South Dakota social work programs train students to work with diverse communities across the state and country. Most social workers in South Dakota have at least a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). A Master of Social Work (MSW) accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is required to offer clinical services or work independently. Continue reading to learn more about social work schools in South Dakota.
Quick Facts
- 4 schools offering social work programs in South Dakota are in our database (see below)
- Of the social work schools in South Dakota, 1 offers associate’s degrees or certificates, 4 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 1 offers a master’s or advanced degree1
- No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- 1 school ranked in Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs4
- Across 4 schools, 5 bachelor’s and master’s social work degree programs in South Dakota are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)5
Top-Ranked Schools with Social Work Programs in South Dakota
US News Best Graduate Social Work Programs
- University of South Dakota (#174 tie)
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs
- University of South Dakota
Schools with Social Work Programs Accredited by the CSWE
- Oglala Lakota College
- Presentation College
- University of Sioux Falls
- University of South Dakota
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Schools in South Dakota with Social Work Degree Programs
BSW and Other Undergraduate Programs
University of Sioux Falls
The University of Sioux Falls is a private Baptist institution with over 1,000 undergraduate students enrolled. US News & World Report ranked the school in a tie for 33rd place in the Regional Colleges (Midwest) category in 2016. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) that is accredited by the CSWE. Students take liberal arts courses to meet the university requirements and social work courses in human behavior, social policy, interviewing, and micro, mezzo, and macro practice. There are also many elective courses in specific areas of practice such as addictions, international social work, and palliative care. All students must take classes in biology, statistics, and research methods to graduate. The BASW program includes a block placement in the senior year; students must complete at least 450 hours of field education, which can be completed locally, across the US, or in an international setting.
Oglala Lakota College
Oglala Lakota College is a small institution operated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe in the southwestern town of Kyle. The school’s BSW program in the Department of Social Work educates students according to Native American philosophies and ethics and prepares students to work at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels with Native American communities upon graduation. BSW students must take liberal arts core courses such as English and math; Lakota Studies courses including Lakota language and culture; and professional social work courses such as generalist practice, policy, and research methods. The BSW can be completed either with a generalist practice focus or a concentration in Chemical Dependency. The Chemical Dependency concentration includes courses on substance abuse, individual and group counseling, and issues specific to drug abuse in Native American communities. Students in the generalist program take a wider range of elective classes to develop their knowledge in different areas of practice, such as child welfare and mental health.
Presentation College
Presentation College offers a Bachelor of Social Work degree that is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education. BSW students can individualize their education according to personal career interests through a variety of elective courses and experiential learning opportunities. The program is offered on Presentation College’s main campus in Aberdeen as well as on the Lakota and Sioux Falls campuses. Through the study of professional skills, ethical values, diversity, and social work practice and research, graduates of this BSW program are equipped to begin work as generalist practitioners upon graduation. 100 hours of fieldwork in a social work agency or on a special project is required for graduation.
MSW and Other Graduate Programs
University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota is located in Vermillion, close to the Nebraska and Iowa state borders. The school offers CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW degree programs. The MSW program is offered full- and part-time by USD’s Department of Social Work through a two-year program for individuals without an undergraduate degree in social work or through a one-year advanced standing program for individuals with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in a CSWE-accredited BSW program. The MSW offers an advanced generalist curriculum that includes courses in advanced practice with individuals, groups, and communities. The majority of the courses are delivered on campus, though there are select online elective courses available. Field education placements are typically completed in organizations in South Dakota or in other states.
Accreditation Information for South Dakota Social Work Schools
| School | Graduation Rate1 | Transfer-Out Rate1 | Associate’s SW Program | Bachelor’s SW Program | Graduate SW Program | CSWE Accred.5 | US News Best Social Work Grad Schools Ranking3 | Net Price*1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kilian Community College | 25% | 13% | Yes | No | No | No | Not Ranked | $26,409 |
| Oglala Lakota College | 13% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $3,141 |
| Presentation College | 41% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $21,157 |
| University of Sioux Falls | 53% | N/A | No | Yes | No | Yes | Not Ranked | $19,301 |
| University of South Dakota | 56% | 34% | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | #174 tie | $15,530 |
*The net price is calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics by subtracting the average amount of aid (including grants and scholarships) from the total published cost of attendance for in-state/in-district students, which includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses. To gain a better understanding of how to interpret the statistics discussed in this table, see our list of important definitions.
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Directory of South Dakota Social Work School Programs
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Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Kilian Community College
300 E 6th St
Sioux Falls, SD 57103-7020
(605) 221-3100
Oglala Lakota College*
490 Piya Wiconi Rd
Kyle, SD 57752-0490
(605) 455-6000
http://www.olc.edu
Presentation College*
1500 N Main
Aberdeen, SD 57401-1280
(605) 225-1634
http://www.presentation.edu
University of Sioux Falls*
1101 W 22nd St
Sioux Falls, SD 57105-1699
(605) 331-5000
http://www.usiouxfalls.edu
University of South Dakota*
414 E Clark St
Vermillion, SD 57069-2390
(605) 677-5301
http://www.usd.edu
Schools with an asterisk (*) have programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-private-colleges/index.php?table=all
3. US News & World Report Social Work Best Grad Schools Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings
4.
Social Work Guide’s Top Online MSW Programs: /degrees/masters/online/
5. Council on Social Work Education: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs.aspx