2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Arts & Sciences, College of
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John Dudley, Dean
Jessica Messersmith, Associate Dean for Academics
Katherine Price, Assistant Dean for Administration
Arts & Sciences 110
Phone: (605) 658-3830 Fax: (605) 658-3825
as@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/as
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN GENERAL STUDIES (A.A.)
BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.)
MAJORS:
Anthropology
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Communication Studies
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Economics
English
German
History
International Studies
Legal Studies Media & Journalism
Native American Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Spanish
Sport Marketing & Media
Sustainability
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.)
MAJORS:
Anthropology
Biology
Biology: Human Dynamics
Biochemistry
Biomedical Engineering
Chemistry
Chemistry, American Chemical Society (ACS) Approved
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Communication Studies
Computer Science
Conservation Biology
Criminal Justice
Economics
English
History
Legal Studies
Mathematics
Media & Journalism
Medical Biology
Neuroscience
Philosophy
Physics
Physiology, Cell, and Molecular Biology
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Sport Marketing & Media
Sustainability
BACHELOR OF GENERAL STUDIES (B.G.S.)
MAJORS:
Bachelor of General Studies
The College of Arts and Sciences is the University’s original academic unit and the heart of liberal arts education - among the oldest and most distinguished intellectual traditions in the world. The College provides an educational foundation for all undergraduate students. It also delivers many excellent majors and minors, and provides outstanding preparation for a wide range of graduate and professional programs.
Award-winning faculty in Arts and Sciences are deeply committed to teaching and mentoring students, discovering and disseminating knowledge, and serving the people of the state and region. Diligent mentoring by faculty has helped Arts and Sciences students win a host of nationally competitive awards in recent years, including Rhodes, Boren, Fulbright, Truman, Goldwater, Udall, and National Science Foundation scholarships. Within the College of Arts and Sciences and its departments alone, more than 150 scholarships, awards, and prizes are available annually to students.
Seventeen academic departments in the humanities, the mathematical and natural sciences, and the social sciences deliver more than fifty unique programs of study. Degree options include: Associate of Arts (A.A.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
In addition to its many disciplinary programs, the College of Arts and Sciences houses interdisciplinary programs in Archaeology, Classics, Geography, Gerontology, International Studies, Medical Biology, Multicultural Studies, Native American Studies, Neuroscience, Sustainability, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; and research and service centers, such as the Heimstra Human Factors Lab, the Government Research Bureau, the W.O. Farber Center for Civic Leadership, and the USD Speech and Hearing Center.
Although the College has a rich past, we continuously look toward the future. Our faculty members are dedicated to nurturing thoughtful and engaged citizens with a keen sense of personal responsibility and integrity. Our programs prepare and inspire students to lead productive and fulfilling lives.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COLLEGE
Humanities Division
Communication Studies
English
History
Modern Languages and Linguistics
Native American Studies
Philosophy
Mathematics/Natural Sciences Division
Biology
Biomedical Engineering
Chemistry
Computer Science
Mathematical Sciences
Sustainability and Environment
Physics
Social Sciences Division
Anthropology
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Criminal Justice
International Studies
Media and Journalism
Military Science
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
THE MAJOR
Each student must select at least one major. At least 50% of the hours for the major must be completed as institutional credit. In most majors, no more than 48 credit hours within a single discipline may be counted toward the 120 credit hours required for graduation. There are specific majors for which this limit does not apply. The required coursework for those majors is specified by the individual programs. Any deviation from the published catalog must receive the written consent of the chair of the major department and the Associate Dean for Academics of the College of Arts & Sciences.
A 2.0 minimum grade point average in the major is required for graduation.
DOUBLE MAJOR
Students may elect to complete majors in more than one department in the College by fulfilling all of the requirements for a major which are stipulated by each discipline. Students electing to complete multiple majors will not be required to complete a minor. Students who select a second major outside the College must fulfill all requirements stipulated by the other College or School as well as by the College of Arts and Sciences. Students in an approved 3+3 fast-track option with the USD Knudson School of Law may substitute the first year of law coursework for the minor or second major.
THE MINOR
Minors consist of 18-22 credit hours, depending upon the department or discipline. Each candidate for graduation with a B.A. or B.S. degree must select one or more discipline(s) as area(s) of minor concentration. There are exceptions to the minor requirement. Students completing a double major and students completing a B.A. or B.S. in Arts & Sciences with the Teacher Education Program do not need to complete a minor. Students in an approved 3+3 fast-track option with the USD Knudson School of Law may substitute the first year of law coursework for the minor or second major. Each department/discipline may specify particular coursework requirements for minors in that discipline. At least 50% of the hours for the minor must be completed as institutional credit. A 2.0 minimum grade point average in the minor is required for graduation. Any deviation from these requirements must receive the written consent of the minor department’s chairperson and the Dean of the College.
Any course applied toward a minor may not also be applied toward a major. Minors are not available to students completing a B.G.S. degree. The College of Arts and Sciences offers minors in almost all major fields as well as in numerous interdisciplinary areas. Arts and Sciences students may also select a minor offered by another college or school at USD.
UPPER-DIVISION REQUIREMENT
A minimum of 30 credit hours of upper-division work (courses numbered 300 or above) is required for graduation. These may include courses taken in colleges or schools outside the College of Arts and Sciences, subject to the limitations listed below under “Electives.”
ELECTIVES
Once all degree requirements have been met, the remaining work required for graduation is elective. Except for students in the B.G.S. program, a maximum of 48 credit hours may be elected from any one discipline in the College of Arts and Sciences.
A limited number of courses taken in other schools or colleges of the University may be included in the work offered for the B.A. and B.S. degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. These courses are limited as follows:
School of Business
No more than 24 credit hours, not counting economics, may be applied toward a degree in the College.
School of Education
No more than 28 credit hours may be applied, including no more than six hours in physical education (activity courses).
College of Fine Arts
No more than 24 credit hours from among art, music, and theatre courses may be used. In music, 16 credit hours may be applied music (MUAP) provided that no more than four are at the beginning level. A total of four hours of credit in band, orchestra, or chorus (MUEN) may be substituted for applied music.
School of Medicine
Some courses offered by the Biomedical and Translational Sciences division of the School of Medicine may be taken for undergraduate credit, and these may be used toward a bachelor’s degree in the College of Arts and Sciences.
EDUCATION-TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Students planning to obtain teacher certification should consult the School of Education for details of all programs. Teacher education programs for secondary school teachers are offered both in the College of Arts and Sciences and in the School of Education. Students taking teacher education programs in the College of Arts and Sciences complete a B.A. or B.S. degree program in any of the majors for secondary school teachers listed below. Alternatively, students may pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in most of these majors by entering the School of Education and completing the programs for teachers as outlined in the School of Education section.
Teaching Major
Students who wish to teach middle school or high school may complete as a teaching major any of the following majors in the College of Arts and Sciences:
Biology (B.S.)-Human Dynamics
Chemistry (B.S.)
Communication Studies (B.A., B.S.)
English (B.A., B.S.)
German (B.A.)
History (B.A., B.S.)
Mathematics (B.S.)
Physics (B.S.)
Political Science (B.A., B.S.)
Spanish (B.A.)
In order to become certified to teach, students must be admitted to and complete successfully a Teacher Education program, as described more fully in the School of Education section of this catalog.
Total Hours
In the combined program (B.A. or B.S. in the College of Arts & Sciences, with completion of a Teacher Education Program in the School of Education), a total of 120 semester hours is required for graduation and certification. Students who pursue a B.A. or B.S. in the College of Arts & Sciences with the Teacher Education Program do not need to complete a minor.
Requirements for Admission to Teacher Education Program Include:
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PRAXIS I scores of 172 or above in reading, writing, and math
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Cumulative and major GPA of 2.7
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Completion of EDFN 338, SEED 296, SPCM 101, and TET 200 with a grade of C or above.
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Sophomore standing (30 credit hours completed) at end of the semester
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Completed application for Teacher Education Program
Requirements for Student Teaching Include:
- Cumulative and major GPA of 2.7
- PRAXIS Content Area Test demonstrating proficiency in major
- PRAXIS II PLT examination
Comprehensive information about Teacher Education requirements may be obtained in the School of Education section or from an advisor at the School of Education Student Services.
UNDECLARED STUDENTS
Students who have not declared a specific major should choose among the following “Exploratory Studies” options, in consultation with an academic advisor, and should use general education requirements to explore subjects of interest to them.
- Exploratory Studies - Behavior/Social Sciences
- Exploratory Studies - Health Sciences
- Exploratory Studies - Fine Arts
- Exploratory Studies - Humanities
- Exploratory Studies - General Studies
- Exploratory Studies - STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
When choosing courses with their advisor, undeclared students should be aware that some departments require students to complete specific courses within the general education requirements.
Exploratory Studies students are supported by the advisors housed in the Academic & Career Planning Center. The professional advisors on staff help students select classes that will lead them to a major that suits their interests and talents. The advising staff also helps students enhance their experience through connections with campus activities and resources.
Academic & Career Planning Center
Academic Commons, I.D. Weeks
605-677-5381
advising@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/advising
PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
B.A. and B.S. degrees often serve as preparation for professional degrees in fields such as engineering, law, and veterinary medicine. The following programs list courses that are typically required for admission to certain professional schools.
One cannot obtain a degree from the University of South Dakota in a pre-professional program. Each student must declare a major and complete graduation requirements in one of the academic departments.
Pre-Engineering
Click here for Pre-Engineering requirements
Pre-Law
Click here for Pre-Law requirements
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Click here for Pre-Veterinary Medicine requirements
PRE-HEALTH PROFESSIONS PROGRAMS
Career interest programs are undergraduate programs with tracks offering specialized courses that prepare students with the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary for them to pursue an advanced degree or a degree beyond the undergraduate level to become a certified or licensed professional in a specified field such as Physician Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, etc. At the University of South Dakota, the pre-health professions programs are not a major. Rather, these programs provide an educational track or pathway that prepares students for their professional or advanced degree of interest. Students completing a pre-health professions program must declare a major in an academic discipline and complete the requirements for graduation for the major they declare. There is no specific discipline in which a student planning on a degree in the health professions must major; however, there are undergraduate majors that offer an accelerated path to a graduate degree in certain health programs. Students should consult the graduate professional program of their choice for recommended bachelor’s degree programs, required pre-requisite courses, admission criteria, etc.
In general, students who desire to pursue a degree in any of the health professions must have a good academic record, a well-rounded education with critical thinking skills, a basic understanding of the profession in which they desire to pursue a degree, effective communication and interpersonal skills, and interest in helping others.
Pre-Medicine
Click here for Pre-Medicine requirements
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Click here for Pre-Occupational Therapy requirements
Pre-Physical Therapy
Click here for Pre-Physical Therapy requirements
Pre-Physician Assistant Studies
Click here for Pre-Physician Assistant Studies requirements
Pre-Chiropractic
Click here for Pre-Chiropractic requirements
Pre-Dentistry
Click here for Pre-Dentistry requirements
Pre-Optometry
Click here for Pre-Optometry requirements
Pre-Osteopathic Medicine
Click here for Pre-Osteopathic Medicine requirements
Pre-Pharmacy
Click here for Pre-Pharmacy requirements
Pre-Podiatry
Click here for Pre-Podiatry requirements
SCHOLARSHIPS
Through the generous gifts of the alumni and donors, the College of Arts & Sciences is able to award more than $1.2 million in scholarships to students throughout our numerous departments and programs. For more information, visit https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/Financial-Aid/Types-of-Aid/Scholarships.
Programs
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