Frequently Asked Questions

Many of the questions students have asked can be answered by reviewing the South Dakota State University Undergraduate Catalog.

SDSU Undergraduate Catalog

This book is an important source of information about requirements for graduation, curriculum and courses, and virtually everything you need to know about SDSU.  The Catalog is a valuable piece of information to undergraduates because it becomes your contract with the University (you will only be held to the requirements of the Catalog under which you matriculated).  The College of Nursing website is also a good source of information specific to the College.

College of Nursing

Some of the questions that are frequently asked have been added to this webpage.  If, after reviewing the above-listed resources, you still have questions, do not hesitate to call your advisor (605-688-4106), send an e-mail, or stop by the office (SNF 131).  The pre-nursing academic advisor for Brookings Main Campus is:

Meghan Peterson
E-mail: Meghan.Peterson@sdstate.edu

Academic Advising at SDSU

Q: What is the purpose of academic advising?
A: Academic advising supports SDSU's educational objective of guiding each student in the attainment of intellectual and professional competency, growth of personal development, a sense of social and civic responsibility, and satisfactory adjustments in human relationships (SDSU 2007-2008 Undergraduate Bulletin, p. 30)

Q: How do I get an advisor?
A: Each student is assigned an academic advisor within the student's major.  The College of Nursing is somewhat unique in the sense that there are several academic advisors who only advise (not teach) in the East River location and one at the Rapid City (West River) location:

Meghan Peterson works with pre-nursing students on the Brookings campus:
E-mail: Meghan.Peterson@sdstate.edu

Susan Rosen works with RN Upward Mobility students:
E-mail: Susan.Rosen@sdstate.edu

Anna Atteberry works with all Sioux Falls students, including pre-nursing, NACC, and graduate:
E-mail: Anna.Atteberry@sdstate.edu

Carol Racanelli works with students in Rapid City including pre-nursing and standard:
E-mail: Carol.Racanelli@sdstate.edu

Q: Are advisors evaluated?
A: The University is developing an advisor evalution program.  In the meantime, questions or concerns regarding advisors or the advising process can be directed to the Nursing Student Services Department Head, 605-688-4106, SNF 131.

Advisor's Roles and Responsibilities

Q: What does my Academic Advisor do?
A: The role of the Academic Advisor is to be a sensitive, knowledgeable, and skilled link that enhances the advisee's relationship with the University.  The Academic Advisor assists the student in achieving educational goals. (SDSU 2007-2008 Undergraduate Bulletin, p. 28)

The Academic Advisor is responsible for the following areas: maintaining advisee records, furnishing accurate academic information, knowing advisees, guiding Major program planning, monitoring academic decision-making, referring to appropriate campus and community resources, encouraging timely progress toward degree, advocating professional responsibilities, and retention. (SDSU 2007-2008 Undergraduate Bulletin, p. 30) 

Student's Rights and Responsibilities

Q: As a student, what are my rights?
A: You have the right to an advisor who fulfills the SDSU advising goals, roles, and responsibilities.  You have the right to know and have timely access to an assigned advisor.  You have the right to protection and review of academic advising-related files and materials in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  You have the right to receive pertinent and accurate information as needed for career, academic, and employment planning.  You have the right to request a change of academic advisor assignment and the right to clear procedures for conveying concerns relative to the quality of advising help. (SDSU 2007-2008 Undergraduate Bulletin, p. 30)

Q: As a student, do I have any responsibilities?
A: Students are responsible for the following: 1) initiating and advancing timely career and academic-related plans and discussions with the advisor; 2) initiating regular progress appointments and seeking advisor assistance when problems arise; 3) fulfilling additional requirements as agreed upon during discussions with the advisor; and 4) recognizing that the ultimate responsibility for timely completion of academic requirements rests with the student. (SDSU 2007-2008 Undergraduate Bulletin, p. 30)

Bachelor of Science Curriculum

Q: Tell me about SDSU's nursing program.
A: South Dakota State University provides a state-of-the-art nursing program that prepares graduates for the diversity necessary to practice anywhere in the United States.  An emphasis in liberal studies and humanities, as well as in social and natural sciences, provides the foundation for a student's nursing education.  The College of Nursing has more hours of clinical instruction than any other program in the state, according to the South Dakota Board of Nursing.  Hands-on clinical internships are available at many of our state hospitals.  The College's programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education [External Hyperlink] (CCNE) and approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing.

Q: How long does it take to earn a Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing?
A: The degree is designed to be completed in 8 semesters (4 years).  Students typically take 16-17 credits per semester.  Summer school is not required.  The Bachelor of Science degree at SDSU includes 3 semesters of pre-requisites (see question below for more information about pre-requisites) and 5 semesters of nursing courses.

Q: How many pre-requisites do I have to take:
A: The 3 semesters of pre-requisites include courses that meet the University's General Education Core (System Graduation Requirements or SGRs and Institutional Graduation Requirements or IGRs).  Beginning Fall 2008, the 3 semesters of pre-requisites include CHEM 106 or 112; SOC 100, 150, or 240; SGR Goal #5 Mathematics (MATH 102, 104, 115, 120, 121, 123, 125, 225, or STAT 281); ENGL 101 Composition I; 3 credits of SGR Goal #4 Humanities; IGR Goal #2 Personal Wellness (BIOL 105, GS 143, HSC 212, PHA 201, PSYC 267, or WEL 100); PSYC 101 General Psychology; CHEM 108 or 114; SGR #2 Oral Communication (SPCM 101, 215, or 222); BIOL 221 Anatomy; IGR Goal #1 Land & Natural Resources; HDFS 210 Lifespan Development; MICR 231 General Microbiology; NFS 321 Human Nutrition; and BIOL 325 Physiology.

Undergraduate Nursing Curriculum Plan: Standard Option

Q: What is the difference between the Bachelor's Degree and an Associate's Degree?
A: Before discussing differences, let's look at similarities between the programs: graduates from both programs take the licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed as registered nurses; students take arts and sciences to support the nursing core requirements; entry-level staff nurse positions appear similar (however the baccalaureate-prepared nurse has a broader educational background, thus affording greater career opportunities); and students complete coursework in communication skills, technical skill mastery, and clinical care of child-bearing women, psychiatric patients, and children and adults with health variations.

Now the differences.  An Associate Degree requires 66-91 credits and 585-810 clinical practice hours, and can be completed in 4-6 semesters.  Graduates of Associate Degree programs are classified as Technical Nurses.  They have basic nursing knowledge and are prepared to work in structured settings with less complex patients.  They direct themselves and others, and work as part of a team.  A Baccalaureate Degree requires 122-128 credits and 818-945 clinical practice hours.  Graduates are classified as Professional Nurses.  In addition to basic knowledge, the baccalaureate student completes courses in professional issues, statistics, public health science, research, health promotion and maintenance, health assessment, pathophysiology, community health and leadership.  Graduates are prepared to work in unstructured settings with more complex patients, and they manage/direct themselves and others, and work in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.

Repeating Courses

Q: When do I have to repeat a course?
A: All courses required for graduation must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.  Any grade less than a "C" must be replaced.  All courses taken appear on the academic transcript, but when a course is repeated, only the most recent grade will be calculated into the GPA. 

Q: I'm getting a "D" in Physiology.  Should I drop it or take the "D"?
A: The College of Nursing views the "D" as a failing grade, so you would have to repeat the course if you take the "D" (see previous question).  You must weigh dropping the course and having a "W" appear on your transcript vs. having a "D" calculated into your GPA.

Transferring

Q: Can I take a course at the community college close to my hometown over the summer and transfer the credit to SDSU?
A: Typically, many of the pre-requisite courses students must take will transfer to SDSU from another institution.  To ensure you will receive appropriate credit, check the SDSU Transfer Equivalency Calculator [External Hyperlink] to see if a course you are considering has previously been evaluated by the SDSU Registrar's Office (688-6195) or check with your advisor to make sure the course you wish to take will equate to the proper SDSU course.

Q: Can I transfer into the Nursing Major from another institution?
A: Transfer students must submit official transcripts as part of the University's admissions process.  They must also submit a letter to the College of Nursing indicating the reason they are requesting to transfer and provide three letters of recommendation from former nursing faculty, including the director of the previous nursing program (SDSU 2007-2008 Undergraduate Bulletin, pg. 115).  The College of Nursing evaluates transcripts to award appropriate credit.  If a transfer student has completed all pre-requisites, he/she is welcome to apply to the Nursing Major.

Applying to the Nursing Major

Q: When do I apply to the Nursing Major?
A: Students apply to the nursing major as the last semester of pre-requisites are in progress (spring or fall only; projected summer courses do not count).

Q: How many students are accepted?
A: The College of Nursing admits new classes into the major every fall and spring semester.  Effective Fall 2006, 80 students will be admitted each fall and spring on the Brookings Campus, and 48 will be admitted in Rapid City (West River Department).

Q: What happens if I am not admitted?
A: Admission into the Nursing Major is very competitive, and the College of Nursing always receives more applications than there are available spaces in the program.  If a student is qualified but not admitted, he/she is placed on the waiting list.  Students on the waiting list usually apply to the Nursing Major the following semester.  During that semester, students often take electives or Nursing Major support courses (such as STAT 281, ENGL 201, or HSC 443).

Q: What are the criteria for admission?
A: Admission into the Nursing Major is very competitive.  Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 and no grade lower than a "C" in all pre-requisite and support courses in order to be considered qualified.  Beginning Fall 2008, the admission process will also include an interview with the Admissions Committee.  All students admitted to the Nursing Major must purchase a Gateway Laptop through the eSDSU Laptop Program.  For more information on Admissions to the Nursing Major, see CON Admission Information.

Gateway Computer Requirement Rationale

Q: How are applications evaluated?
A: A committee evaluates the applications.  A score sheet is available from Nursing Student Services (SNF 131).  Applicants are admitted based on their total point score.

Q: Where can I get an application?
A: The application is available online.  Nursing Major Application: Standard Option

Graduation Requirements

Q: How many credits do I need to graduate?
A: 128

Q: I took an AP exam.  Will I receive credit for that?
A: Yes, if you earned the minimum score (typically 3, 4, or 5).  Students may also receive college credit through several testing programs such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or local challenge exams.  See Academic Evaluation & Assessment for more information.

Q: Does SOC 100 count as a Humanities?
A: No.  SOC courses are Social Sciences.  Humanities courses include disciplines such as Modern Language, Religion, Literature, Theater, Art, History (excluding U.S. History), and Philosophy.

Registering

Q: How do I register?
A: After meeting with your advisor, you can register for courses online using WebAdvisor.  See your Course Schedule book for detailed information.

Q: Doesn't the College of Nursing register me for courses?
A: The College only registers students for Nursing courses and support courses after you are admitted into the Nursing Major.

Q: What is WebAdvisor?
A: WebAdvisor is the University's online system that allows students to do everything from register for classes to check financial aid statements.

Q: How do I find WebAdvisor?
A: Click on the WebAdvisor link below or access the system from www3.sdstate.edu.

WebAdvisor 

Q: What can I do with WebAdvisor?
A: WebAdvisor allows students to do many things, the most important being registering for classes.  WebAdvisor is also the place to check grades since grade reports are no longer mailed.  Students can print unofficial transcripts, review schedules, review account summaries, search for open and closed course sections, and view financial aid statements.

Q: What is my WebAdvisor ID?
A: Your ID is typically your first initial, middle initial, and full last name (all lower case) without spaces or punctuation.

Last Updated: January 2008