Students who plan to attend a South Dakota public university may soon need to meet a new civics proficiency requirement to graduate.
At the December South Dakota Board of Regents meeting, an initiative was announced to ensure that students are prepared to actively participate in civic life once they graduate. This new initiative, part of an ongoing partnership between the Board of Regents and the South Dakota Legislature, will affect all new and transfer students starting fall 2025.
If the policy change is approved, students would take three credits of civics education to fulfill the requirement. The requirement will be integrated into the general education courses and focus on civics education through disciplines such as government, history, and political science. The intent is to enhance students’ understanding of civic affairs and values.
According to Board of Regents Executive Director, Nathan Lukkes, “The goal is to develop well-rounded individuals who possess the knowledge, values, and skills necessary to navigate and contribute to our democracy and local communities.” He went on to say, “This requirement reflects our commitment to fostering informed and responsible citizens ready to meet the challenges of today’s society.”
Key Learning Outcomes for the Civic Requirement include:
- Civic Knowledge – An understanding of the American politic system, including the Constitutional framework and democracy.
- Civic Values – An analysis of primary sources and exploring democratic principles such as justice and equality and applying these to historical and contemporary issues.
- Civic Skills – Engaging in hands-on civic participation as well as articulating political issue viewpoints, practicing civil discourse, and evaluating involvement in democratic processes.
The six South Dakota public universities include: Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota State University, and University of South Dakota.
