Completion of a baccalaureate program at Northern State University consists of courses that meet requirements in several categories: system general education, degree, and major. Students may also choose to complete additional majors, minors or specializations. Courses that satisfy system general education and degree requirements have been selected to meet Board of Regents defined educational goals. These goals and the criteria for course selection are detailed below, followed by the NSU courses which have been determined meet the criteria in each area. Incoming freshmen must complete 18 credit hours of System General Education Requirements in their first 40 credit hours. Students placing into Pre-General education courses, based on entry level placement tests, are required to satisfactorily complete the necessary Pre-General Education courses as pre-requisites for required general education courses.
- Completion of Pre-General Education Courses
- Students placed in pre-general education courses must enroll in and complete the courses within the first 30 credit hours attempted.
- If a student does not complete the pre-general education course(s) within the first 30 credit hours attempted, a registration hold is placed on the student’s record. During the next 12 credit hours attempted, the student must enroll in and complete the pre-general education course(s).
- If the pre-general education course(s) is not completed within the first 42 credit hours attempted, the only course(s) in which the student may enroll is the pre-general education course(s); and the student’s status is changed from degree seeking to non-degree seeking.
- Credit Hours and Grades
- Credit hours for the pre-general education courses are included in the total number of credit hours attempted, but not credits completed on the transcript.
- The grades assigned for courses numbered less than 100 will be RS, RI and RU. A grade of RS (remedial satisfactory) is required to proceed to the next course in the sequence.
- Credits for courses numbered less than 100 will count toward full-time enrollment in the semester taken, but will not count toward credits for graduation.
- Credits for courses numbered less than 100 will count toward athletic eligibility credits only for new freshman taking the courses at NSU in their first academic year at NSU.
System General Education Requirements
(These requirements are common across the entire South Dakota Regental System)
GOAL #1:
Student will write effectively and responsibly and will understand and interpret the written expression of others.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Write using standard American English, including correct punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure;
- Write logically;
- Write persuasively, with a variety of rhetorical strategies (e.g., expository, argumentative, descriptive);
- Incorporate formal research and documentation into their writing, including research obtained through modern, technology-based research tools.
Credit Hours: 6
Student enrollment in the initial English course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy (2:7.6).
Courses:
GOAL #2:
Students will communicate effectively and responsibly through listening and speaking.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate the ability to speak thoughtfully, clearly, and effectively in a variety of contexts.
- Students will demonstrate active listening skills in a variety of contexts.
Credit Hours: 3
Courses:
GOAL #3:
Students will understand the diversity and complexity of the human experience through study of the social sciences.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Identify and explain basic concepts, terminology, theories and systems of inquiry of the selected social science disciplines.
- Apply selected social science concepts and theories to contemporary or historical issues from different behavioral, cultural, institutional, temporal, or spatial contexts.
- Analyze the extent and impact of diversity among individuals, cultures, or societies in contemporary or historical contexts using social science methods and concepts.
Credit Hours: 6 (in 2 disciplines)
Courses:
GOAL #4:
Students will understand the diversity and complexity of the human experience through study of the arts and humanities.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of values, beliefs, and ideas embodied in the human experience.
- Demonstrate basic understanding of concepts of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities.
and one of the following:
- Demonstrate ability to express creative, aesthetic, formal or stylistic elements of the disciplines.
- Demonstrate foundational competency in reading, writing, and speaking of a non-English language.
- Identify and explain cultural contributions from the perspective of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities.
Credit Hours: 6 (in 2 disciplines)
Courses:
GOAL #5:
Students will understand and apply fundamental mathematical processes and reasoning.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will use mathematical symbols and mathematical structure to model and solve real world problems.
- Students will demonstrate appropriate communication skills related to mathematical terms and concepts.
Student enrollment in the initial Mathematics course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy (AAC Guidelines 7.6).
Credit Hours: 3
Courses:
GOAL #6:
Students will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural world.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Explain the nature of science including how scientific explanations are formulated, tested, and modified or validated.
- Distinguish between scientific and non-scientific evidence and explanations, and use scientific evidence to construct arguments related to contemporary issues.
- Apply basic observational, quantitative, or technological methods to gather and analyze data and draw evidence-based conclusions in a laboratory setting.
- Understand and apply foundational knowledge and discipline-specific concepts to address issues, solve problems, or predict natural phenomena.
Credit Hours: 6
Courses:
Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Arts
In addition to fulfilling all General Education System Goals, candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree must take three additional courses as follows:
Notes
*Students may not use this course to satisfy this requirement if it also being used to satisfy Goal 4 of the General Education System Goals.
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
Two additional courses from those listed in General Education Goal #4. The courses must be from different disciplines than those selected to satisfy General Education Requirements Goal #4.
A total of four courses are required for the BA degree:
- One year sequence of a foreign language.
- Two courses from different disciplines than foreign language.
Bachelor of Science
In addition to fulfilling all General Education System Goals, candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree must take three additional courses as follows:
Notes
*Students may not use this course to satisfy this requirement if it also being used to satisfy Goal 4 of the General Education System Goals.
Quantitative Course (3 credits)
A course in Mathematics (with a pre-requisite of MATH 114 or higher MATH) Additional course (3 credits)
Notes
*MATH 103 , MATH 104 and MATH 115 are considered to be at the level of College Algebra and therefore may not be used to satisfy this requirement. Bachelor of Science in Education and Bachelor of Music Education
Notes
In addition to fulfilling all General Education System Goals, candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Education or Bachelor of Music Education degree must take the professional education course work required for certification in the state of South Dakota. See Teacher Education and specific requirements for Elementary Education; and K-12 Certification requirements for majors including Art, Health/Physical Education, Music, World Languages and Special Education. See Secondary Education for BSEd majors in Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics, and Social Science.
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