Accelerated BSN Programs in South Dakota

Program Length & Format

• 16-month
• Requires completion of 50 credit hours within the nursing program
• Full-time plan of study with daytime classes
• Program begins each fall

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required
• Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher required
• Successful completion of all pre-requisite courses is required

Prerequisites

• Pre-requisite course transcripts will be analyzed for equivalencies

Deadlines

• Application deadline for admission is February 15th

Cost & Financial Aid

• tution: $640/credit hour (2026-27 cohort) or $620/credit hour (2025-26 cohort)
• Nursing fees are approximately $855/semester (2026-27) or $820/semester (2025-26)
• Augustana student fees are $65/credit hour
• Sanford Health Nursing Scholarship available ($10,000 over 16 months)

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical opportunities available at:
  • Sanford and Avera Health
  • Veterans Affairs Sioux Falls Healthcare System
  • Sioux Falls Schools
  • Bethany Lutheran Home
  • Children’s Home Society
  • Lutheran Social Services Refugee and Immigration Program
  • South Dakota Department of Health

Program Length & Format

• 12 months (five compressed semesters)
• Term length: variable-week terms, typically 8 to 12 weeks
• Typical course load: 11–13 credits per term
• Delivery locations: Sioux Falls campus (Southeast Technical College Terrance Sullivan Health Science Center) and Rapid City campus (Black Hills State University, Rapid City campus)
• Course delivery modes: classroom lectures, on-campus labs, simulation laboratory, clinical rotations in local communities

Admission Requirements

• Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.700 or higher
• Minimum grade: “C” or higher in all completed courses required for graduation
• Completion required before program start: all prerequisite coursework, System General Education Requirements (SGRs), and enough electives to total 120 credits
• Applicants may apply with prerequisite courses in progress if courses are completed before first semester start and proof of enrollment is provided
• Number admitted per cohort: Sioux Falls 48 students (August); Rapid City 72 students (January)

Entrance Exams

• English proficiency exams required for students who meet definition of English as a Second Language:
  • TOEFL iBT minimum: 79 overall with minimum speaking score 26
  • IELTS minimum: 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each module
  • Duolingo minimum score: 110
• TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores required before acceptance for ESL-designated applicants

Prerequisites

• BIOL 221/221L Human Anatomy with lab (4 credits)
• BIOL 325/325L Physiology with lab (4 credits)
• MICR 231/231L General Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
• NUTR 315 Human Nutrition (3 credits)
• CHEM option (4 credits): CHEM 106/106L or CHEM 108/108L or CHEM 112/112L or CHEM 114/114L
• PSYC 101 General Psychology (3 credits)
• SOC 100 or SOC 150 or SOC 240 or ANTH 210 (3 credits)
• HDFS 210 Lifespan Development (3 credits)
• Elective credits as needed to reach 120 total credits must be completed before program start

Deadlines

• Rapid City:
  • Application opens: first week of February
  • Priority review date: August 25
  • Final deadline (rolling, space-available): through October 25
  • Program start: January
• Sioux Falls:
  • Application opens: first week of August
  • Priority review date: January 25
  • Final deadline (rolling, space-available): through May 25
  • Program start: August

Application

• Submit application to South Dakota State University (online)
• Submit application to the College of Nursing professional nursing major (online)
• Provide unofficial or official transcripts with nursing application
• Complete interview/essay assessment via Kira Talent upon invitation
• Provide proof of enrollment for courses in progress at time of application

Selection Process

• Admissions review considers a combination of experiences, attributes and metrics
• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission
• Admission numbers may vary based on available clinical facilities, faculty and resources
• Applicants notified of acceptance by university email
• Acceptance conditional on completion of post-admission requirements (background check, drug screen, immunizations, CPR, health insurance, laptop purchase where required)

Wait List Policies

• Rolling admission used on a space-available basis until final deadlines
• Qualified applicants may be offered placement at alternate College of Nursing locations or placed on a waiting list for preferred location

Cost & Financial Aid

• Tuition per credit (2025-26 South Dakota Board of Regents rates):
  • South Dakota residents: $451 per credit; estimated curriculum cost $27,962
  • South Dakota Advantage states (IA, NE, ND, CO, MT, WY, IL, WI): $451 per credit; estimated curriculum cost $27,962
  • Nonresident: $572 per credit; estimated curriculum cost $35,464
• Additional program costs: textbooks, background checks, travel, ATI bundle, clinical requirements, licensing and testing fees
• Scholarships: over $532,000 in scholarships awarded in 2024

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations and on-campus labs conducted at Sioux Falls or Rapid City and surrounding communities
• Clinical placement subject to agency compliance requirements and may be affected by background check or immunization status
• Simulation facility accreditation: South Dakota State University College of Nursing Healthcare Simulation Center accredited by Society for Simulation in Healthcare from Oct. 25, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2027

Credit Transfer

• Students with a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution are considered to have satisfied System General Education Requirements
• Elective and transfer credits must be completed prior to program start to reach 120 total credits

Contacts

• Sioux Falls program coordinator: Ali Christopherson, Professional Academic Advisor/Coordinator; SDSU Sioux Falls Campus, 2300 N. Career Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57107; 605-367-5636
• Rapid City program coordinator: Gale Folsland, Professional Academic Advisor; SDSU Rapid City Campus (BHSU - RC), Room 114H, 4300 Cheyenne Blvd, Box Elder, SD 57719; 605-718-4369 or 605-394-2880 (messages)
• Nursing Student Services office: Physical address 1060 Campanile Ave., Brookings, SD 57007; Mailing: Wagner Hall 255, Box 2275, Brookings, SD 57007; Hours Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Program Length & Format

• Four-semester
• Classes start annually each January
• Schedule includes spring, summer, fall, and following spring semesters
• On-campus instruction in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any field
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all previous college coursework
• Minimum GPA of 2.75 in required prerequisite courses
• Submission of three professional references
• Completion of the Accelerated Nursing Program application
• Passed comprehensive background check
• Proof of English proficiency for non-native speakers
• Possible on-campus interview before admission

Entrance Exams

• No entrance exam

Prerequisites

• Completion of college-level prerequisite courses with grade of C- or better
• Required courses include:
  • Biology of Microorganisms
  • General Psychology
  • Human Anatomy Lab
  • Human Development
  • Human Physiology Lab
  • Introduction to Chemistry Lab
  • Intro to Organic & Biochemistry Lab
  • Nutrition
• Prerequisites completion encouraged before application but can apply if not all completed
• Faculty evaluate course recency on individual basis

Deadlines

• Applications accepted starting March 1 each year
• Priority deadline: July 1, 2025
• Final deadline: January 2, 2026
• Submission recommended by December 15 for adequate review time

Application

• Application submitted through NursingCAS
• Requires:
  • Completed application form
  • Three professional references submitted directly by referees
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
  • Transcripts must be official with registrar’s seal and signature
  • Proof of English proficiency required if applicable

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis after receipt of all materials
• Admission decisions based on space availability and application review
• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission
• Possible on-campus interview as part of admission process

Cost & Financial Aid

• Tuition per credit: $450
• Program credit requirements: 57-60 credits
• Financial aid available through FAFSA (school code 003469)
• Students must submit FAFSA annually (two FAFSAs required during program)
• Additional financing options include private loans and interest-free payment plans

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Patient care clinical experience begins first semester
• Clinical practice covers all nursing areas and patient age spans
• Use of nursing simulation technology in on-campus labs and during clinical rotations

International Students

• Must provide proof of English proficiency
• Acceptable tests: TOEFL (minimum composite 84, speaking 26) or IELTS (minimum band 6.5, no score below 6.0)
• Must have Bachelor’s degree from accredited U.S. institution

Contacts

• University of Sioux Falls
• Address: 1101 W 22nd St, Sioux Falls, SD 57105
• Phone: 605.331.5000
• Email: [email protected]
• Nursing program email: [email protected]