General Studies (B.G.S.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

48 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

The Bachelor of General Studies is a flexible degree program designed to serve the needs of individuals who have earned numerous credits but have not completed their degrees. Students work with an advisor to determine course equivalencies and to develop an appropriate degree completion plan. Students earning a B.G.S. complete all general education requirements (30 hours), as well as 15 credit hours of coursework in each of three emphasis areas and a capstone course specific to the B.G.S. degree program. Majors and minors are not available within the B.G.S., and eligibility is limited to students who have completed at least 60 credit hours. A separate application process is required; contact the Center for Academic and Career Planning for more information.

Regental Requirements (30 hours)

See Graduation Requirements for requirements.

Specific B.G.S. Degree Requirements (48 hours)

Capstone course (3 hours):

GS 491 - Independent Study (C)

15 credit hours of coursework in each of three emphasis areas selected from the list below (45 hours):

Allied Health
Business
Education
Fine Arts
Humanities
Military Studies
Social Science
Science, Engineering and Mathematics
Technology
Wellness

ENGL 101, 201, and 205; MATH 101; and SPCM 101 may not be included in emphasis areas. Credit for PE 100 (activity courses) is limited to six hours. Coursework in emphasis areas may also be used to fulfill other degree requirements.

This program allows for the application of 15 credits of Military Studies, accepted through a block transfer for military service, applied to all students with an honorable discharge from the U.S. Military, based on prior learning acquired in training and coursework in the armed services.

Electives (42 hours)

Note: At least 32 credits hours towards the degree must be at the upper-division level (300/400-level).

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.
Students will recognize when there is a need for information and identify, locate, evaluate and effectively and responsibly use and convey that information to address the need or problem at hand.
Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
Students will intentionally engage with diversity in ways that increase awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions leading to opportunities for equal access to participation in educational and community programs for all members of society.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization