2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Degrees and Associated Majors


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Degree Definitions

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Associate Degree

An Associate of Arts (AA) degree is typically a two-year transfer degree, which indicates the completion of a student’s lower division general education requirements and forms the foundation for baccalaureate degree programs. Up to 16 credit hours at the 300 and 400 level may be required. More than 16 credit hours at the 300 and 400 level may be required if specified by an accrediting agency.

An Associate of Science (AS) degree is a terminal degree. However, it is transferable when a specific degree articulation agreement exists between a given AS degree and a specific baccalaureate degree. (BOR Policy 2:26.) Up to 16 credit hours at the 300 and 400 level may be required. More than 16 credit hours at the 300 and 400 level may be required if specified by an accrediting agency.

At South Dakota State University, the associate’s degree programs are:

  •  Associate of Science (A.S.) in General Agriculture
  •  Associate of Arts (A.A.) in General Studies

Bachelor’s Degree

The bachelor’s degree is awarded to a student by a university for satisfactory completion of a prescribed course of study ranging from 120-138 credits.  It is verified by a diploma and transcript signifying a measure of achievement. The bachelor’s degree enables a student to acquire a certain amount of general learning and to also become proficient in a particular field of study or a profession. The curricular structure of a bachelor’s degree program includes a system general education core curriculum, institutional graduation requirements, support courses, major courses, and electives.

At South Dakota State University, the bachelor’s degrees offered are:

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  • Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.)
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
  • Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.)

Master’s Degree1

In broad terms, the master’s degree indicates that the recipient has mastered a program of advanced, specialized study in a particular field. Normally, degree titles indicate one of two major categories. The Master of Arts and Master of Science are academic degrees designed to provide an introduction to scholarship activities and research. These degrees often serve the needs of individuals teaching in public schools or community colleges and/or preparation for further graduate study. The second category leads to professional master’s degrees, such as the M.Ed. or MBA. While similar to the M.A. and M.S., these programs tend to emphasize professional practice.

1 Council of Graduate Schools. Master’s Education: A Guide for Faculty and Administrators. A Policy Statement, 1994, pp. 1-5.

At South Dakota State University, the master’s degrees offered are:

  • Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)
  • Master of Education (M.Ed.)
  • Master of Arts (M.A.) 
  • Master of Mass Communication (M.M.C.)
  • Master of Science (M.S.)

Doctoral Degree2

The Doctor of Philosophy program (Ph.D.) is designed to prepare a student to become a scholar, that is, to discover, integrate, and apply knowledge, as well as communicate and disseminate it. A well-prepared doctoral graduate will have developed the ability to understand and evaluate critically the literature of the field and to apply appropriate principles and procedures to the recognition, evaluation, interpretation, and understanding of issues and problems at the frontiers of knowledge. The graduate will also have an appropriate awareness of and commitment to the ethical practices appropriate to the field.

The professional doctoral degree is earned by two or more years of professional study past the baccalaureate degree. This degree prepares an individual for entry into the practice of a recognized profession. Examples of professional doctorates are the M.D., Pharm.D., JD, DVM, and Ed.D. degrees.

2 Council of Graduate Schools. The Doctor of Philosophy Degree, 1990, p.1.

At South Dakota State University, the doctoral degrees offered are:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  • Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)

Major

An academic major or primary area of study within a degree program enables students to make an in-depth inquiry into a discipline or a professional field of study. It is organized around a specific set of goals and objectives that are accomplished through an ordered series of courses, whose connections define an internal structure and whose sequence advances levels of knowledge and understanding. A major introduces students to a discipline or field of study and related area through a foundation of theory and method. A major that focuses on a specific discipline draws its courses predominantly from one department. A major that encompasses a professional field of study or is interdisciplinary usually obtains its courses from more than one department.

The number of credit hours required for a major and its organizational structure will vary, depending on whether it aims at disciplinary or professional preparation. Variations are due to the demands of accrediting agencies, certification requirements, professional competence and expectations. Undergraduate majors require both discipline specific and support courses. In the Regental system majors typically consist of 47-89 semester credit hours with the mean at 68.5 hours. Credits required for the major are supported by the general education core and electives and together meet the total degree requirement.

Minor

An academic minor within a degree program enables a student to make an inquiry into a discipline or field of study beyond the major or to investigate a particular content theme. It too should be organized around a specific set of objectives that are achieved through a series of courses. Minors are intended to provide limited competency in the subject. Course offerings in a minor may be centered in a specific department or drawn from several departments as in the case of a topical or thematic focus. Some specific requirements are included. Regental undergraduate minors typically consist of 18-24 semester credit hours. Flexibility typically is achieved by offering the student a choice from among a group of courses to complete the credits.

Specialization

A specialization is a designated plan of study, within an existing degree program. It provides a student an alternative to the primary format of the major or it may be one of several tracks within a broad major. It contains courses within the discipline(s) of the existing program. It is specified in the institutional catalog and is designated on the transcript.

Emphasis

An emphasis is a concentration within a major and is accomplished by individual student choices within a plan of study. For example, within a major on adult health the student may focus on the older adult. An emphasis is not regarded as a separate program. It may be described in the catalog, but not detailed as a specific plan of study. It is not specified on a transcript.

Degrees and Associated Majors

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SDSU offers degrees the from the following colleges. Listed below are the major areas of study organized by college.

 


Agriculture and Biological Sciences

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Associate of Science in Agriculture
  Agricultural Science
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
  Agricultural and Resource Economics
  Agricultural Business
  Agricultural Education, Communication, and Leadership
  Agricultural Science
  Agricultural Systems Technology
  Agronomy
  Animal Science
  Dairy Manufacturing
  Dairy Production
  Horticulture
  Landscape Architecture
  Range Science
Bachelor of Science in Biological Science
  Biology
  Biotechnology
  Ecology and Environmental Science
  Microbiology
  Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

Arts and Sciences

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Associate of Arts in Arts and Sciences
  General Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Sciences
  Advertising
  American Indian Studies
  Architectural Studies
  Art Education
  Economics
  English
  French Studies
  German
  Global Studies
  Graphic Design
  History
  Journalism
  Music
  Political Science
  Spanish
  Studio Art
Bachelor of Music Education
  Music Education
Bachelor of General Studies
  General Studies
Bachelor of Science in Arts and Sciences
  Advertising
  Architectural Studies
  Art Education
  Biochemistry
  Chemistry
  Economics
  Entrepreneurial Studies 
  Geographic Information Sciences
  Geography
  Graphic Design
  History
  Interdisciplinary Studies
  Journalism
  Medical Laboratory Science
  Physics
  Political Science
  Psychology
  Sociology
  Speech Communication
  Studio Arts
  Theatre

Education and Human Sciences

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Bachelor of Science
  Apparel Merchandising
  Athletic Training
  Aviation
  Consumer Affairs
  Dietetics
  Early Childhood Education
  Exercise Science
  Family and Consumer Sciences Education
  Health Education
  Hospitality Management
  Human Development and Family Studies
  Interior Design
  Nutrition and Food Science
  Physical Education Teacher Education
  Sport, Recreation and Park Management

Engineering

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Bachelor of Science
  Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
  Civil Engineering
  Computer Science
  Construction Management
  Electrical Engineering
  Mathematics
  Mechanical Engineering
  Operations Management

Nursing

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Bachelor of Science
  Accelerated Nursing
  Nursing
  RN Upward Mobility

Pharmacy

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Bachelor of Science
  Pharmaceutical Sciences

Graduate School*

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Master of Architecture
Master of Arts
Master of Education
Master of Mass Communication
Master of Science
Doctor of Nursing Practice  
Doctor of Pharmacy  
Doctor of Philosophy
   
* See Graduate School Catalog for information about majors and degrees  

Majors Sorted by General Degree Type

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Associate of Arts (A.A.)
  General Studies
Associate of Science in Agriculture (A.S.)
  Agricultural Science
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  Advertising
  American Indian Studies
  Architectural Studies
  Art Education
  Economics
  English
  French Studies
  German
  Global Studies
  Graphic Design
  History
  Journalism
  Music
  Political Science
  Spanish
  Studio Art
Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.)
  General Studies  
Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.)
  Music Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
  Accelerated Nursing
  Advertising
  Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
  Agricultural and Resource Economics
  Agricultural Business
  Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership
  Agricultural Science
  Agricultural Systems Technology
  Agronomy
  Animal Science
  Apparel Merchandising
  Architectural Studies
  Art Education
  Athletic Training
  Aviation
  Biochemistry
  Biology (Biol Sci)
  Biotechnology (Biol Sci)
  Chemistry
  Civil Engineering
  Computer Science
  Construction Management
  Consumer Affairs
  Dairy Manufacturing
  Dairy Production
  Dietetics
  Early Childhood Education
  Ecology and Environmental Science
  Economics
  Electrical Engineering
  Exercise Science
  Family and Consumer Sciences Education
  Geographic Information Sciences
  Geography
  Graphic Design
  Health Education
  History
  Horticulture
  Hospitality Management
  Human Development and Family Studies
  Interdisciplinary Studies
  Interior Design
  Journalism
  Landscape Architecture
  Mathematics (ENGR)
  Mechanical Engineering
  Medical Laboratory Science
  Microbiology (Biol Sci)
  Nursing
  Nutrition and Food Science
  Operations Management
  Pharmaceutical Sciences
  Physics
  Physical Education Teacher Education
  Political Science
  Psychology
  Range Science
  RN Upward Mobility
  Sociology
  Speech Communication
  Studio Art
  Sport, Recreation and Park Management
  Theatre
  Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)*
Master of Arts (M.A.)*
Master of Education (M.Ed.)*
Master of Mass Communication (M.M.C.)*
Master of Science (M.S.)*
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)*  
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)*  
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)*

* See Graduate School Catalog for further detail about 
certificate programs, major specializations, emphasis,
minors


 

PROGRAM OF STUDY   ADMINISTERED BY
Accounting (minor)   ABS/AG, A&S
Advertising (B.A., B.S., minor)   A&S
Aerospace Studies (minor)   A&S
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (B.S., M.S.)   ENGR
Agricultural and Resource Economics (B.S.)   ABS/AG
Agricultural Business (B.S., minor)   ABS/AG
Agricultural and Environmental Law (certificate)   ABS/AG
Agricultural Education, Communication, Leadership (B.S.)   ABS/AG
  *Agricultural Education    
  *Communication    
  *Leadership    
Agricultural Engineering (Ph.D.)   GRAD
Agricultural Marketing (minor)   ABS/AG
Agricultural Science (A.S., B.S.)   ABS/AG
Agricultural Systems Technology (B.S.)   ABS/AG
Agronomy (B.S., minor)   ABS/AG
American Indian Studies (B.A., minor)   A&S
Animal Health (minor)   ABS
Animal Science (B.S., M.S., Ph.D., minor)   ABS/AG
  *Business and Production    
  *Science    
Animation (certificate)   A&S
Apparel Merchandising (B.S.)   EHS
Architectural Studies (B.A., B.S.)   A&S
Architecture (M.Arch.)   GRAD
Art Education (B.A., B.S.)   A&S
Art History (certificate)   A&S
Athletic Training (B.S., M.S.)   EHS
Aviation (B.S., minor)   EHS
  *Aviation Education    
  *Aviation Maintenance Management    
Bioenergy and Sustainable Technology (certificate)   GRAD
Biochemistry (B.S.)   A&S
Biological Sciences (M.S., Ph.D.)   GRAD
Biology (E) (B.S., minor)   ABS/BS
  *Preprofessional    
  *Secondary Education    
Biomedical Engineering (minor)   ENGR
Biotechnology (B.S., minor)   ABS/BS
Botany (minor)   ABS/BS
Ceramics (certificate)   A&S
Chemistry ACS Certified (E) (B.S., M.S., Ph.D., minor)   A&S, GRAD
Civil Engineering (B.S., M.S.)   ENGR
Communication Studies and Journalism (M.S.)   GRAD
Computational Science and Statistics (Ph.D.)   GRAD
Computer Science (E) (B.S., M.S., minor)   ENGR
Construction Management (B.S.)   ENGR
Consumer Affairs (B.S.)   EHS
  *Consumer Services Management    
  *Family Financial Management    
Counseling and Human Resource Development (M.S.)   GRAD
Criminal Justice (minor)   A&S
Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.)   GRAD
Dairy Manufacturing (B.S.)   ABS/AG
  *Microbiology    
Dairy Production (B.S.)   ABS/AG
Dance (minor)   A&S
Dietetics (B.S., M.S.)   GRAD
Early Childhood Education (E) (B.S.)   EHS
  *Cooperative Program with DSU and NSU    
  *Early Childhood Birth to Age 5    
  *Early Childhood Birth to Age 8    
Ecology and Environmental Science (B.S.)   ABS/BS
Economics (E) (B.A., B.S., M.S., minor)   ABS, A&S
  *Business Economics    
Educational Administration (M.Ed.)   GRAD
Electrical Engineering (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.)   ENGR, GRAD
Engineering (M.S.)   GRAD
English (E) (B.A., M.A., minor)   A&S
  *English Education    
  *Writing    
Entrepreneurial Studies (B.S., minor)   A&S
Entrepreneurship (certificate)   A&S
Equine Studies (minor)   ABS
Exercise Science (B.S.)   EHS
Family and Consumer Sciences Education (E) (B.S.)   EHS
Food Safety (minor)   EHS
French Studies (E) (B.A., minor)   A&S
  *Teaching    
General Studies (A.A., B.G.S.)   UC, A&C
Geographic Information Sciences (B.S., certificate, minor)   A&S, ENGR, GRAD
Geography (E) (B.S., M.S., minor)   A&S
Geospatial Science and Engineering (Ph.D.)   GRAD
German (E) (B.A., minor)   A&S
  *Teaching    
Gerontology (minor)   EHS & NURS
Global Studies (B.A., minor)   A&S
Graphic Design (B.A., B.S., Certificate)   A&S
Health Education (B.S., minor)   EHS
Health Journalism (Graduate certificate)   A&S/GRAD
Health Science (minor)   NURS
History (E) (B.A., B.S., minor)   A&S
  *Teaching    
Honors College (distinction)   HC
Horticulture (B.S., minor)   ABS/Ag
Hospitality Management (B.S.)   EHS
Human Development and Family Studies (B.S., minor)   EHS
Human Sciences (M.S.)   GRAD
Informatics (minor)   ENGR
Interdisciplinary Studies (B.S.)   A&S
Interior Design (B.S., minor)   EHS
Journalism (E) (B.A., B.S., minor)   A&S
Landscape Architecture (B.S.)   ABS/AG
Leadership (minor)   EHS
Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations (minor)   EHS
Marketing (minor)   A&S
Mass Communication (M.M.C.)   A&S/GRAD
Mathematics (E) (B.S., M.S., minor)   ENGR
  *Teaching    
Mechanical Engineering (B.S., M.S.)   ENGR
Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S.)   A&S
Microbiology (E) (B.S., minor)   ABS/BS
Military Science (minor)   A&S
Music (B.A., minor)   A&S
  *Music Studies    
  *Music Entrepreneurship    
Music Education (B.M.E.)   A&S
Nuclear Engineering (minor)   ENGR
Nursing (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.)   NURS, GRAD
Nursing, Accelerated (B.S.)   NURS
Nursing, Upward Mobility (B.S.)    NURS
Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)   GRAD
Nutrition and Food Science (B.S., minor)   EHS
Nutrition, Exercise and Food Science (M.S., Ph.D.)   GRAD
Operations Management (B.S., M.S.)   ENGR, GRAD
Painting (certificate)   A&S
Peace and Conflict Studies (minor)   A&S
Pest Management (minor)   ABS
Pharmaceutical Sciences (B.S., Ph.D.)   PHARM
Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)   PHARM
Philosophy (minor)   A&S
Physical Education Teacher Education (B.S.)   EHS
Physics (E) (B.S., minor, M.S.)   ENGR, GRAD
  *Science Teaching    
Plant Science (M.S., Ph.D.)   GRAD
Political Science (E) (B.A., B.S., minor)   A&S
Printmaking (certificate)   A&S
Professional Writing (minor)   A&S
Psychology (E) (B.S., minor)   A&S
  *Teaching    
Range Science (B.S., minor)   ABS/AG
Recreation Administration (minor)   EHS
Rehabilitation Services (minor)   EHS
Religion (minor)   A&S
Sculpture (certificate)   A&S
Secondary Education (certification preparation)   EHS
Sociology (E) (B.S., M.S., Ph.D., minor)   A&S/GRAD
  *Human Resources    
  *Human Services    
  *Teaching    
Software Engineering (minor)   ENGR
Soil Science (minor, certification)   ABS/AG
Spanish (E) (B.A., minor)   A&S
  *Teaching    
Speech Communication (E) (B.S.)   A&S
  *Speech Education    
Sport and Recreation Studies (M.S.)   GRAD
Sport, Recreation and Park Management (B.S.)   EHS
Statistics (M.S., minor)   GRAD/ENGR
Studio Arts (B.A., B.S., minor)   A&S
  Animation (certificate)    
  Art History (certificate)    
  Ceramics (certificate)    
  Graphic Design (certificate)    
  Painting (certificate)    
  Printmaking (certificate)    
  Sculpture (certificate)    
Sustainable Energy Systems (minor)   ENGR
Swine Science (certificate)   ABS/AG
Theatre (B.S.)   A&S
Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.)   ABS/BS
Women’s Studies (minor)   A&S

 

PRE-PROFESSIONAL AREAS OF STUDY   ADMINISTERED BY  
Pre- Chiropractic   ABS/Biology and Microbiology  
Pre- Dental   ABS/Biology and Microbiology  
Pre- Law   A&S/History and Political Science  
Pre- Medicine   ABS/Biology and Microbiology  
Pre- Ministerial   A&S/History and Political Science  
Pre- Mortuary   ABS/Biology and Microbiology  
Pre- Occupational Therapy   EHS/Health and Nutritional Sciences  
Pre- Optometry   ABS/Biology and Microbiology  
Pre- Physical Therapy   EHS/Health and Nutritional Sciences  
Pre- Physician Assistant   ABS/Biology and Microbiology  
Pre- Veterinary Medicine   ABS/Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences  

Key to Units Administering Individual Curriculums

A&S   College of Arts and Sciences
ABS/AG   College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Agriculture Curriculum
ABS/BS   College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Biological Science Curriculum
ENGR   College of Engineering
EHS   College of Education and Human Sciences
HC   Honors College
GRAD   Graduate School
NURS   College of Nursing
PHARM   College of Pharmacy
UC   University College
*   Specialization (area within a major)
(E)   Education curriculum available with these majors

Organizational Structure of SDSU

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Office of Academic Affairs

College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences

  • Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
  • Animal Science
  • Biology and Microbiology
  • Dairy Science
  • Economics
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Plant Science
  • Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
  • Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

  • Air Force ROTC
  • Architecture
  • Army ROTC
  • Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Communication Studies and Theatre
  • English
  • Geography
  • History and Political Science
  • Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Modern Languages and Global Studies
  • Music
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Sociology and Rural Studies
  • Visual Arts

College of Education and Human Sciences

  • Consumer Sciences
  • Counseling and Human Development
  • Health and Nutritional Sciences
  • Teaching, Learning and Leadership

College of Engineering

  • Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Engineering Technology and Management
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Mechanical Engineering

College of Nursing

  • Graduate Nursing
  • Nursing Student Services
  • Undergraduate Nursing

College of Pharmacy

  • Pharmacy Practice
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences

Graduate School

Honors College

Office of Continuing and Extended Education

  • Distance Education
  • Outreach Programs

University College

  • Deciding/undeclared Students
  • General Studies
  • First Year Advising Center
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