Online Nursing Programs in South Dakota

Compare online and hybrid nursing pathways for South Dakota students, from entry-level options to RN-to-BSN and graduate degrees. Use this guide to narrow your choices, then confirm current admissions, clinical placement, accreditation, and licensure details directly with each school.

5 featured schools
Online and hybrid options
BSN through doctoral pathways

Finding the right nursing path in South Dakota

South Dakota students can explore online and hybrid nursing programs designed for different starting points, schedules, and career goals. Some programs deliver most coursework online, while clinical training and certain assessments may still require in-person participation.

Use this guide to compare common degree pathways and featured schools. Before applying, verify the program’s current format, admissions requirements, clinical arrangements, accreditation, and eligibility for South Dakota licensure.

Choose your path

Nursing degree options in South Dakota

Explore practical nursing and associate-degree routes designed for students preparing to enter nursing. Confirm prelicensure, clinical, and South Dakota eligibility requirements with each program.

Compare traditional and accelerated bachelor’s pathways. Accelerated programs commonly require a prior degree or specific prerequisites, and both routes include in-person clinical learning.

Degree-completion pathways build on an active RN license. Delivery format, transfer-credit policies, and practicum expectations vary, so compare current requirements directly.

Graduate pathways may prepare nurses for advanced clinical, education, leadership, or research roles. Verify specialty availability and current South Dakota practice requirements before applying.

A starting point for research

Featured South Dakota nursing schools

Use these featured listings as a starting point. Program formats, admissions requirements, and available degrees can change, so confirm current details directly with each institution.

South Dakota State University — College of Nursing

South Dakota

331 nursing degrees

awarded per year

BSNMSNDoctoralGrad cert
View School Details

University of South Dakota — Department of Nursing

South Dakota

162 nursing degrees

awarded per year

BSN
View School Details

Augustana University — School of Nursing

South Dakota

68 nursing degrees

awarded per year

BSN
View School Details

Dakota Wesleyan University — Department of Nursing

South Dakota

35 nursing degrees

awarded per year

BSN
View School Details

Southeast Technical College — Nursing Program

South Dakota

49 nursing degrees

awarded per year

ADN
View School Details
Two nurses reviewing information together on a tablet
Prepare for in-person learning

Planning for clinical requirements

Most nursing programs include supervised clinical experience in approved healthcare settings. Even when coursework is online, students may need to complete clinical hours, skills assessments, or other requirements in person.

  • Ask how the school arranges or approves clinical placements
  • Confirm whether travel or schedule flexibility will be required
  • Understand all clinical, background-check, vaccination, and documentation requirements before enrolling

Frequently asked questions

Some programs deliver academic coursework online, but prelicensure and advanced clinical programs generally include in-person clinical or skills requirements. Ask each school exactly which portions can be completed remotely.

Check the program’s website and confirm its current status directly with the named accrediting organization. Also verify that the institution is recognized by the appropriate authorities.

Eligibility depends on the program, your nursing pathway, and current South Dakota requirements. Confirm eligibility with the school and the South Dakota Board of Nursing before enrolling.

Not sure which nursing degree fits your goals?

Compare common nursing pathways before choosing schools to research.

Explore Nursing Degrees