South Dakota State University Healthcare Management Programs
South Dakota State University appears in our ranking of the Top 30 Best Online RN to BSN Programs.
Options for studying healthcare management at South Dakota State University include a Bachelor of Science in Community & Public Health and a Master of Public Health, as well as three minors that include health communication, health science, and health education. A related minor is available in the study of mental health services.
Prospective applicants entering college for the first time will likely apply to the Bachelor of Science in Community & Public Health program if their career goals include planning, implementing, and delivering health programs. The degree prepares graduates for entry into graduate school, as well as prepares them for work in their communities.
Some of the environments where a graduate with a B.S. in Community & Public Health might find employment include health care clinics, hospitals, counseling centers, health administration companies, and schools. Students can even enter graduate or professional programs like medical school or physical therapy school, as well as counseling or health administration programs.
To graduate with the bachelor’s degree, students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all classes required for the major. The Community & Public Health major is delivered online, as well as through face-to-face instruction. To complete the degree, students must take at least 120 credits. Classes required in the major include Wellness for Life & Lab, Complementary and Integrative Health Care, and Public Health Science.
Students who want to pursue their Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) will enter a program designed as a collaborative effort between the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University. The degree covers the five essential areas of health education that include biostatistics, health services administration, environmental health, social & behavioral sciences, and epidemiology.
The Master of Public Health program is delivered online with asynchronous presentations and online lectures. While in the program, students may work with the South Dakota Department of Health, the South Dakota Area Health Education Center, or Indian Health Services. Students must complete a total of 42 credits to earn their M.P.H.
Some of the courses a student may take in the graduate program include Public Health & Integrative Learning, Public Health Applied Practice Experience, Epidemiology, and Public Health Theory & Practice. Students will take at least 12 of their required credits in supporting areas like biology, nursing, nutrition, and pharmacy.
An RN to B.S.N. program is also offered fully online.
About South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University was established in 1881 and is a space-grant, land-grant, and sun-grant university. As a public research institution, the school is the largest in the state with more than 12,600 students enrolled. The South Dakota Board of Regents guides that school’s administration, as well as the six other public universities in the state. There are more than 670 academic staff members employed at the university, and its yearly budget is $323 million.
The university’s official colors are yellow and blue, and students play in NCAA Division I games in the Summit League. The university has been classified as a school with high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Many of the school’s graduate programs focus on math, engineering, and technology, and well-known programs include those in nursing, agriculture, and engineering.
South Dakota State University Accreditation Details
South Dakota State University was first accredited by the Higher Learning Commission in 1916 and has undergone reaccreditation routinely in the century since that time. The most recent accreditation cycle applauded several facets of the university, including its dedicated faculty and staff, student leadership, and quality new facilities. The university has also gained several academic accreditations and certifications from various agencies.
Accreditations have been earned from the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology for programs in computer science, construction management, and several engineering specializations. Additional accreditations have been earned from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration, the Accreditation Council for the Education of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism & Mass Communication.
South Dakota State University Application Requirements
Application requirements for first-year students at South Dakota State University include having a minimum 18 on the ACT or a minimum 950 on the reading, writing, & math sections of the SAT. The student’s high school GPA should be at least 2.6 on a 4.0 scale, and the student should also be in the top 60 percent of his or her graduating class. Applicants must also complete specific classes while in high school in English, math, and science.
Applicants will submit their admission application, an application fee of $20, and final high school transcripts. Also required are official standardized test scores and all transcripts from any previous college-level work. Homeschooled students are welcome to apply, and students with a GED can qualify for admission, too. Graduate programs have similar requirements, but students should always check for additional application requirements.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Campus tuition for undergraduate students varies from $128.25 per credit to $372.40 per credit. Different rates are charged for residents, nonresidents, students in-state reciprocity agreements, and military students. For graduate tuition, rates vary from $168.40 to $647.55 and are based on the student’s residency status. Students who are nonresident graduate assistance pay no tuition. There are different rates for students who decide to attend classes online or at one of the off-campus centers.
For example, undergraduate students online will pay $351.25 per credit hour, and qualified veterans in undergraduate classes will pay $94.00 per credit hour. Students may also be responsible for various fees that include those paid for student organizations, the student union, the wellness center, intercollegiate athletics, and the university’s transportation system.
Students interested in securing financial assistance for classes at South Dakota State University will work with the Office of Financial Aid, which requires that students submit a FAFSA form to qualify for federal grants, federal loans, and Work-Study awards. In addition to federal loans and grants, students may also apply for alternative student loans, qualify for veterans and military benefits, and apply for scholarships.
Prospective students can use the university’s financial aid calculator to figure out their total expected cost to attend the university. To receive institutional scholarships, students must submit a personal statement that offers details on the student’s interest in South Dakota State University, his or her academic goals, and the career goals a degree with help the student accomplish.