South Dakota State University

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.