Catalog Disclaimer Statement/Affirmative Action
This catalog is published by Dickinson State University to provide prospective students and other interested individuals with information concerning this institution. Any part of this catalog may be changed or revoked without notice and may not serve as a binding obligation with the State of North Dakota or Dickinson State University.
This catalog is intended to be a description of the policies, academic programs, degree requirements, and course offerings in effect for the 2024-20265 academic years. It should not be construed as an irrevocable contract between the student and the University. Dickinson State University reserves the right to change any of the policies, procedures, or fees described in this catalog and to apply these changes to any or all students as it sees fit. The University may also choose to add or delete course offerings or degree programs at any time.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Dickinson State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action institution that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, religion, gender identity, creed, marital status, veteran’s status, political belief or affiliation, information protected by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”) or disability in its admissions, student aid, employment practices, educational programs or other related activities. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Dickinson State University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs, activities, or employment opportunities as required by Title IX. Dickinson State University complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.
Inquiries concerning Title VI, VII, ADA, ADEA, Title IX, and Section 504 may be referred to either the Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Kathy Geisen, Dickinson State University, 291 Campus Drive, May Hall, Room 226, Dickinson, ND 58601 (701) 502-2081, dsu.titleix@dickinsonstate.edu or to the:
Affirmative Action Officer, Krissy Kilwein, Dickinson State University, 291 Campus Drive, May Hall, Room 309, Dickinson, ND 58601, (701) 502-4304, dsu.affirmativeaction@dickinsonstate.edu or to:
The Office for Civil Rights/Chicago
U.S. Department of Education,
John C. Kluczynski, Federal Building
230 South Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago IL 60604
Telephone: (312) 730-1560, FAX: (312) 730-1576,
TDD: (800) 877-8339, email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov,
website: ed.gov/ocr.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
330 South Second Avenue, Suite 720
Minneapolis, MN 55401-2224
1-800-669-4000
Fax: 612-335-4044
TTY: 1-800-669-6820
www.eeoc.gov
Disclaimer from the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education
The State Board of Higher Education requires that the following announcement be published in all catalogs and bulletins of information issued by institutions of North Dakota: “Institutions shall publish electronic and/or hard copies of catalogs and bulletins for the purpose of furnishing prospective students and other interested persons with information about the institutions. Announcements contained in such printed or electronic material are subject to change without notice; and may not be regarded in the nature of binding obligations on the institutions and the State.”
Dickinson State University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission located at 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois 60604-1413.
Location and Setting
Dickinson State University’s residential buildings and face-to-face classes and activities are located on a beautiful 132-acre campus in the city after which the university is named. Dickinson, the seventh largest city in the state, is the hub of West River North Dakota and boasts a population of approximately 25,000+. The university serves as a cultural, social, recreational, and intellectual center for the residents of the West River region.
Dickinson is directly along Interstate 94 and is served by commercial air service transportation. The university and the city are situated near the scenic North Dakota Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the area where Roosevelt ranched prior to his ascendancy to national prominence and the soon-to-be-home of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. One hour’s drive north of Dickinson is Lake Sakakawea, created in the 1950s by the Garrison Dam project. This region of North Dakota abounds with some of the country’s finest hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking opportunities.
Dickinson State University serves the communities beyond the southwestern region through distance education. The university delivers its programs through a hybrid of face-to-face and live stream especially in Bismarck and Williston, often in conjunction with articulation agreements with area two-year institutions. The university also offers degree programs online throughout North Dakota, the United States, and the world. DSU State Authorization | Dickinson State University provides the list of states to whom the university is authorized to deliver online courses.
Historical Sketch
Dickinson Normal School was created in 1916 by a constitutional amendment approved by North Dakota voters. Classes began in 1918 with a two-year program designed to train elementary and secondary teachers. In 1931, four-year degrees were offered for the first time under the school’s new name, Dickinson State Teachers College. In recognition of the institution’s broadened curriculum, Dickinson State Teachers College became Dickinson State College in 1963. University status was granted in 1987 as the progression of education in the West River region was recognized by the State Board of Higher Education. The university was approved to offer its first master’s degree in 2017. In 2020, Dickinson State University was granted distinction as a Dual Mission institution, recognizing its commitment to both liberal arts and career and technical education. Through this distinction, DSU has added certificate programs, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees with the focus of serving southwest North Dakota and the state.
University Mission Statement
Dickinson State University is a regional comprehensive institution within the North Dakota University System, whose primary role is to contribute to intellectual, social, economic, and cultural development, especially to southwestern North Dakota. The university’s mission is to provide high-quality, accessible programs; to promote excellence in teaching and learning; to support scholarly and creative activities; and to provide service relevant to the economy, health, and quality of life for the citizens of the State of North Dakota.
Academics at Dickinson State
The university long ago outgrew its original teachers’ college status and has since adopted a broader dual mission. The present programs include not only teacher education and the liberal arts but also specialized programs. There is opportunity for pre-professional study and career and technical programs in selected areas as well.
Recognizing the individuality of each student, the faculty strives not only to train students for future occupations but to stimulate students’ curiosity and challenge their abilities in many areas. Students build their programs around a core of general education courses, which include fine arts, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, and the social and behavioral sciences. Dickinson State University students are encouraged to complete their general education requirements by the end of their sophomore year. Students then direct their focus as juniors and seniors toward a major field of study. Dickinson State University believes that its curriculum offers students a vital combination of intellectual challenge, professional training, and practical experience.
Accreditations and Memberships
Dickinson State University is accredited by the:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036
- The University holds memberships in the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Council on Undergraduate Research, and Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
Theodore Roosevelt Center
Dickinson State University students are invited to take advantage of the opportunities for research and internships afforded by the Theodore Roosevelt Center. The TRC was established at Dickinson State University to study and analyze the life and legacy of the 26th president of the United States, for whom the North Dakota badlands was a second home. His papers are scattered in discrete collections at the Library of Congress, Harvard University, and elsewhere. In partnership with these organizations, and the soon-to-be Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL), the TR Center has undertaken to create a comprehensive digital library presenting Roosevelt’s letters, diaries, presidential papers, photographs, and ephemera. In 2024, Dickinson State received, through the TRPL, the Edmund Morris papers, which examined the life of TR and resulted in the series of books by the author. Through the digital library of primary source materials, a physical research library of books by and about Roosevelt, and through symposia, exhibits, and publications, the Center investigates and interprets, Roosevelt’s contributions to American life.
The Center cooperates with the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program in providing students with research and internship opportunities. The Center also offers public exhibits and programs, including an annual symposium on a theme from Roosevelt’s life, bringing nationally acclaimed scholars in history and the humanities to Dickinson State University. In collaboration with organizations in the region, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, the State Historical Society of North Dakota, and the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Center works to enrich the cultural experience for both residents and visitors to the area, deepening the understanding of the significance of Roosevelt’s time in the Dakota badlands.
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