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: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:
- 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.
Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required #1, #2, #3 and #4.
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: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:
- Prepare and deliver speeches for a variety of audiences and settings;
- Demonstrate speaking competencies including choice and use of topic, supporting materials, organizational patterns, language usage, presentational aids, and delivery;
- Demonstrate listening competencies by summarizing, analyzing, and paraphrasing ideas, perspectives and emotional content.
Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1, #2, and #3.
Credit Hours: 3
Courses:
GOAL #3:
Students will understand the organization, potential, and diversity of the human community through study of the social sciences.
Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:
- Identify and explain basic concepts, terminology and theories of the selected social science disciplines from different spatial, temporal, cultural and/or institutional contexts.
- Apply selected social science concepts and theories to contemporary issues.
- Identify and explain the social or aesthetic values of different cultures.
In addition, as a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of at least one of the following:
- The origin and evolution of human institutions.
- The allocation of human or natural resources within societies.
- The impact of diverse philosophical, ethical or religious views. Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1, #2, and #3. At least one of the following: #4, #5 or #6.
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: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of values, beliefs, and ideas embodied in the human experience;
- Identify and explain basic concepts of the selected disciplines 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:
- Identify and explain the contributions of other cultures from the perspective of the selected disciplines within the arts and humanities;
- Demonstrate creative and aesthetic understanding;
- Explain and interpret formal and stylistic elements of the literary or fine arts;
- Demonstrate foundational competency in reading, writing, and speaking a non-English language.
Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1 and #2. At least one of the following #3, #4, #5 or #6.
Credit Hours: 6 (in 2 disciplines)
Courses:
GOAL #5:
Students will understand and apply fundamental mathematical processes and reasoning.
Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:
- Use mathematical symbols and mathematical structure to model and solve real world problems;
- Demonstrate appropriate communication skills related to mathematical terms and concepts;
- Demonstrate the correct use of quantifiable measurements of real world situations.
Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1, #2, and #3.
Student enrollment in the initial Mathematics course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy (2:7.6).
Credit Hours: 3
Courses:
GOAL #6:
Students will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquire to investigate the natural world.
Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:
- Demonstrate the scientific method in a laboratory experience;
- Gather and critically evaluate data using the scientific method;
- Identify and explain the basic concepts, terminology and theories of the selected natural sciences;
- Apply selected natural science concepts and theories to contemporary issues.
Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: Required: #1, #2, #3 and #4.
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 (a total of four courses are required for the BA degree).
- At least one course must be in fine arts (ART, ARTH, MUS, THEA).
- At least one course must be in literature (ENGL).
- At least one course must be in a foreign language.
- At least one course must be in Western Civilization (HIST 121 or HIST 122 ).
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 102 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 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, HPE, Music, World Languages and Special Education. See Secondary Education for BSEd majors in Biology, Business Education, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics, Social Science and Speech. Of these requirements, EDFN 475 - Human Relations , satisfies the Human Values goal for all majors.
Associate of Arts
The Associate of Arts degree is a two-year program that provides a broad background in the major traditional fields of scholarship or a specific career preparation. The Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees may not be awarded to a student concurrently in the same commencement.
Pre-Professional Focus Areas
Students whose career goal is to enter professional, baccalaureate degree programs that are not offered at Northern State University can customize the Associate of Arts degree with courses required in the first two years of the chosen professional degree. Advisors will work closely with the student and the catalog from the professional school to determine core courses selections and the electives in the A.A. degree. Suggested courses for selected professional programs are outlined under Pre-professional in the Programs section of this catalog.
Associate of Science
The Associate of Science degree is a two-year program which emphasizes science or a career preparation field. The degree requires completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours with 15 of those hours in general education. Specific programs are outlined within the appropriate area of study. The Associate of Science degree cannot be awarded concurrently with a bachelor’s degree where the majority of the bachelor’s degree major courses are included in the associate’s degree emphasis.
Baccalaureate Pre-Professional Programs
Most professional schools and universities throughout the United States require a baccalaureate degree for admission to programs such as medicine, dentistry and law. The program offered at Northern State University leading to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees provides such preparation. Northern State University students should request catalogs from a number of professional schools and follow the recommended graduate program for entrance into the professional school they wish to attend.
Students may also choose to complete two years of coursework before transferring into a professional school for a baccalaureate degree. Students who plan to transfer to a professional school should plan their programs using the professional school catalog from the college or university to which the transfer is planned. Northern has agreements with South Dakota State University and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology to provide the first two years of an engineering program. Courses required for all Pre-Professional programs are listed under Pre-professional in the Programs section of this catalog.
Dentistry, Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Physical Therapy, Veterinary Medicine
These professional schools accept students with majors in a variety of fields. Regardless of major, however, a strong science and math background and a high score on the appropriate test (Medical College Admission Test, Dental Admission Test, Optometry College Admission Test, etc.) increase the probability of acceptance into the professional school of choice. Most students at Northern who are planning these careers major in biology with minors in chemistry and/ or psychology.
Law
Students interested in law should follow closely the recommendations made by the Association of American Law Schools. For assistance in preparing for law school, see the Dean of Arts and Sciences. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which is usually taken during the senior year, may be taken on campus.
Law school entrance requirements include a degree from an accredited four-year institution, a minimum grade point average of 3.00 and an acceptable score on the Law School Admission Test. Although no particular undergraduate specialization is required, the Association of American Law Schools advises that the pre-law curriculum include the development of basic skills (including comprehension and expression in language), a critical understanding of human institutions and values and creative power in thinking.
Business Administration
Students interested in pursuing graduate education leading to the MBA or other graduate degree, should follow the guidelines of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The courses identified as business core, as well as BADM 424 - Operations Research and MATH 123 - Calculus I or MATH 121 - Survey of Calculus should be completed regardless of major. For assistance in preparing for graduate business school, see the Dean, School of Business. The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), should be taken during the senior year or immediately prior to applying to a graduate business school.
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