Central to the educative mission of South Dakota State University is the general education curriculum: foundational courses in the arts, humanities, and social and natural sciences that instill in students the competencies, principles, and modes of thinking crucial for advanced study in their major and for meeting the obligations of an informed and engaged citizenship. Through required courses in communication and mathematics and an array of electives that promote scientific inquiry; an awareness of the histories and psycho-social, economic, and political structures that inform our present moment; and an understanding of the contributions diverse cultures make to our common humanity, South Dakota State University and its faculty express their commitment to helping students to acquire the sensitivity, knowledge, and powers of analysis and reasoning they will need to contribute in myriad and meaningful ways to the workplace and the world beyond.
The General Education curriculum for all undergraduate students is further explained in the following sections. General Education curriculum consists of System General Education Requirements. SDBOR Policy 2:7, SDBOR Policy 2:26, SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 8.3, and SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 8.4 identify (a) the purpose of the requirement, (b) the skills to be developed in each course that satisfies the requirement, and (c) the approved courses. Students may only select general education courses from the approved list. These requirements are effective for students entering Fall 2017.
General Education Requirements for Associate Degree
(SDBOR Policy 2:26, SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 8.3)
The general education component of all associate degree programs shall consist of the System General Education Requirements. Students may only select general education courses from a limited approved list to meet the System General Education Requirements. These requirements are effective for students entering Fall 2017.
The System General Education Requirements for students pursuing an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree shall include 24 credit hours as specified in SDBOR Policy 2:26.
Associate of Arts Degree and Associate of Science Degree
System General Education Requirements: 24 credits
*Three (3) additional credits selected from approved list of courses from different disciplinary prefixes for Goals #3, #4, or #6.
General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree
(SDBOR Policy 2:7, SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 8.4)
The General Education component of all baccalaureate programs shall consist of the System General Education Requirements. Students may only select general education courses from a limited approved list to meet the System General Education Requirements. These requirements are effective for students entering Fall 2017.
System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include 30 credit hours as specified in SDBOR Policy 2:7.
System General Education Requirements: 30 credits
System General Education Requirements (SGRs)
These requirements are common across the entire South Dakota Regental System. The System General Education Requirements (SGRs) are designed to achieve these six goals.
SGR Goal #1
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:
- Write using standard American English, including correct punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure,
- Write logically,
- Write persuasively, with a variety of rhetorical strategies (e.g., expository, argumentative, descriptive), and
- 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: a, b, c, and d
Required Credit Hours
| Associate Degrees |
6 Credit Hours |
| Baccalaureate Degrees |
6 Credit Hours |
Notes
Student enrollment in the initial English course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy.
SGR Goal #2
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:
- Students will demonstrate the ability to speak thoughtfully, clearly, and effectively in a variety of contexts.
- Students will demonstrate active listening skills in a variety of contexts.
Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:
Required: a and b
Required Credit Hours
| Associate Degree |
3 Credit Hours |
| Baccalaureate Degree |
3 Credit Hours |
SGR Goal #3
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:
- Identify and explain basic concepts, terminology, theories, and systems of inquiry of the selected social science disciplines.
- Apply selected social science concepts and theories to contemporary or historical issues from different behavioral, cultural, institutional, temporal, or spatial contexts.
- Analyze the extent and impact of diversity among individuals, cultures, or societies in contemporary or historical contexts using social science methods and concepts.
Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:
Required: a, b and c
Required Credit Hours
| Associate Degree |
3-6* Credit Hours |
| Baccalaureate Degree |
6 Credit Hours |
Notes
- * Refer to the program requirements. Three additional credits selected from approved list of courses for Goals #3, #4, or #6 to reach 24 System General Education Requirements for the Associate Degree.
- Coursework must be completed from two disciplines.
SGR Goal #4
Arts & Humanities/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:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of values, beliefs, practices or ideas embodied in the human experience, and
- Demonstrate basic understanding of concepts of the selected discipline 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:
- Demonstrate ability to express creative, aesthetic, formal or stylistic elements of the disciplines.
- Demonstrate foundational competency in reading, writing, and speaking a non-English language.
- Identify and explain cultural contributions from the perspective of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities.
Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:
Required: a and b
At least one of the following: c, d, or e
Required Credit Hours
| Associate Degree |
3-6* Credit Hours |
| Baccalaureate Degree |
6 Credit Hours |
Notes
- * Refer to the program requirements. Three additional credits selected from approved list of courses for Goals #3, #4, or #6 to reach 24 System General Education Requirements for the Associate Degree.
- Coursework must be completed from two disciplines or a sequence of foreign language courses. Students must complete a course from another subject if they are using one from either ART or ARTH.
SGR Goal #5
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:
- Use mathematical symbols and mathematical structure to model and solve real world problems.
- Demonstrate appropriate communication skills related to mathematical terms and concepts.
Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:
Required: a and b
Required Credit Hours
| Associate Degree |
3 Credit Hours |
| Baccalaureate Degree |
3 Credit Hours |
Notes
Student enrollment in the initial Mathematics course is determined by the Board of Regents placement guideline.
SGR 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.
Student Learning Outcomes
As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:
- Explain the nature of science including how scientific explanation are formulated, tested, and modified or validated.
- Distinguish between scientific and non-scientific evidence and explanations, and use scientific evidence to construct arguments related to contemporary issues.
- Apply basic observational, quantitative, or technological methods to gather and analyze data and generate evidence-based conclusions in a laboratory setting.
- Understand and apply foundational knowledge and discipline-specific concepts to address issues, solve problems, or predict natural phenomena.
Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes:
Required: a, b, c and d
Required Credit Hours
| Associate Degree |
3-6* Credit Hours |
| Baccalaureate Degree |
6 Credit Hours |
Notes
- *Refer to the program requirements. Three additional credits selected from approved list of courses for Goals #3, #4, or #6 to reach 24 System General Education Requirements for the Associate Degree.
Policies Applicable to System General Education Requirements
Guidelines for Baccalaureate & Associate Degrees
(SDBOR Policy 2:5, SDBOR Policy 2:7, SDBOR Policy 2:26, SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 8.3, SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 8.4)
- The System General Education Requirements will be effective for students entering in Fall 2005.
- Only 100/200 level courses will be included. Exceptions based on student background may be made utilizing the established university academic appeal process.
- Honors courses equivalent to identified System General Education courses will meet the System requirements.
- Students who complete the System General Education Requirements at any SD Board of Regents institution and then transfer to another SD Board of Regents institution even if the receiving institution has different credit/course distribution and approved course lists, will have completed the equivalent degree level requirements at the receiving institution. All prerequisites for associate and baccalaureate programs must be completed as determined by the student’s degree plan.
- A student who has not completed all general education requirements at the sending institution will be required to complete additional coursework consistent with the course requirements at the receiving South Dakota Regental institution.
Placement into Initial Math & English Courses
(SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 7.6, SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 8.3, SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 8.4)
The Board of Regents has developed a standardized placement process to ensure that entering students are placed into math and English courses most appropriate for their ability and background.
Entering students must show evidence of their level of academic preparation prior to enrollment into their initial mathematics and English courses. All entering students seeking a baccalaureate degree must provide valid ACT/Smarter Balanced scores (within the last five years), or must take the ACCUPLACER examination in the areas of writing skills, mathematics, and reading. All non-degree seeking students enrolling in English and mathematics courses must provide ACT/Smarter Balanced scores or must take the ACCUPLACER examination in the areas of writing skills and mathematics. In addition to scores on these assessments, other information such as high school GPA and curriculum completed may also be considered as placement decisions are made.
Transfer students who have completed equivalent general education coursework in English and mathematics are exempt from this requirement.
Students transferring will be allowed to transfer their placement test scores and continue their sequence of courses in English and/or mathematics.
Each institution shall give students prior notice that it will provide reasonable accommodations for test takers in keeping with institutional practices implementing the South Dakota Human Relations Act of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (refer to Board Policy 1:19).
Completion of Pre-General Education Courses in English & Mathematics
(SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 7.6)
Effective Fall 2003, students are required to complete pre-general education courses in a timely manner. Pre-general education courses include ENGL 031, ENGL 032, ENGL 033, MATH 021, MATH 091, MATH 092, MATH 093, MATH 095, and MATH 101.
- Completion of Pre-General Education Courses
- Pre-general education courses include ENGL 031, ENGL 032, ENGL 033, MATH 021, MATH 095, and MATH 101.
- Students placed in pre-general education courses must enroll in and complete the courses within the first 30 credit hours attempted, and follow recommendation as outlined in the General Education Implementation Guidelines.
- Students who are placed into MATH 021 are expected to successfully complete both MATH 021 and MATH 101 before enrolling in MATH 114. However, a student who performs exceptionally well in MATH 021 may petition the VPAA to bypass MATH 101 and enroll in MATH 114 as their next mathematics course. These students must sit for the ACCUPLACER Math placement exam and earn scores that meet or exceed the placement score necessary for enrolling in MATH 114.
- Credit Hours and Grades
- Credit hours for the pre-general education courses are included in the total number of credit hours attempted.
- The grades assigned for courses numbered less than 100 will be RI, RS and RU.
Note: A Satisfactory Progress (SP) grade may be granted only for students enrolled in MATH 095. If the grade of SP is awarded the following conditions apply:
- The grade is an alternative to RS and RU.
- The student must have made satisfactory progress during the course but the student did not develop mastery of all the required content. If the student successfully mastered the materials, the grade of RS should be assigned. If progress was not made, the grade of RU should be assigned.
Additional Guidelines for Associate Degrees
(SDBOR Policy 2:26, SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 8.3)
Students transferring from a non-regental campus to a Regental campus who have previously earned an Associate of Arts degree will not automatically be judged as having fulfilled the general education requirements of the receiving campus. Such students must fulfill all college, major, minor, certificate, and other degree requirements of the receiving campus.
Students transferring from a South Dakota technical institute to a Regental campus who have previously earned an Associate of Applied Science degree will not automatically be judged as having fulfilled the general education requirements of the receiving campus. Such students must fulfill all college, major, minor, certificate, and other degree requirements of the receiving campus.
Students who complete the System Associate Degree General Education Requirements at any SD Board of Regents institution and then transfer to another SD Board of Regents institution will have fulfilled the System Associate Degree General Education Requirements at the new institution even if the receiving institution has different credit/course distribution and approved course lists. All prerequisites for associate and baccalaureate programs must be completed as determined by the student’s degree plan. See SDBOR Policy 2:5 for additional guidance on transfer of general education credits.
Additional Guidelines for Baccalaureate Degrees
(SDBOR Policy 2:7, SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 8.4)
Effective fall 2017, System General Education Requirements, in general, will be completed in the first 90 credit hours of a baccalaureate degree program.
Students transferring from a South Dakota technical institute to a Regental campus who have previously earned an Associate of Applied Science degree will not automatically be judged as having fulfilled the general education requirements of the receiving campus. Such students must fulfill all college, major, minor, certificate, and other degree requirements of the receiving campus.
Students who complete the System General Education Requirements at any SD Board of Regents institution and then transfer to another SD Board of Regents institution will have fulfilled the System General Education Requirements at the new institution even if the receiving institution has different credit/course distribution and approved course lists. All prerequisites for associate and baccalaureate programs must be completed as determined by the student’s degree plan. See SDBOR policy 2:5 for additional guidance on transfer of general education credits.
Fraction of Credits for Transfer Students
Transfer credits applied to a general education goal meet the credit requirement if .33 credits (or fewer) remain for that goal. 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. For example, a student who transferred in 5.67 credits towards the SGR #3 Social Science 6 credit requirement has met the goal.
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