ARTS & SCIENCES, COLLEGE OF

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Matthew C. Moen, Dean
Kurt Hackemer, Associate Dean for Academics
Christina Keller, Associate Dean for Administration
Arts & Sciences 110
Phone: (605) 677-5221    Fax: (605) 677-6409
as@usd.edu

http://www.usd.edu/as

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN GENERAL STUDIES (A.A.)

BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.)

          MAJORS:      

American Indian Studies
Anthropology
Biology
Chemistry
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Communication Studies
Computer Science
Contemporary Media and Journalism
Criminal Justice
Economics
English
French Studies
German
History
International Studies
Mathematics
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Spanish

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.)

          MAJORS:    

Anthropology
Biology
Chemistry
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Communication Studies
Computer Science
Contemporary Media and Journalism
Criminal Justice
Earth Science
Economics
English
History
Mathematics
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology  

BACHELOR OF LIBERAL STUDIES (B.L.S.)

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 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.

Sixteen academic departments in the humanities, mathematical and natural sciences, and the social sciences deliver more than fifty unique programs of study. Degree options include: Bachelor of Arts (B.A), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Master of Natural Science (M.N.S.), Doctoral Program in 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 American Indian Studies, Classics, International Studies, Leadership Studies, and Women’s Studies; research and service centers, such as the Archeology Lab, 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 are deeply committed 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

AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES
COMMUNICATION STUDIES
ENGLISH
HISTORY
LANGUAGES
PHILOSOPHY

Mathematics/Natural Sciences Division

BIOLOGY
CHEMISTRY
COMPUTER SCIENCE
EARTH SCIENCES
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
PHYSICS

Social Sciences Division

ANTHROPOLOGY
COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS
CONTEMPORARY MEDIA AND JOURNALISM
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
MILITARY SCIENCE
POLITICAL SCIENCE
PSYCHOLOGY 
SOCIOLOGY

THE MAJOR

The major includes 24-48 departmental credit hours, depending upon the department or discipline.

Each candidate for graduation must select the work of one department or discipline as a major subject. In the major department, the students must complete all the courses specified in the schedule outlined by the department. Any deviation from this must receive the written consent of the chair of the department and the Dean of the College. At least 50% of the hours for the major must be completed as institutional credit. A minimum of 24 semester hours and a maximum of 48 hours may be counted toward graduation. Hours beyond 48 taken in a major field must be in addition to the 128 hours required for graduation.

DOUBLE MAJOR

Students may elect to complete majors in more than one department in the College by completing 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.

MINOR

Minors consist of 18-24 credit hours, depending upon department or discipline. Each candidate for graduation must select one or more discipline(s) as area(s) of minor concentration. Each department/discipline may specify particular coursework requirements for minors in that discipline. 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.

COMPOSITE MINORS

Composite minors applicable toward a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences are available in the professional schools of the University. If the Elective minor is chosen from one of these schools, it shall be constituted as follows:

School of Business Minors

Minor in Business Administration-Non-Business Majors only (21 hours)

A minor consists of a minimum of 21 hours including the following courses:

Click here for Business Minor  requirements.

Minor in Entrepreneurial Studies-Non-Business Majors only (19–22 credit hours)

The requirements include the following courses:

Click here for Entrepreneurial Studies  requirements.

Minor in Health Services Administration (18 credit hours)

Students must complete a minimum of 50 percent of the courses for their minor from USD.

Click here for Health Services Administration  requirements.

School of Education Minors (18 hours)

A minor consists of 18 or more semester hours, of which at least six hours must be from upper-division courses.

Click here for Education Composite Minor  requirements.

College of Fine Arts Minors

Art Minor (24 hours)

A minor in Art consists of at least 24 hours selected in consultation with the Department of Art.

Click here for Art Minor  requirements.

Music Minor (26 hours)

 A music minor consists of at least 26 hours including:

Click here for Music Minor  requirements.

Theatre Minor (24 hours)

A theatre minor consists of at least 24 hours including:

Click here for Theatre Minor  requirements.

UPPER-DIVISION REQUIREMENT

Each candidate for graduation must complete a minimum of 32 semester hours of upper-division work (courses numbered 300 or above). 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

The remaining work required for graduation is elective. A maximum of 36 semester 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 Bachelor degree. These courses are limited as follows:

School of Business

No more than 24 semester hours, not counting economics, may be applied toward a degree in the College.

School of Education

No more than 28 semester hours may be applied, including not more than six hours in physical education (activity courses).

College of Fine Arts

No more than 24 semester hours from among art, music, and theatre courses may be used. In music, 16 semester 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 basic science departments of the School of Medicine may be taken for undergraduate credit with permission of the department involved, and these may be used as electives toward the B.A. or B.S. degree.

South Dakota State University Transfers

Transfer students from South Dakota State University may apply up to 24 semester hours of credit from agricultural subjects as electives toward the Bachelor degree. 

EDUCATION–TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

Students planning to obtain teacher certification should consult the School of Education for details of all programs. However, all pre-education students are enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences during the first-year and sophomore years (except College of Fine Arts students).

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 may enter this college as first-year students and complete any of the bachelors programs for secondary school teachers with the following majors in the College of Arts and Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Communication Studies, Earth Science, English, French, German, History, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, and Spanish. Those students wishing to secure a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in any of the secondary school teacher education programs may enter the School of Education at the beginning of the junior year and complete the programs for teachers as outlined in the School of Education section.

Students majoring in elementary education, special education, or health and physical education must transfer at the end of the sophomore year to the School of Education and complete the programs as outlined in the School of Education section.

Students planning to transfer to the School of Education in the junior year to complete a Bachelor of Science in Education degree should consult the School of Education for programs of study in each major.

Teaching Major 

This is provided for in the major requirements of the B.A. or B.S. degrees in any of the departments listed above and in the School of Education section of this catalog.

Teaching Minor

A teaching minor of 18-27 hours is required in addition to the major field. For a list of approved minors, consult the School of Education section.

Total Hours

For the combined program, a total of 128 semester hours is required both for graduation and certification.

Requirements for Admission to Teacher Education Program

• PPST I scores of 172 or above in reading, writing, & math

• GPA of 2.5

• Completion of SPCM 101, EDFN 338, SEED 296, & TET 200 with “C” or better

• Junior status (64 credit hours completed) at end of the semester

• Interview for Teacher Education Program

• Electronic Portfolio Review (1st)

Requirements for Student Teaching

• 2.6 GPA in major (2.5 cumulative GPA)

• Praxis Content Area Test demonstrating proficiency in major

• Interview for Student Teaching

• Electronic Portfolio Review (2nd)

Note: Applications for student teaching must be made through the School of Education Student Services no later than the second week of the semester prior to the semester in which the student desires to do student teaching.

Combination Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science and Secondary Teacher Certification

Students preparing to teach in secondary schools may major in an Arts and Sciences discipline but must complete the Teacher Education courses offered by the School of Education. These include:

Click here for Combination Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science and Secondary Teacher Certification  requirements.

UNDECLARED STUDENTS

Although the majority of 1st and 2nd year students at The University of South Dakota have a declared major, at any given time between 300 and 600 students are not officially tied to any department, school, or college. Undeclared students should use general education to explore the many educational opportunities that The U. has to offer. These students have the advantage of selecting classes that interest them and may lead to a major. When choosing courses with their advisor undeclared students should be aware that some departments require specific courses for their students to fulfill general education requirements.

Undeclared students are supported by the advisors housed in the Academic Advising 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 at USD by getting them connected to campus activities and resources. Finally, the Advising Center, along with the Career Development Center, provides students with an open ear and resources that help direct students toward a rewarding career.

Academic Advising Center
605-677-5381
advising@usd.edu 

Staff:

Steve Ward, Interim Director
Erin Thin Elk, Advisor
Kevin Doyle, Advisor
Stephanie Fuller, Advisor
Karla Haught, Advisor
Becky Jensen, Advisor
Dave Lorenz, Advisor
Adam Miller, Advisor
Sara Peterson, Advisor
Margie Rostyne, Advisor
Colleen Zea, Advisor 

Career Development Center
605-677-5307
cdc@usd.edu

PLAN OF STUDY

Students can remain undeclared until the completion of 64 credit hours. After that point, students must declare a major. The goal for all undeclared students should be to take courses that will lead to declaration of a major or completion of general education requirements. Students should approach their courses as an opportunity to explore a variety of interests.

Click here for Plan of Study  requirements.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS

B.A. and B.S. degrees often act as preparation for professional degrees such as in law and 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. The student must declare a major and complete graduation requirements in one of the academic departments. (Students should consult Dr. Gerald Yutrzenka, USD Medical School, regarding any changes in Pre-Health requirements). 

Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Click here for Pre-Veterinary  Medicine requirements

Pre-Engineering

Click here for Pre-Engineering  requirements

Pre-Law

Click here for Pre-Law  requirements 

PRE-HEALTH PROFESSIONS PROGRAMS

Gerald J. Yutrzenka, Ph.D.
Health Professions Advisor, Associate Professor
Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences
Room 143, Julian Hall
Phone: (605) 677-5156
gyutrzen@usd.edu

The following programs list the courses that are required as preparation for admission to professional schools. The prerequisite courses are designed to provide the student with the appropriate academic background for the professional discipline, as well as to help prepare the student for the requisite examinations for admission.

At The University of South Dakota a student may not major in a pre-professional program, but rather the student must declare a major in an academic discipline and complete the requirements for graduation for that discipline. There is no specific discipline in which a student interested in a degree in the health professions must major. The student should select a major that is meaningful and interesting and that will provide acceptable career alternatives.

In general, the health professions programs are interested in individuals who possess a good undergraduate academic record, are educationally well rounded and have developed good critical thinking skills. Equally important, the desirable candidates will: have developed a basic understanding of the profession; have an interest in helping others; show a degree of maturity and responsibility; possess excellent communication skills; and have developed good interpersonal skills.

Pre-Medicine

Click here for Pre-Med  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

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