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Get your BSN in the Black Hills of South Dakota
Students who wish to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can receive SDSU's high-quality nursing education in Rapid City. We offer the Standard Option, a four-year nursing program leading to a BSN, in Rapid City. Classes meet at the Health Sciences Center in Rapid City. Students take coursework and participate in lecture, on-campus labs, and clinical rotations in Rapid City and surrounding communities.
Pre-nursing students apply to the Professional Nursing Major in the fall or spring semester, once all pre-requisite courses are completed or in progress. The Professional Nursing Major coursework can be completed in five semesters (or two and one half years).
Our students in Rapid City can opt to take their pre-requisite courses at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Black Hills State University (BHSU) in Spearfish, or at BHSU in Rapid City. Students can also take pre-requisite courses in Brookings and apply to the Professional Nursing Major at our Rapid City site. No matter where students take their pre-requisites courses, they apply for admission to SDSU and receive their nursing degree from SDSU. For detailed pre-requisite and Professional Nursing Major coursework please see the Standard Option Curriculum Plan.
Application Requirements
Before applying to the Professional Nursing Major keep in mind that students must:
- complete the pre-requisite courses, and
- meet the technical standards and eligibility requirements.
Students must apply for Fall admission by January 25 and Spring admission by September 25. Our College of Nursing FAQ and Application Checklist further explain the process. Please contact an Academic Advisor before applying or registering for classes to ensure courses are completed in the appropriate sequence.
Once you are ready to apply to the Professional Nursing Major, fill out the nursing application, available on our College of Nursing Application Page prior to the application deadline, and send it or bring it in to the Department of Nursing Student Services. If you are planning to transfer into the nursing major from another nursing program, you must send a letter to the College of Nursing stating why you wish to transfer and include three letters of recommendation (one from the dean or director of your former nursing program and two from faculty members).
Students admitted to the Professional Nursing Major must purchase a laptop computer that meets our computer requirement and complete the Undergraduate Nursing Compliance Requirements.
Housing Options in Rapid City
SDSM&T has on-campus housing available for nursing students. Check out the SDSM&T ResLife Office to see what is available. The South Dakota State - Rapid City Nursing page is also great resource for housing opportunities.
Check out this video produced by our nursing students in Rapid City!