HELP 2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window) Facebook this Page (opens a new window) Tweet this Page (opens a new window)

David Earnest, Dean
Jason Zimmerman, Associate Dean
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Lincoln Hall 129, Box 2212
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, schools, and programs in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences offer major and/or minor programs leading to certificates and associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees.

Departments and Schools

• Department of Aerospace Studies   
• Department of Military Science  
• Ness School of Management and Economics  
• School of American and Global Studies  
• School of Communication and Journalism  
• School of Design  
• School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies  
• School of Performing Arts  
• School of 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*

 * 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 department or school majors must be met. Specific requirements are listed under each department or school. Courses taken in the major may be used to fulfill university core requirements if the department or school 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.G.S., 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+
• One declared minor outside of the major discipline OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or school or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department or school. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment. Minor may be from any regental institution.

*The Accounting (B.A./B.S.)  and Music (B.A.) - Music Entrepreneurship Specialization  are excluded from the requirement of one declared minor outside of the major discipline OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. Please refer to the major and specialization for specific program requirements.  

Bachelor of Fine Arts

• ART /DSGN 121 - Design I 2D (COM) [SGR #4, HSDC] Credits: 3  
• DSGN 110 - Creative Thinking Credits: 3    
• DSGN 452 - Design Capstone Credits: 2    
• School of Design Electives Credits: 4-6 (Refer to program requirements for the list of approved courses)

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

• ART /DSGN 121 - Design I 2D (COM) [SGR #4, HSDC] Credits: 3   
• DSGN 110 - Creative Thinking Credits: 3  
• DSGN 452 - Design Capstone Credits: 2  
• School of Design Electives Credits: 6 (Refer to program requirements for the list of approved courses)

Bachelor of Music Education

• AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3    
• PSYC 101 - General Psychology (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3  or SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] 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.
• One declared minor outside of the major discipline OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or school or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department or school. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment. Minor may be from any regental institution.

*The Consumer Affairs (B.S.) - Consumer Services Management Specialization  and Consumer Affairs (B.S.) - Family Financial Management Specialization  are excluded from the college’s Bachelor of Science requirements. Please refer to the specializations for specific program requirements.

*The Accounting (B.A./B.S.)  is excluded from the requirement of one declared minor outside of the major discipline OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. Please refer to the major for specific program requirements. 

Approved Natural Sciences Courses for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences - Bachelor of Science

Secondary Education Courses

Students planning to teach at the middle or high school level will take EDFN 101  as a prerequisite 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 and Human Sciences  and the School of Education, Counseling and Human Development  for further details.)

Accreditations and Certification

• The Architecture program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
• The Interior Design program is accredited by the Council for Interior Designer Accreditation.
• The Journalism program is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
• The Landscape Architecture program is accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board.
• The Music program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (good standing reaffirmed in 2011).
• The Teacher Education program is accredited by Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
• The Theatre program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. 

Student Support and 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.

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, Bass Choir, Treble 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 and Social Sciences

Programs

Majors

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

Department of Aerospace Studies

Programs

Minors

• Aerospace Studies Minor   

Department of Military Science

Programs

Minors

• Military Science Minor  

Ness School of Management and Economics

Programs

Majors

• Accounting (B.A./B.S.)  
• Business Economics (B.A./B.S.)  
• Consumer Affairs (B.S.) - Consumer Services Management Specialization  
• Consumer Affairs (B.S.) - Family Financial Management Specialization  
• Economics (B.A./B.S.)  
• Entrepreneurial Studies (B.A./B.S.)  

Minors

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

Certificates

• New Product and Venture Development Certificate  

School of American and Global Studies

Programs

Majors

• American Indian and Indigenous Studies (B.A.)  
• French Studies (B.A.)  
• French Studies (B.A.) - Teaching Specialization   
• German (B.A.)  
• German (B.A.) - Teaching Specialization  
• Global Studies (B.A.)   
• History (B.A./B.S.)  
• History (B.A./B.S.) - Teaching Specialization  
• Political Science (B.A./B.S.)  
• Spanish (B.A.)  
• Spanish (B.A.) - Teaching Specialization  

Minors

• American Indian and Indigenous Studies Minor  
• French Studies Minor  
• German Minor  
• Global Studies Minor  
• History Minor  
• Legal Studies Minor  
• Philosophy Minor  
• Political Science Minor  
• Religion Minor  
• Spanish Minor  

Certificates

• American Civic Traditions Certificate  
• Basic French Language Proficiency Certificate  
• Basic German Language Proficiency Certificate  
• Basic Oceti Sakowin Language Certificate  
• Basic Spanish Language Proficiency Certificate  
• Lobbying and Government Advocacy Certificate  
• Public Service Certificate  
• Workplace Intercultural Competence Certificate  

Pre-Professional Interest Areas

• Pre-Law  
• Pre-Ministerial  

School of Communication and 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  
• Digital and Social Media Minor  
• Health Communication Minor  
• Journalism Minor  
• Public Relations Minor  

School of Design

Programs

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  
• Museum Studies Minor  
• Studio Arts Minor  

Certificates

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

School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies

Programs

Majors

• English (B.A./B.S.)  
• English (B.A./B.S.) - English Education Specialization  
• English (B.A./B.S.) - Writing Specialization  
• Interdisciplinary Studies (B.A./B.S.)  

Minors

• English Minor  
• Film Studies Minor  
• Professional Communication Minor  
• Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies 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  

School of Psychology, Sociology and Rural Studies

Programs

Majors

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

Minors

• Criminal Justice Minor  
• Mental Health Services Minor  
• Psychology Minor  
• Sociology Minor