Graduation Requirements

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

The adviser system assists in proper course selection to meet curricular requirements and helps you avoid errors in scheduling. However, you have the final responsibility for satisfying the degree requirements for the curriculum chosen and for the university general education requirements.

The General Degree Requirements

1. Completion of at least 128 semester credit hours for the baccalaureate degree (see individual professional college requirements) and 64 semester credit hours for the associate degree. Remedial course credits are not counted as meeting degree requirements.
2. A Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and Institutional Grade Point Average (IGPA) of 2.00. The CGPA is based on all courses attempted within the Regental system, transfer or at SDSU. The IGPA is based on all coursework taken at SDSU. If a course is repeated, F95 or later, only the last grade received will be included in the calculation of the CGPA and IGPA.
3. Institutional requirement. An institutional credit is a course offered by SDSU at any of its approved sites using any approved method of delivery. Courses that are a part of a formal collaborative agreement among Regental institutions are considered to be institutional. The minimum number of credit hours that must be earned from the institution granting the degree are 32 credits for the baccalaureate degree and 16 credits for the associate degree. The number of the last credit hours earned preceding completion of the degree that must be earned from the institution granting the degree are 16 of the last 32 credits for the baccalaureate degree and 8 of the last 16 credits for the associate degree. The minimum number of credit hours specified in the major or minor requirements that must be completed from the institution granting the degree is 50 percent. Credits earned by examination are not counted as resident credit unless an exception has been made because of special program features. A student must have 20 upper division level credits, 14 of which need to be at SDSU.
4. Completion of University general education requirements as described below.
5. Completion of all college and major field requirements.
6. Demonstration of satisfactory performance in writing, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning as evidenced by receiving a passing score on all sections of the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) exam or alternative assessment. This requirement must be met by both associate and baccalaureate degree-seeking students.
7. Demonstration of proficiency in Information Literacy (IL) by receiving a satisfactory on the system IL examination.
8. Degree seeking students may complete requirements for a minor at any Regental university that has been approved to grant that minor. This minor will be recorded on the transcript in conjunction with a degree/major at that university or a degree/ major at any other Regental university. A minor will only be recorded on the transcript in conjunction with a degree and major.

The required General Education Curriculum for all undergraduate students is explained on pages 40-47 of this Catalog. The 30 credit System General Education Requirements (SGRs) are designed to acheive these seven goals.

System Goal #1: Written Communication
Students will write effectively and responsibly and will understand and interpret the written expression of others.

System Goal #2: Oral Communication
Students will communicate effectively and responsibly through listening and speaking.

System Goal #3: Social Sciences/Diversity
Students will understand the organization, potential, and diversity of the human community through study of the social sciences.

System Goal #4: Humanities and Arts/Diversity
Students will understand the diversity and complexity of the human experience through study of the arts and humanities.

System Goal #5: Mathematics
Students will understand and apply fundamental mathematical processes and reasoning.

System Goal #6: Natural Sciences
Students will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural world.

System Goal #7: Information Literacy
Students will recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, organize, critically evaluate, and effectively use information from a variety of sources with intellectual integrity.

In addition to the System General Education Requirements, SDSU has Institutional Graduation Requirements (IGRs) of 8-9 credits designed to achieve three major goals.

IGR Goal #1: Land and Natural Resources
Students will learn to be responsible for the land and other natural resources.

IGR Goal #2: Personal Wellness
Students will demonstrate a holistic approach to personal wellness.

IGR Goal #3: Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness
Students will demonstrate social responsibility or cultural and aesthetic awareness to foster individual responsibility and creativity.

NOTE: Other than for System General Education Goal #7, no given course may satisfy more than one of these requirements, unless the minimum number of credits is exceeded. Credits in excess of the minimum credits needed may be applied in another area.

Globalization: Globalization is defined as a process of interaction and integration among people, organizations, governments and cultures. This process affects:

• environmental resources
• culture(s), including people’s well-being
• political systems, national sovereignty
• national security
• agriculture
• public health/health care
• economic systems/international trade
• transportation
• information technology/communication
• education
• global governance

Students will understand globalization and how it affects the human community.

Advanced Writing: Advanced writing courses are discipline based and require students to build upon concepts learned in courses addressing System General Education Goal #1. Students will refine their writing skills appropriate to the discipline. These courses will have a scholarly focus.

Students will build upon concepts learned in courses covering System General Education Goal #1 and refine their skills through research and writing in a discipline specific context.

(Effective for new degree-seeking students Fall 2005 and later)

1. System General Education Requirements: 30 credits
   Goal #1: Written Communication (6 credits)
   Goal #2: Oral Communication (3 credits)
   Goal #3: Social Sciences/Diversity (6 credits)
   Goal #4: Humanities and Arts/Diversity (6 credits)
   Goal #5: Mathematics (3 credits)
   Goal #6: Natural Sciences (6 credits)
   Goal #7: Information Literacy (0 credits)
2. Institutional Graduation Requirements: 8-9 credits
   Goal #1: Land and Natural Resources (3 credits)
   Goal #2: Personal Wellness (2-3 credits)
   Goal #3: Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness (3 credits)
3. Globalization Requirement
   Each program area/major specifies how to meet the globalization goal and student learning outcomes.
4. Advanced Writing Requirement
   Each program area/major specifies how to meet the additional writing requirement goal and student learning outcomes.
5. Computer Technology Literacy
   At the time of admission, students are expected to have these computer technology literacy skills and competencies: basic keyboarding and experience using computer word processing, spreadsheet, presentation graphics, and the Internet. These expectations may be met by high school course work or demonstrated by some other means. Incoming students assessed and found deficient in this area will be required to complete specific computer skills courses.
6. Information Literacy
   Students fulfill this requirement by demonstrating competency through an assessment designated by the University. The IL goal and student learning outcomes are addressed in ENGL 101, 201, 277 and SPCM 101. These courses provide the basic foundational knowledge and skills. In addition, the opportunity to learn IL concepts and skills is provided through other required coursework in the major.

(These Requirements are common across the entire South Dakota Regental System.)

Written Communication

Students will write effectively and responsibly and will understand and interpret the written expression of others.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Write using standard American English, including correct punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure;
2. Write logically;
3. Write persuasively, with a variety of rhetorical strategies (e.g., expository, argumentative, descriptive);
4. Incorporate formal research and documentation into their writing, including research obtained through modern, technology-based research tools.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, #3, and #4

Credit Hours: 6

Click here for courses meeting SGR #1 

Oral Communication

Students will communicate effectively and responsibly through listening and speaking.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Prepare and deliver speeches for a variety of audiences and settings;
2. Demonstrate speaking competencies including choice and use of topic, supporting materials, organizational pattern, language usage, presentational aids, and delivery;
3. Demonstrate listening competencies by summarizing, analyzing, and paraphrasing ideas, perspectives and emotional content. Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, and #3

Credit Hours: 3

Click here for courses meeting SGR #2 

Social Sciences/Diversity

Students will understand the organization, potential, and diversity of the human community through study of the social sciences.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Identify and explain basic concepts, terminology and theories of the selected social science disciplines from different spatial, temporal, cultural and/or institutional contexts;
2. Apply selected social science concepts and theories to contemporary issues;
3. Identify and explain the social or aesthetic values of different cultures.
   
   In addition, as a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of at least one of the following:
4. The origin and evolution of human institutions;
5. The allocation of human or natural resources within societies;
6. The impact of diverse philosophical, ethical or religious views. Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2 and #3 At least one of the following: #4, #5, or #6

Credit Hours: 6 (in 2 disciplines)

Click here for courses meeting SGR #3 

Humanities and Arts/Diversity

Students will understand the diversity and complexity of the human experience through study of the arts and humanities.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of values, beliefs, and ideas embodied in the human experience;
2. Identify and explain basic concepts of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities. In addition, as a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will be able to do at least one of the following:
3. Identify and explain the contributions of other cultures from the perspective of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities;
4. Demonstrate creative and aesthetic understanding;
5. Explain and interpret formal and stylistic elements of the literary or fine arts;
6. Demonstrate foundational competency in reading, writing, and speaking a non-English language.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2
At least one of the following: #3, #4, #5, or #6

Credit Hours: 6 hours (in 2 disciplines or a sequence of foreign language courses)

Click here for courses meeting SGR #4 

Mathematics

Students will understand and apply fundamental mathematical processes and reasoning.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Use mathematical symbols and mathematical structure to model and solve real world problems;
2. Demonstrate appropriate communication skills related to mathematical terms and concepts;
3. Demonstrate the correct use of quantifiable measurements of
   real world situations.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2 and #3

Credit Hours: 3

Click here for courses meeting SGR #5 

NOTE: Student enrollment in the initial Mathematics course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy (2:7.6).

Natural Sciences

Students will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural world.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Demonstrate the scientific method in a laboratory experience;
2. Gather and critically evaluate data using the scientific method;
3. Identify and explain the basic concepts, terminology and theories of the selected natural sciences;
4. Apply selected natural science concepts and theories to contemporary issues.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, #3 and #4

Credit Hours: 6

Click here for courses meeting SGR #6 

Information Literacy

Students will recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, organize, critically evaluate, and effectively use information from a variety of sources with intellectual integrity.

Student Learning Outcomes: Students will:

1. Determine the extent of information needed;
2. Access the needed information effectively and efficiently;
3. Evaluate information and its sources critically;
4. Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose;
5. Use information in an ethical and legal manner.

Assessment: Students fulfill this requirement by demonstrating competency through an assessment designated by the Regental universities.

Credit hours: 0

Click here for a list of courses meeting SGR #7.

(These requirements are unique to SDSU.)

Land and Natural Resources

Students will learn to be responsible for the land and other natural resources.

Student Learning Outcomes
As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Learn the fundamental importance of land and other natural resources.
2. Understand scientific principles as they pertain to responsible use of land and other natural resources.
3. Develop an ethic for responsible use of land and other natural resources.
4. Gather and critically evaluate data to address basic and applied principles related to land and other natural resources.
5. Develop knowledge or skills related to the sustainable use of land and other natural resources.
6. Obtain knowledge and skills to scientifically analyze the influence of individuals and groups of people on land and other natural resources.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, #3
At least one of the following: #4, #5, #6

Credit Hours: 3

Click here for courses meeting IGR #1 

Personal Wellness

Students will demonstrate a holistic approach to personal wellness.

Student Learning Outcomes:
As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Identify areas of self-responsibility and wellness principles.
2. Demonstrate concepts fostering wellness of the mind, body, and spirit.
3. Present a personal wellness plan as a guide for maintaining lifelong wellness.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, #3
Credit Hours: 2-3

Click here for courses meeting IGR #2 

Social Responsibility / Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness

Students will demonstrate social responsibility or cultural and aesthetic awareness to foster individual responsibility and creativity.

Credit Hours: 3 total from Option 1 and/or Option 2

Student Learning Outcomes:

Option 1: Social Responsibility
As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the different ways in which people express their understanding of the human condition.
2. Understand their responsibilities and choices as related to behavioral, cultural, and/or institutional contexts.
3. Demonstrate their knowledge of the structures and possibilities of the human community.
4. Foster individual responsibility by use of service learning, leadership, or experiential learning activities. Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1
At least one of the following: #2, #3, #4

NOTE: If a student selects a 1 or 2 credit course, the student will need to combine course credit hours to meet the 3 credit requirement.

Click here for courses meeting IGR #3 - Option 1 

Option 2: Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness
As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the different ways in which people express their understanding of the human condition.
2. Understand their responsibilities and choices as related to spatial and temporal contexts.
3. Foster individual creativity. Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1
At least one of the following: #2, #3

NOTE: If a student selects a 1 or 2 credit course, the student will need to combine course credit hours to meet the 3 credit requirement.

Click here for courses meeting IGR #3 - Option 2 

Clarification of “Educational Experiences” Alternative
Educational Experiences (EdEx) are an option for meeting SDSU’s IGRs. The Educational Experiences will parallel the guideline for credit which is that 45 hours of experience is needed per credit hour earned. Proposals describing Educational Experiences will be presented by departments and approved by the SDSU General Education Core Committee to assure that the student learning outcomes of the goals are being accomplished by the Educational Experiences. These Educational Experiences are not to be designed to meet the needs of an individual student, but rather to meet the needs of groups of students of a department/ major, throughout the University.

Globalization is defined as a process of interaction and integration among people, organizations, governments and cultures. This process affects:

• environmental resources
• culture(s), including people’s well-being
• political systems, national sovereignty
• national security
• agriculture
• public health/health care
• economic systems/international trade
• transportation
• information technology/communication
• education
• global governance

Students will understand globalization and how it affects the human community.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will:

1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of globalization.
2. Identify the benefits and cost implications of globalization.
3. Identify and analyze global issues including how multiple perspectives impact such issues.
4. Interpret global issues and data utilizing discipline specific analytical and/or philosophical tools.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:

Required: #1, #2, #3, #4

Credit Hours:
Students can select a course to meet the globalization requirement which also meets one of the SGR/IGR requirements or meets a major requirement with the following exceptions: ABS 482, International Experience (2-4 cr.), FREN 385, Travel & Study Abroad Francophone (1-4 cr.), and MFL 396-496, Field Experience (1-4 cr.). If a student selects one of these three courses, required credits would increase from 1-4 credits. Otherwise, selected courses do not add to the total number of credits required for the major. In no instance are the 128 credits required for graduation increased.

Courses listed below have been approved to meet this goal. Each program area/major determines how to best address the globalization goal and student learning outcomes; therefore, you should consult your department regarding how this goal and its expectations are accomplished within your specific program of study.

Click here for courses meeting Globalization Requirements 

Advanced writing courses are discipline based and require students to build upon concepts learned in courses addressing System General Education Goal #1. Students will refine their writing skills appropriate to the discipline. These courses will have a scholarly focus. Students will build upon concepts learned in courses covering System General Education Goal #1 and refine their skills through research and writing in a discipline specific context.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will:

1. Read extensively and respond critically in the written discourse of a discipline; formulate research questions, refine topics, develop a plan for research and organize what is known about the topic; articulate a position through a thesis statement and advance it using evidence from primary and secondary sources, examples, and counterarguments that are relevant to the audience or issues at hand.
2. Use a style manual and other writing conventions specific to a discipline; avoid plagiarism by adhering to the rules for paraphrasing, summarizing, and the use of quotations, as well as the conventions for incorporating information from Internet-based resources.
3. Evaluate sources critically, both print and electronic, discern the strength of evidence and arguments, determine credibility, and identify potential bias and overall quality.
4. Present the results of research or project, either collaboratively or individually, to the class, department, faculty, community members, or at a student research or professional conference.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes.

Required: #1, #2, #3, #4

Credit Hours:
Integrated in the major or may select a specific advanced course (i.e., ENGL 379, Technical Communication) which addresses the advanced writing goal and student learning outcomes. Selected course(s) do not add to the total number of credits required for the major.

Each program area/major determines how to best address the advanced writing goal and student learning outcomes; therefore, you should consult your department regarding how this goal and its expectations are accomplished within your specific program of study. Courses used across the various programs at SDSU include the following:

Click here for courses meeting AW Requirements 

(Effective for new degree-seeking students Fall 2005 and later)

System General Education Requirements for Associate Degree Programs

1. Associate of Arts Degree
This program requires the same 30 credits of System General Education as required in the Baccalaureate Degree.

2. Associate of Science Degree
The general education component of all Associate of Science programs shall consist of a minimum of 18 credit hours as specified in Board of Regents policy 2:7(3).

Required Courses from the System General Education List for Associate of Science degrees:

Written Communication (Goal #1), 3 credits
Oral Communication (Goal #2), 3 credits
Social Sciences/Diversity (Goal #3), 3 credits
Humanities and Arts/Diversity (Goal #4), 3 credits
Mathematics (Goal #5), 3 credits
Natural Sciences (Goal #6), 3 credits (6 recommended)

Institutional Graduation Requirements NOT Required for Associate Degree Programs

The SDSU Institutional Graduation Requirements (IGRs) do not apply to either the Associate of Arts degree or the Associate of Science degree programs.

Guidelines for Baccalaureate and Associate Degrees

1. The System General Education Requirements will be effective for students entering in Fall 2005.
2. Only 100/200 level courses will be included. Exceptions based on student background may be made utilizing the established university academic appeal process.
3. Honors courses equivalent to identified System General Education courses will meet the System requirements.
4. System General Education Requirements successfully completed at the sending South Dakota Regental institution will be accepted towards meeting these requirements at the receiving South Dakota Regental institution.
5. Under common course practices, a course that counts toward a General Education System Requirement at one of the Regental campuses will count toward the same General Education requirement at another campus regardless of whether or not the campus offered the course.

Additional Guidelines for Baccalaureate Degrees

1. The 15 hours of System General Education Requirements specified below must be completed within the first 48 hours as preparation for the Proficiency Examination:
   
   Course Requirements Credit Hours Written Communication (Goal #1) 3 Social Sciences/Diversity (Goal #3) 3 Humanities and Arts/Diversity (Goal #4) 3 Mathematics (Goal #5) 3 Natural Sciences (Goal #6) 3 Total 15
2. Transfer students with more than 18 credit hours entering from outside the Regental System must complete the above specified 15 credit hours of general education within the first 30 credit hours taken at a Regental institution.
3. All System General Education Requirements (30 credits) must be completed within the first 64 hours. A list of program exceptions at SDSU are:
   Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
   Biology - Pre-professional Health Related Specialization
   Civil Engineering
   Computer Science
   Electrical Engineering
   Interior Design
   Mathematics Education
   Mechanical Engineering
   Music
   Music Education
   Nursing
4. Students placed in pre-general education (i.e., remedial) courses must enroll in and successfully complete the courses within the first 30 credit hours. If a student does not successfully complete the pre-general education course(s) within the first 30 credit hours attempted, a registration hold is placed on the student’s record. In any subsequent registration during the next 12 credit hours attempted, the student must enroll in and successfully complete the pre-general education course(s).If the pre-general education course(s) is not successfully completed within the first 42 credit hours attempted, the only course(s) in which a student may enroll is the pre-general education course(s); and the student’s status is changed from degree seeking to non-degree seeking. Transfer students entering with 42 or more credit hours, who are still in need of pre-general education coursework, are required to enroll in the necessary pre-general education coursework during their first enrolled term in the Regental system. Student who are placed into MATH 021 are expected to successfully complete both MATH 021 and MATH 101 before enrolling in MATH 102. However, a student who performs exceptionally well in MATH 021 may petition the Vice President for Academic Affairs to bypass MATH 101 and enroll in MATH 102 as their next mathematics course. These students must sit for the COMPASS Math placement exam and earn scores that meet or exceeds the placement score necessary for enrolling in MATH 102.

Additional Guidelines for Associate Degrees

1. The 15 hours of System General Education Requirements specified below must be completed within the first 32 hours as preparation for the Proficiency Examination:
   

   Course Requirements	Credit Hours
   Written Communication (Goal #1) Social Sciences/Diversity (Goal #3) Humanities and Arts/Diversity (Goal #4) Mathematics (Goal #5) Natural Sciences (Goal #6) Total	3 3 3 3 3 15

Fraction of Credits

Transfer credits applied to a general education goal meet the credit requirement if .33 credits (or fewer) remain for that goal.
(Example: student transferred in 5.67 credits towards SGR#3 Social Science 6 credit requirement, the goal is met.)

If .34 credits (or greater) remain to meet the minimum required credits for the goal, the student must take additional credits from the approved list of courses in the University Catalog.

Personal Wellness Requirement

The Personal Wellness requirement (IGR #2) needs to be satisfied by transfer students with documented equivalent courses to BIOL 105, GS 143, HSC 212, PHA 201, PSYC 267, WEL 100-100L, or two (2) credits of PE 100. If equivalencies cannot be established, the transfer student will be expected to meet the requirement of two (2) credits of Personal Wellness.

Military students with approved documentation (DD214, CCAF, AARTS, or SMART transcripts) will be granted WEL100 for 2 credits. If these students have already received WEL 100 credit, they receive 2 credits of PE 100 for the documented military experience.

1. The catalog of graduation begins with the summer term and ends with the subsequent spring term.
2. Every student is required to have a catalog of graduation. New and transfer students are assigned the catalog in effect at the time of their initial enrollment at the university from which they are seeking a degree. Students may elect a catalog of graduation that is later than their initial catalog but may not elect a catalog of graduation that is earlier than their initial catalog.
3. In order to receive a degree, a student must meet the program requirements listed in his/her catalog of graduation.
4. Students who discontinue enrollment at any Regental university for more than two consecutive semesters are assigned the catalog in effect at the time of their reenrollment as their catalog of graduation.
5. Students are considered to be in continuous enrollment for purposes of the catalog of graduation so long as any break in enrollment at any Regental university is for two or fewer consecutive semesters (excluding summer) and students maintain their degree seeking status at the same Regental university.
6. Student who change their degree seeking status from one Regental university to another Regental university are assigned the catalog of graduation that corresponds to the term they are admitted to their new degree granting university.