Mar 23, 2026

2024-2026 Academic Catalog

Composite Social Science, B.S.

Location(s): Dickinson Campus, DSUlive, Bismarck Campus

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Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Composite Social Science is a major within the School of Education. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu or call 1-800-279-HAWK.

Degree Requirements:

General Education Courses
Major Courses
Minor Courses
Electives

Degree available in Bismarck and DSUlive

Career Options

Why should you pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree - Composite Social Science?

The Bachelor of Science degree in composite social science prepares its gradates for numerous and diverse careers in government service, counseling, and other occupations that handle servicing the needs of the public in dealing with government and social service agencies.

Possible Career Paths

Museum Director
Historian
Park Ranger
Document Researcher
Community Service Manager

Requirements

Composite Social Science Major Courses

HIST 103 - United States to 1877 Credits: 3
HIST 104 - United States Since 1877 Credits: 3
HIST 211 - World Civilizations to 1500 Credits: 3
HIST 212 - World Civilizations Since 1500 Credits: 3
HIST 310 - History of North Dakota Credits: 3
HIST 491 - History Seminar Credits: 3
History Electives (300-400) Credits: 18

Subtotal: 36

Students Must Select Two Areas of Study from the Following (24 Credits):

Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology

Economics:

ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3
ECON 202 - Principles of Macro-Economics Credits: 3
Economics Electives Credits: 3
Economics Electives (300-400) Credits: 3

Geography:

GEOG 121 - Physical Geography Credits: 3
GEOG 161 - World Regional Geography Credits: 3
Geography Electives Credits: 3
Geography Electives (300-400) Credits: 3

Political Science:

POLS 115 - American Government Credits: 3
Political Science Electives Credits: 6
Political Science Elective (300-400) Credits: 3

Psychology:

PSYC 111 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
Psychology Electives Credits: 6
Psychology Electives (300-400) Credits: 3

Sociology:

SOC 110 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3
SOC 115 - Social Problems Credits: 3
Sociology Electives Credits: 3
Sociology Electives (300-400) Credits: 3

Subtotal: 24

Total: 60

Semester Sequence

First Semester

ENGL 110 - College Composition I Credits: 3
HPER 100 - Concepts of Fitness & Wellness Credits: 2
POLS 115 - American Government Credits: 3
OR
PSYC 111 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
UNIV 100 - Freshman Seminar Credits: 1
General Education - Natural Science Course/Lab Credits: 4

Subtotal: 16

Second Semester

CSCI 101 - Introduction to Computers Credits: 3
ENGL 120 - College Composition II Credits: 3
MATH 103 - College Algebra Credits: 3
HIST 104 - United States Since 1877 Credits: 3
General Education - Creative Expression Course Credits: 3

Subtotal: 16

Third Semester

COMM 110 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Credits: 3
COMM 216 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
OR
GEOG 121 - Physical Geography Credits: 3
HIST 211 - World Civilizations to 1500 Credits: 3
ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3
OR
POLS 115 - American Government Credits: 3
OR
PSYC 111 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3
General Education - Literature Course Credits: 3

Subtotal: 15

Fourth Semester

GEOG 161 - World Regional Geography Credits: 3
HIST 212 - World Civilizations Since 1500 Credits: 3
HIST 310 - History of North Dakota Credits: 3
ECON 202 - Principles of Macro-Economics Credits: 3
OR
Social Science Elective - Social Science course of your choice Credits: 3
Elective - Any course of your choice Credits: 3

Subtotal: 15

Fifth Semester

History Elective - History Elective 300 or above Credits: 3
History Elective -History Elective 300 or above Credits: 3
Social Science Elective - Social Science course of your choice Credits: 3
Elective - Any course of your choice Credits: 3
Elective - Any course of your choice Credits: 3

Subtotal: 15

Sixth Semester

Elective - Any course of your choice Credits: 3
OR
Social Science Elective - Social Science course of your choice Credits: 3

History Elective - History Elective 300 or above Credits: 3
History Elective - History Elective 300 or above Credits: 3
Elective - Any course of your choice Credits: 3
Elective - Any course of your choice Credits: 3

Subtotal: 15

Seventh Semester

HIST 491 - History Seminar Credits: 3
History Elective - History Elective 300 or above Credits: 3
Social Science Elective - Social Science Elective 300 or above Credits: 3
Elective - Any course of your choice Credits: 3
Elective - Any course of your choice Credits: 3

Subtotal: 15

Eighth Semester

History Elective - History Elective 300 or above Credits: 3
Social Science Elective - Social Science Elective 300 or above Credits: 3
Elective - Any course of your choice Credits: 3
Elective - Any course of your choice Credits: 3
Elective - Any course of your choice Credits: 3

Subtotal: 15

Student Learning Outcomes

Composite social science graduates will:

Social Science Knowledge: Students will exhibit a descriptive knowledge of key theories, institutions, and processes related to the study of the social sciences. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, II, V, and VII.)
Critical Thinking/Analysis: Students will display knowledge of key historical, political, economic, and social issues using multiple perspectives. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes II, V, and VII.)
Understand and employ a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods for recording and explaining human experience. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes II, V, and VII.)
Understand and articulate how culture, society, and diversity shape the role of the individual within society and human relations across cultures. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes II, V, and VII.)
Assess the sociocultural contexts that influence individual and collective behavior. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes II, V, VI, and VII.)