please email me or book an appointment with me @AdvisingSupportWithBrenda to discuss next steps.

What is a concentration and how do I go about adding one?

A concentration is a specialization or subset of your major in which you take a specific set of courses. For instance, for the Psychology major, concentrations include Addictions and Mental Health.

With a concentration added to your degree program, you have an opportunity to delve deeper into areas of interest and it may be helpful if you have a specific career path in mind. The Mental Health concentration, for instance, is best suited for students who want to become mental health counselors/therapists in the future. To view the concentrations offered for your degree program, click on your program's Academic Catalog page:

Anthropology [BA] [Online]

Criminal Justice [BA]

Human Services [BA] [Online]

Psychology [BA] [Campus, Online]

Political Science [BA] [Online]

Sociology [BA] [Campus, Online]

MAT-133/MAT-240

I am registered for MAT-133/MAT-240 and I've never done well in math. Can I take another course instead?

Unfortunately, no. All social science students must complete a Statistics course.

What math resources are available to help me be successful?

First, check out the resources section for each module in your course. You will find plenty of resources available to you right in your course. Additionally, review the math resources available on the Resources page on this website.

You can also connect with 24/7 Drop-In Tutoring through the Academic Support tab in your course homepage. To chat with a Statistics tutor, select Math as your Topic and Introduction to Statistics as your Subject, as seen below.

Finally, for additional help with Statistics, book a Stats workshop through the Academic Support tab in your course homepage. There are Introduction Statistics Workshops and stats office hours available. Workshops provide an opportunity for you to ask questions in a group with your fellow students. When you register for a workshop, even if you don't attend the session, you will have access to the workshop recordings.

To find a Statistics workshop, enter Statistics as a keyword in the search bar, as seen below.

Plagiarism

What is plagiarism?

Plagiarism is when someone takes someone's words or ideas and uses them as their own without giving credit. When using someone else's words, it's important to use direct quotes and reference the source. Get in the habit of paraphrasing to create original work. Even when you paraphrase, you must cite your source, using in-text citations and documenting the source in a references page. Go to the Resources page on the site to learn more about plagiarism.

What is a self-plagiarism?

Self-plagiarism involves reusing work previously submitted without citing yourself as a source. If you are completing a course retake, you must obtain permission from your instructor before submitting a previously submitted assignment. It's best practice to submit new work.

My instructor shared concerns that I plagiarized my assignment and has reported me to the Office of Community Standards. What can I expect?

When an instructor suspects that a student has engaged in plagiarism or used AI inappropriately, they have a responsibility to uphold academic integrity and will therefore submit a report to the Office of Community Standards regarding your assignment. Until the Office of Community Standards reviews your assignment, you will usually receive a grade of 0.

The Office of Community Standards will create a case and begin to investigate your instructor's concerns. Most cases are resolved in 3-7 business days. Generally, the Office of Community Standards will not contact you during this process, and the Community Standards Manager assigned to your case will reach out to your instructor directly regarding the outcome of the investigation. The outcome of the investigation can be either founded or unfounded.

Founded: Founded means there was evidence available to determine a policy violation occurred.
Unfounded: Unfounded means there was either no violation, or not enough evidence to determine a policy violation occurred.

For founded outcomes, students receive an outcome letter to their SNHU email address. You will need to use your SNHU ID to open the letter. Some of the possible sanctions include: Educational Letter, Written Warning, Reprimand, Probation, or Disciplinary Hearing. Descriptions of these outcomes can be found Student Handbook .

For unfounded cases, instructors will notify you of the outcome and update your grade accordingly.

Time Off from Classes

I want to take a break from classes. What do I need to do?

There may be times throughout your academic journey where you may feel like you need to take a break from classes. That's 100% normal, and I encourage you to take a break if you need it. You may have personal challenges that you need to address or you may simply need that mental health break.

If you decide to take time off, please email me at advising@snhu.edu or book a phone appointment @AdvisingSupportWithBrenda. Let's discuss your plan.

Changing your enrollment status may affect your financial aid eligibility, so before we drop you from classes contact Student Financial Services (SFS) to discuss any potential financial impacts. Contact SFS at 877-455-7648. They are available from 8AM - 8PM ET Monday-Friday and from 9AM - 8PM ET Saturdays and Sundays.

Unearned F

I received an Unearned F. What does that mean?

When students stop participating in a course before completing the 60% mark of the term, they may receive a failing grade for the course and must repay any unearned federal financial aid. The failing grade in this case is referred to as an unearned failure (UF) at SNHU.

Unearned Fs can have significant impacts on students. It can affect your financial aid eligibility in the future and it can also leave you with a hefty balance at the end of the term. You can be deregistered from courses if the Unearned F left you with a balance of over $500 that you can't pay for. It can also prevent all future registrations.

Unearned F Policy

Remember, the federal government is providing you with student aid because you have agreed to participate and successfully complete your courses. They do not want to pay for courses you're not actively participating in.

If you receive an Unearned F, make sure to contact Student Financial Services to understand the financial impacts. Call them at 877-455-7648. They are available from 8AM - 8PM Monday-Friday, and from 9AM - 8PM Saturdays and Sundays.

From now on, participating in your courses every week will prevent you from receiving an Unearned F. If you're experiencing any challenges, please contact me immediately so we can discuss a plan to help you successfully complete your course(s) or explore other options (such as an emergency withdrawal for extenuating circumstances).