GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Graduates of Bismarck State College are awarded degrees, program diplomas, or program certificates, depending on the number of credits and other requirements completed.

Graduation requirements are listed for each of the three degrees, the program diploma, and the program certificate on the following pages:

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to course work in the students' declared major and elective credits, the core of the curriculum is found in the general education requirements.

Philosophy of General Education
Bismarck State College is dedicated to providing innovative educational programs that develop individual abilities, strengthen human relationships, enhance community life, and heighten global consciousness. The General Education requirements at Bismarck State College promote the development of an informed and educated person who recognizes and respects the diversity of communities; understands the value of active, critical thinking; and is competent and proficient at fundamental skills which encourage a positive attitude toward lifelong learning and equip students to participate in a complex, interdependent world.

The ability to successfully function in a diverse society requires knowledge and awareness. This includes:

• recognition of the diversity of people;
• examination of one's attitudes, values and assumptions;
• recognition of the impact of past events on contemporary society; and
• knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in society.

The ability to communicate one's thoughts to others is essential in interpersonal relationships, working environments, and civic duties. This includes:

• clarity of thought, organization, and presentation in oral and written communication;
• organization, presentation, and transfer of ideas by electronic means; and
• communication of ideas and emotions through creative expression.

The ability to think in a manner that is imaginative, methodic, and even provocative can be the cornerstone of success for a student. This includes:

• recognition of the impacts of technology on society and of the responsible and ethical use of technology;
• identification of a problem and an approach to the solution that is realistic and/or creative;
• recognition and analysis of arguments that support divergent theories and perspectives; and
• interpretation of results and the reasonable drawing of conclusions.

TRANSFER OF GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (GERTA)
Students who attend colleges and universities in the North Dakota University System are guaranteed that approved general education requirements successfully completed at one of the NDUS institutions will transfer to other NDUS institutions. This practice was made possible when the State Board of Higher Education adopted the General Education Requirements Transfer Agreement (GERTA).

BSC students who complete the general education course requirements for either the Associate in Arts or the Associate in Science degree and who accumulate 36 semester hours of course work in the areas of communications; arts and humanities; social sciences; and mathematics, science and technology will be exempt from taking any additional lower division general education courses at any NDUS institution to which they transfer.

The following stipulations apply:

1. Requirements must be met through completion of BSC courses. Credits obtained through CLEP exams, military training, challenge exam credits or other similar programs do not apply.
2. Courses must be completed at colleges or universities in the North Dakota University System.
3. Students must have obtained a grade of C or above for the course to meet GERTA requirements.

Students who plan to transfer to other NDUS institutions and who have met the requirements (referred to as GERTA Paragraph One requirements) should contact the BSC Student Records Office. An NDUS General Education Requirements (GER) verification form will be completed by BSC Student Records staff and provided to, or on behalf of, the student making the request. GER verification forms document the fact that a student has completed NDUS GERTA Paragraph One requirements and is exempt from additional general education requirements.

The complete text of the State Board of Higher Education's General Education Transfer Agreement and the NDUS "Student Guide to Transfer Within the North Dakota University System" are available for reference purposes in administrative offices on campus, in the BSC Library and online at www.ndus.edu/students/ccn/gerta/default.asp.