2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 19, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

College of Arts & Sciences


Students in the classroom.

Jason Zimmerman, Interim Dean
Jason McEntee, Acting Associate Dean
Wagner Hall 251, Box 2275A
605-688-4723
E-mail: jason.zimmerman@sdstate.edu
E-mail: jason.mcentee@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/arts-sciences

Overview

The College of Arts and Sciences serves two significant functions within the University. It provides instruction in the University’s core requirement for a liberal education as well as education in specific disciplines. A liberal education gives students the means to test ideas, beliefs, and facts. It exposes them to a variety of academic disciplines that will broaden and deepen their perspectives and enable them to continue the learning process as educated citizens. Students study the ways of thinking and expression that are intrinsic to the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Students receive education on the scientific method, critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, and cogent expression. They develop intellectual skills, humanistic understanding, and aesthetic appreciation. Such an education increases the usefulness of career planning and specialization by laying a foundation for lifelong values. The departments and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences offer major and/or minor programs leading to certificates and associate, bachelor, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Schools

School of Design  
School of Performing Arts  

Departments

Aerospace Studies  
Architecture   
Chemistry and Biochemistry  
Communication Studies  
Economics  
English  
Geography  
History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion  
Journalism and Mass Communication  
Military Science  
Modern Languages and Global Studies  
Physics  
Psychology  
Sociology and Rural Studies  

Degrees Offered

Associate of Arts
Associate of Science
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of General Studies
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Bachelor of Music Education
Bachelor of Science
Master of Architecture*
Master of Arts*
Master of Mass Communication*
Master of Science*
Doctor of Philosophy*

 * Graduate degrees are offered in collaboration with the Graduate School. For details, see the Graduate Catalog.

Degree Requirements

All general university requirements must be met to qualify for the bachelor’s degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, the following special requirements and rules have been established for all graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences:

  1. The requirements of one of the College of Arts and Sciences departmental majors must be met. Specific requirements are listed under each department. Courses taken in the major may be used to fulfill university core requirements if the department does not state otherwise.
  2. Bachelor’s degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must include 33 semester credits from upper division courses (300 and above).

Students seeking B.A., B.F.A., B.L.A., B.M.E., and B.S. degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete the System General Education Requirements (SGRs) and the College or School requirements.  Specific requirements for each degree also include:

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

Bachelor of Music Education

Bachelor of Science

Secondary Education Courses

Students planning to teach at the middle or high school level will take EDFN 101 as a pre-requisite for admission to the Pre-Residency program, which will typically start in the fall of the junior year. Students must then apply for a Residency placement for the senior year. (See the College of Education & Human Sciences  and the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership  for further details.)

Accreditations & Certification

  • The Journalism and Mass Communication Department is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
  • The Music programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
  • The Chemistry programs are certified by the American Chemical Society.
  • The Architecture program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
  • The Teacher education programs in the College of Arts and Sciences are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Student Support & Engagement Opportunities

A variety of activities, including many extracurricular activities, are administered within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dramatics

The School of Preforming Arts supervises State University Theatre presents a program of major and experimental productions each year. During the summer a season of plays in repertory are given by the Prairie Repertory Theatre in Brookings and Brandon.

Forensics

The Communication Studies Department administers a forensics program in debate, public address, and oral interpretation of literature.

Music Groups

The School of Preforming Arts sponsors a variety of vocal and instrumental groups. Membership may be by audition, arranged with the appropriate director, and is open to all University students regardless of major. Credit can be awarded for participation. Choral. Concert Choir, Statesmen (Men’s Chorus), University Women’s Choir, and Opera Workshop. Instrumental. Civic/University Symphony Orchestra, Marching Band (The “Pride of the Dakotas”), Pep Bands, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensembles and various Percussion, Woodwind and Brass small ensembles.

The Ritz Art Gallery

The Ritz Gallery sponsors an annual program of professional and student exhibitions, including the Juried Student Exhibition which is open to all SDSU students.

Programs

College of Arts & Sciences

Programs

Certificate Programs
Majors
Minors

Department of Aerospace Studies

Programs

Minors

Department of Architecture

Programs

Majors

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Programs

Majors
Minors

Department of Communication Studies

Programs

Majors
Minors

Department of Economics

Programs

Majors
Minors

Department of English

Programs

Majors
Minors

Department of Geography

Programs

Certificate Programs
Majors
Minors

Department of History, Political Science, Philosophy, & Religion

Programs

Majors
Minors
Pre-Professional Interest Areas

Department of Journalism & Mass Communication

Programs

Majors
Minors

Department of Military Science

Programs

Minors

Department of Modern Languages & Global Studies

Programs

Certificate Programs
Majors
Minors

Department of Physics

Programs

Majors
Minors

Department of Psychology

Programs

Majors
Minors

Department of Sociology & Rural Studies

Programs

Majors
Minors

School of Design

Programs

Certificate Programs
Majors
Minors

School of Performing Arts

Programs

Certificate Programs
Majors
Minors