Dakota State University was founded in 1881 and was the first teacher education school in the Dakota Territory. Dakota State has traditionally been identified as a teacher preparation institution. In the last twenty years, DSU has also taken on the role of preparing leaders for the new “information age.” In 1984, the South Dakota state legislature affirmed that DSU would be the recognized leader amongst colleges and universities in that field.
Dakota State University was founded as a teacher’s college and received university status in 1989. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Its mission statement defines it as “an institution specializing in programs in computer management, computer information systems, and other related graduate and undergraduate programs,” with an emphasis on preparing teachers with “the use of computer technology and information processing.” It is classed as a Baccalaureate College—General by the Carnegie Institute.
Dakota State University
Academics
Dakota State offers 30 undergraduate and 3 graduate degree programs in information systems, education technology, and information assurance. The University’s majors are offered through the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business & Information Systems, and the College of Education. The University’s focus remains on two areas: teacher preparation and information technology.
Dakota State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 3 colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of BIS (Business and Information Systems), and the College of Education.
Bachelor’s degrees are offered in 28 fields. The B.S. includes education, business administration, computer science, accountancy, respiratory care, and English for information systems. The emphasis is heavily on technology and its use in various disciplines; no bachelor’s is offered in liberal arts, humanities, social sciences, specific fields of natural sciences, performing arts, or languages. Associate of science degrees are available in several fields, and an Associate of Arts degree is awarded in general studies. A master’s degree is offered in information systems, in information assurance, and in educational technology.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Dakota State University.
The Center for Excellence in Computer Information Systems (CECIS) encourages students to increase their potential to become leaders through membership with CECIS. The Center is a direct result of Dakota State University’s mandate to become the region’s leading educational body for information systems technology and leadership related to that field. CECIS prepares its members to become leaders in any arena: private, governmental, or educational.
Dakota State University has an E-Education Program for distance and on-line learning. On-line courses are offered in fields such as computer systems and programming languages, health information, English, and family systems/professional collaboration.
Dakota State University
Admissions
Applicants to Dakota State University must either demonstrate a composite score of 18 or greater on the ACT; a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.6; or graduate in the upper 60% of their class in order to be accepted into the University. Applicants must also have completed four years of English; three years each of mathematics, laboratory science, and social science; and at least one year of fine arts. If a student meets the entrance requirements but does not complete the necessary course requirements, they can be accepted into a two-year program for cursory performance observation and evaluation of their potential as a college student. Once the student has successfully completed the 24 credit hours required in those two years, they are allowed to enter a full, four-year program. There are also some options available for students who do not meet the fundamental entrance requirements, and those can be explored through direct contact with the office of admissions.
Dakota State University has an open admissions deadline. The application fee is $20. Applications can be submitted on-line. Students who are enrolled in high school at the time of application will need to have their official final high school transcripts sent after graduation to the Admissions Office.
As part of their application, students should submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT test scores. Students should have completed with a C or better high school courses as follows: 4 units of English, 3 units of mathematics, 3 units of history and social studies, 3 units of science, and ½ unit of fine arts. Students must generally meet the following minimum requirements: high school class rank of top 60%, or have an ACT score of 18 or higher, or a GPA of 2.6.
Transfer students and international students will have varying requirements depending upon their prior educational background.
Students applying to the graduate programs at Dakota State University should consult the individual department and/or school to which they are applying. Applications can be submitted on-line, and the application fee is $35. General requirements include the GRE, a bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 GPA or higher, and three letters of recommendation… The graduate application deadline is 60 days prior to the semester for which one is applying.
Financial Aid
Dakota state offers a variety of scholarship programs, including four fairly prestigious awards in varying amounts: Presidential Scholarship, Merit Champion Scholarship, Achievement Champion Scholarship, and the DSU Foundation General Scholarship. Assistantships and fellowships are available to qualified students, as are scholarships in specific disciplines such as music. Some federal opportunities are also available, such as Pell Grants, SEOGs, and Perkins loans. The DSU financial aid office can also assist students in securing on-campus or off-campus employment and Federal Work Study.
Tuition at Dakota State University is $161.05 per credit hour each semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs. There is a reduced out-of-state tuition for students from Minnesota. Additional fees are charged for some courses and programs.
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available for some students. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line.
Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Dakota State University 2828th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best South Dakota scholarships and financial aid
Student life at Dakota State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are honor societies, clubs organized around academic groups, cultural groups, religious groups, sports and recreation clubs, and performing groups. Students can take part in intramural sports or write for the Trojan Times.
DSU is home to nearly 40 student clubs and organizations, including an online newspaper, college Republican and Democrat clubs, various academic organizations, and clubs catering to students from specific ethnic groups. The DSU campus is home to four different student residences, furnished with television lounges, computer labs, laundry and kitchen facilities, local telephone and cable service, and LAN computer access.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Dakota State University?
Dakota State athletics include baseball, football, softball, volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball and track & field. The Dakota State Trojans compete in the Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC-10) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). For a school of its size, DSU is home to some impressive athletic facilities, including the Community Center Swimming facility; a complete cardiovascular, weight, and fitness facility; a separate weight room for student athletes; the Dakota State University Fieldhouse; Trojan Field, Track, and Stadium; the Flynn Field Complex baseball park and softball park; and the newly constructed 67,000 square-foot Community Center complex.
Dakota State University plays in the NAIA. Teams compete in the Dakota Athletic Conference. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, and track & field, and women’s sports include basketball, cross country, softball, track & field, and volleyball. The sports teams are supported by a cheerleading team. The team nick-name is the Trojans.
Athletic facilities at Dakota State University include a Community Center, a swimming pool, a weight room, a fieldhouse, a track, a stadium, a baseball park, a softball park, and a football field.
Dakota State has had numerous athletes win All-Conference honors, and there have been a number of All-Americans and Academic All-Americans for both women and men.
Local Community
Dakota State University is located in Madison, South Dakota, which has a population of approximately 6,500. The surrounding environment is rural. Near-by attractions include the Dakota Prairie Playhouse and the Smith Zimmerman Museum. There are also outdoor recreation areas and a nearby state park. Prairie Village is a recreation of a pioneer village.
Madison was founded in 1870 and has been a thriving part of the Dakotas ever since. It is home to Lake Herman and Lake Madison, two of the most beautiful state parks in South Dakota. Madison also offers many of its own city parks. For those interested in history, Prairie Village is a grand recreation of authentic pioneer lifestyles. And the Smith-Zimmerman museum chronicles the development and history of the entire Glacial Lakes region.
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Madison, SD 57042-1799
p. 605-256-5111
w. www.dsu.edu