Dakota State University

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Baccalaureate Colleges — Diverse Fields

General Characteristics

Highest offering	Doctoral degree
Calendar System	Semester
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification

Dakota State University History

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.

p. 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.

Dakota State University Unique Programs

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 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.

p. 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.

p. 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.

Dakota State University Students

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.

Dakota State University 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.