Bachelor of Arts Degrees
The Bachelor of Arts degree provides a strong liberal arts curricular foundation designed to encourage knowledge of human cultures, to promote proficiency in writing and speaking, and to provide concentrated study in a major and a minor area.
Major and Minor – The student’s major and minor areas must ordinarily be part of the Bachelor of Arts curriculum, but some departments allow the selection of a cognate or an interdisciplinary area in lieu of a minor. A minor is also required for graduation unless the major consists of 56 or more credit hours.
Bachelor of Arts graduates must complete a minimum of 8 credit hours of foreign language study. The eight credit hours can be in one language or in multiple languages. American Sign Language credits may also be used to meet this requirement. However, Bachelor of Arts degrees granted through the Department of Language and Literature require 16 hours of a foreign language. The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish is an exception to this requirement.
Bachelor of Science Degrees
Students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree may choose a major from departments in the College of Education, Business and Applied Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences. A minor is also required for graduation unless the major consists of 56 or more credit hours.
Bachelor of University Studies Degrees
The Bachelor of University Studies (BUS) program affords students the opportunity to plan their own curriculum, and to choose those courses which seem most valuable and interesting to them. Students should note that the BUS degree does not qualify the graduate for teacher certification.
Participation in Writing Across the Curriculum and Writing in the Disciplines
By completing the designated courses for the BUS Degree, the student will have completed the requirements for the university’s writing program as described in the Academic Affairs section of the catalog for Writing Across the Curriculum/Writing in the Disciplines. See the Writing Across the Curriculum section of the catalog for the designated courses used to meet writing requirements for your program plan. Course descriptions will also identify courses that are part of the writing program.
University Studies Degree available in Bismarck, Williston and online
Requirements
BUS students must:
- Meet the criteria for graduation, including the general education requirements expected in other degree programs. Note: The major for BUS degree recipients will be posted as University Studies. A specific minor will be posted on the academic transcript if all of the academic requirements for the minor are met (Minors are optional). Teaching minors cannot be attached to the BUS degree.
- Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours;
- Earn at least 30 semester hours from Dickinson State University;
- Earn at least 32 semester hours in upper-division (300-400) courses; and
- Apply for the BUS degree through the Office of Academic Records.
The Assistant Director of the Academic Success Center serves as the academic advisor.
Bachelor of University Studies Degree – Prior Degree Exception
If a student has previously earned a baccalaureate degree (or higher) from Dickinson State University or any other regionally accredited institution, the student may not graduate with a Bachelor of University Studies degree from Dickinson State University. A Bachelor of University Studies will not be granted as a second or third degree regardless of the number of hours earned.
Bachelor of Applied Science Degree
The Bachelor of Applied Science Degree is a baccalaureate completion program that builds on an Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS). This allows the applied technology aspect of the AAS degree to be used as the major for the Bachelor of Applied Science.
Bachelor of Applied Science Degree available online, Bismarck and Williston
Bachelor of Science in Education Degrees
The Bachelor of Science in Education curriculum offers two programs for teaching in elementary (1-6, K-6) and secondary schools (7-12).
Elementary Education
The Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in Elementary Education includes General Education courses and both pre-professional and professional education courses. Early childhood education and reading concentrations are available, as are courses for middle school English, mathematics, social studies, and science. These concentrations and options lead to special state endorsements and/or credentials.
Approved minors include:
Art Education
Biology
Chemistry
Coaching
Communication Education
Computer Science
Earth Science
English Education
Geography
History
Mathematics Education
Music Education – Choral
Music Education – Instrumental
Physical Education
Political Science
Psychology
Social Science
Sociology
Spanish Education
Theatre Education
Professional elementary education requirements are listed under the Department of Teacher Education.
Secondary Education
The Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in an approved secondary teaching subject includes courses in General Education, pre-professional and professional education, the major field, and elective areas. In selecting major and minor fields, students should consider both their own interests and the most common combinations in secondary schools.
Major Fields Are:
Art Education
Biology Education
Business Education
Chemistry Education
English Education
History Education
Mathematics Education
Music Education – Instrumental, Choral, or Composite options
Physical Education
Science Education Composite - Biology or Earth Science tracks
Social Science Education Composite
Technology Education (in cooperation with Valley City State University)
Minor Fields Are:
Art Education
Biology
Business Education
Chemistry
Coaching
Communication Education
Computer Science Education
Earth Science
English Education
Geography Education
History Education
Mathematics Education
Music Education – Choral
Music Education – Instrumental
Physical Education
Political Science
Psychology
Social Science
Sociology
Spanish Education
Technology Education (in cooperation with Valley City State University)
Theatre Education
For K-12 licensure in art, physical education, and music, students must take additional work in the major plus a sequence of professional education courses that give them a background in working with elementary students. The specific courses in the major can be found under the appropriate major section in the catalog. Specifics of the professional core are found under the Department of Teacher Education.