Graduation Requirements: Notice to Students

Transcript Posting of Official Graduation Dates

The official graduation date posted on transcripts will reflect the term and date when the Office of Academic Records certifies that all graduation requirements have been met. In the case of incomplete courses that are needed for graduation, and completed after the term of enrollment, the courses are posted for the term of enrollment and the graduation date is posted for the graduation date (Fall, Spring, Summer) closest to the actual completion of all degree requirements and certification by the Director of Academic Records.

Students who graduate with a baccalaureate degree, associate degree, or awarded a certificate, must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. Some programs require a minimum GPA that is higher than 2.00.

While the University provides students access to information and guidance, it is each individual student’s responsibility to carefully review the specific degree requirements of his/her academic program and the general graduation requirements of the University indicated in this document and to take advantage of that assistance and guidance on a frequent basis, and thus, ultimately, to be responsible for completing the requirements needed to fulfill their degree requirements.

Transcripted Academic Data “Frozen” at the Time of Degree Completion

Once graduated with a baccalaureate degree, Dickinson State University will not permit alteration to the course titles, grades, or GPA calculation of a student’s academic transcript for any reason, unless incorrect information was initially recorded as a result of misinformation received by the Director of Academic Records from a Dickinson State University faculty member or administrator.

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

Program Description

The Bachelor of University Studies (BUS) program affords students the opportunity to plain their own curriculum. With the aid of a 3-person faculty committee, students can identify two to four areas of study and choose appropriate courses within those areas, which seem most valuable and interesting to them. Students should note that the BUS degree does not qualify the graduate for teacher certification.

 Requirements

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.
5. Satisfactory completion of UNIV 250;
6.  Complete credit hour requirements for selected area(s) of study and/or minor(s)*; and
7. Complete a minimum of a two credit required capstone course as deemed appropriate by advisor and/or committee. 
8. Complete WAC/WID requirements**

*Areas of Study

Areas are defined by courses within one department

Students will decide and name these areas of study by collaborating with their advisors. For two areas, students would need a minimum of 21 hours per area with at least six hours at the 300-400 level per area, and a minimum of 12 hours total at the 300-400 level. For three areas, a minimum of 15 hours per area with at least three hours at the 300-400 level per area, and a minimum of 12 hours total at the 300-400 level. For four areas, a minimum of 12 hours per area with at least three hours at the 300-400 level per area, and a minimum of 12 hours total at the 300-400 level. A minor can be used in place of two areas of study, if the students is opting for three or four areas of study.

**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 9 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 8 or less semester hours of credit and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 are required.

Limits of Hours Acceptable Toward Graduation

Dickinson State University places limits on certain types of courses that may be used to fulfill graduation requirements for the Bachelor’s degree.

1. Limit of 15 semester hours of Elective Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) Grading. NOTE: S/U credits earned as a result of taking classes where a letter grade was not an option WILL NOT count towards the 15 credit maximum.
2. Limit of 30 semester hours of Competency Based Credit-Earning Options.
3. Limit of 10 semester hours of Armed Service free elective credit.
4. Limit of 12 semester hours of Service Learning credit.
5. Limit of 12 semester hours of internship
6. Limit of 8 credits of peer tutoring

(NOTE: All credit limitations that apply to the Bachelor’s degree shall apply to the Associate’s degree at one-half the credit hours.)