College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Jason Zimmerman, Interim Dean
Jason McEntee, Acting Associate Dean
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Wagner Hall 251, Box 2275A
605-688-4723

Overview

The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences serves two significant functions within the University. It provides instruction in the University’s core requirement for a liberal education as well as education in specific disciplines. A liberal education gives students the means to test ideas, beliefs, and facts. It exposes them to a variety of academic disciplines that will broaden and deepen their perspectives and enables them to continue the learning process as educated citizens. Students study the ways of thinking and expression that are intrinsic to the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Students receive education on the scientific method, critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, and cogent expression. They develop intellectual skills, humanistic understanding, and aesthetic appreciation. Such an education increases the usefulness of career planning and specialization by laying a foundation for lifelong values. The departments and programs in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences offer major and/or minor programs leading to certificates and associate, bachelor, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Schools

School of Communication and Journalism 
School of Design  
School of Performing Arts  

Departments

Aerospace Studies  
Architecture   
Economics  
English  
History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion  
Military Science  
Modern Languages and Global Studies  
Psychology  
Sociology and Rural Studies  

Degrees Offered

Associate of Arts
Associate of Science
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of General Studies
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Bachelor of Music Education
Bachelor of Science
Master of Architecture*
Master of Arts*
Master of Mass Communication*
Master of Science*
Doctor of Philosophy*

 * Graduate degrees are offered in collaboration with the Graduate School. For details, see the Graduate Catalog.

Degree Requirements

All general university requirements must be met to qualify for the bachelor’s degrees in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. In addition, the following special requirements and rules have been established for all graduates of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences:

1. The requirements of one of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences departmental majors must be met. Specific requirements are listed under each department. Courses taken in the major may be used to fulfill university core requirements if the department does not state otherwise.
2. Bachelor’s degrees in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences must include 33 semester credits from upper division courses (300 and above).
3. Capstone course in the major discipline.

Students seeking B.A., B.F.A., B.L.A., B.M.E., and B.S. degrees in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences must complete the System General Education Requirements (SGRs) and the College or School requirements.  Specific requirements for each degree also include:

Bachelor of Arts

• Modern Foreign Language including the 202-Level Credits: 6+
• AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3  (Teaching Specializations will complete AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3 )
• One declared minor outside of the major prefix OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment. Minor may be from any regental institution.

Bachelor of Fine Arts

• AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3  (Art Education Specialization will complete AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3 )
• ART 121 - Design I 2D (COM) [SGR #4] Credits: 3  
• DSGN 110 - Creative Thinking Credits: 3  
• DSGN 152 - Design Fundamentals II Credits: 3  
• Design Elective: 3
  Students are required to take an elective studio or shop in another School of Design discipline (other than their major discipline).

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

• AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3  
• ART 121 - Design I 2D (COM) [SGR #4] Credits: 3  
• DSGN 110 - Creative Thinking Credits: 3  
• DSGN 152 - Design Fundamentals II Credits: 3  
• Design Elective: 3
  Students are required to take an elective studio or shop in another School of Design discipline (other than their major discipline).

Bachelor of Music Education

• AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3  
• PSYC 101 - General Psychology (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3  or SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3  

Bachelor of Science

• Natural Sciences  Credits: 10+
  • Any two lab sciences
  • Coursework must include two prefixes.
  • MATH and STATS courses do not count toward the Science requirement.
• AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3  (Teaching Specializations will complete AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3 )
• One declared minor outside of the major prefix OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment. Minor may be from any regental institution.

Secondary Education Courses

Students planning to teach at the middle or high school level will take EDFN 101 as a pre-requisite for admission to the Pre-Residency program, which will typically start in the fall of the junior year. Students must then apply for a Residency placement for the senior year. (See the College of Education & Human Sciences  and the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership  for further details.)

Accreditations & Certification

• The Journalism program is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
• The Music program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
• The Architecture program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
• The Teacher Education program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Student Support & Engagement Opportunities

A variety of activities, including many extracurricular activities, are administered within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Dramatics

The School of Preforming Arts supervises State University Theatre presents a program of major and experimental productions each year. During the summer a season of plays in repertory are given by the Prairie Repertory Theatre in Brookings and Brandon.

Forensics

The School of Communication and Journalism administers a forensics program in debate, public address, and oral interpretation of literature.

Music Groups

The School of Preforming Arts sponsors a variety of vocal and instrumental groups. Membership may be by audition, arranged with the appropriate director, and is open to all University students regardless of major. Credit can be awarded for participation. Choral. Concert Choir, Statesmen (Men’s Chorus), University Women’s Choir, and Opera Workshop. Instrumental. Civic/University Symphony Orchestra, Marching Band (The “Pride of the Dakotas”), Pep Bands, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensembles and various Percussion, Woodwind and Brass small ensembles.

The Ritz Art Gallery

The Ritz Gallery sponsors an annual program of professional and student exhibitions, including the Juried Student Exhibition which is open to all SDSU students.

Programs

College of Art, Humanities & Social Sciences

Programs

Certificate Programs

• Experiential Learning Certificate  

Majors

• General Studies (A.A.)  
• General Studies (B.G.S.)  
• Interdisciplinary Studies (B.A./B.S.)  

Minors

• Inclusion and Equity Minor  
• Museum Studies Minor  
• Women’s and Gender Studies Minor  

Department of Aerospace Studies

Programs

Minors

• Aerospace Studies Minor  

Department of Architecture

Programs

Majors

• Architecture (B.F.A.)  

Department of Economics

Programs

Certificate Programs

• New Product and Venture Development Certificate  (College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences)

Majors

• Business Economics (B.A./B.S.)  
• Economics (B.A./B.S.)   
• Entrepreneurial Studies (B.A./B.S.)  

Minors

• Accounting Minor  
• Economics Minor  
• Entrepreneurial Studies Minor  
• Human Resources Minor  
• Management Minor  
• Marketing Minor  

Department of English

Programs

Majors

• American Indian Studies (B.A.)  
• English (B.A.)  
• English (B.A.) - English Education Specialization  
• English (B.A.) - Writing Specialization  

Minors

• American Indian Studies Minor  
• English Minor  
• Peace and Conflict Studies Minor  
• Professional Writing Minor  

Department of History, Political Science, Philosophy, & Religion

Programs

Majors

• History (B.A./B.S.)  
• History (B.A./B.S.) - Teaching Specialization  
• Political Science (B.A./B.S.)  

Minors

• History Minor  
• Legal Studies Minor  
• Philosophy Minor  
• Political Science Minor  
• Religion Minor  

Pre-Professional Interest Areas

• Pre-Law  
• Pre-Ministerial   

Department of Military Science

Programs

Minors

• Military Science Minor  

Department of Modern Languages & Global Studies

Programs

Certificate Programs

• Workplace Intercultural Competence Certificate  

Majors

• French Studies (B.A.)  
• French Studies (B.A.) - Teaching Specialization  
• German (B.A.)  
• German (B.A.) - Teaching Specialization  
• Global Studies (B.A.)  
• Spanish (B.A.)  
• Spanish (B.A.) - Teaching Specialization  

Minors

• French Studies Minor  
• German Minor  
• Global Studies Minor  
• Spanish Minor  

Department of Psychology

Programs

Majors

• Psychology (B.A./B.S.)  
• Psychology (B.A./B.S.) - Teaching Specialization  

Minors

• Mental Health Services Minor  
• Psychology Minor  

Department of Sociology & Rural Studies

Programs

Majors

• Sociology (A.S.)  
• Sociology (B.A./B.S.)  
• Sociology (B.A./B.S.) - Human Resources Specialization  
• Sociology (B.A./B.S.) - Human Services Specialization  
• Sociology (B.S.) - Teaching Specialization  

Minors

• Criminal Justice Minor  
• Social and Human Services Minor  
• Sociology Minor  
• Youth and Community Work Minor  

School of Communication & Journalism

Programs

Majors

• Advertising (B.A./B.S.)  
• Communication Studies (B.A./B.S.)  
• Communication Studies (B.A./B.S.) - Speech Education Specialization   
• Journalism (B.A./B.S.)  
• Public Relations (B.A./B.S.)  

Minors

• Advertising Minor  
• Communication Studies Minor  
• Health Communication Minor  
• Journalism Minor  
• Social Media Minor  

School of Design

Programs

Certificate Programs

• Animation Certificate  
• Art History Certificate  
• Ceramics Certificate  
• Graphic Design Certificate  
• Painting Certificate  
• Printmaking Certificate  
• Sculpture Certificate  

Majors

• Architecture (B.F.A.)  
• Graphic Design (B.F.A.)  
• Interior Design (B.F.A.)  
• Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.)  
• 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  

Minors

• Design Studies Minor  
• Film Studies Minor  
• Graphic Design Minor  
• History of Art and Design Minor  
• Studio Arts Minor  

School of Performing Arts

Programs

Majors

• Music (B.A.) - Music Entrepreneurship Specialization  
• Music (B.A.) - Music Studies Specialization  
• Music Education (B.M.E.)  
• Theatre (B.A./B.S.)  

Minors

• Dance Minor  
• Music Minor  
• Performing Arts Administration Minor  
• Theatre Minor