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Online Master's Degree Programs in South Dakota

South Dakota is home to a number of schools that are active in offering online degree programs. Several of South Dakota’s state-funded universities currently offer online programs, including online master’s programs in accounting, business administration, computer science, education, nursing, speech-language pathology, social work, and other fields. There are also several private, non-profit schools in South Dakota that have online master’s programs in a variety of fields. In addition, South Dakota residents can take advantage of the numerous accredited, non-profit colleges and universities located in other states that offer online master’s programs that accept out-of-state students.

This page provides an overview of public and private colleges and universities in South Dakota that offer online master’s programs in the state’s most common areas for master’s-level studies, as well as information about out-of-state schools in the South Dakota region that are active in offering online master’s programs that South Dakota residents may want to explore.

Schools in South Dakota That Offer Online Master’s Programs

Among the publicly funded, degree-granting institution of higher education in South Dakota are several large universities, including South Dakota State University in Brookings, the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, and Black Hills State University in Spearfish. These universities are overseen by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and they are all active in offering online master’s programs, as are several of the other public universities in the state. The table below lists the five largest state universities in South Dakota based on an analysis of recent enrollment numbers collected by the Department of Education for its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
South Dakota State University	Brookings	Yes
University of South Dakota	Vermillion	Yes
Black Hills State University	Spearfish	Yes
Northern State University	Aberdeen	Yes
Dakota State University	Madison	Yes

Among the private, non-profit schools that are located in South Dakota, there are some that have online degree programs, including online master’s programs. The table below lists the five largest of these schools based on an analysis of IPEDS enrollment data and includes the location of each institution’s main campus and information on whether or not the school offers online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
Augustana University	Sioux Falls	Yes
University of Sioux Falls	Sioux Falls	Yes
Mount Marty College	Yankton	No
Dakota Wesleyan University	Mitchell	Yes
Presentation College	Aberdeen	Yes

Schools in the South Dakota Region That Offer Online Master’s Programs

South Dakota is bordered by North Dakota to the north, Nebraska to the south, Minnesota and Iowa to the east and southeast, and Wyoming and Montana to the west. Each of these neighboring states is home to colleges and universities that offer online master’s programs, many of which are accredited and authorized to accept students who reside in South Dakota. North Dakota State University (NDSU), for example, has online master’s programs in biomedical engineering, computer science, education, cybersecurity, dietetics, natural resource management, public health, and other fields. The University of Nebraska, which has campuses in Lincoln, Kearney, and Omaha, offers a wide range of master’s programs through the University of Nebraska Online. Among these programs are online master’s programs in applied science, biology, business, criminology, education, finance, journalism, mathematics, nutrition, political science, public health, and social work.

Minnesota and Iowa are both home to schools that offer online master’s programs. St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, a private school located in the Twin Cities area, has online master’s programs in in accounting, cybersecurity, education, human resource management (HRM), business administration, public health, public administration, and social work. Iowa State University has programs in dietetics, education, gerontology, hospitality management, and youth development.

UW at a Distance is the academic division through which the University of Wyoming offers online programs, which include master’s programs in business administration, counseling, education, nursing, and public administration. Finally, Montana State University, which has campuses in Bozeman, Billings, and Havre, offers online master’s programs in teaching, education, land resource management, and environmental science,

The 15 Most Common Areas for Master’s Degree Studies in South Dakota

OnlineEducation.com has analyzed IPEDS data on the number of students graduating from master’s program at schools in South Dakota and identified the 15 most common areas for master’s degree studies in the state. These areas of study, listed in descending order, are:

Business Administration and Management
Educational Leadership and Administration
Education
Curriculum and Instruction
Human Services
Computer and Information Sciences
Secondary Education and Teaching
Counseling Psychology
Accounting
Social Work
Reading Teacher Education
Nurse Anesthetist
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Information Science/Studies
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services

The classifications used by IPEDS to sort master’s programs by subject area do not align precisely with the names of specific online master’s programs. However, an analysis of IPEDS graduation numbers provides a basis for determining the general types of master’s degree that are most commonly pursued by graduate students enrolled in programs offered by South Dakota schools. In the sections below, online master’s program in most of these fields are detailed. Each section provides information on South Dakota schools that offer online master’s programs in a specific field, as well as on schools in neighboring and regional states that offer online master’s programs in that field of study.

Online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Programs in South Dakota

The University of South Dakota (USD) and Dakota State University (DSU) are two public universities in South Dakota that have online Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs. Offered through the Beacom School of Business, USD’s online MBA program has a 33-credit Advanced Standing track for students who majored in business as undergraduates, and a 51-credit traditional track for students who do not have prior training in business. The program allows students to choose a general business administration curriculum or to opt for a concentration in: Business Analytics; Finance; Health Services Administration; Marketing; or Operations and Supply Chain Management. The DSU online MBA program has a nine-course core curriculum and two-course elective concentrations in: Analytics; Healthcare Informatics; Information Systems; Non-Profit Leadership; Supply Chain Management; and Sport Leadership.

The University of Sioux Falls and Dakota Wesleyan University are two private, non-profit schools in South Dakota that offer online MBA programs. The University of Sioux Falls has two online MBA program options: an online MBA in Management program; and an online MBA in Healthcare program. Both programs can be completed in 21 months of part-time enrollment. Dakota Wesleyan offers a general business administration online MBA program that can be completed in 12 months of full-time enrollment.

South Dakota residents may also want to explore the many options for earning an MBA online through schools located in other states, including several schools in the neighboring states of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Upper Iowa University, which is the largest private, non-profit university in Iowa, offers an online MBA program with a flexible enrollment structure that allows students to take courses at their own pace. Students in the program can complete a general business administration curriculum or choose from four specializations: Accounting; Corporate Financial Management; Human Resource Management; and Organizational Development.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) has an online MBA program, which is offered through its Lubar School of Business. The program gives students the option of taking all of their courses online or enrolling in a mix of online and on-campus courses. It has three specializations: Business Analytics; Marketing; and Supply Chain Management. The University of Minnesota has an online MBA program that features an optional on-campus residency or global experience, a general business administration curriculum, and electives in many areas, including entrepreneurial studies, international business, information systems, and medical industry leadership.

Finally, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers an Accelerated Online MBA program that can be completed in as few as 18 months by full-time students. It gives students the option of tailoring their degree by completing a certificate in one or more of 11 business specializations, including: Business Analytics; Cybersecurity Management; Cybersecurity Technology; Finance; Healthcare Analytics; Healthcare Administration; Human Resource Management; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; International Human Resource Management; Nonprofit Management; and Project Management.

Online Master’s in Education and Teaching Programs in South Dakota

There are a number of schools in South Dakota that offer various types of online master’s programs for teachers and educators. South Dakota State University (SDSU) has an online Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction program with Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education specializations. The program is designed for teachers who are certified and for teachers who do not require additional certifications or endorsements. SDSU also has an online MEd in Educational Administration program with Elementary and Secondary Education specializations, and two online Master of Science (MS) programs in educational specializations: an online MS in Chemistry (Chemical Education) program; and an online MS in Agricultural Education program.

The University of South Dakota (USD) offers an online Master of Arts (MA) in Educational Administration & Leadership program and an online MS in Technology for Education & Training program. The Educational Administration & Leadership program has specializations in Adult & Higher Education and in preK-12 Principal Licensure.

Black Hills State University (BHSU) is another state school in South Dakota that has several online master’s program options for teachers and educators. BSHU offers an online MS in Curriculum and Instruction program with specializations in: K-12 Mathematics Education; K-12 Technology Integrationist; Early Childhood Education; Early Childhood Special Education; K-12 Library Media; and K-12 Special Education. BHSU also has an online MS in Secondary Education teacher certification program that includes a student teaching practicum and an internship; and an online MEd in Reading program designed to prepare students for the K-12 Reading Specialist endorsement in South Dakota.

Northern State University offers three types of online programs for educators: an online Master of Science in Education (MSE) in Leadership and Administration program for K-12 teachers; an online MSE in Teaching and Learning program; and an online Master of Music Education program. And Dakota State University (DSU) offers an online Master of Science in Educational Technology (MSET) program.

Three of South Dakota’s private, non-profit schools offer online master’s programs in education specializations. Augustana University has an online MEd with five concentrations: Instructional Strategies; Reading; Special Populations; STEM; and Technology. The University of Sioux Falls has an online MEd in Educational Administration with an Adult and Higher Education curriculum. In addition, Dakota Wesleyan University has an online Master of Arts in Education (MAE) program with an Educational Policy and Administration specialization.

Outside of South Dakota there are a number of schools in neighboring and regional states that offer online master’s programs for teachers and educators. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), the University of Minnesota, Upper Iowa University, and Iowa State University are four schools in adjacent states offering programs that South Dakota residents may want to explore.

The School of Education at UWM has an online MS in Education Administration & Supervision program; an online MS in Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration program; and an online MS in Cultural Foundations of Community Engagement and Education program. The University of Minnesota Online has an online MEd in Family Education program with an Early Childhood Education focus; an online MEd in Education Administration program; and an online MEd in Professional Studies Learning Technologies program.

Upper Iowa University has an online MEd program that gives students the option of choosing from among specializations in: Early Childhood Education; English as a Second Language (ESL); Higher Education; Instructional Strategist; Reading Education; Talented and Gifted; and Teacher Leadership. Finally, Iowa State offers an online MEd in Instructional Technology program, and an online MEd in Higher Education program.

Note: Some online master’s in education programs require teachers to be licensed, while others may be designed to prepare students for eventual licensure or certification. Potential applicants should review program curricula carefully to determine admissions requirements and to ensure that a program aligns with their career goals, keeping in mind that licensing and certification requirements for teachers and educators vary by state. In fact, South Dakota residents who are considering online programs offered by out-of-state schools may want to review South Dakota’s teaching licensure requirements prior to initiating the application process to ensure that they will be eligible upon graduation for the type of licensure or certification required by South Dakota.

The University of South Dakota (USD) is the currently the only school in the state that offers a fully online Master of Social Work (MSW) program. USD’s online MSW program has an advanced generalist curriculum that covers training and instruction in clinical and macro/community practice social work. The program has two tracks: a 60-credit track for students who come into the program without prior training in social work; and a 36-credit Advanced Standing track for students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Both tracks require students to complete field education placements at sites approved by the program.

While there are no other schools in South Dakota that offer online MSW programs, South Dakota State University (SDSU) has an online Master of Science in Sociology – Community Development program that provides training and instruction in community human services management and administration. The program has four curricular specialization tracks: Working with Native Communities; Building Economic Capacity; Natural Resource Management; and Non-Profit Management. This program is not accredited by the CSWE, does not include a field education component, and thus does not prepare students to become licensed social workers.

South Dakota residents who are interested in exploring the options for earning an MSW degree online through a program offered by an out-of-state school in a neighboring state may want to consider the programs offered by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (SMUMN), The University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). SMUMN offers an online MSW program with a clinical social work curriculum that has full-time and part-time enrollment options and an Advanced Standing track for students who hold a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program. The University of Iowa has a part-time online MSW program with a macro/community practice focus.

Finally, UNI has an online MSW program with a clinical practice curriculum and a Trauma Informed Practice concentration. The UNI program has a Foundation Track for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work, and an Advanced Standing track for qualified graduates from CSWE-accredited BSW programs.

Note: MSW programs require field education, which means students must be prepared to engage in in-person training at clinical and or macro practice sites approved by the program. While many online MSW programs allow students to complete field placements at social work agencies in their community, South Dakota residents who are considering out-of-state programs may want to contact a program administrator regarding potential sites for field education. It is also important to note that licensing for clinical social workers is administered at the state level and that eligibility requirements vary by state. South Dakota residents who are considering an online MSW program offered by an out-of-state school should review South Dakota’s licensure requirements prior to submitting an application in order to ensure that a program will meet those requirements.

Online Master’s in Computer and Information Sciences Programs in South Dakota

Dakota State University (DSU) offers an online Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program with an optional Cyber Operations specialization and elective coursework in Cyber Defense, Analytics, and Information Systems. The program is offered 100% online through DSU’s Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences and has a flexible enrollment structure that allows students to graduate in two years of full-time enrollment or take up to five years to complete the degree requirements part-time.

South Dakota residents may want to explore two programs offered by Iowa State University in computer science fields. Iowa State’s College of Engineering has an online Master of Engineering (MEng) in Computer Engineering program that includes coursework in computing and networking systems, software systems, and advanced electronics, as well as an online Master of Science (MS) in Human Computer Interaction program, which features classes in cognitive psychology and the design of computer interfaces, computer applications, and digital learning environments.

Bellevue University in Nebraska is another school in a neighboring state with online master’s programs in computer and information technology systems. Among Bellevue’s online offerings are an MS in Computer Information Systems program with specializations in Databases, Software Development, and Security, and an MS in Management Information Systems with five concentration options: Business Administration; Business Analytics; Cybersecurity; Information Security Management; and Information Technology Project Management.

Online Master’s in Counseling Programs in South Dakota

The University of South Dakota (USD) is the only school in the state that currently offers an online master’s program in a counseling specialization. The program offered by USD is an online Master of Arts (MA) in Addiction Studies program and it is designed to prepare students to apply for professional licensure in addiction counseling from the South Dakota Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals. It is accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC) and it requires students to complete a supervised addiction counseling internship.

South Dakota residents who are interested in earning an online master’s in counseling degree with a specialization in clinical mental health counseling may want to explore the program offered by Bellevue University, a private, non-profit school located in the neighboring state of Nebraska. Bellevue has an online Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program that is designed to prepare students for licensure in most states. The program includes a 100-hour clinical practicum and 600 required internship hours, and students in the program must attend two campus residency sessions.

Minnesota’s Crown College has an online MA in Counseling program with a curriculum that includes coursework in clinical mental health counseling, addiction treatment, multi-cultural counseling, and marriage and family therapy. In addition, the University of Wyoming offers an online MS in Counseling program with a Community Mental Health Counseling track and a School Counseling track.

Note: Online master’s in counseling programs require practicums and/or internships that must be completed at a program-approved site. It may thus be advisable to contact a program administrator regarding clinical placements prior to submitting an application to an online program, particularly if the program is offered by an out-of-state school. South Dakota residents who are considering online master’s in counseling programs offered by out-of-state schools should also be aware that licensing requirements for professional counselors vary by state. To ensure that an online master’s in counseling program provides adequate preparation for licensure in South Dakota, potential applicants should review South Dakota’s licensing requirements prior to initiating the application process.

Online Master’s in Accounting Programs in South Dakota

There is one school in South Dakota that offers an online master’s in accounting program. The University of South Dakota (USD) has a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) program that allows students to complete all of the degree requirements online or through a mix of online and campus-based classes. The program gives students the option of completing an Accounting Analytics concentration while earning their MPA degree.

Among the out-of-state schools that offer online master’s in accounting programs are several in states that share a border with South Dakota. For example, Nebraska’s Bellevue University has an online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program. The program has concentrations in Finance and Taxation. Bellevue’s online MSA program requires students to complete 36 credits of coursework and includes an accounting internship that takes place at sites approved by the program.

South Dakota residents may also want to explore the online Master of Science (MS) in Accountancy program offered by Wisconsin’s Edgewood College. The Edgewood program is designed for students who have an academic and/or professional background in accounting and/or business. The school gives admissions preference to candidates who have five or more years of relevant professional experience and/or a bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting. Applicants who do not meet these qualifications must demonstrate that they have taken college-level courses in economics, statistics, mathematics, finance, business law, accounting, and taxation.

Note: Earning a master’s degree in accounting is one way to qualify to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. However, CPA eligibility requirements vary by state. As a result, South Dakota residents who are considering online master’s in accounting programs offered by out-of-state schools may want to review South Dakota’s CPA requirements prior to submitting an application.

Online Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Programs in South Dakota

Registered Nurses (RNs) in South Dakota can earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree online from South Dakota State University (SDSU), which offers an online Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) MSN program, an online Nurse Educator MSN program, and an online Nurse Administrator MSN program. The CNL program requires 420 clinical hours at a program-approved site. Students in the Nurse Administrator and Nurse Educator programs must complete 180 clinical hours.

Outside of South Dakota, there are several schools in the region that offer online MSN programs, including several schools in neighboring states. Nebraska’s Clarkson College has an online MSN program with Nursing Administration and Nursing Education tracks. Clarkson also offers two Nurse Practitioner (NP) MSN specializations online: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP); and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP). The NP specializations require students to attend a limited number of sessions at Clarkson’s Omaha campus.

The University of Wyoming is another school in a neighboring state that has an online MSN program. The University of Wyoming program has two specialization tracks: Nurse Educator; and Nurse Leader. Both specializations require students to complete a rural healthcare leadership practicum. While the program can be completed in five semesters, students are allotted up to six years to graduate from the University of Wyoming’s MSN program. The Nylen School of Nursing at Iowa’s Morningside College has an online MSN with three specializations: CNL; FNP; and AGPCNP. Students in the program are required to attend one on-campus residency and complete a clinical practicum at a site approved by the program.

Note: RNs in South Dakota who are considering online MSN programs offered by out-of-state schools should be aware of two factors. Licensing for nurses is administered at the state level and requirements vary by state. RNs who are considering online programs offered by out-of-state schools should review South Dakota’s licensing requirements in advance to ensure that a program’s curriculum meets those requirements. In addition, online MSN programs require clinical practicums and/or internships. While many programs allow students to complete their clinical hours at a site in their geographical area, it may be helpful to contact a program representative regarding clinical placements prior to applying to a program, particularly if the program is offered by an out-of-state school.

Online Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Programs in South Dakota

Currently, there are no online master’s in speech-language pathology (SLP) offered by schools in South Dakota. However, there are two schools in neighboring states that do have online programs. Idaho State University in Pocatello offers an online Master of Science (MS) in SLP program that is accreditated by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). The program takes 36-months to complete and requires students to attend two clinical practicums held during the summers on the school’s Pocatello and Meridian campuses. In addition, the program requires students to complete an eight-week clinical externship at an approved site.

The University of Montana offers an ASHA-accredited online MS in SLP program that can be completed in four semesters and two summer terms. Students in the program must attend a clinical practicum in the summer following the program’s first two semesters at the University of Montana’s RiteCare Clinic. In addition, students are required to complete supervised clinical hours at an off-campus site approved by the program in order to reach the 375 clinical hours required to graduate. Students in the program can choose between two areas of emphasis: Developmental Disorders; and Acquired Disorders.

Finally, the University of Minnesota-Eu Claire has an online MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders program with a curriculum that is accredited by ASHA for training in SLP. The program is part-time and takes three years to complete. Students in the program are given the option of completing clinical hours at the University of Minnesota-Eu Claire’s Center for Communication Disorders or at an off-campus clinical site.

Note: Online master’s in SLP programs require students to complete clinical hours at program-approved sites. To ensure that a convenient location for clinical placements can be found, potential applicants to online programs may want to contact a program representative prior to initiating the application process. In addition, South Dakota residents should be aware that speech-language pathologists are licensed at the state level and licensing requirements vary by state. It is thus advisable to review South Dakota’s licensing requirements prior to applying to programs offered by out-of-state schools to ensure the curriculum provides the training needed for licensure in South Dakota.