Degree and Graduation Requirements

Undergraduate students at VCSU have five bachelor degree options: Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Education, and Bachelor of University Studies.

In addition to selecting a major program of study, students must choose which degree to pursue. The Bachelor of Science degree prepares students in specific discipline areas, while the Bachelor of Arts degree provides academic breadth in the liberal arts. The Bachelor of Science in Education is designed to prepare students for licensure as elementary and secondary teachers.

The Bachelor of University Studies degree is designed to allow the student the flexibility of designing a course of study which fits with his or her interests and goals in life. The student must have a degree plan approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The proposed degree plan must meet with the generally accepted goals of a bachelor’s degree.  The Bachelor of Applied Science is designed for students with a completed AAS degree, who seek a bachelor's degree that complements their previous studies. 

Double Degree and Second Degrees

Students may earn two or more bachelor’s degrees provided the degrees are different. For example, students cannot earn two Bachelor of Science degrees such as a B.S. in Communication and a B.S. in Music. Students must meet all requirements for each degree with at least 30 unique credits between the degrees. The degrees may be earned concurrently (Double Degrees) or at different times (Second Degrees).

Double Major

Students may elect to earn a single degree with more than one major. Students may complete a double major (two majors) or any number of majors. Students must meet all requirements for each major within the single degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts with majors in English and History.

Adding a Major/Minor After a Degree Has Been Posted

Students who have previously earned a degree may complete additional coursework and elect to complete a major and/or minor earned subsequent to graduation.

Associate in Arts

1. Completion of the General Education Requirements for the Associate in Arts.
2. Completion of the Digital Literacy Requirement.
3. Completion of a concentration.
4. Completion of the Graduation Requirements.
5. Completion of a minimum total of 60 semester credits.

Bachelor of Applied Science

1. Completion of an approved technical specialty in trade, industry or health occupations prior to admission into a Bachelor of Applied Science major. An approved technical specialty constitutes the completion of 36 transferable credits in trade, industry or health occupations or 26 transferable credits in trade, industry or health occupations and 5000 hours of work experience in a technical field.
2. Completion of the General Education Requirements for the Bachelor of Applied Science.
3. Completion of the Digital Literacy Requirement.
4. Completion of a major and a minor, a double major, or a composite major.
5. Completion of the Graduation Requirements.
6. Completion of a minimum total of 120 semester credits.

Bachelor of Arts

1. Completion of the General Education Requirements.
2. Completion of a major and a minor, a double major, or a composite major.
3. Completion of the Digital Literacy Requirement.
4. Completion of the 16 semester hour cultural block. In consultation with their advisor, students select a 16 hour block of related courses from the following areas: Spanish, art, music, English, theatre, photography, and history. Courses used for this requirement may not be double-counted and may not include credits for portfolio preparation or internships.
5. Completion of the Graduation Requirements.
6. Completion of a minimum total of 120 semester credits.

Bachelor of Science

1. Completion of the General Education Requirements.
2. Completion of the Digital Literacy Requirement.
3. Completion of a major and a minor, a double major, or a composite major.
4. Completion of the Graduation Requirements.
5. Completion of a minimum total of 120 semester credits.

Bachelor of Science in Education

1. Completion of the General Education Requirements.
2. Completion of the Digital Literacy Requirement.
3. Completion of an education major.
4. Completion of the Professional Education sequence.
5. Completion of requirements for admission to Teacher Education.
6. Successful completion of student teaching experience.
7. Successful completion of Praxis II requirements.
8. Completion of the Graduation Requirements.
9. Completion of a minimum total of 120 semester credits.

Bachelor of University Studies

1. Completion of the General Education Requirements.
2. Completion of the Digital Literacy Requirement.
3. Completion of the major requirements with at least 34 semester credits of upper-level credit.
4. A statement of the interests and goals the student expects to meet by choosing the Bachelor of University Studies degree.
5. Completion of the Graduation Requirements.
6. Completion of a minimum total of 120 semester credits.

• Associate of Arts: 60 credits; includes General Education credits
• Bachelor's Degree: 120 credits with a minimum of 30 upper-level credits; includes 39 General Education credits
• Composite Major: 52-75 credits; does not require a second major or a minor
• Major: 32-42 credits; requires a second major or a minor
• Minor: 18-26 credits
• Certificate: a minimum of 9 credits
• Certificate of Completion: less than 9 credits
• Concentration: 18-30 credits
• Cognate: 12-17 credits

Graduation Requirements

All students must meet certain general requirements before graduating from Valley City State University. Undergraduate students may elect to graduate under the requirements of the catalog in effect when the student originally enrolled at the University provided the time lapse is less than seven years. Students who change their academic program will follow the requirements of the catalog in effect when the student submits the program change form. Students who leave VCSU and then return will follow the requirements of the catalog in effect when the student submits the returning student form. 

The following represent the conditions for graduation:

1. All candidates for a degree in a specific term must make formal application for graduation with the Office of the Registrar. The deadline dates for applying are December 1 for spring semester and May 1 for summer and fall semester.
2. A minimum of 120 semester credits are required for graduation with a bachelor’s degree. A minimum of 60 semester credits are required for graduation with an Associate in Arts degree.
3. All candidates for a bachelor degree must complete 30 semester credits from VCSU. All candidates for an associate degree must complete 15 semester credits from VCSU. A minimum of six credits of VCSU credit are required for a major, three VCSU credits for a minor and six VCSU credits for a certificate.
4. All academic requirements must be completed before a student may graduate.
5. For the bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 30 upper division semester credits must be completed at the 300 and 400 course level. Career-Technical Education majors complete an area of technical specialty in lieu of this requirement.
6. The same course may not be used to fulfill requirements in two areas except when the student is graduating with a composite major, double major, or with more than one minor. Majors in education are considered composite majors.
7. All candidates for a degree must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. The student must also demonstrate a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in each of the following areas: major, minor, area of concentration/cognate, certificate, and general education. Those students receiving a B.S. in Education degree must have met the GPA requirements for continuance in teacher education.
8. All financial obligations to the University must be met at least two weeks before the date of graduation.
9. Commencement exercises held at the close of the fall and spring semesters. Candidates for graduation in the fall semester are encouraged to participate in the fall exercise. Students completing graduation requirements in the spring semester are encouraged to participate in the spring exercise. Candidates for graduation in the summer semester may participate in the following fall or spring commencement.

Failure to Complete Requirements

Students must complete all requirements for the degree within 30 days of the end of the semester of graduation or apply for graduation in a subsequent semester.

Graduation Honors

A student who has achieved a cumulative grade point average between 3.50 and 3.74 at the time of graduation qualifies for the honor, cum laude.

A student who has achieved a cumulative grade point average between 3.75 and 3.89 at the time of graduation qualifies for the honor, magna cum laude.

A student who has achieved a cumulative grade point average between 3.90 and 4.00 at the time of graduation qualifies for the honor, summa cum laude.