Mission
Wounspe Wankatuya
College of Arts & Sciences
The Arts & Sciences Wounspe Wankatuya will provide fundamental coursework leading to degrees offered at the University. This program will foster the value of flexibility in a multicultural and interdisciplinary world. It will help students succeed academically, socially, and personally both locally and globally; and provide nurturing, tolerant, stimulating learning environments to expand the skills, talents, ideas, awareness and capacities of its students. The department will maintain a commitment to the specific needs and desires of the reservation community in order to strengthen the sovereignty of the Sicangu Oyate.
The Arts & Sciences Wounspe Wankatuya exists for two purposes, both of which are basic to the institution. The first is to provide culturally relevant four year and two year degrees (summarized below). The second purpose of the Arts & Science Wounspe Wankatuya is to serve other departments by offering courses required by those departments and the core curriculum. To this end, Arts & Sciences instructors teach composition, speech, literature, history, art, government, science, math and other humanities courses to all students.
The Arts & Science Wounspe Wankatuya offers three 4 year degrees:
• Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
The Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree exists to provide a solid background in the humanities to assist students who wish to possess a traditional college education with concentration areas in English/literature, Natural Science, Social Science, and History, and minors in Art, History, Math, Human Services, Natural Sciences, Social Science, English/Literature/Creative Writing, and Lakota Studies. One of the benefits of a liberal arts education is the chance to explore multiple areas of interest. Students also acquire the practical skills they need for lifelong learning and achievement—like research writing, communication, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning skills. As liberal arts majors, students get an overview of the arts, humanities (the study of the human condition), social sciences, mathematics and natural sciences, as well as a variety of skills that will help them excel in the workforce. It’s an educational style that can trace its roots back hundreds of years—and it has only gotten better with age.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Sciences provides a high level of expertise in modern technologies to provide students necessary skills to work within technology based fields. This program prepares students for careers as Systems Programmers, Computer System Analysts, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, or Software Developers in an application-based environment, and for further graduate work in computer science. Additional Computer Science electives and special topics, mathematics and science courses supplement a strong core of computer science courses, enabling students to design and implement software that requires complicated computations, data structures and interfaces.
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science is very much a generalist degree within the natural sciences. Focusing primarily on both the understanding of our natural and man-made environments, environmental science degrees draw from diverse fields of studies and require a strong background in the more traditional sciences: biology, physics, chemistry, geography, and ecology. In addition, environmental science degrees also draw heavily from the social sciences, such as economics, business, or sociology. The degree to which any of these fields of study becomes prevalent within an environmental science education largely depends on the chosen specialization the student. Due to the fact that environmental science is a generalist degree, students’ often complete specializations within a more select area, i.e. biology, Lakota land studies, range studies, etc. True to most science degrees, environmental science programs often require significant field work, lab work, or other data-oriented work.
The Arts & Sciences Wounspe Wankatuya offers four 2 year degrees:
• Associate of Arts Arts & Sciences
• Associate of Science Environmental Science
• Associate of Science Biological Science
• Associate of Science Physical Science
The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are the primary tools needed to fulfill the bridge function of Sinte Gleska University, which enables students to transfer to four year programs with confidence that they have a sound educational background and also familiarity with the academic experience that leads to self-assurance and academic success.
The Associate of Arts in Arts & Sciences lays the foundation for students to enter a baccalaureate program. Because of the expansive subjects studied, students are typically prepared to enter into any field they wish. Those who chose a concentration while earning their associate's degree can continue their undergraduate studies by majoring in that same concentration. Graduates of Arts & Science associate's degree may qualify to enter into various career fields that require a generalized college education. Employers seeking candidates with a broad knowledge, strong communication capabilities and critical-thinking skills may find the right employee in one with an associate's degree in Arts and Sciences.
The Associate of Science in Environmental Science teaches students about environmental protection regulations, environmental issues and the protection of natural elements such as water and air, which are essential for life. The associate’s degree program in environmental science is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions or as a foundation for further study. Students look at ways to prevent, correct or reduce damage to the environment and study scientific methods and principles related to environmental science. They might be required to conduct laboratory experiments and present results properly formatted. Graduates may continue their educational path in environmental policy - or environmental science - focused programs. The AS environmental sciences program prepares graduates to transfer their credits directly into the bachelors program.
The Associate of Science in Biological Science prepares students for transfer to upper-division colleges and universities to pursue a bachelor’s degree. People with an AS in biology can look forward to technician careers, all of which work close with scientists and biologists in many different industries. Some people obtain their degree as a stepping stone to a four-year degree; others turn their interest into a career. Biology is the primary life science from which students can enter specific fields of study as diverse as molecular biology, forestry, pathophysiology, neuroanatomy, and parasitology. Biology also provides the foundation for students who wish to become physicians, dentists, veterinarians, or other medical professionals. The curriculum is equivalent to the first two years of a baccalaureate program in Biology. Emphasis is placed on scientific method and critical analysis that will enable students to be contributors to any scientific or medical team.
The Associate of Science in Physical Science program focuses on understanding nature and the different technologies that impact society today. The physical sciences focus on non-living systems such as astronomy, geology, chemistry and physics. The program is designed to prepare students for transfer to baccalaureate institutions as majors in Physical Science or related science disciplines. Associate's degree programs in the physical sciences cover a range of fields, including chemistry, geography, geology, hydrology and physics. In addition to the physical sciences, an associate's degree program in this area provides a foundation in mathematics and life sciences. Students gain theoretical knowledge and laboratory skills beneficial for an entry-level career in the physical sciences and for continued study. Topics of study include: General chemistry, Physical geography, Geology, Earth Science, and Physics.
College of Arts & Sciences
The Arts & Sciences Wounspe Wankatuya will provide fundamental coursework leading to degrees offered at the University. This program will foster the value of flexibility in a multicultural and interdisciplinary world. It will help students succeed academically, socially, and personally both locally and globally; and provide nurturing, tolerant, stimulating learning environments to expand the skills, talents, ideas, awareness and capacities of its students. The department will maintain a commitment to the specific needs and desires of the reservation community in order to strengthen the sovereignty of the Sicangu Oyate.
The Arts & Sciences Wounspe Wankatuya exists for two purposes, both of which are basic to the institution. The first is to provide culturally relevant four year and two year degrees (summarized below). The second purpose of the Arts & Science Wounspe Wankatuya is to serve other departments by offering courses required by those departments and the core curriculum. To this end, Arts & Sciences instructors teach composition, speech, literature, history, art, government, science, math and other humanities courses to all students.
The Arts & Science Wounspe Wankatuya offers three 4 year degrees:
• Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
The Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree exists to provide a solid background in the humanities to assist students who wish to possess a traditional college education with concentration areas in English/literature, Natural Science, Social Science, and History, and minors in Art, History, Math, Human Services, Natural Sciences, Social Science, English/Literature/Creative Writing, and Lakota Studies. One of the benefits of a liberal arts education is the chance to explore multiple areas of interest. Students also acquire the practical skills they need for lifelong learning and achievement—like research writing, communication, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning skills. As liberal arts majors, students get an overview of the arts, humanities (the study of the human condition), social sciences, mathematics and natural sciences, as well as a variety of skills that will help them excel in the workforce. It’s an educational style that can trace its roots back hundreds of years—and it has only gotten better with age.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Sciences provides a high level of expertise in modern technologies to provide students necessary skills to work within technology based fields. This program prepares students for careers as Systems Programmers, Computer System Analysts, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, or Software Developers in an application-based environment, and for further graduate work in computer science. Additional Computer Science electives and special topics, mathematics and science courses supplement a strong core of computer science courses, enabling students to design and implement software that requires complicated computations, data structures and interfaces.
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science is very much a generalist degree within the natural sciences. Focusing primarily on both the understanding of our natural and man-made environments, environmental science degrees draw from diverse fields of studies and require a strong background in the more traditional sciences: biology, physics, chemistry, geography, and ecology. In addition, environmental science degrees also draw heavily from the social sciences, such as economics, business, or sociology. The degree to which any of these fields of study becomes prevalent within an environmental science education largely depends on the chosen specialization the student. Due to the fact that environmental science is a generalist degree, students’ often complete specializations within a more select area, i.e. biology, Lakota land studies, range studies, etc. True to most science degrees, environmental science programs often require significant field work, lab work, or other data-oriented work.
The Arts & Sciences Wounspe Wankatuya offers four 2 year degrees:
• Associate of Arts Arts & Sciences
• Associate of Science Environmental Science
• Associate of Science Biological Science
• Associate of Science Physical Science
The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are the primary tools needed to fulfill the bridge function of Sinte Gleska University, which enables students to transfer to four year programs with confidence that they have a sound educational background and also familiarity with the academic experience that leads to self-assurance and academic success.
The Associate of Arts in Arts & Sciences lays the foundation for students to enter a baccalaureate program. Because of the expansive subjects studied, students are typically prepared to enter into any field they wish. Those who chose a concentration while earning their associate's degree can continue their undergraduate studies by majoring in that same concentration. Graduates of Arts & Science associate's degree may qualify to enter into various career fields that require a generalized college education. Employers seeking candidates with a broad knowledge, strong communication capabilities and critical-thinking skills may find the right employee in one with an associate's degree in Arts and Sciences.
The Associate of Science in Environmental Science teaches students about environmental protection regulations, environmental issues and the protection of natural elements such as water and air, which are essential for life. The associate’s degree program in environmental science is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions or as a foundation for further study. Students look at ways to prevent, correct or reduce damage to the environment and study scientific methods and principles related to environmental science. They might be required to conduct laboratory experiments and present results properly formatted. Graduates may continue their educational path in environmental policy - or environmental science - focused programs. The AS environmental sciences program prepares graduates to transfer their credits directly into the bachelors program.
The Associate of Science in Biological Science prepares students for transfer to upper-division colleges and universities to pursue a bachelor’s degree. People with an AS in biology can look forward to technician careers, all of which work close with scientists and biologists in many different industries. Some people obtain their degree as a stepping stone to a four-year degree; others turn their interest into a career. Biology is the primary life science from which students can enter specific fields of study as diverse as molecular biology, forestry, pathophysiology, neuroanatomy, and parasitology. Biology also provides the foundation for students who wish to become physicians, dentists, veterinarians, or other medical professionals. The curriculum is equivalent to the first two years of a baccalaureate program in Biology. Emphasis is placed on scientific method and critical analysis that will enable students to be contributors to any scientific or medical team.
The Associate of Science in Physical Science program focuses on understanding nature and the different technologies that impact society today. The physical sciences focus on non-living systems such as astronomy, geology, chemistry and physics. The program is designed to prepare students for transfer to baccalaureate institutions as majors in Physical Science or related science disciplines. Associate's degree programs in the physical sciences cover a range of fields, including chemistry, geography, geology, hydrology and physics. In addition to the physical sciences, an associate's degree program in this area provides a foundation in mathematics and life sciences. Students gain theoretical knowledge and laboratory skills beneficial for an entry-level career in the physical sciences and for continued study. Topics of study include: General chemistry, Physical geography, Geology, Earth Science, and Physics.
