Guide to Online Nursing Programs in South Dakota

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Becoming a CNA offers the quickest path into the nursing profession.

In these one-to-four-month programs, students participate in lecture courses, hands-on labs, and clinical experiences, gaining the skills to perform basic nursing and personal care tasks for patients.

Upon completion, you can take the state nurse’s assistant certification exam.

Example: Southeast Technical College

• Cost: $834
• Length: One semester
• Mode: Hybrid

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

LPN programs are relatively quick to complete, typically taking just one year. You’ll go beyond basic patient care, learning how to administer medication, assist in minor procedures, and more.

After you complete an LPN program, you can take the state test to receive your practical nurse license and start work. LPNs often continue their schooling to become a registered nurse.

Example: Lake Area Technical College

• Cost: $16,450 (full-time); $15,861 (part-time)
• Length: 11 months (full-time); 18 months (part-time)
• Mode: Hybrid

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

ADN programs are an excellent option for students looking to take their first step into the field by becoming a registered nurse. These programs are typically two years in length and cover both general education and foundational nursing topics.

You’ll find online ADN programs offered at nursing schools, community colleges, and a few four-year colleges and universities.

After graduating, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and begin work as RNs.

Example: Lake Area Technical College

• Cost: $15,503
• Length: Two years
• Mode: Hybrid

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is designed for students with little or no previous college-level education or nursing experience who are seeking to become registered nurses.

BSN degree holders typically earn higher salaries and enjoy expanded job opportunities as registered nurses than those with only a nursing diploma or ADN.

Traditional BSN programs generally require four years of full-time study.

Example: The University of Sioux Falls

• Cost: $23,800/year (tuition and fees, full-time)
• Length: Four years
• Mode: Hybrid

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

For individuals with a nursing bachelor’s degree, an MSN program offers the opportunity to earn a master’s degree in about 18 months to two years.

Additionally, some MSN programs are designed for students with no prior nursing experience who are interested in entering the profession in an advanced practice role. These programs typically take about three years to complete.

Example: Mount Marty University

• Cost: $820/credit (tuition and support and technology fees)
• Length: Two years
• Mode: Hybrid

DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are designed to prepare graduates for top-level roles in nursing administration and advanced nursing practice. DNP programs usually take three to four years to complete.

Nursing PhD programs prepare students for terminal careers in advanced research and postsecondary academia. Completion times for these degrees typically range from four to six years.

Example: The University of South Dakota

• Cost: $484.10/credit
• Length: Three to four years
• Mode: Online

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Post-graduate nursing certificate programs allow students with an MSN degree to gain training in a specialized area of advanced nursing practice. Popular post-graduate certificate areas of specialization include:

• Pediatric primary care
• Nurse informatics
• Nurse leadership
• Nurse education
• Women’s health
• Health policy
• Various nurse practitioner specializations

Example: South Dakota State University

• Cost: $640/credit (SD residents) | $962/credit (out-of-state residents)
• Length: One year
• Mode: Fully online

LPN to RN and LPN to BSN

LPN to RN and LPN to BSN bridge programs are designed as a career ladder for licensed practical nurses seeking to become registered nurses by earning a bachelor’s degree or completing additional nursing coursework.

These programs allow students to apply credits earned in their LPN programs to their bridge curriculum requirements to qualify for RN licensure at an accelerated rate.

Example: University of Sioux Falls

• Cost: $390/credit
• Length: Two years
• Mode: Hybrid

RN to BSN

Likely the most common and most popular of all nursing bridge program types, RN to BSN programs provide licensed RNs with a nursing diploma or associate degree a convenient and affordable path to earning a BSN.

These programs transfer in credits from the student’s previously-earned diploma or ADN program, plus award credits for current RN licensure. The result is that RN to BSN students can often earn their bachelor’s degree by completing as few as an additional 30 credits (sometimes less) of advanced nursing coursework.

Program lengths are often as short as one year (full-time) and two years (part-time).

Example: South Dakota State University

• Cost: $451/credit (SD and SD Advantage state residents) | $572/credit (all other out-of-state residents)
• Length: One year
• Mode: Fully online

RN to MSN

RN to MSN bridge programs offer current RNs a direct path to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. These programs typically offer specialization options and specialized curriculums for becoming nurse practitioners.

Online RN to MSN programs typically combine fully-online didactic coursework with in-person clinical experiences.

Example: South Dakota State University

• Cost: $451/credit (SD and SD Advantage state residents) | $572/credit (all other out-of-state residents)
• Length: One to three years
• Mode: Fully online coursework

BSN to DNP

BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs provide RNs without a master’s in nursing a direct route to obtaining a DNP. Curriculums focus on the development of clinical practice and leadership skills in a specialized area of nursing.

These programs are typically four years long.

Example: South Dakota State University

• Cost: $640/credit (SD residents) | $962/credit (out-of-state residents)
• Length: Four years
• Mode: Mostly-online with some campus visits and a field-based practicum