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Undergraduate Degrees

Baccalaureate degrees (B.A., B.S., B.F.A., B.Mus., B.E.S.)

Baccalaureate degrees are considered to be the standard college degree. St. Cloud State University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 credits, excluding credits in courses numbered below 100. Credits must be earned in general education (liberal arts and sciences portion of a degree), in a major and/or minor, and with remaining credits in university electives. St. Cloud offers baccalaureate degrees in Arts (B.A.), Sciences (B.S.), Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Music (B.Mus.), and Elective Studies (B.E.S.)

Although a student normally can finish a baccalaureate degree in four years, some programs offered by the university may require the completion of more than 120 credits. Entering freshman students are encouraged to seek academic advice early regarding specific requirements in order to plan their program most efficiently.

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree programs are designed for those students who wish to pursue their studies in the liberal arts tradition. The degree is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 credits, excluding credits in courses numbered below 100, which must include the liberal education requirements, the requirements of a field of concentration, and 40 credits in upper division (300-400 level) courses. The field of concentration requirements may be met by one of the following:

  • 45 credit major

  • Majors below 45 credits require one year in a single foreign language OR a minor.

Bachelor of Elective Studies

The Bachelor of Elective Studies (B.E.S.) degree is for those students who wish to develop their own programs of study. B.E.S. students must complete the liberal education program. Contact the Advising and Student Transitions Office (320-308-6075) for details. Requirements for the degree are:

  • Completion of a minimum of 120 credits, excluding credits in courses numbered below 100, with a 2.00 "C" average.

  • At least 40 credits in upper-division (300-400) courses.

  • No more than 60 credits can be counted in any one discipline.

  • A maximum of 6 internship credits may be used as part of the 40 upper-division course work requirement.

  • A departmental major or minor is not required, but strongly encouraged. Students may complete majors and minors in those departments which indicate B.E.S. programs are available. See individual departmental listings.

  • Meet the residence requirement of St. Cloud State University as outlined in this catalog.

Students who meet the admission requirements for St. Cloud State University may apply upon admittance. Students who currently are enrolled must have a 2.0 (C) average to be admitted to the program. To be accepted into this degree option students must formally complete a "major program plan" as well as a "program proposal form" which are designed to describe the student's individual educational objectives. Majors or minors earned under the B.E.S. program may be applied to a B.E.S. degree. Requests for admission are received by the program director in the Advising and Student Transitions Office (320-308-6075).

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Degree is designed for those students whose primary interest is in obtaining depth, structure, and professionalism in a particular area of the visual arts. 78 credits in art and 40 credits in upper division (300-400 level) courses are required. Additional details of the program are listed in the art department offerings. The degree is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 credits, excluding credits in courses numbered below 100.

Bachelor of Music

The Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) degree is for those students whose primary interest is musical performance; 80-83 credits in music and 40 credits in upper division (300-400) courses are required. The degree is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 credits, excluding credits in courses numbered below 100. Students are required to study voice or their major instrument each semester and to give recitals at the end of both the junior and senior years. Additional details of the program are listed in the music department offerings.

Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is awarded to those students who successfully complete a professional four-year program of a minimum of 120 credits, excluding credits in courses numbered below 100 and including general education requirements, the requirements of a field of concentration, and 40 credits in upper division (300-400 level) courses. Students seeking a teaching certificate also must complete the professional education requirements. Students in the Herberger Business School must complete the business core. Requirements for specific programs can be found under departmental headings in this catalog.

Associate degrees (A.A. and A.S.)

Associate of Arts (A.A.)

The Associate of Arts degree programs are intended to provide a broad liberal arts and sciences background. A.A. programs require completion of the liberal education program and additional credits to total at least 60 credits, excluding credits in courses numbered below 100. The A.A. program may be used as the foundation for a baccalaureate degree and is administered by the Advising and Student Transitions Office (320-308-6075). Students receiving an A.A. degree must complete at least 30 additional credits at SCSU to receive a baccalaureate degree (minimum of 120 semester credits required).

Associate of Science (A.S.)

The Associate of Science degree provides students an opportunity to design their own two years of study. In the Individualized Studies (A.S.) degree, the completion of a total of 60 credits is required.  This includes a minimum of 30 general education credits selected from at least six of the ten goal areas of the Liberal Education Plan (Minnesota Transfer Curriculum) and 30 additional credits.  Courses numbered below 100 are excluded and no more than 30 credits are allowed in one discipline.  This program is administered by the Advising and Student Transitions Office (320-308-6075).

Certificate Program

A certificate is awarded to students who satisfactorily complete a prescribed course of study. Specific program requirements are given under departmental headings. To be awarded a certificate, students must complete and be awarded an undergraduate degree.