Mar 19, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog


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President’s Message

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Welcome to Black Hills State University! We are delighted that you have joined the BHSU family where students are the priority. Located in the charming community of Spearfish and the beautiful Black Hills, you will find that BHSU is a place that you will come to love, as you learn intellectually, grow personally, and experience exciting new things.
 
Faculty are student-centered and focused on your success. While they will push you to learn, they will also care personally about your academic success. Whether it is offering an enrichment experience like study abroad or undergraduate research—or providing academic support services like tutoring, you will find a personal touch at BHSU.
 
With over 4,000 students, you will make many friends as you engage with campus activities/events. I encourage you to fully participate and take advantage of the many leadership development opportunities we offer. As is often the case, you will find that learning outside of the classroom can be rich and impactful.
 
This undergraduate catalog will allow you to explore the many majors, minors and certificates offered at BHSU. It will also offer pertinent information about degree requirements and course information. Please use it as a tool to facilitate your academic success. 
 
Again, welcome to Black Hills State University. You are about to begin a life-changing experience. Go Jackets!

Laurie Nichols, President 

The Campus

  

The BHSU campus is recognized as one of the most beautiful campuses in the region. Founded in 1883, today the University campus in Spearfish consists of 123 acres and 23 main buildings in addition to Ida Henton Park and Lyle Hare Stadium.

A majority of the University’s academic programs and offices are housed in Jonas Hall, Woodburn Hall, Meier Hall, the Young Center, and the Life Sciences Laboratory. The E.Y. Berry Library-Learning Center contains a multitude of learning resources. Meier Hall includes a magnificent 280-seat recital hall as well as the choir and band rooms. Construction was just completed on the Joy (Proctor) Krautschun Alumni-Foundation Welcome Center and the Sanford Science and Math Education Center.

In fall 2015 students moved into the new Bordeaux Residence Hall connecting two of the five existing halls to create a residence hall complex - The Peaks. The recently remodeled David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union serves the social and recreational needs of the students and was the first building in the state to become Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. The Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center provides exceptional fitness facilities and an aquatics center, as well as classrooms and faculty offices.

BHSU has a second location in Rapid City which offers increased educational opportunities in the state’s second-largest city.

Accreditation

  


Our academic programs are delivered through three colleges: the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Business and Natural Sciences, and the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.  BHSU is accredited through: The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (30th North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago IL 60602-2504, 800-621-7440);  The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (777 South Harbour Island Boulevard, Suite 750, Tampa, FL 33602, 813-769-6500);  The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (2010 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 500, Washington DC 20036 - 202-466-7496) and approved by the South Dakota Department of Education (700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD  57501-2291, 605-773-52650; and the National Association of Schools of Music (11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston VA 20190, 703-437-0700).  BHSU’s Physical Education program is nationally recognized by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA  20191, 800-213-7193).

 

Black Hills State University Mission and Vision Statement

 

Mission Statement:

Black Hills State University is a regional, comprehensive, public institution that provides access to a higher education for aspiring students. BHSU offers a generous number of baccalaureate and select master’s degrees, generates new knowledge, promotes excellence in teaching and public engagement, and serves as a regional economic leader. Graduates make significant contributions to the workforce and the betterment of their community.

Vision Statement:

Black Hills State University will innovate to provide cutting-edge education, promote student success, be a sustainable campus, and serve as an economic engine for western South Dakota.

Curriculum

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Degrees are authorized at the associate, baccalaureate, and masters levels.

 

Published Catalogs

 
The information contained in this catalog is the most accurate available at the time of publication, but changes may become effective before the next catalog is published.  It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to stay abreast of current regulations, curricula, and the status of specific programs being offered.  Further, the university reserves the right, as approved by the Board of Regents, to modify requirements, curricula offerings, and charges, and to add, alter, or delete courses and programs through appropriate procedures.  While reasonable efforts will be made to publicize such changes, a student is encouraged to seek current information from appropriate offices.