General Studies (B.G.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus, Online, Rapid City

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Students in a classroom.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Sarah Kim, Student Services Facilitator
Continuing and Distance Education
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
West Hall 121
605-688-4154

Program Information

The Bachelor of General Studies program through the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences is designed for adult and returning students who have already completed significant college credit (at least 60 credits) and want to complete a baccalaureate degree. The Bachelor of General Studies offers students the flexibility to select coursework from a variety of focus areas: agriculture/natural resource management, allied health, business, education, engineering, fine arts, humanities, social science, science, mathematics, military, technology, and wellness.

Course Delivery Format

Adult and returning students will have the ability to complete coursework towards the Bachelor of General Studies online, on-campus, or through an attendance center.

Student Learning Outcomes

Each graduate completing the Bachelor of General Studies will:

Synthesize key findings from various resources, articulate a position, and draw conclusions.
Evaluate available print and electronic resources for reliability and usefulness.
Apply knowledge to address a problem and provide a solution or explain a new understanding of the problem.
Evaluate the importance of lifelong learning in relation to their life and professional goals.
Integrate knowledge across various academic disciplines.
Consider the nature and diversity of individuals, organizations, cultures and societies.

Admission Requirements

For SDSU admission requirements, visit www.sdstate.edu/admissions. Potential students must have a minimum of 60 credits completed for acceptance to the General Studies program. Potential students should apply online and connect with the program contact to ensure that the program will be a good fit for them, as well as have any transcripts evaluated. Once accepted, students will work closely with their advisor to prepare their degree completion plan.

Requirements for General Studies Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of General Studies

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: ENGL 101 - Composition I (COM) [SGR #1, HSDC] Credits: 3 and SGR #1 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences: SGR #3 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities: SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: SGR #5 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: SGR #6 Electives Credits: 6

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements

Capstone course in the major discipline
Upper division coursework Credits: 33

Major Requirements

GS 490 - Seminar (COM) Credits: 3 (Capstone)

Focus Areas

Completion of 15 credits in at least 3 of the designated General Studies focus areas. 20 credits or more of the focus area must be numbered 300 or above. Credits: 45

Agriculture/Natural Resource Management (Courses such as animal science, dairy science, horticulture, natural resource management, plant science)
Allied Health (Courses such as anatomy, athletic training, health sciences)
Business (Courses such as business administration, consumer affairs, economics, ag econ, entrepreneurial studies)
Education (Courses such as early childhood education, art education, ag education)
Engineering (Courses such as architecture, construction management, physics)
Fine Arts (Courses such as art, art history, interior design, theater, music)
Humanities (Courses such as foreign languages, English, religion, philosophy, mass and speech communication)
Mathematics (Courses such as mathematics, statistics, data science)
Military (Courses such as aerospace studies and military science)
Science (Courses such as biology, chemistry, food science, dietetics)
Social Science (Courses such as anthropology, human development, political science, psychology, sociology)
Technology (Courses such as agricultural systems technology, computer science, electrical engineering technology)
Wellness (Courses such as health, physical education, and recreation, wellness)

Electives

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of General Studies
System General Education Requirements*	30 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	48 Credit Hours
Electives**	42 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.