General Education/Degree Requirements

General Education

Purpose: General education is the foundational core of an undergraduate education. It provides students with a comprehensive educational experience and prepares them for study within their major. The foundational coursework teaches students to think critically and communicate effectively, solve problems, generate new ideas and create knowledge, make connections between academic disciplines, respect and understand differences, and develop intellectual curiosity and love of learning as citizens and leaders.

Board of Regents policy 2.3.7 identifies: (a) the purpose of the requirement, (b) the skills to be developed in each course that satisfies the requirement, and (c) the number of credits required for each general education goal. Students may only select general education courses from the approved list included in Academic Affairs Guidelines 2.3.7.A. Students may only select general education courses from the approved list included in this policy.

• Bachelor’s Degree General Education Requirements
• Associate Degree General Education Requirements
• SGR-System General Education Requirements
  • SGR #1-Written Communication
  • SGR #2-Oral Communication
  • SGR #3-Social Sciences
  • SGR #4-Fine Arts and Humanities
  • SGR #5-Mathematics
  • SGR #6-Natural Science
• Policies Applicable to System General Education Requirements
  • Placement into Initial Math & English Courses

Baccalaureate Degree General Education Requirements

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Students pursuing a baccalaureate degree must meet the System-wide Graduation Requirements (SGR) goal of 30 credit hours as specific in BOR Policy 2:7.

Associate Degree General Education Requirements

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Students pursuing an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree must meet the System-wide Graduation Requirements (SGR) goal of 24 credit hours as specified in BOR Policy 2.7.

System General Education Requirements (SGR)

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The System General Education Requirements (SGRs) are common across the entire South Dakota Regental System and are designed to achieve these six goals.

SGR #1

Written Communication (6 credits)

Students will write effectively and responsibly and will understand and interpret the written expression of others.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Write using standard American English, including correct punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure;
2. Write logically;
3. Write persuasively, with a variety of rhetorical strategies (e.g., expository, argumentative, descriptive);
4. Incorporate formal research and documentation into their writing, including research obtained through modern, technology-based research tools.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following learning outcomes: Required: #1, #2, #3, and #4.

Courses:

• ENGL 101 - Composition I (3 credits)  
• ENGL 201 - Composition II (3 credits)  

NOTE: Student enrollment in the initial English course is determined by the Board of Regents/Academic Affairs English Placement Guidelines (2.2.1.1.B.) ^TOP

SGR #2

Oral Communication (3 credits)

Students will communicate effectively and responsibility through listening and speaking.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Demonstrate the ability to speak thoughtfully, clearly, and effectively in a variety of contexts.
2. Demonstrate active listening skills in a variety of contexts.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1 and #2.

Courses:

• CMST 101 - Foundations of Communication (3 credits)  
• CMST 215 - Public Speaking (3 credits)  
• CMST 222 - Argumentation and Debate (3 credits)  

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SGR #3

Social Sciences (6 credits in 2 disciplines/prefixes)

Students will understand the diversity and complexity of the human experience through study of the social sciences.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Identify and explain basic concepts, terminology, theories, and systems of inquiry of the selected social science discipline,
2. Apply selected social science concepts and theories to contemporary or historical issues from different behavioral, cultural, institutional, temporal, or spatial contexts, and
3. Analyze the extent and impact of diversity among individuals, cultures, or societies in contemporary or historical contexts using social science methods and concepts.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1, #2, and #3.

Courses:

• ANTH 210 - Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)  
• CJUS 201 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)  
• ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (3 credits)  
• ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics (3 credits)  
• GEOG 200 - Introduction to Human Geography (3 credits)  
• GEOG 210 - World Regional Geography (3 credits)  
• GEOG 212 - Geography of North America (3 credits)  
• HIST 151 - United States History I (3 credits)  
• HIST 152 - United States History II (3 credits)  
• HIST 256 - World History (3 credits)  
• POLS 100 - American Government (3 credits)  
• POLS 210 - State and Local Government (3 credits)  
• POLS 250 - Introduction to International Relations (3 credits)  
• PSYC 101 - General Psychology (3 credits)  
• SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)  
• SOC 150 - Social Problems (3 credits)  
• SOC 250 - Courtship and Marriage (3 credits)  

NOTE: Elementary Education and Special Education majors must take GEOG 210 , HIST 151 , HIST 152 , or POLS 100 .  ^TOP

SGR #4

Fine Arts and Humanities (6 credits within 2 disciplines)

Students will understand the diversity and complexity of the human experience through study of the arts and humanities.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of values, beliefs, practices, or ideas embodied in the human experience, and
2. Demonstrate basic understanding of concepts of the selected discipline within the arts and humanities.

In addition, as a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will be able to do at least one of the following:

3. Demonstrate ability to express creative, aesthetic, formal or stylistic elements of the disciplines.
4. Demonstrate foundational competency in reading, writing, and speaking a non-English language.
5. Identify and explain cultural contributions from the perspective of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1 and #2. At least one of the following: #3, #4, or #5.

Fine Arts Courses:

• ART 111 - Drawing I (3 credits)  
• ART 112 - Drawing II (3 credits)  
• ART 121 - Design I 2D (3 credits)  
• ART 123 - Three Dimensional Design (3 credits)  
• ARTH 100 - Art Appreciation (3 credits)  
• ARTH 211 - History of World Art I (3 credits)  
• ARTH 212 - History of World Art II (3 credits)  
• MUS 100 - Music Appreciation (3 credits)  
• MUS 205 - Rock and Roll Appreciation (2 credits)  
• THEA 100 - Introduction to Theatre (3 credits)  
• THEA 131 - Introduction to Acting (3 credits)  

Humanities Courses:

• AIS 101 - Lakota Language I (4 credits)  
• CHIN 101 - Introductory Chinese I (4 credits)  
• CHIN 102 - Introductory Chinese II (4 credits)  
• ENGL 210 - Introduction to Literature (3 credits)  
• ENGL 213 - Backgrounds to Literature (3 credits)  
• ENGL 215 - Literature in Global Contexts (3 credits)  
• ENGL 221 - British Literature I (3 credits)  
• ENGL 222 - British Literature II (3 credits)  
• ENGL 230 - Literature for Younger Readers (3 credits)  
• ENGL 241 - American Literature I (3 credits)  
• ENGL 242 - American Literature II (3 credits)  
• FREN 101 - Introductory French I (4 credits)  
• FREN 102 - Introductory French II (4 credits)  
• FREN 201 - Intermediate French I (3 credits)  
• FREN 202 - Intermediate French II (3 credits)  
• GLAN 101 - Introductory German I (4 credits)  
• GLAN 102 - Introductory German II (4 credits)  
• GLAN 201 - Intermediate German I (3 credits)  
• GLAN 202 - Intermediate German II (3 credits)  
• HIST 111 - World Civilization I (3 credits)  
• HIST 112 - World Civilization II (3 credits)  
• HIST 121 - Western Civilization I (3 credits)  
• HIST 122 - Western Civilization II (3 credits)  
• LATI 101 - Elementary Latin (4 credits)  
• MFL 101 - Introduction to Foreign Language and Culture I (4 credits)  
• MFL 102 - Introduction to Foreign Language and Culture II (4 credits)  
• PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)  
• PHIL 200 - Introduction to Logic (3 credits)  
• PHIL 270 - Philosophy of Religion (3 credits)  
• RUSS 101 - Introductory Russian I (4 credits)  
• RUSS 102 - Introductory Russian II (4 credits)  
• SPAN 101 - Introductory Spanish I (4 credits)  
• SPAN 102 - Introductory Spanish II (4 credits)  
• SPAN 201 - Intermediate Spanish I (3 credits)  
• SPAN 202 - Intermediate Spanish II (3 credits)  

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SGR #5

Mathematics (3 credits)

Students will understand and apply fundamental mathematical processes and reasoning.

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Use mathematics symbols and mathematical structure to model and solve real world problems, and
2. Demonstrate appropriate communication skills related to mathematical terms and concepts.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required #1 and #2.

Courses:

• MATH 103 - Mathematical Reasoning (3 credits)  
• MATH 114 - College Algebra (3 credits)  
• MATH 115 - Precalculus (5 credits)  
• MATH 120 - Trigonometry (3 credits)  
• MATH 121 - Survey of Calculus (4 credits)  
• MATH 123 - Calculus I (4 credits)  
• MATH 125 - Calculus II (4 credits)  
• MATH 216 - Discrete Structures (3 credits)  
• MATH 225 - Calculus III (4 credits)  
• MATH 281 - Introduction to Statistics (3 credits)  

NOTE: Student enrollment in the initial Mathematics course is determined by the Board of Regents/Academic Affairs Mathematics Placement Guideline (2.2.1.1.A.)   ^TOP

SGR #6

Natural Sciences (6 credits)

Students will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural world.

Student Learning Outcomes:As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:

1. Explain the nature of science, including how scientific explanations are formulated, tested, and modified or validated,
2. Distinguished between scientific and non-scientific evidence and explanations, and use scientific evidence to construct arguments related to contemporary issues,
3. Apply basic observational, quantitative, or technological methods to gather and analyze data and generate evidence-based conclusions in a laboratory setting, and
4. Understand and apply foundational knowledge and discipline-specific concepts to address issues, solve problems, or predict natural phenomena.

Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1, #2, #3, and #4.

Courses:

• BIOL 101 - Biology Survey I (2 credits) /BIOL 101L - Biology Survey I Lab (1 credit)  
• BIOL 106 - Human Health and Biology (3 credits) /BIOL 106L - Human Health and Biology Lab (0 credits)  
• BIOL 151 - General Biology I (4 credits) /BIOL 151L - General Biology I Lab (0 credits)  
• BIOL 153 - General Biology II (4 credits) /BIOL 153L - General Biology II Lab (0 credits)  
• BIOL 211 - Environmental Biology (3 credits)  BIOL 211L - Environmental Biology Lab (0 credits)  
• BIOL 235 - Introduction to Biotechnology (3 credits) /BIOL 235L - Introduction to Biotechnology Lab (0 credits)  
• CHEM 106 - Chemistry Survey (3 credits) /CHEM 106L - Chemistry Survey Lab (1 credit)  
• CHEM 108 - Organic and Biochemistry (4 credits) /CHEM 108L - Organic and Biochemistry Lab (1 credit)  
• CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I (3 credits) /CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)  
• CHEM 114 - General Chemistry II (3 credits) /CHEM 114L - General Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)  
• GEOG 131 - Physical Geography: Weather and Climate (4 credits) /GEOG 131L - Physical Geography: Weather and Climate Lab (0 credit)  
• GEOG 132 - Physical Geography: Natural Landscapes (4 credits) /GEOG 132L - Physical Geography: Natural Landscapes Lab (0 credit)  
• GEOL 101 - General Geology (3 credits) /GEOL 101L - General Geology Lab (0 credit)  
• MICR 231 - General Microbiology (4 credits) /MICR 231L - General Microbiology Lab (0 credits)  
• PHYS 101 - Survey of Physics (3 credits) /PHYS 101L - Survey of Physics Lab (1 credit)  
• PHYS 111 - Introduction to Physics I (3 credits) /PHYS 111L - Introduction to Physics I Lab (1 credit)  
• PHYS 113 - Introduction to Physics II (3 credits) /PHYS 113L - Introduction to Physics II Lab (1 credit)  
• PHYS 211 - University Physics I (4 credits) /PHYS 211L - University Physics I Lab (1 credit)  
• PHYS 213 - University Physics II (4 credits) /PHYS 213L - University Physics II Lab (1 credit)  

Policies Applicable to System General Education Requirements

Guidelines for Baccalaureate & Associate Degrees

(SDBOR Policy 2.2.2.1, SDBOR Policy 2.3.7, SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 2.3.7.B, SDBOR Academic Affairs Guidelines 2.3.7.A)  ^TOP

• The System General Education Requirements will be effective for students.
• Only 100/200-level courses will be included. Exceptions based on student background may be made utilizing the established academic appeal process.
• Honors courses equivalent to identified System General Education courses will meet the System requirements.
• Students who complete the System General Education Requirements at any SD Board of Regents institution and then transfer to another SD Board of Regents Institution even if the receiving institution has different credit/course distribution and approved lists. All pre-requisites for associate and baccalaureate programs must be completed as determined by the student’s degree plan. See SDBOR policy 2.2.2.1 for additional guidance on transfer of general education credits and Academic Affairs Guidelines 2.3.7.A.
• A student who has not completed all general education requirements at the sending institution will be required to complete additional coursework consistent with the course requirements at the receiving South Dakota Regental institution.
• NSU participates in the Interstate Passport Network (ending December 2023), Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), a network of accredited institutions that agree to transfer completed general education requirements as a block in a seamless and efficient process among its members. Students who transfer into NSU with a Passport from another Network-member institution will not have to repeat or take additional courses to satisfy general education requirements. Earning a Passport recognizes that a student has achieved learning outcomes in the following nine knowledge and skill areas, which all Network member institutions agree are consistent with their own general education learning outcomes:
  • Foundational Skills: oral communication, written communication, quantitative literacy
  • Knowledge of Concepts: natural sciences, human cultures, creative expression, human society and the individual
  • Cross-cutting Skills: critical thinking and teamwork/value systems.

More specific information may be found at: https://www.sdbor.edu/administrative-offices/academics/Passport/Pages/default.aspx. A list of all approved schools may be found at: https://interstatepassport.wiche.edu/members/member-profiles/. If you are a transfer student interested in learning how this can help you, please email at records@northern.edu or call the Registrar’s Office at 605-626-2012 so that we may answer your questions.

Placement into Math and English Courses

(SDBOR-Academic Affairs Guidelines 7.6.A and 7.6.B)

The Board of Regents has developed a standardized placement process to ensure that entering students are placed into Math and English courses most appropriate for their ability and background.

Entering students must show evidence of their level of academic preparation prior to their enrollment into their initial mathematics and English courses. All entering students seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree must provide valid Enhanced ACT scores or SAT score (within the last five years), 11^th grade Smarter Balanced test scores, or must take the College Board ACCUPLACER examination in the areas of writing skills and mathematics. All non-degree seeking students enrolling in English and/or mathematics courses must provide Enhanced ACT scores or must take the College Board ACCUPLACER examination in the areas of writing skills and mathematics.

In addition to scores on these assessments, other information may also be considered as placement decisions are made.

Transfer students who have completed equivalent general education coursework in English and mathematics are exempt from this requirement.

Students transferring will be allowed to transfer their placement test scores and/or relevant course credits and continue their sequence of courses in English and/or mathematics.

Each institution shall give students prior notice that it will provide reasonable accommodations for test takers in keeping with institutional practices implementing the South Dakota Human Relations Act of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (refer to Board Policy 1.4.4).  ^TOP

Degree Requirements

Writing Intensive Courses

Vision:

Northern State University requires two bookends to every student’s education: first year seminar (IDL 190 ) and a writing intensive course embedded as a major requirement in each bachelor’s degree program.

The Northern Experience prepares graduates to communicate effectively through writing. The first-year seminar requires each student complete at least 12 pages of writing (at least five of these pages will be in the form of a brief research paper with a citations page, which will be critiqued by the instructor and revised by the student).

All students are required to complete ENGL 101  and ENGL 201  within their general education.

Northern students become effective writers in their discipline through the writing intensive course embedded in their major program. In the writing intensive course in their major program, students will learn to use writing as an instrument for learning course content. Courses will discuss writing issues as they pertain to the discipline, and courses will include at least one writing assignment where a student must address a question for which there is more than one acceptable interpretation or explanation.

Requirements for Writing Intensive Courses:

Writing will be integral to a course designated as writing intensive.

A writing intensive course will:

• Be taken from Northern State University.
• Incorporate writing that is frequent and varied.
• Include discussion by the professor of how writing is used by professionals in their discipline.
• Dedicate instructional time to teaching writing in the discipline.
• Reflect writing assignments as a major component of the course grade.
• Not include FYS (IDL 190 ), any general education course, or any course that is at the 100- or 200-level.

Specific requirements include:

• At least 20 pages of formal writing in a format appropriate to the discipline. Formal writing intensive assignments include essays, laboratory reports, translations, creative writing, grant proposals, research papers, and other assignments that support the nature of the discipline.
• Between 4 and 10 formal writing assignments that are distributed across the course term instead of concentrated at the end of term. At least 2 of the assignments will include rough drafts appropriate to the nature of the discipline.
• Informal writing assignments including focused free writes, drafts, peer responses, and metacognition assignments. Informal writing assignments can be ungraded and should deepen students’ understanding of course material and prepare students for formal writing assignments.