Program Overview

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Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at South Dakota State University is designed to prepare students for a career in nursing. The program offers four pathways: Standard BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, and Online BSN.

Standard BSN

The Standard BSN program is a traditional four-year degree program that includes two years of prerequisite coursework and two years of nursing coursework. The program is offered in Brookings, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls.

• Prerequisite coursework typically takes two years to complete
• Nursing coursework takes two years or five semesters to complete
• Students can take prerequisite courses at SDSU or another institution
• The program includes over 800 clinical hours in on-campus and off-campus clinical settings

Accelerated BSN

The Accelerated BSN program is a fast-track program that allows students to earn their BSN in as little as 12 months. The program is offered in Rapid City and Sioux Falls.

• The program is designed for students who have a non-nursing bachelor's degree
• Completion time is as fast as 12 months
• The program includes over 800 clinical hours in on-campus and off-campus clinical settings

RN to BSN

The RN to BSN program is designed for registered nurses who want to pursue their BSN. The program is offered 100% online.

• The program is designed for registered nurses who want to advance their education
• The program is offered 100% online
• Students can complete the program at their own pace

Online BSN

The Online BSN program is designed for students who want to earn their BSN online. The program is offered to students living in South Dakota.

• The program is designed for students who want to earn their BSN online
• The program is offered to students living in South Dakota
• The estimated time of completion is 21 months

Admission Criteria

Admission to the BSN program is competitive, and students must meet certain criteria to be considered for admission.

• Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher
• Completion of prerequisite coursework
• Completion of System General Education Requirements
• Elective credits must be completed before starting the nursing program

Curriculum

The BSN curriculum includes a combination of nursing coursework and clinical experiences.

• Nursing coursework includes classes such as Assessment of Individuals and Populations, Professional and Population Health Nursing, and Clinical Judgment
• Clinical experiences include over 800 hours of on-campus and off-campus clinical rotations

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for the BSN program vary depending on the location and the student's residency status.

• South Dakota residents: $451 per credit
• South Dakota Advantage: $451 per credit
• Non-residents: $572 per credit

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the BSN program will have the knowledge and skills to:

• Integrate knowledge, skills, and values from liberal education into the nursing discipline
• Integrate nurse-led initiatives and leadership to improve the quality and safety of healthcare
• Incorporate evidence-based practice in complex healthcare systems to enhance quality of care and safety
• Demonstrate proficiency in informatics and healthcare technologies to support the healthcare process and improve outcomes

RN to Grad Program

The RN to Grad program is designed for registered nurses who want to pursue their graduate degree.

• The program allows students to substitute up to four graduate-level courses (12 credits) into their RN to BSN curriculum
• Students can complete their graduate coursework online
• The program is designed to help registered nurses advance their education and career

Admission Criteria for RN to Grad Program

Admission to the RN to Grad program is competitive, and students must meet certain criteria to be considered for admission.

• 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Completion of RN to BSN requirements and applicable graduate program requirements
• Admission to both the RN to BSN program and the respective graduate program at the time of admission

Tuition and Fees for RN to Grad Program

Tuition and fees for the RN to Grad program vary depending on the location and the student's residency status.

• South Dakota residents: $451 per credit for RN to BSN coursework, $640 per credit for graduate coursework
• South Dakota Advantage: $451 per credit for RN to BSN coursework, $640 per credit for graduate coursework
• Non-residents: $572 per credit for RN to BSN coursework, $962 per credit for graduate coursework