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 39-43 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 eight credit hours of foreign language study. The eight credit hours can be in one language or in multiple languages.
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 a minimum of 80 semester hours of academic credit (Includes in progress 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.

Bachelor of University Studies

Program Description

The Bachelor of University Studies (BUS) program affords students the opportunity to plan 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 Student Opportunity and Resource 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 39-43 semester hours of General Education courses (same as General Education course requirements as required for a baccalaureate degree).
5. 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 a minimum of 32 semester hours of academic credit (Includes in progress credit).
6. 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.
7. 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. 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 a minimum of 32 semester hours of academic credit (Includes in progress credit).
6. 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.
7. 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 39-43 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. 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 a minimum of 32 semester hours of academic credit (Includes in progress credit).
5. 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.
6. Participation in assessment activities as outlined by the student's major program(s) is required for graduation.

Certificate Program

1. The student must complete specific General Education classes and major classes that are required for the certificate program (number of credits may vary).
2. A minimum of nine 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.
4. 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 certificate. Students should submit their application for graduation during their first term of enrollment at DSU. 
5. Should a student complete the academic requirements of a certificate 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.

Certificate of Completion

1. Certificates of completion require eight or less semester hours.
2. 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.
4. 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 certificate of completion. Students should submit their application for graduation during their first term of enrollment at DSU. 
5. Should a student complete the academic requirements of a certificate of completion 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.

Double Degree

To earn two four-year degrees (example: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education), the student must complete all requirements with the exception of General Education for both degrees plus an additional 30 semester hours above the minimum for one degree (120 credit hours) to equal 150 semester hours. This policy is not applicable to the Bachelor of University Studies Degree regardless of the number of hours earned.

International students who wish to earn a second baccalaureate degree must provide official verification of the first baccalaureate degree and earn a minimum of 150 semester hours, of which 30 semester hours must be earned through Dickinson State University. All general education requirements, major requirements and degree requirements must be met according to the Dickinson State University catalog.

A student who has completed all of the academic requirements for two degrees but has not met the 150 credit minimum requirement may not avoid the 150 credit requirement by postponing the application for the second degree until a future semester.

A student who graduates with two (different) Dickinson State University degrees in a single term must have completed all of the major program requirements (with the exception of General Education) for both degrees; and the student must have earned a total of at least 150 academic credits. Students will be permitted to graduate with more than two degrees (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science) in any one semester.

A student who is awarded a Dickinson State University Bachelor of University Studies degree in one term and subsequently applies for a second Dickinson State University baccalaureate degree (B.A., B.A.S, B.B.A., B.S., B.S.E.D, B.S.N.) must have accumulated a minimum of 150 academic credits. (Exception: if the second degree is a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and the reason for not receiving the Bachelor of Science in Education as the student’s initial degree was due to PRAXIS or PORTFOLIO issues, then 150 minimum credits will be waived.)

To earn two associate degrees, the student must meet all requirements for both degrees plus an additional 11 semester hours of credit above the minimum for one degree. A student may earn a Bachelor’s degree and an Associate’s degree if the requirements for the Associate’s degree have been completed a minimum of one term prior to the completion of the Bachelor’s degree.

Double Majors

Students may graduate with two majors within a single degree (example: Bachelor of Arts in English and History) provided that the requirements are met for both majors and the baccalaureate degree. A minimum of 120 semester hours are required.

Composite Major

In order for a major to be listed as a Composite Major, its major curriculum must require the completion of a minimum of 56 semester hours of credit.