Master of Science in Human Sciences with Specialization in Family and Community Services

at South Dakota State University USA

The Community and Public Health Education program is designed to prepare students in planning, implementing, delivering and evaluating health programs that will improve the quality of life of individuals, groups and communities.

Majoring in Community and Public Health is an excellent foundation for students to apply to various graduate and professional programs, which may include: medical school, physician’s assistant school, chiropractor school, physical therapy school, occupational therapy school, and health administration and counseling.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Community and Public Health major, students will:

• Analyze factors that influence health and illness of individuals, groups or communities. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate health information, in both oral and written forms, and through a variety of media, to diverse audiences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Intercultural Knowledge)
• Demonstrate knowledge of contributions made by individuals from diverse and/or underrepresented groups to one’s local, national and global communities. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Assess and reflect personal values in relation to current issues and ethical dilemmas within the health profession. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
• Demonstrate the ability to locate, use, evaluate and synthesize health information. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
• Students will consider perspectives of diverse groups when planning, implementing and evaluating health programs. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Productively participate in a group activity. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)

The graduate program in economics prepares students for professions in business and government as well as for advanced studies in economics and finance. Program requirements include one course in microeconomics (advanced microeconomic theory or advanced managerial economics) and one course in quantitative analysis (econometrics or advanced business decision science).  The program offers two curriculum options: an economic theory option and an applied business-economics option.  In any case, students customize their plans of study, emphasizing one of the following four subject areas.

• Agricultural Business
• Agricultural and Resource Economics
• Business Economics
• General Economics

The Ness School of Management and Economics offers an accelerated master’s program, which allows qualified students to work toward their master’s degree in economics while they complete their undergraduate degree. This accelerated program is available to qualified undergraduate students who maintain an overall undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Analytical reasoning: Graduates will be able to apply economic theories and quantitative and qualitative analytical methods to analyze and evaluate economic outcomes and to make decisions.
• Communication: Graduates will be able to communicate economic-research outcomes, and the analysis underlying these outcomes, in oral and written forms to diverse audiences.
• Ethical Reasoning: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the capacity to evaluate ethical matters within the context of the discipline.
• Core economics knowledge: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of economic terminology, mathematical and graphical tools and representations, institutions, common economic variables, and general habits of economic thought.

Psychology is the discipline concerned with the study of behavior and mental processes. The teaching specialization prepares students to qualify for certification to teach psychology in one of thousands of schools nationwide.  Students pursuing this specialization should contact the College of Education and Human Sciences before their junior year.

Student Learning Outcomes
In the Psychology - Teaching Specialization, students will:

• Express fundamental knowledge and comprehension of major concepts in psychology. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Apply scientific reasoning to psychological issues/problems. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving; Ethical Reasoning)
• Show an understanding of diversity and ethical/social responsibility in professional settings. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Write competently in APA style. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
• Demonstrate oral competency. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)

This area of specialization is designed for the person who plans to become a communication educator. While the emphasis is primarily on secondary education, the area can serve as a specialization for teaching higher education as well.

Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be prepared to:

• Describe the Communication discipline and its central questions by employing communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Engage in Communication inquiry. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Create and critically analyze messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Demonstrate the ability to accomplish communicative goals (self-efficacy). (Cross-curricular Skill: Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
• Prepare for ethical public influence that embraces differences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

The South Dakota State University Exercise Science program aspires to prepare health and fitness professionals with a strong understanding of the scientific concepts behind the application that is practiced in a variety of health and fitness careers. The mission of the Exercise Science program at South Dakota State University is to prepare competent entry-level Exercise Science professionals in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (abilities) learning domains that will assist others in adopting and championing healthy, active lifestyles.

The Exercise Science graduate will have the ability to raise awareness about health and physical activity, change behavior, and create environments that support good health practices, including, but not limited to exercise and physical activity. The exercise science professional assists people to develop self-responsibility for their own health and wellness, and implement health assessments and wellness programs that promote a healthy lifestyle. Exercise Science professionals work and study in commercial, clinical, and workplace settings to increase health, fitness, and quality of life for the general population. The exercise science professional is also able to apply their knowledge of acute and chronic exercise physiology to promote better health, reduce chronic disease, or to enhance the performance of athletes.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Exercise Science curriculum students will be able to meet the following outcomes:

• Apply knowledge of the acute and chronic physiological adaptations to exercise to common practices in the field of exercise physiology.
• Plan a health education/promotion program among diverse populations and in various health settings. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Develop an academic and career plan to include coursework, degrees, professional development activities, and goals. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
• Demonstrate competence in conducting health and fitness laboratory/field tests in exercise science.
• Create a strength and conditioning program for a healthy client that demonstrates application of the theories and principles of strength and conditioning.
• Analyze graded exercise stress test data pertaining to heart rate, blood pressure, and 12-lead ECG results.
• Perform a qualitative movement analysis of a client/athlete/patient and explain the underlying movement mechanics responsible for their faulty movement patterns. (Cross-curricular Skill: Integrative Learning)
• Apply the principles of exercise testing and prescription to special populations to create safe and effective exercise plans aimed at treating and preventing chronic illness.
• Create and lead a group fitness class utilizing the principles of an ACSM certified group fitness instructor. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Conduct a personal fitness evaluation and evaluate the results to create a personalized fitness plan specific to the needs of the client. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Remember, understand, and apply the knowledge, skills and abilities required of a Certified Exercise Physiologist.

The Natural Resource Management specialization will provide training in ecology, evolution, environmental sciences, and range areas of expertise with a focus on basic and applied research.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of program: Exhibit knowledge concerning biological and/or microbiological systems/sciences at a level appropriate to a M.S. degree holder.
• Communication skills: Be able to effectively express themselves orally and in written form.
• Understand scientific method: Understand the scientific methods and techniques for solving research problems and analyze scientific data using the appropriate statistics.
• Use statistics to analyze data: Be able to use statistics to analyze scientific data.
• Specialization: Specialize in some area of biology, biotechnology and/or microbiology, but still be broadly based in knowledge in cellular and molecular biology.
• Publish research: Be able to conduct and publish scholarly research. (Option A)
• Professional Development: Demonstrate professional development and competence so that they may enter the work force in academia or industry.

The Department of Natural Resource Management offers graduate programs in both Biological Science with a Specialization in Natural Resource Management and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. Both degree programs award M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.

Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

The M.S. degree program in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences is intended to educate students for management-level positions with state and federal agencies, private companies, and for the pursuit of higher academic degrees. By using specifically identified coursework and mentoring, we strive to assist students in developing their intellectual capabilities in working with natural resources and people. In addition, each student must propose and conduct an original scientific investigation. Placement rates for M.S. graduates into positions as fisheries biologists, wildlife biologists, and other natural resource positions with state and federal agencies is extremely high.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Be knowledgeable regarding biological systems at a level appropriate to a M.S. degree holder.
• Be able to effectively express themselves orally and in written form.
• Understand the scientific method of solving problem.
• Be computer and statistically capable.
• Be specialized in some area of wildlife or fisheries, but still be broadly based in knowledge.
• Be able to conduct scholarly research.
• Understand the relationships between biological information and socioeconomic factors.
• Demonstrate professional development, especially in regard to the need for continued learning after their degree program.
• Develop a concern and feeling for the natural resources of the world.

The curriculum in the Human Biology major is designed for students planning to apply to health-related professional programs (e.g. chiropractic, dentistry, medicine, optometry, occupational therapy, physical therapy and physician assistant.)

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Human Biology major, students will:

• Demonstrate understanding and application of evolution; biological structure and function; biological and biochemical pathways and transformations of energy and matter; biological systems; and biology, biochemical, physiological and structural aspects of the human body. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
• Apply the process of science.
• Demonstrate understanding of and application of quantitative reasoning; information flow, exchange, and storage; relationship between science and society.
• Tap into the interdisciplinary nature of science. (Cross-curricular Skill: Integrative Learning)
• Communicate and collaborate with other disciplines. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)

Physics is the foundation of almost all of the science and engineering disciplines. The curriculum in Physics has the flexibility to accommodate a wide range of student interests including engineering, physical science, mathematics, biological science, or health sciences. Graduates find careers in physics research, education, engineering, medicine, nuclear medicine, law, science journalism or alternatively many other choices.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Physics - Science Teaching Specialization, students will be able to:

• Support an environment that is inclusive to everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability status. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity)
• Write a laboratory report that is appropriate for the discipline of physics and suitable for publication in an undergraduate research journal. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
• Defend a hypothesis or a research project by giving an oral presentation in a colloquium setting.
• Solve complex physics problems by applying scientific and mathematical principles. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem Solving)
• Design experiments; build and use equipment; gather, analyze and interpret experimental data; and draw conclusions based upon the data. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Propose creative solutions for key issues of scientific, social, economic, or environmental merit and defend their hypothesis in either a research paper or by generating a proposal for an experimental design. (Cross-curricular Skill: Creative and Critical Thinking)

A major in advertising will prepare students with effective written and visual communication, critical thinking, strategy, design, and research skills. Through coursework and experiential learning experiences, including a required internship, graduates gain experience working on teams to develop solutions for applied projects, clients, and competitive campaigns.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing an advertising major will be equipped to:

• Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
• Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information. (Cross-curricular Skills: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, Information Literacy)
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity. (Cross-curricular skill: Ethical Reasoning)
• Think critically, creatively and independently. (Cross-curricular Skills: Inquiry and Analysis, Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis, Information Literacy)
• Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
• Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.