General Degree Requirements
These are the degree requirements of the Graduate School. Requirements of specific degree programs may vary. Students should confer with individual departments to determine if the program requires more than the minimum credit hours required by the Graduate School.
Master’s Degree
The University offers several Master’s degrees. Depending upon the program, these Master’s degrees may have alternative plans of study: Plan A requires the writing of a thesis; Plan B does not. Because departmental policies regarding thesis requirements vary, students should confer with department chairpersons or graduate program directors/coordinators to determine which of the following plans is required. Plan A requires no less than 30 semester credit hours: a minimum of 18 credit hours of course work in the major department with an additional 4 to 6 credit hours of thesis. Thesis guidelines are available through the Graduate School. Plan B requires no less than 32 semester credit hours: a minimum of 18 credit hours in the major department. This option may require comprehensive exams and/or a Master’s project in lieu of the thesis.
The University also offers the M.P.A. (Master of Professional Accountancy) and the M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) through the Beacom School of Business, the M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration) and the E.M.P.A. (Executive Master of Public Administration) through College of Arts and Sciences, the M.M. (Master of Music) and the M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts) through the College of Fine Arts, and the M.S.W. (Master of Social Work) through the School of Health Sciences.
Specialist in Education Degree (Ed.S.)
The Specialist in Education degree requires a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond a baccalaureate degree or a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond a Master’s degree. A thesis for the Ed.S. is optional. If a student already has a Master’s degree, their graduate GPA must be a 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for full admission to the University of South Dakota for the Specialist in Education degree.
Doctoral Degrees
There are several Doctoral degrees offered by the University of South Dakota.
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) is a terminal research degree with a focus on education practice. The Ed.D. requires a minimum of 90 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, or 60 credit hours beyond the Master’s degree, whichever is greater. A dissertation is required. Fifteen credit hours of dissertation applies towards the degree. The degree program may entail more than 15 credit hours of dissertation and/or other specific requirements.
Clinical Doctorate (e.g. Au.D., D.P.T., t.D.P.T.) is a practice-focused terminal degree in clinical fields. Depending upon the discipline, the clinical doctorate may require more than 100 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree and an extensive clinical experience. A dissertation is not required.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is the terminal degree in many fields, the Ph.D. is a research-focused degree. The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 84 credit hours, or 54 credit hours beyond the Master’s. In most programs, a dissertation based on in-depth original research is required. Fifteen credit hours of dissertation are required by the Graduate School. The degree program may entail more than 15 credit hours of dissertation and/or other specific requirements. Please see program specific requirements for more information.
Juris Doctor (J.D.) is the law degree typically awarded by an accredited US law school after successful completion of three years of post-graduate law study. Law students are prepared for careers in leadership in the administration of justice, private practice, public service, business, and several other law-related careers.
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) is the first professional degree awarded in the field of medicine. Medical students complete two years of basic science education in Vermillion followed by two years of clinical science education at one of several sites in South Dakota.
Graduate Degrees Offered
The University of South Dakota offers 65 graduate degree and certificate programs. Several opportunities exist for students to pursue advanced degrees simultaneously through joint degree programs. The following is a comprehensive list of graduate degrees and the programs in which they are offered.
| Master of Arts |
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Addiction Studies |
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Biology |
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Communication |
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Counseling and Psychology in Education |
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Educational Administration |
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Elementary Education |
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English |
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History |
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Interdisciplinary Studies |
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Kinesiology and Sport Science |
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Mathematics |
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Political Science |
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Psychology |
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Secondary Education |
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Special Education |
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Speech-Language Pathology |
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Theatre |
| Executive Master of Public Administration |
| Master of Business Administration |
| Master of Fine Arts |
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Art |
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Theatre |
| Master of Music |
| Master of Natural Science |
| Master of Professional Accountancy |
| Master of Public Administration |
| Master of Science |
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Administration |
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Basic Biomedical Sciences |
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Biomedical Engineering |
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Biology |
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Chemistry |
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Computer Science |
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Mathematics |
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Occupational Therapy |
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Physician Assistant Studies |
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Physics |
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Technology for Education and Training |
| Master of Social Work |
| Specialist in Education |
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Counseling and Psychology in Education |
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Curriculum and Instruction |
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Educational Administration |
| Doctor of Education |
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Curriculum and Instruction |
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Educational Administration |
| Clinical Doctorate |
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Audiology |
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Physical Therapy |
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Transitional Doctorate in Physical Therapy (tDPT) |
| Doctor of Philosophy |
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Basic Biomedical Sciences |
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Biological Science |
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Biomedical Engineering |
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Counseling and Psychology in Education |
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English |
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Materials Chemistry |
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Political Science |
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Psychology |
| Juris Doctor |
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Law |
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Joint Law/Master’s Program |
| Doctor of Medicine |
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School of Medicine |
| M.D./Ph.D. |
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School of Medicine/Basic Biomedical Science |
Graduate Certificates offered at the University of South Dakota include:
Alcohol and Drug Studies
American Indian Education
Disaster Mental Health
Literacy Leadership and Coaching
Long-Term Care Management
Mental Health Counseling
Nonprofit Management
Piano Pedagogy
State Government Leadership (available only to selected State of South Dakota employees)
Clearing Students for Graduation
With the exception of the Law School and Medical School, the Graduate School audits graduate student completed credit and programs of study against required curriculum and clears students for graduation each term. Degrees cannot be posted until cleared. Auditing and posting of degrees occurs during the timeline below.
- Spring Graduation: Week after Finals until the End of June (Diplomas mailed end of July)
- Summer Graduation: Week After Finals of Session Three until the End of September (Diplomas mailed end of October)
- Fall Graduation: Week After Finals until the End of January (Diplomas mailed mid-March)
Exceptions to approved curriculum may be made with appropriate justification by the department and approval by the Graduate Dean through the Program of Study.
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