Leading PhDs in South Dakota, Campus or Online
Take advantage of the variety of PhD programs in South Dakota schools by earning the doctorate degree that will elevate your career and life. From nursing to engineering and more, discover which schools have the best in-person and online doctoral programs in the state in this PhDs.me resource.
Whether you live in Rapid City, Sioux Falls, or a much smaller city, the top doctoral programs in South Dakota are within your reach. If you’re an in-person learner, there are many PhD programs throughout the state where you can earn your degree among a cohort of like-minded students. However, if you’re far from a college or university, juggling a busy career and family commitments, or just prefer to study online, you’ll find flexible, top-notch online doctoral programs in South Dakota to fit your career and life goals. In this guide, you’ll find detailed information about the PhD programs in the state, including the types of programs available, the most popular PhD fields, how to secure scholarships and other forms of financial aid, and the job growth outlook for a variety of careers that often require a doctorate.
Popular PhD and Doctoral Schools
Whatever your field of study, whether you’re looking for in-person or online PhD programs in South Dakota, you’ll want a flexible program you can afford. While you’ll need to consider your personal goals and circumstances to define the best program for you, we’ve highlighted a few academically rigorous institutions with high-quality programs below to help get you started in your research.
University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota is the flagship state university in South Dakota’s state system, with a main campus in Vermillion and a satellite campus in Sioux Falls. USD offers 30 different doctoral programs through its College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, and School of Law. The School of Education and the School of Health Sciences offer online and hybrid doctoral programs. With some of the most diverse offerings in the state, the university enables students to earn their doctorate in fields ranging from educational leadership to audiology to data science.
The University of South Dakota is a large research university, and its doctoral programs are handled by individual departments. Therefore, admissions and graduation requirements and other vital details can vary. For instance, research assistantships, which can make up a portion of your funding package at the University of South Dakota, are awarded by individual departments.
South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University is a large public institution with a wide range of departments and PhD programs offered through its graduate school. Its nursing department also offers some strong opportunities for online PhD programs in South Dakota, including research and professional doctorates. Many of the PhD programs at South Dakota State University have specializations within their broader fields, so you must apply for your desired specialization. For instance, the PhD in biological sciences has 11 different specialization options, ranging from food science to veterinary microbiology.
Most PhD programs at South Dakota State are held at its main campus in Brookings. Contact the school’s specific department for more details on the program you’re interested in.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, which is part of the South Dakota State University system, has a campus in Rapid City. At South Dakota Mines, you’ll have the opportunity to choose between 11 different options for doctoral programs. This university’s technical specialization means that should you choose to study here, you’ll be studying one of the STEM subjects, including biomedical engineering, physics, nanoscience and nanoengineering, and more.
As many of the doctoral programs offered at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are geared towards students looking for professional rather than academic careers, you may have the option to complete your doctorate without a dissertation. Check with your program of interest for more details, including admissions requirements and credits needed to graduate.
Types of PhD and Doctoral Programs Options
Earning your doctorate can take a few different shapes. From the format in which you study to how long it takes you to graduate, there’s more than one way to pursue a PhD in South Dakota. Here are a few different types of PhD programs in South Dakota that might be of interest to you.
Full-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs
Full-time PhD programs are the most traditional type of doctoral program, and schools across South Dakota offer them in a variety of fields, from the PhD in human development and education psychology at the University of South Dakota to the PhD in plant science at South Dakota State. A full-time PhD program will typically require a significant time commitment each week and possibly frequent trips to campus, so bear that in mind if you’re considering applying.
Part-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs
Looking to reduce your weekly time commitment while earning your doctorate? Consider a part-time PhD program. Some doctoral programs in South Dakota, like the English PhD at the University of South Dakota and the information systems PhD at Dakota State, allow you to study part-time, with fewer hours per week but a longer time to graduation. This option can be especially useful if you have pre-existing personal or professional responsibilities to keep up with.
Fully Funded PhD/Doctoral Programs
It’s important to consider the financial aspects of your graduate studies, whether you’re considering in-person or online doctoral programs in South Dakota. While none of South Dakota’s PhD programs offer full funding, you should pursue as many scholarship opportunities as possible, as you may be able to amass enough funding from one or more sources to fully cover the cost of your PhD.
No-GRE PhD/Doctoral Programs
Do you suffer from test anxiety? Perhaps you just don’t care for standardized testing. The good news is that with no-GRE doctoral programs, you don’t have to submit standardized test scores for consideration. In these programs, like the non-thesis options for any graduate degree at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, the English PhD at USD, or the computer science PhD at South Dakota State, you do not need to submit GRE scores, and your application will be evaluated on grades and other factors.
Accelerated PhD/Doctoral Programs
Looking to earn your graduate qualifications in a hurry? Accelerated PhD programs are intensive but allow you to earn a doctorate in as little as one year. The University of South Dakota offers several accelerated graduate school options primarily for master’s students, but it has a PhD in clinical psychology, which is combined with an MS for one of the only accelerated PhDs in the state.
No Dissertation PhD/Doctoral Programs
While the dissertation is a key aspect of a PhD for aspiring academics, students looking to work in industry after their doctoral studies may be less inclined to embark on one. In this case, a no-dissertation PhD may be a good fit for you. While there are not currently any no-dissertation PhDs offered in South Dakota, some dissertation requirements may be more flexible than others depending on the program, so check with your department.
Top Fields to Earn Your PhD and Doctoral Degree
Biological Science
If you’re looking to pursue a career as a research scientist, you may be a good candidate for a PhD in biological science. Applicants for this degree often already hold a relevant master’s degree, although this is not always necessary. Once you’ve graduated, you’ll have career opportunities in research, academia, and industry.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Nursing
If you’ve been working as a nurse but want to advance from the BSN or even MSN level, there are multiple online doctoral programs in South Dakota where you can earn either a DSN or PhD in nursing. While DSNs are typically geared towards nurses who wish to continue working in clinical settings, a PhD in nursing is ideal if you want to transition into research or academia.
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Data Science
Data science is a rapidly growing field often closely tied to computer and software engineering. Data scientists work in both academic and professional settings. If you earn a PhD in data science, you will be able to choose between an academic career and an advanced position in a professional setting.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
- University of South Dakota
Physical Therapy/Exercise Science
If you enjoy working out and want a healthcare-adjacent career dedicated to helping others move comfortably in their bodies, consider physical therapy and exercise science. While not everyone in this field needs a doctorate, earning your PhD will make you eligible for advanced positions in clinical settings and academic and research roles.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers figure out how to make things go. If you’ve been working in engineering, even if you’re not a mechanical engineer but have some relevant background knowledge or hold a relevant bachelor’s and/or master’s, you might consider pursuing your mechanical engineering PhD. This PhD could be ideal if you’re an engineer and want to take on a more advanced role or go into the academic and research side of engineering,
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
- South Dakota State University
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Obtaining a PhD or Doctoral Degree From an Online School
While most doctoral programs in South Dakota are taught in person on campus, there are some opportunities, particularly in nursing as you can see above, to complete your doctoral studies primarily or partially online. If you’re interested in online or hybrid doctoral programs, it’s natural to have a few questions about what online classes, meeting with advisors, and connecting with your classmates will look like.
Depending on your program, you may be taking synchronous or asynchronous online classes via video. Either way, it’s likely that some of your professors will offer online office hours or study groups to give you a chance to ask questions and connect with your classmates. However, you should also be aware that online and hybrid doctoral programs often do have some elements of in-person study, such as clinicals in a nursing program or labs in a science program.
Secure Funds: Financing Your PhD Program
Before you begin your PhD studies, it’s important to have an idea of how you’ll pay for them, whether through need-based financial aid from your school, personal savings, fellowships from your university, scholarships from private organizations, or a combination of them all. Many schools, like the University of South Dakota, have robust financial aid and scholarship opportunities for graduate students. Beyond that, be sure to look into relevant private funding opportunities.
Local scholarships or scholarships with specific application requirements, like those for historically underrepresented students, often have fewer applicants. This could increase your chances of receiving an award. Check as soon as possible about which scholarships you’re potentially eligible for to ensure that you don’t miss any application deadlines.
Economics Outlook of South Dakota PhDs Graduates
A professional degree, including a doctorate, can not only bring intellectual and personal satisfaction but also financial benefits. This means your doctorate is likely to be a good investment in the financial sense. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Americans with doctorates have the highest weekly average earnings in the country and some of the lowest unemployment rates, with only 1.6% of doctorate holders unemployed in 2023. Have a look below at some of the careers you might pursue with your doctorate and the national median and top 10% salaries for each.
| Job Title | Related Doctoral Degree(s) | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropologist | PhD in Anthropology | $63,800 | $102,150 |
| Chemist | PhD in Chemistry | $84,680 | $149,550 |
| Computer Research Scientist | PhD in Computer Science | $145,080 | $233,110 |
| Economist | PhD in Economics | $115,730 | $216,900 |
| Environmental Scientist | PhD in Environmental Science | $78,980 | $133,660 |
| Epidemiologist | PhD in Public Health / Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) | $81,390 | $132,230 |
| Nurse Practitioner | Doctor of Nursing Practice | $126,260 | $168,030 |
| Professor | PhD | $79,870 | $177,050 |
| Psychologist | Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) / PhD in Psychology | $117,750 | $157,420 |
| Statistician | PhD in Statistics | $104,110 | $163,360 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics