College of General Studies

Keith Corbett, Interim Dean
Denise Peterson, Interim Assistant to the Dean
SMC 123, 605-688-4153
Box 511, Brookings, SD 57007-0298
E-mail: keith.corbett@sdstate.edu

Introduction

Many students enrolling in the College of General Studies have elected to explore their abilities, interests and educational alternatives before declaring a major. Other students are interested in pursuing their own areas of interest through the flexibility offered in the Interdisciplinary Studies degree program. Through General Studies, a student will receive assistance that helps them make wise major/career choices. Most undeclared major students who enroll in General Studies will transfer to one of the degree granting colleges at SDSU before they reach sophomore status. Pre-professional General Studies students usually transfer to degree programs in their sophomore year and maintain their pre-professional status as a secondary designation. The College also provides advising and general support to students enrolled in distance education and to students pursuing a Bachelor’s in Applied Technical Science or an Associate of Arts in General Studies.

Departments/Units

The College of General Studies is organized through the following programmatic delivery structure: Academic Programs, Career Planning, and Academic Support.

Degrees Offered

The College offers the A.A. in General Studies, B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies, and Bachelor of Applied Technical Science degree (BATS) in General Supervision, Industrial Supervision, Industrial Sales, General Technology, and Applied Agriculture. The College offers a minor in Leadership.

The College of General Studies serves students in the following categories: undeclared pre-majors, pre-chiropractic, pre-law, pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-physician assistant, pre-ministerial, pre-mortuary science, pre-optometry, special non-degree seeking students, and students admitted in the academic success program.

Accreditations

The College of General Studies activities are covered by the institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

Programs

Undeclared Majors

General Studies allows students without declared majors to begin college work through its program for undeclared students. Undeclared students are assisted in planning their college program and encouraged to explore various fields of study. Undeclared student enrollment is normally for the freshman year as they are encouraged to choose a major within two semesters. Students are expected to be in good Academic Standing as they explore academic options and declare majors.

Academic advisers assist students in the process of identifying their interests, aptitudes and abilities. Students work with advisors to plan out a program that will meet their interests and needs. The College of General Studies offers a one-credit course entitled “GS 101 Academic and Career Exploration” which assists with career decision making strategies. New undeclared freshman students at SDSU also enroll in a one-credit course entitled “GS 100 University Experience,” which helps them acclimate to college life and learn about SDSU resources. A suggested freshman year schedule follows.

Freshman Year	F		S
GS 100, University Experience	1
GS 101, Academic and Career Exploration	1	or	1
ENGL 101, Composition I	3	or	3
MATH 102, College Algebra (or prescribed math course)	3	or	3
SPCM 101, Fundamentals of Speech	3	or	3
GS 143, Mastering Lifetime Learning Skills	2	or	2
Humanities Core Courses	3	or	3
Social Sciences Core Courses	3		3
Biological or Physical Science Core Courses	3-4		3-4
Interest Area Courses	3	or	3

Pre-Professional

(http://generalstudies.sdstate.edu/Pre-Pro.htm)
SDSU credits are generally accepted by all professional schools if satisfactory grades are maintained and courses meet appropriate program requirements.

Students who wish to qualify for admission to the professional schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, or others that require pre-professional education, may wish to start in the College of General Studies. While enrolled in General Studies, students are able to consider various majors, either as possibilities for later degree objectives or as a back-up major choice, in the event that plans to pursue professional school admission should be altered.

Requirements for admission to professional schools vary. Assistance will be given to assure that students meet the course requirements of the professional school(s) they select. Students should consult the catalog of the professional institution they plan to attend for adjustments in these programs. Nearly all of the professional school exams are now administered on campus.

Information about pre-professional programs is included in the department and program descriptions and the major and minor requirements section.