2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Degrees & Associated Majors


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Degree Definitions


Associate Degree

An Associate of Arts (A.A.) 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 (A.S.) 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 Agricultural Science
  •  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 Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
  • Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.)
  • Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.)
  • Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.)
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
  • Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.)

Master’s Degree

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 Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) or Master of Music (M. M.) While similar to the MA and MS, these programs tend to emphasize professional practice

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

  • 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.)

Professional Graduate Degree

The professional graduate 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 Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Juris Doctor (J.D.), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degrees.

At South Dakota State University, the professional graduate degrees offered are:

  • Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
  • Masters of Public Health (M.P.H.)

Doctoral Degree

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.

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

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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 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 is specified in the institutional catalog and is designated on the transcript.

Certificates

A certificate program is a sequence, pattern, or group of courses that focus upon an area of specialized knowledge or information with defined outcomes.  In the Regental system certificates typically consist of 9-12 credit hours including prerequisites.

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


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

College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences

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
  Food Science
  Horticulture
  Rangeland Ecology and Management
Bachelor of Science in Biological Science
  Biology
  Biotechnology
  Ecology and Environmental Science
  Microbiology
  Natural Resource Law Enforcement
  Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences 

Associate of Arts in Arts and Sciences

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

College of Education and Human Sciences 

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

Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering 

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

College of Nursing 

Bachelor of Science
  Accelerated Nursing
  Nursing
  RN Upward Mobility

College of Pharmacy 

Bachelor of Science
  Medical Laboratory Science
  Pharmaceutical Sciences

Graduate School* 

Master of Architecture
Master of Arts
Master of Education
Master of Mass Communication
Master of Public Health
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 


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
  Economics
  English
  French Studies
  German
  Global Studies
  History
  Journalism
  Music
  Political Science
  Spanish
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
  Architecture
  Graphic Design
  Interior Design
  Studio Art
Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.)
  General Studies  
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.)  
  Landscape Architecture  
Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.)
  Music Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
  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
  Athletic Training
  Aviation
  Biochemistry
  Biology
  Biotechnology
  Chemistry
  Civil Engineering
  Computer Science
  Construction Management
  Consumer Affairs
  Dairy Manufacturing
  Dairy Production
  Early Childhood Education
  Ecology and Environmental Science
  Economics
  Electrical Engineering
  Electronics Engineering Technology
  Exercise Science
  Family and Consumer Sciences Education
  Geographic Information Sciences
  Food Science
  Geography
  Graphic Design
  Health Education
  History
  Horticulture
  Hospitality Management
  Human Development and Family Studies
  Interdisciplinary Studies
  Interior Design
  Journalism
  Mathematics
  Mechanical Engineering
  Medical Laboratory Science
  Microbiology
  Natural Resource Law Enforcement
  Nursing
  Nutrition and Dietetics
  Operations Management
  Pharmaceutical Sciences
  Physics
  Physical Education Teacher Education
  Political Science
  Psychology
  Rangeland Ecology and Management
  Sociology
  Speech Communication
  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 Public Health (M.P.H.)*
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

Majors, Minors, and Certficates by Department


Aerospace Studies

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Animal Science

Architecture

Biology and Microbiology

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Communication Studies and Theatre

Construction and Operations Management

Consumer Sciences

Counseling and Human Development

Dairy Science

Economics

Economics

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

English

Geography

Health and Nutritional Sciences

History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion

Journalism and Mass Communication

Mathematics and Statistics

Mechanical Engineering

Military Science

Modern Languages and Global Studies

Music

Natural Resource Management

Nursing

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pharmacy Practice

Physics

Plant Science

Psychology

School of Design

Sociology and Rural Studies

Teaching, Learning, and Leadership

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

 

Aerospace Studies

  Aerospace Studies Minor

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

  Agricultural Systems Technology (B.S.)

  Precision Agriculture Minor

  Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (B.S.)

  Engineering for Precision Agriculture Minor

Animal Science

  Animal Science (B.S.) - Business and Production Specialization

  Animal Science (B.S.) - Science Specialization

  Animal Science Minor

  Equine Studies Minor

  Meat Science Minor

  Swine Science Certificate

Architecture

  Architecture (B.F.A.)

Biology and Microbiology

  (Pre-) Chiropractic

  (Pre-) Dental

  (Pre-) Medicine

  (Pre-) Mortuary

  (Pre-) Optometry

  (Pre-) Physician Assistant

  Biology (B.S.)

  Biology (B.S.) - Pre-professional Specialization

  Biology (B.S.) - Secondary Education Specialization

  Biology Minor

  Biotechnology (B.S.)

  Microbiology (B.S.)

  Microbiology Minor

Chemistry and Biochemistry

  Biochemistry (B.S.)

  Chemistry (B.S.)

  Chemistry Minor

Civil and Environmental Engineering

  Civil Engineering (B.S.)

College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences

  Agricultural Science (A.S. & B.S.)

  Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership (B.S.) - Agricultural Education Specialization

  Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership (B.S.) - Communication Specialization

  Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership (B.S.) - Leadership Specialization

College of Arts and Sciences

  American Indian Studies (B.S.)

  American Indian Studies Minor

  Experiential Learning Certificate

  General Studies (A.A./ B.G.S.) (Administered by University College and Continuing and Extended Education)

  Interdisciplinary Studies (B.S.)

  Museum Studies Minor

  Women’s Studies Minor

Communication Studies and Theatre

  Communication Studies and Theatre Minor

  Dance Minor

  Health Communication Minor

  Speech Communication (B.S.)

  Speech Communication (B.S.) - Speech Education Specialization

  Theatre (B.S.)

  Theatre Arts Administration Certificate

Construction and Operations Management

  Construction Management (B.S.)

  Construction Minor

  Electronics Engineering Technology (B.S.)

  Operations Management (B.S.)

Consumer Sciences

  Apparel Merchandising (B.S.)

  Aviation (B.S.) - Aviation Education Specialization

  Aviation (B.S.) - Aviation Maintenance Management Specialization

  Aviation Minor

  Consumer Affairs (B.S.) - Consumer Services Management Specialization

  Consumer Affairs (B.S.) - Family Financial Management Specialization

  Events and Facilities Administration Minor

  Hospitality Management (B.S.)

  Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations Minor

  Leadership Minor

Counseling and Human Development

  Gerontology Minor

  Human Development and Family Studies (B.S.)

  Human Development and Family Studies Minor

  Rehabilitation Services Minor

Dairy Science

  Dairy Manufacturing (B.S.)

  Dairy Manufacturing (B.S.) - Microbiology Specialization

  Dairy Production (B.S.)

  Food Safety Minor

  Food Science (B.S.)

Economics

  Accounting Minor

  Agricultural and Environmental Law Certificate

  Agricultural and Resource Economics (B.S.)

  Agricultural Business (B.S.)

  Agricultural Business Minor

  Agricultural Marketing Minor

  Economics (B.A./B.S.)

  Economics (B.A./B.S.) - Business Economics Specialization

  Economics Minor

  Entrepreneurial Studies (B.S.)

  Entrepreneurial Studies Minor

  Management Minor

  Marketing Minor

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

  Computer Science (B.S.)

  Computer Science Minor

  Electrical Engineering (B.S.)

  Informatics Minor

  Software Engineering Minor

English

  English (B.A.)

  English (B.A.) - English Education Specialization

  English (B.A.) - Writing Specialization

  English Minor

  Peace and Conflict Studies Minor

  Professional Writing Minor

Geography

  Geographic Information Sciences (B.S.)

  Geographic Information Sciences Certificate

  Geographic Information Sciences Minor

  Geography (B.S.)

  Geography Minor

Health and Nutritional Sciences

  (Pre-) Occupational Therapy

  (Pre-) Physical Therapy

  Athletic Coaching Certification

  Athletic Training (B.S.)

  Exercise Science (B.S.)

  Health Education (B.S.)

  Health Education Minor

  Nutrition and Dietetics (B.S.)

  Nutrition Minor

  Physical Education Teacher Education (B.S.)

  Recreation Administration Minor

  Sport, Recreation and Park Management (B.S.)

History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion

  (Pre-) Law

  (Pre-) Ministerial

  History (B.A./B.S.)

  History (B.A./B.S.) - Teaching Specialization

  History Minor

  Legal Studies Minor

  Philosophy Minor

  Political Science (B.A./B.S.)

  Political Science Minor

  Religion Minor

Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering

  Biomedical Engineering Minor

Journalism and Mass Communication

  Advertising (B.A./B.S.)

  Advertising Minor

  Journalism (B.A./B.S.)

  Journalism Minor

Mathematics and Statistics

  Mathematics (B.S.)

  Mathematics (B.S.) - Teaching Specialization

  Mathematics Minor

  Statistics Minor

Mechanical Engineering

  Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)

  Sustainable Energy Systems Minor

Military Science

  Military Science Minor

Modern Languages and Global Studies

  French Studies (B.A.)

  French Studies (B.A.) - Teaching Specialization

  French Studies Minor

  German (B.A.)

  German (B.A.) - Teaching Specialization

  German Minor

  Global Studies Minor

  Global Studies (B.A.)

  Spanish (B.A.)

  Spanish (B.A.) - Teaching Specialization

  Spanish Minor

Music

  Music (B.A.) - Music Entrepreneurship Specialization

  Music (B.A.) - Music Studies Specialization

  Music Education (B.M.E.)

  Music Minor

Natural Resource Management

  Botany Minor

  Ecology and Environmental Science (B.S.)

  Natural Resource Law Enforcement (B.S.)

  Rangeland Ecology and Management (B.S.)

  Rangeland Ecology and Management Minor

  Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (B.S.)

Nursing

  Health Science Minor

  Nursing (B.S.)

  Nursing (B.S.) - Accelerated Program

  Nursing (B.S.) - RN Upward Mobility

Pharmacy

  Pharmaceutical Sciences

Physics

  Nuclear Engineering Minor

  Physics (B.S.)

  Physics (B.S.) - Science Teaching Specialization

  Physics Minor

Plant Science

  Agronomy (B.S.)

  Agronomy Minor

  Horticulture (B.S.)

  Horticulture Minor

  Pest Management Minor

  Soil Science Certification

  Soil Science Minor

Psychology

  Psychology (B.S.)

  Psychology (B.S.) - Teaching Specialization

  Psychology Minor

School of Design

  Animation Certificate

  Architecture (B.F.A.)

  Art History Certificate

  Ceramics Certificate

  Film Studies Minor

  Graphic Design (B.F.A.)

  Graphic Design Certificate

  Interior Design (B.F.A.)

  Interior Design Minor

  Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.)

  Painting Certificate

  Printmaking Certificate

  Sculpture Certificate

  Studio Art (B.F.A.) - Art Education Specialization

  Studio Art (B.F.A.) - Ceramics Specialization

  Studio Art (B.F.A.) - Painting Specialization

  Studio Art (B.F.A.) - Printmaking Specialization

  Studio Art (B.F.A.) - Sculpture Specialization

  Studio Arts Minor

Sociology and Rural Studies

  Criminal Justice Minor

  Sociology (B.A./B.S.)

  Sociology (B.S.) - Human Resources Specialization

  Sociology (B.S.) - Human Services Specialization

  Sociology (B.S.) - Teaching Specialization

  Sociology Minor

Teaching, Learning, and Leadership

  Early Childhood Education (B.S.) - Birth to 5 Specialization

  Early Childhood Education (B.S.) - Birth to 8 Specialization

  Early Childhood Education (B.S.) - Cooperative Program with DSU or NSU

  Early Childhood Education Kindergarten Education Endorsement

  Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement

  Family and Consumer Sciences Education (B.S.)

  Teacher Education - Certification Only

Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

  (Pre-) Veterinary Medicine

  Animal Health Minor

Organizational Structure of SDSU 


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

College of Arts and Sciences

  • School of Design
    • Architecture
  • Air Force ROTC
  • Army ROTC
  • Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Communication Studies and Theatre
  • English
  • Geography
  • History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion
  • Journalism and Mass Communication
  • Modern Languages and Global Studies
  • Music
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Sociology and Rural Studies

College of Education and Human Sciences

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

Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering

  • Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Construction and Operations 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

Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College

Office of Continuing and Distance Education

  • Distance Education
  • Outreach Programs

University College

  • Exploratory Studies Program
  • First Year Advising Center