Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Details
The online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is for South Dakota residents living in South Dakota. Students complete theory courses online, with laboratory and simulation experiences held in person at one of our sites. Clinical experiences are completed in or near you home community when partnerships are available; travel may be required when local clinical placements are unavailable. Additionally, certain clinical experiences such as obstetrics, mental health, adult acute care and population health will take place in southeastern and central South Dakota. Travel expenses are the student’s responsibility.
Estimated time for completion of the program is 21 months and includes summer courses.
Do you live in Brookings, Rapid City or Sioux Falls?
Students living in communities where we have campus sites (these include Brookings, Rapid City and Sioux Falls) may be eligible to apply to the online BSN program with the understanding that they will not be placed in one of those locations for their clinical experiences. This is due to our standard and accelerated on-ground programs already being based in those communities. As such, applicants from Brookings, Rapid City or Sioux Falls, if admitted to the online BSN program, will be required to travel to rural communities for their clinicals.
Students who are interested in the online BSN are encouraged to consider available clinical partnerships in their area. Please contact professional academic advisor Ali Christopherson before applying.
Deadlines
| Entry Semester | Application Opens | Priority Deadline | Final Deadline | Program Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Entry | First week in February | Sept. 15 | On a space available basis until Oct. 15 | January |
Tuition and Fees
Note: Estimated cost is based on 2026-27 South Dakota Board of Regents tuition/fees. Additional costs will be incurred throughout the BSN program, including but not limited to academic resources, ATI and compliance related items.
| State of Residence | Price per credit | Estimated curriculum cost |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Residents | $462 | $27,720 |
SDSU is committed to helping students find the resources available to help pay for college. Our Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is here for you.
Sample Plan of Study
This plan of study is for students in the 2025-26 and after catalog requirements. Courses in bold must be completed or in progress at the time of application to the nursing program. The academic advising guide sheet promotes student success by guiding all students to timely completion their degree. Coursework is taken in a semester block, sequential format.
Prerequisite Courses
College of Nursing Required Courses
- NURS 119 First-Year Seminar (two credits)
- BIOL 221/L Human Anatomy and Lab (four credits)
- BIOL 325/L Physiology and Lab (four credits)
- HDFS 210 Lifespan Development (three credits)
- NUTR 315 Human Nutrition (three credits)
- PSYC 101 General Psychology (three credits)
System General Education Requirements (SGRs)
- SGR 1: Written Communication (three credits)
- SGR 2: Oral Communication (three credits)
- SGR 3: SOC 100, 150, 240 Introduction to Sociology, Social Problem or Rural Sociology or ANTH 210 Cultural Anthropology (three credits)
- SGR 5: Mathematics (Math 103 or higher) (three credits)
- SGR 6: CHEM 106/106L Chemistry Survey and Lab or CHEM 108/108L Organic and Biochemistry and Lab or CHEM 112/112L General Chemistry I and Lab or CHEM 114/114L General Chemistry II and Lab (four credits)
- SGR 6: MICR 231/L General Microbiology and Lab (four credits)
Recommended Elective Course
- NURS 201 Medical Terminology (optional/elective one credit)
Nursing Major Requirements
Semester 1
- NURS 228 Assessment of Individuals and Populations Across the Lifespan (four credits)
- NURS 246 Professional and Population Health Nursing I (two credits)
- NURS 323 Introduction to Pathophysiology (three credits)
- NURS 225 Clinical Application I (three credits)
Semester 2
- NURS 338 Client-Centered Care I (four credits)
- NURS 346 Professional and Population Health Nursing II (two credits)
- NURS 353 Clinical Judgment I (two credits)
- NURS 351 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice I (two credits)
- NURS 365 Clinical Application II (three credits)
Semester 3
- NURS 348 Client-Centered Care II (four credits)
- NURS 373 Clinical Judgment II (two credits)
- NURS 361 Research, Quality and Safety in Nursing (three credits)
- NURS 375 Clinical Application III (four credits)
Semester 4
- NURS 448 Client-Centered Care III (four credits)
- NURS 446 Professional and Population Health Nursing III (two credits)
- NURS 453 Clinical Judgment III (two credits)
- NURS 451 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice II (one credit)
- NURS 425 Clinical Application IV (four credits)
Semester 5
- NURS 482 Transition to Professional Nursing (three credits)
- NURS 473 Clinical Judgment IV (two credits)
- NURS 495 Capstone (COM) (four credits)
Additional Requirements for Graduation
- SGR 1: Written Communication (three credits)
- SGR 3: Social Sciences; must meet civics requirements (three credits)
- SGR 4: Arts and Humanities (six credits)
- Elective Credits (credits as needed to reach 120 total)
- *SGR 1: Written Communication (three credits)
- Elective Credits (12 credits)
Student Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of the program, you will have the knowledge 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.
- Interpret and evaluate implications of health policy and system-based practice in nursing.
- Integrate effective interprofessional communication and collaborative team-based partnerships into professional nursing practice.
- Improve population health outcomes through healthcare management across the lifespan.
- Integrate behaviors that reflect nursing values, ethics and professional standards into practice.
- Provide compassionate, person-centered care.
A primary component of nursing education is the clinical experience. Students participate in supervised learning sessions in real-world healthcare environments, which provide them with the opportunity to put what they’ve learned in the classroom into practice.
Students will complete a blend of traditional and precepted clinical experiences primarily in their home communities (contingent on available partnerships). Travel may be required.
