Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

at South Dakota State University USA

The study of Political Science examines political processes, governments, and international relations. The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science prepare graduates for a career in government - at state, local and federal levels, private sectors, advocacy organizations including political parties, and non-profit agencies. It is a flexible degree that offers multiple career tracks. Many of our students successfully pursue advanced degree in law school and other graduate programs.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students with a major in Political Science will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, theories and methods of political science, political systems beyond the United States, and political issues facing traditionally underrepresented communities. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Develop critical thinking skills by a) including a disciplined, skeptical outlook on the world; b) assessing multiple - and often countervailing - theoretical perspectives, and c) recognizing the difference between strong and weak arguments based on evidence. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Understand international perspectives, a necessary prerequisite to becoming active and responsible global citizens. (Cross-curricular Skill: Intercultural Knowledge)
• Express themselves effectively through oral and written communication. This includes framing scholarly questions and developing discipline appropriate research strategies to address them. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy; Problem Solving)

The Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership Major is a multidisciplinary program that provides a strong foundation in agricultural sciences. The major allows students the flexibility to select a plan of study based on their interests and skills by choosing one of three specializations: Education, Communication, or Leadership. Students specializing in communication take courses in agriculture along with courses in the School of Communication and Journalism.

Graduates of the Communication specialization report agricultural information to farmers and ranchers, consumers, governmental agencies, agribusinesses, commodity groups, and legislators through positions in public relations, sales, marketing, journalism, social media, and the government.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Communication Specialization of the Agricultural Education, Communication, and Leadership Major, students will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and skill across the broad field of the Agricultural, Food, and Natural Resources industries.   
• Demonstrate and apply in-depth knowledge of journalism and mass communication.
• Explain the importance of and show evidence of ethical and professional behaviors. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
• Locate and evaluate information to solve real world problems. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy; Problem Solving)
• Evaluate core competencies and create plans for effective lifetime learning. (Cross-curricular Skill: Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
• Evaluate a diverse spectrum of agriculturally related global challenges to communicate culturally responsible solutions to a variety of audiences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

The Interdisciplinary Studies major is designed for those pursuing unique educational goals. Each student develops a goal-driven plan of study approved by the department selecting coursework relevant to those unique goals. Career opportunities for graduates are vast, evolving from the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired through a well-designed plan of study. Interdisciplinary studies graduates have been very successful in the job market and in gaining acceptance to graduate/professional schools. Most graduates pursue careers in broad industries or emerging fields. Intensive advising and career planning are critical elements to ensure the plan of study appropriately prepares students for future goals.

Student Learning Outcomes
Interdisciplinary Studies graduates will be able to:

• Analyze how historical and metaphorical models support research and problem solving through diverse disciplinary approaches. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Information Literacy; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Apply interdisciplinary analytics to research. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Express interdisciplinary understanding of a complex problem through the integration of disciplinary insights in an undergraduate research project. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Illustrate how interdisciplinary study contributes to success in future professional and personal goals. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Information Literacy; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

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 English Major - Writing Specialization requires 45 hours of literature, linguistics and writing courses. Students receive a well-rounded background in literature, but with more intensive work in Creative and/or Professional writing. This program serves students seeking careers in creative or professional writing.

Student Learning Outcomes
The English department’s B.A. program prepares students to become innovative professionals and global citizens by teaching them to read closely and critically, write creatively and persuasively, and explore the beauty and value of diverse literatures and cultures.

• Analyze texts closely and critically, using key literary terms and concepts to interpret how the specific elements of a text contribute to its larger meanings. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Integrative Learning)
• Identify significant texts, authors, periods, movements, genres, theories, or modes from literary history, explaining how literary texts engage with their historical, cultural, aesthetic, or ideological contexts. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Inquiry and Analysis; Integrative Learning)
• Identify key theoretical ideas, concepts, or methodologies and apply them to the reading and writing of texts. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Integrative Learning)
• Write argumentative, creative, and reflective texts that demonstrate focus, content, structure, evidence, style, and grammar appropriate to their rhetorical contexts. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Integrative Learning)
• Conduct scholarly research that incorporates the use of library resources and discipline-specific databases; the evaluation and integration of secondary sources; and the documentation of primary and secondary sources using MLA style.  (Cross-Curricular Skills: Information Literacy; Inquiry and Analysis)
• Explain how literature both reflects and enriches the diversity of human experience through its exploration of the ways in which race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, ability, or class shape identity and influence perception. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Inquiry and Analysis; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity)

The Horticulture major is designed to prepare students for careers in nursery production, local food production, landscape, tree management, garden center operation, greenhouse production, or for entry into research and graduate study in horticultural science. Greenhouse facilities and extensive field plots in woody and herbaceous ornamentals, fruit, and vegetables provide students with the opportunity to experience all aspects of plant production and management.

Program Emphases
The Horticulture Major offers four areas of emphasis. Students with an interest in:

• Crop management and production technologies of greenhouse, nursery, fruit, or vegetable crops can tailor their program of studies using the Production Emphasis.
• Careers in managing nurseries, landscape maintenance, arboriculture, garden centers or greenhouse businesses should follow the Business Emphasis.
• Careers in food crop or local food production and marketing should follow the Food Crop Emphasis.
• Pursuing a graduate degree or laboratory science career should follow the Science Emphasis.

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

• Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of basic Horticultural principles and practices.
• Demonstrate the ability to think creatively and to apply critical thinking skills when evaluating and analyzing information. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Demonstrate the ability to learn, develop, and apply skills for the application of existing and emerging knowledge and technologies in Horticulture. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Demonstrate the ability to apply scientific principles, quantitative skills, and other problem solving skills in Horticulture. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem Solving)
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of ethical and sustainable practices in the Horticultural fields. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
• Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of local food production principles and practices.
• Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of plant identification, selection, use, and maintenance of plant material best suited for conventional and sustainable landscapes.
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate (written, listening and oral) with both scientific and non-scientific audiences.

The Master’s degree in Agricultural Education is designed to meet the needs of individuals who work (or plan to work) in agricultural education, non-profit organizations, post-secondary education or in agriculture leadership. The School of Education, Counseling and Human Development provides professional preparation for those who want to expand their knowledge and advance themselves professionally in the agricultural industry.

Students are able to choose from either a program in which only coursework is required or a program in which they must complete a research project or creative component. If a student elects to complete a thesis (Plan A) the program will include 30 credit hours. If a student elects to complete a creative component (Plan B), the student must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours in order to graduate. If a full coursework option is selected (Plan C), the student must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of current issues: The graduate of the curriculum and instruction program displays knowledge of current practices, research, theories, and issues in education.
• Knowledge of learning: The graduate of the curriculum and instruction program demonstrates knowledge of how students learn and is able to effectively apply that knowledge within a variety of educational roles.
• Curricular processes: The graduate of the curriculum and instruction program effectively participates in curricular processes.
• Communication skills: The graduate of the curriculum and instruction program effectively communicates.
• Foundational lifetime learning skills: The graduate of the curriculum and instruction program displays commitment to professional involvement and growth through continual learning, reflective practice, and collaboration.
• Technology: The graduate of the curriculum and instruction program makes appropriate use of educational technology.

The Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations major will prepare students for jobs in the nonprofit sector. Through the Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations (LMNO) program, students will be empowered to become successful professionals who work to advance the quality of life in communities. The program prepares students with opportunities to increase their abilities and skills in the work of leadership to enhance nonprofit organizations. Students will develop a basic understanding of the nonprofit sector, the role of philanthropy in the United States, and introduce the history, philosophy, ethics, and organizational structure of nonprofit and social service agencies. Students will apply fundraising, volunteer management, financial management, leadership and team development techniques.

Upon completion of the undergraduate program, students may also earn the Certified Nonprofit Professional credential with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance organization. This certification requires students to have knowledge and experiences in 10 different competencies areas. Those competency areas are: Communication, Marketing, and Public Relations; Culture and Diversity; Financial Resource Development and Management; Foundations and Management of Nonprofit Sector; Governance, Leadership, and Advocacy; Legal and Ethical Decision Making; Personal and Professional Development; Program Development; Volunteer and Human Resource Management; and Future of the Nonprofit Sector.

Graduates will be prepared to obtain positions with local, national, and international nonprofit organizations or employers outside of the nonprofit sector. Examples of these positions include executive director of a nonprofit; marketing and public relations; fundraising and resource development; human resources director of a nonprofit; volunteer recruitment and management; community and economic development; program development, management and evaluation; and financial administration and management. Students graduating with the LMNO major may be employed by for-profits in their public affairs, community relations, or corporate responsibility departments or in the consultant industry.

Student Learning Outcomes
Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations graduates will:

• Apply knowledge of fundamental nonprofit management terms, theories, and skills.
• Demonstrate and apply in-depth knowledge of leadership theories.
• Demonstrate the ability to function as an effective member of a team.
• Demonstrate respect and understanding towards diverse cultures and beliefs of individuals and communities. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Explain the importance of and show evidence of ethical and professional behaviors. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
• Design, implement, and evaluate projects for a variety of audiences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement)
• Demonstrate effective written and/or oral communication skills to appropriate audiences.

The Aviation Education Specialization is for students who wish to become Certified Flight Instructors and later be professional pilots in industry. Many of our graduates are in the airlines, military, government, and corporate workplaces. Top performing students of this option are often brought on as flight instructors in the SDSU program during their junior and senior years.

Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Aviation Education program will be able to:

• Apply their educational experience to the aviation profession. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Demonstrate instructional knowledge in single- and multi-engine aircraft to the FAA commercial pilot standard. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Demonstrate instructional knowledge by creating and teaching relevant aviation topics to colleagues. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy; Teamwork)

Additionally, all students will participate in a senior capstone course that is designed to bridge the gap between their educational experience and future career. Students are evaluated using direct and indirect assessment to assure competency within the profession using a comprehensive assessment plan.

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.