College of Nursing

Welcome to Nursing at SDState

Whether you are attending college for the first time, considering a career change or you are a practicing nurse looking to take on more leadership responsibilities, we have a program for you.

We've been offering nursing education for over 80 years. With options across the state in Aberdeen, Brookings, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and online, we will make it possible to reach your nursing goals.

Our faculty provide education with firsthand knowledge, and our Healthcare Simulation Center offers state-of-the-art equipment and a realistic learning environment. The research we are doing is impacting and changing communities in our region, nation and world. Find your program or contact us to learn more.

#MeetSDStateNursing

Just the Facts

92% NCLEX passrate first time, 100% APRN passrate, 100% job placement

Explore our programs

Bachelor of Science

With three options including the standard Bachelor of Science (for those seeking a four-year program), accelerated Bachelor of Science (for those who already have a non-nursing bachelor's degree) and the RN to B.S.N. (for associate and diploma nurses), we can help you find an option that will turn your passion into a career.

Learn more about B.S.N.

Master of Science

We offer four Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.) specializations to help you reach your next career goal. Choose from the following: nurse administrator (online), clinical nurse leader (online), nurse educator (online) or family nurse practitioner (combination of on-campus and online course delivery).

Learn more about the M.S.

Postgraduate Certificate

A postgraduate certificate can help you take the next step in your career. Choose from the following options: clinical nurse leader (online delivery), nurse educator (online delivery), family nurse practitioner (blended face-to-face and online delivery) or our new psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (online delivery).

Learn more the postgraduate certificates

student with pediatric patient and parent

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Two pathways make the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) accessible. Choose master's to DNP or bachelor's to DNP

Learn more about the DNP

Doctor of Philosophy

Choose from two options, the 60-credit Ph.D. or 90-credit Ph.D. with specializations in health promotion and disease prevention in underserved and rural populations, health outcomes or nursing education.

Learn more about Doctor of Philosophy

Refresher courses

The RN and LPN refresher courses are designed to help inactive RNs and LPNs review and update their nursing knowledge and skills.

Learn more about our refresher courses

Schedule a visit!

If you're looking for a close-knit, supportive community, professors with firsthand experience and simulation labs with state-of-the-art technology, schedule a visit. You'll love what you see.

Schedule a visit