St. Cloud State University

Student Handbook Majors and Minors

Majors and Minors

St. Cloud State University offers a number of academic programs not available at many other colleges and universities. New programs are being added regularly to help prepare students for ever changing career opportunities.

The student may select from two two-year associate degrees, five four-year bachelor's degrees, three master's degrees, a specialist degree, a fifth-year program in teacher education, and a sixth-year program. In addition, St. Cloud State provides preliminary preparation in 22 professional fields, such as law and medicine. Within these programs are hundreds of career possibilities.

The degree programs currently available at SCSU are evidence that the university is large enough to offer students many academic sequences in the depth required for completion without the inconvenience and expense of transferring to another institution.

There are a number of advantages to entering a major early. Declaring a major gives students some protection against changes in the program that might require more time in school and it provides students with the expert advice of a major adviser who understands both the program and career possibilities in the area. Admission to a major program is a significant factor in increasing your chances of successfully completing college. Your major department also will be better able to plan its course offerings and allocate its resources if it knows who its majors are and what courses they need. Students admitted to a major program also enhance their registration priority for some courses and they no longer need to get a permit to register each semester.

Associate In Elective Studies

Contact: Center for Continuing Studies, Phone: 308-3081.

The Associate In Elective Studies (A.E.S.) degree provides students an opportunity to develop and design their own two year programs of study. The degree may be earned by the completion of 96 credit hours of self-selected courses.

1. Requirements for The A.E.S. degree:
   1. Completion of any 60 semester credits with a 2.0 (C) average or better.
   2. Meet the residence requirement of St. Cloud State University as outlined in the undergraduate bulletin.
   3. No more than 48 credits in any one discipline will be applicable toward the A.E.S. degree.
2. Who is eligible: Students who meet the admission requirements of St. Cloud State University, or who, if currently or previously enrolled, have a 2.0 (C) average are eligible to apply for admission to the Associate in Elective Studies degree program. Application forms are available at the Center for Continuing Studies.

Bachelor of Elective Studies

Contact: Center for Continuing Studies, Phone: 308-3081

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 general education program. See B.E.S. advisor for details. Requirements for the degree are:

1. Completion of a minimum of 120 credits with a 2.00 "C" average.
2. At least 45 credits in upper-division (300-400) courses.
3. No more than 60 credits can be counted in any one discipline.
4. A maximum of 6 internship credits may be used as part of the 45 upper-division course work requirement.
5. A major or minor program is not required, but strongly encouraged. Students may complete majors and minors in those departments which indicated B.E.S. programs are available. See individual departmental listings.
6. Meet the residence requirement of St. Cloud State University as outlined in this bulletin.

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, Center for Continuing Studies.

Pre-Professional Programs

See the 2004-2006 Undergraduate Bulletin for pre-professional programs of study designed for those students who plan to transfer to a professional school rather than graduate from St. Cloud State University.

Students are responsible for knowing both the requirements in their program here at the university and the admission requirements of the particular professional school they plan to attend. It is very important for pre-professional students to get their program started with the proper courses. Because of their brief stay and very intensive schedule, proper advising is a must and advisers should be consulted as soon as possible for needed assistance.