RN-to-MSN Programs in South Dakota – 2026
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
All you need to enroll in one of the RN-to-MSN programs in South Dakota is an associate nursing degree or a hospital diploma. When you graduate, you’ll have the same nursing proficiency as RNs with both a nursing bachelor’s and a nursing master’s degree. You’ll be fully qualified to assume leadership roles in healthcare management and clinical practice or to teach other nurses. You can expect your pay grade to go up to an average of $117,900 annually, and employment opportunities for RNs with your training are projected to rise by 56 percent within the decade. Sound intriguing? There’s more to learn in this list of the best RN-to-MSN programs in South Dakota.
WHAT ARE THE BEST RN-TO-MSN PROGRAMS IN SOUTH DAKOTA(ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best RN-to-MSN Programs in South Dakota (Online & Campus) for 2026.1. South Dakota State University - Brookings
Specialties Offered: Nurse Educator and Nurse Administrator
Program Details: Are you a Registered Nurse with an associate degree interested in transitioning your career to a graduate-level path in nursing? If so, finding the right program is crucial. South Dakota State University offers an excellent program for RNs with an associate degree in nursing who want to earn a graduate degree and specialize in either nursing education or nursing administration.
Prospective students apply to the RN to Grad program, which grants admission to both the RN-to-BSN and MSN programs at the time of admission. In this RN-to-MSN program in South Dakota, you begin by completing the fully online RN-to-BSN component, which features a 30-credit curriculum plan. In this pathway, you may substitute up to 12 credits in the RN-to-BSN path for graduate-level coursework.
Once you move into the MSN curriculum, you will complete 31-40 additional credits, depending on your specialty. Graduate courses are delivered in a traditional semester format. MSN specialty courses are also online, and each pathway includes field-based practicum experiences.
The RN-to-BSN pathway admits students three times each year in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The MSN portion of the program admits new students in the fall each year. The time it takes you to complete the program depends on which semester you enter the RN-to-BSN portion before transitioning to the MSN component in the following fall.
The Nurse Educator pathway offers a two- or three-year plan and features a 40-credit curriculum (including the thesis). You can opt for the non-thesis plan and complete 35 credits. In this program, you will study in classes such as Cultivating a Practice of Cultural Humility in Healthcare, Curriculum Development & Program Evaluation in Nursing, and Teaching & Learning Methodologies in Nursing. The Nurse Educator program includes 135 practicum hours.
The Nurse Administrator pathway is a two-year program that requires the completion of 31 credits. The curriculum features classes such as Health Operations & Financial Management in Nurse Leaders, Transformational Leadership in Nursing, and Health Policy, Legislation, Economics, & Ethics. This program includes 180 practicum hours.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the RN-to-MSN program at South Dakota State University, you must meet basic requirements for admission to the Graduate School as well as specific criteria for the specialty you choose to pursue. All candidates must have an associate degree in nursing and have a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the United States or its territories.
You must complete a General Graduate Application and an application to the graduate nursing program via NursingCAS. You are required to complete online verbal and written assessments through Kira Talent. Additionally, you must submit a resume or curriculum vitae, proof of at least 1,500 hours of work experience as a Registered Nurse, and transcripts from all post-secondary schools you have attended showing a preferred 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential South Dakota State University RN-to-MSN Students:
• When I attended nursing school (many years ago), online learning and flexible schedules were basically non-existent. One of the great things about the RN-to-MSN program at South Dakota State University is its flexibility. You can complete the program in two or three years, and the school offers more flexible scheduling for students who need it.• If you are a busy working professional or have other responsibilities, you can begin earning your MSN earlier rather than later by replacing 12 RN-to-BSN credits with graduate nursing course credits.
• At South Dakota State University, the RN-to-MSN program includes preparation for professional certification. Nurse Educator program graduates may pursue the Certified Nurse Educator examination. Nurse Administrator program graduates may qualify for several leadership certifications, including Nurse Executive-Board Certified, Certified Nurse Manager and Leader, and Certified in Executive Nursing Practice. According to SDSU, graduates of both RN-to-MSN pathways have exceptional success rates on certification exams, with most passing on the first attempt. This is just one of several reasons the school is ranked among the best RN-to-MSN programs in South Dakota!
• As a student in the RN-to-MSN program at South Dakota State University, you will learn from renowned faculty with years of combined experience in clinical nursing roles, as well as nursing education and leadership. Their first-hand knowledge and insights will help you prepare for your career following graduation.
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