Admission Requirements Fiscal Year 1996

Admission Requirements Fiscal Year 1996

Minimum Course Requirements*

All baccalaureate or general studies students under twenty­one (21) years of age including students transferring with less than twenty­four (24) credit hours must meet the following minimum course requirements with at least a "C" average: 


	1. Four years of English ­ courses with major emphasis upon grammar, 
           composition, or literary analysis; one year of debate instruction 
           may be included to meet this requirement.

	2. Three years of Mathematics ­ Algebra, geometry, trigonometry or other 
           advanced mathematics including accelerated or honors mathematics 
           (algebra) provided at the 8th grade level; not included are 
           arithmetic, business mathematics, general mathematics or other 
           similar courses.

	3. Three years of Laboratory Science ­ Courses in biology, chemistry,
           or physics in which at least one (1) regular laboratory period is 
           scheduled each week.  Accelerated or honors science (biology, 
           physics or chemistry) provided in the 8th grade shall be accepted.  
           Qualifying "physical science courses (with lab)" will be decided 
           on a case by case basis by (entity?).

	4. Three years of Social Studies ­ History, economics, sociology, 
           geography, government­­including U.S. and South Dakota, American 
           Problems, etc.

	5. One­half year of Computer Science

	6. One­half year of Fine Arts ­ Art or Music appreciation, analysis or 
           performance.

Students who have not completed the minimum course requirements may demonstrate equivalent competency by attaining the following on the ACT (American College Test) or Advanced Placement Examination:
 


       English:          ACT English subtest score of 17 or above 
                                       OR  
                         AP Language/Composition or Literature/Composition score 
                           of 2 or above


       Mathematics:      ACT mathematics subtest score of 17 or above 
                                       OR 
                         AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC score of 2 or above


       Science:          ACT science reasoning subtest score of 17 or above 
                                       OR 
                         AP Biology, Chemistry, Physics B, or Physics C score 
                           of 2 or above 


       Social Studies:   ACT social studies/reading subtest score of 17 or above 
                                       OR 
                         AP Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Comparative/United 
                           States Government and Policies, European or United 
                           States History, or Psychology score of 2 or above


       Computer Science: AP Computer Science A or AB score of 2 or above


       Fine Arts:        AP History of Art, Studio Art (drawing or general 
                           portfolio) or Music Theory score of 2 or above

In addition, students must meet at least ONE of the following criteria to be granted admission: 


	1. ACT (American College Test) composite score of 18 or above.

	2. Rank in top 60% of high school graduating class.

	3. High school grade point average of at least 2.6 (on a 4.0 scale).

Mandatory Mathematics Placement Procedure

Since Fall 1989, each campus has had a mandatory mathematics placement procedure for incoming freshmen. The instruments and criteria used for mandatory placement are at the discretion of each institution.

Exception Group

Each university may admit a group of students, limited in size to 3% of the previous year's freshman class, at the discretion of the university. The purpose of this exception group is to permit universities to admit students from underrepresented or underserved populations, students with learning disabilities, or students with demonstrated artistic, musical, or athletic talent. Each university shall provide a progress report by June 30 of each year on students admitted as part of this exception group. The report shall provide information on the reason for admission, year of admission, and student grade point average.

Non­Traditional, Junior/Senior Transfer Students

Non­traditional students (21 years of age or older) and students transferring with more than twenty­four (24) credit hours into a baccalaureate or general studies program shall be admitted at the discretion of the institution. Non­traditional students in baccalaureate programs are encouraged to fulfill the minimum course requirements.

One­Year Certificate and Two­Year Associate Degree Programs

Students shall be admitted to Certificate and Associate Degree Programs at the discretion of the institution.


*The minimum course requirements listed for admission are condensed from actual Board Policy.