General Graduation Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree

NOTE: Candidates for graduation (Bachelor’s Degree only) must review Dickinson State University’s assessment requirements.

1. The student must earn a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit including 30 semester hours from Dickinson State University.
2. The student must complete the Dickinson State University 39 semester hours of General Education requirements for a baccalaureate degree.
3. The student must earn a major of at least 32 semester hours of credit including 18 semester hours from Dickinson State University.
4. The student must earn a minor if the student is graduating with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree unless the major requires 56 or more credits. The minor must be a minimum of 21 semester hours, including 12 semester hours from Dickinson State University. A student cannot minor within their major field. A minor is not required if the student graduates with a double major. 
5. Bachelor of Arts graduates complete a minimum of 8 credit hours of foreign language study. The eight credit hours can be in one language or in multiple languages. ASL credits may also be used to meet this requirement. However, all Bachelor of Arts degrees granted through the Department of Language and Literature require 16 hours of foreign language. The BA in Spanish is an exception to this requirement.
6. The student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 as well as a GPA of 2.0 in the major field of study.

   NOTE: Some programs, such as education and nursing, accounting, and business administration require a higher GPA.

7. The student must earn a minimum of 32 semester hours of upper level credit courses (300-400).

   NOTE: Lower level courses (100-200) which have been taken at another college (two-year or four-year) and for which credit was granted to meet a 300-400 major or minor requirement will not count towards meeting this upper level degree requirement.

8. Submitting a formal application for graduation at the Office of Academic Records is required in order to be eligible to receive a Dickinson State University diploma. Students may only submit an application for graduation once they have earned (grades are posted) a minimum of 90 semester hours of academic credit.
9. Should a student complete the academic requirements of a degree program during one semester but not make formal application for graduation until a subsequent semester, the graduation date printed on the transcript will reflect the date on which the academic requirements were met.
10. Participation in assessment activities as outlined by the student's major program(s) is required for graduation.
11. Degrees will not be posted until graduation requirements are met.

Bachelor of University Studies Degrees

1. 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.
2. Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours;
3. Earn at least 30 semester hours from Dickinson State University; and
4. Earn at least 32 semester hours in upper-division (300-400) courses.

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.

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.

Associate in Science Degree

1. The student must earn a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit including 15 semester hours at Dickinson State University.
2. The student must earn a minimum of five semester hours of credit in the major area of study at Dickinson State University.
3. The student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00, as well as a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major field of study.
4. The student must complete 39 semester hours of General Education courses (same as General Education course requirements as required for a baccalaureate degree).
5. Participation in assessment activities as outlined by the student's major program(s) is required for graduation.

Associate in Applied Science Degree

1. The student must earn a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit including 15 semester hours at Dickinson State University.
2. The student must earn a minimum of five semester hours of credit in the major area of study at Dickinson State University.
3. The student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00, as well as a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major field of study.
4. The student must complete 16 semester hours of general education courses as required by the specific program.
5. Participation in assessment activities as outlined by the student's major program(s) is required for graduation.

Associate in Arts Degree

1. The student must earn a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit including 15 semester hours at Dickinson State University.
2. The student must complete 39 semester hours of General Education courses (same General Education course requirements as required for a baccalaureate degree).
3. The student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
4. Participation in assessment activities as outlined by the student's major program(s) is required for graduation.

Certificate Program

1. The student must complete all General Education classes and specific major classes that are required for the certificate program (number of credits may vary).
2. A minimum of 16 semester hours of credit are required for all certificate programs. At least 50% of the required classes must be Dickinson State University classes.
3. The student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Certificate of Completion

Dickinson State University offers Certificate of Completion Programs in which 15 semester hours of credit and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 are required.