Healthcare Career Exploration West River Area Health Education Center

Certificate - Average completion time: 9-12 months // Common prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent // Offered at: Typically a community college or technical college, though some colleges and universities also over certificate programs

Diploma - Average completion time: 1-2 years // Common prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent // Offered at: Typically a community college or technical college

Associate Degree - Average completion time: 2 years // Common prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent // Offered at: Typically a community college or technical college, though some colleges and universities also offer associate degree programs

Bachelor's Degree - Average completion time: 4 years // Common prerequisites: High school diploma or equivalent // Offered at: Typically at a college or university

Master's Degree - Average completion time: 1-2 years // Common prerequisites: Bachelor's degree // Offered at: Universities

Doctorate - Average completion time: varies greatly, 2-6 years // Common prerequisites: Master's degree, though bachelor's is also acceptable for some programs // Offered at: Universities

West River Health Science Center - Located at BHSU-Rapid City: a collaboration between BHSU, SDSU Nursing, and the WRAHEC

Black Hills State University - Applied Health Science - BHSU's AAS in Applied Health Sciences is a pathway to complete pre-nursing courses for SDSU Nursing or USD Nursing programs in Rapid City.

SDSU Nursing - Rapid City

West River Area Health Education Center

You Are the Cure video - Learn more about in-demand healthcare fields in SD through interviews with current students and professionals in South Dakota.

You Are the Cure booklet - Learn more about in-demand healthcare fields in SD in this short booklet. Request free, physical copies of the booklet by contacting us.

Healthcare Programs in SD

Administrative and Support Services

Health Information Systems

Dakota State University - Associate or bachelor's degree in Health Information Technology, along with Master of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management (MSHIIM)

Western Dakota Technical College - Diploma (9 month) and Associate degree (18 month) in Health Information Management

Health Services Administration

University of South Dakota - Master of Business Administration - Health Services Administration Specialization (MBA)

Medical Assisting

Lake Area Technical College - Associate degree (20 month)

Mitchell Technical College - Associate degree (20 month)

Southeast Technical College - Diploma (1 year)

Western Dakota Technical College - Certificate (9 month) and diploma (12 month) options

Medical Coding

Dakota State University - Certificate program (9 month)

Southeast Technical College - Certificate program (9 month)

Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)

Behavioral and Mental Health

Addiction Studies

University of South Dakota - Bachelor's degree (4 year) and graduate degree in Addiction Counseling & Prevention

Clinical Psychology

University of South Dakota - Doctorate degree (Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology)

Counseling

Northern State University - Master’s of Science in Education (MSEd) degree with preparation for K-12 school or clinical mental health counseling certification.

South Dakota State University - Master of Science in Counseling and Human Resource Development programs offered on main campus and at BHSU-Rapid City and include: Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization, College Counseling specialization, Marriage and Family Counseling Specialization, Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling specialization, and School Counseling specialization

University of South Dakota - Graduate degree (Master of Arts in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling) and doctoral degree (Ed.S. and Ph.D. in Counselor Education)

Social Work

Oglala Lakota College - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

Presentation College - Bachelor's degree in Social Work (4 year)

Sitting Bull College - Bachelor's degree (4 year), Sitting Bull College offers the Social Work program through the interactive video network (IVN) system at the Mobridge and McLaughlin sites

University of Sioux Falls - Bachelor's degree in Social Work (4 year)

University of South Dakota - Bachelor's degree in Social Work (4 year) and graduate degree in Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Biotechnology Research and Development

Biomedical Engineering

South Dakota Mines - Bachelor of Science degree (4 year), Master of Science, and Ph.D. (doctorate)

University of South Dakota - Bachelor of Science degree (4 year), Master of Science, and Ph.D. (doctorate)

Dental/Oral Health Sciences

Dental Assisting

Lake Area Technical College - Diploma (11 month)

Southeast Technical College - Diploma (1 year)

Western Dakota Technical College - Diploma (11 month)

Dental Hygiene

University of South Dakota - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

Emergency Medical Services

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Lake Area Technical College - Online certificate program

School of EMS, Sioux Falls Campus

Western Dakota Technical College - Certificate program (4 or 9 month)

Southeast Technical College - 3 credit course

Med/Fire Rescue

Lake Area Technical College - Associate degree (20 month)

Paramedic

Lake Area Technical College - Diploma (15 month) or Paramedic Hybrid E-Degree Diploma (20 month)

School of EMS, Sioux Falls Campus

University of Sioux Falls - Associate and bachelor's degree options

Western Dakota Technical College - Associate degree (21 month) and certificate (18 month)

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

Western Dakota Technical College - Certificate (9 month)

Exercise & Dietary Health

Athletic Training

Augustana University - Graduate degree (Master of Science in Athletic Training)

Dakota Wesleyan University - Graduate degree (Master of Science in Athletic Training)

South Dakota State University - Graduate degree (Master of Science in Athletic Training)

Exercise Science

Augustana University - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

Black Hills State University - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

Dakota State University - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

Dakota Wesleyan University - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

Mount Marty University - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

Presentation College - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

South Dakota State University - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

South Dakota State University - Graduate degree (Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (M.S.) - Exercise Sciences Specialization)

University of Sioux Falls - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

University of South Dakota - Bachelor's degree (4 year) in Kinesiology and Sport Management with specialization options in Exercise Science or Sport Management

Nutrition & Dietetics

South Dakota State University - Graduate degree (Nutrition and Dietetics (M.S.))

South Dakota State University - Graduate degree (Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (M.S.) - Nutritional Sciences Specialization)

Medical Laboratory Sciences

Medical Lab Science

Augustana University - To earn an Augustana degree with a major in Medical Laboratory Science, a student must complete three years of work at the University followed by a year of study in an approved Medical Laboratory Science program

Mount Marty University - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

Northern State University - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

South Dakota State University - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

University of Sioux Falls - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

University of South Dakota - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

Medical Laboratory Technology

Lake Area Technical College - Associate degree (20 month)

Mitchell Technical College - Associate degree (20 month)

Western Dakota Technical College - Associate degree (18 month)

Microbiology

South Dakota State University - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

Phlebotomy

Southeast Technical College - Certificate program (4 month)

Western Dakota Technical College - Certificate program (4 month) and Diploma program in Laboratory Assisting (9-10 month)

Medicine

Physician (M.D.)

University of South Dakota - M.D. program and combined M.D./Ph.D. for Physician Scientist

Physician Assistant

University of South Dakota - Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (24 month)

Public Health

South Dakota State University - Master of Public Health, online only option

University of South Dakota - Master of Public Health, online only option

Nursing

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Lake Area Technical College - Diploma (11 month)

Mitchell Technical College - Diploma (1 year)

Sinte Gleske University - Associate degree (20 month)

Sisseton Wahpeton College

Southeast Technical College - Diploma (1 year)

Western Dakota Technical College - Diploma (14 month)

Registered Nurse, Associate Degree in Nursing

Dakota Wesleyan University - Associate degree

Lake Area Technical College - Associate degree (11 month) bridge program for graduates of an LPN program who hold a current LPN license

Oglala Lakota College - Associate degree

Southeast Technical College - Associate degree

Western Dakota Technical College - Associate degree (14 month) bridge program for graduates of an LPN program who hold a current LPN license

Registered Nurse, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Augustana University - Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (4 years) and an accelerated (1 year) program for students who already have a college degree and have completed prerequisite courses

Dakota Wesleyan University - Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (4 year)

Mount Marty University - Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (4 year)

South Dakota State University - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (4 year) offered in Rapid City, Brookings, and Sioux Falls and accelerated (12 month) program offered in Rapid City, Aberdeen, and Sioux Falls for students who've already completed a bachelor's degree in any field

University of Sioux Falls - Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (4 year) and an accelerated track (4 semesters) for students who possess a previous bachelor's degree in another field

University of South Dakota - Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (4 year) offered in Sioux Falls and Vermillion

RN to BSN - RN to BSN programs are designed for registered nurses who possess an associate degree or diploma in nursing and wish to complete requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Dakota Wesleyan University - LPN to BSN, 28-month program at Sioux Falls location or main campus in Mitchell

Presentation College - Online bridge program

South Dakota State University - Online bridge program

University of South Dakota - Online bridge program

Nurse Practitioner

Mount Marty University - Master's degree option with a Family Nurse Practitioner track and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track

Presentation College - Master's degree with online option available

South Dakota State University - Master's (MSN FNP) Doctorate degree (Doctor of Nursing Practice)

University of South Dakota - Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree in Organizational and System Leadership

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)

Mount Marty University - Doctorate program offered in Sioux Falls

Pharmacy

South Dakota State University - Doctor of Pharmacy (6 year)

South Dakota State University - Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pharmacy Technician

Southeast Technical College - Diploma (1 year)

Western Dakota Technical College - Diploma (1 year)

Pre-Professional Programs - This includes programs that prepare students for graduate degrees in medicine, occupational therapy, physical therapy, dentistry, chiropractic, pharmacy, optometry, physician assistant studies, etc.

Health Science

Black Hills State University - Associate degree (2 year) offered on main campus and at BHSU-Rapid City

Presentation College - Bachelor's degree (4 year) offered on main campus or online.

University of South Dakota - Bachelor's degree (4 year) offered on main campus, Sioux Falls, or online.

Medical Biology

University of South Dakota - Bachelor of Science degree (4 year)

Pre-Medicine / Pre-Professional Health

Augustana University

Black Hills State University

Northern State University

South Dakota Mines

South Dakota State University

University of Sioux Falls

University of South Dakota

Public Health

Community Health Worker

Lake Area Technical College - certificate (online)

Southeast Technical College - certificate (online)

Community and Public Health

South Dakota State University - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

South Dakota State University - Graduate degree (Public Health (M.P.H.))

University of South Dakota - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

University of South Dakota - Graduate degree (Public Health (M.P.H.))

Therapeutic Services

Audiology

University of South Dakota - Doctor of Audiology program (4 year)

Invasive Cardiovascular Technology

Southeast Technical College - Associate degree (20 month)

Massage Therapy - To be licensed as a massage therapist, an applicant must have at least 500 hours of specific education and training from a board recognized facility or instructor. The SD Board of Massage Therapy lists approved training sites at the link.

Occupational Therapy

University of South Dakota - Doctor of Occupational Therapy program

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Lake Area Technical College - Associate degree (20 month)

Physical Therapy

University of South Dakota - Doctorate in Physical Therapy program

Physical Therapy Assistant

Lake Area Technical College - Associate degree (20 months)

Radiation Therapy

Mitchell Technical College - Associate degree (3 semesters) for ARRT registered or registry-eligible radiographers

Radiologic Technology

Avera Sacred Heart Hospital School of Radiologic Technology - Diploma program that has affiliation agreements with several colleges/universities which allow the student to achieve a bachelor’s degree. Students first complete 2-3 years of prerequisite academic coursework at the universities, followed by 24 month internship at various Avera Health facilites in eastern SD.

Mitchell Technical College - Associate degree (21 month)

Mount Marty University - Bachelor's degree (4 year)

Sanford Health Radiography Program - Certificate program that has affiliation agreements with several colleges/universities which allow the student to achieve a bachelor’s degree. Students first complete 2-3 years of prerequisite academic coursework at the universities, followed by 24 month internship at Sanford Medical Center Sioux Falls.

University of Sioux Falls - Associate and Bachelor's degree options

Western Dakota Technical College - Associate degree

Respiratory Care

South Dakota State University - Associate (2 year) and Bachelor's (4 year) degree offered in Rapid City and Sioux Falls

Sonography

Southeast Technical College - Associate degree options in cardiac sonography, diagnostic medical sonography, and vascular sonography

Speech Language Pathology

University of South Dakota - Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology

Speech Language Pathology Assisting

Mitchell Technical College - Associate degree (2 or 3 year), online option only

Surgical Technology

Southeast Technical College - Associate degree (20 months)

Western Dakota Technical College - Associate degree (18 months)

Funding & Scholarships

College Scholarships - Most colleges have their own scholarship awards, application, and deadlines. Visit with the admissions or financial aid office at each college to learn more.

Black Hills State University - deadlines vary, visit the link or chat with BHSU Admissions to learn more

Black Hills State University - Rapid City - deadlines vary, visit the link or chat with BHSU Admissions to learn more

Oglala Lakota College - deadlines vary, visit the link or chat with OLC Admissions to learn more

South Dakota Mines - deadlines vary, visit the link or chat with SDSMT Admissions to learn more

South Dakota State University - deadlines vary, visit the link or chat with SDSU Admissions to learn more

University of South Dakota - deadlines vary, visit the link or chat with USD Admissions to learn more

Western Dakota Tech - deadlines vary, visit the link or chat with WDT Admissions to learn more

Other Funding Sources & Scholarships

FastWeb - Online scholarship search platform - as always be careful with any online scholarship search platforms. Remember, if something looks too good to be true, it probably is!

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - federal student loans and grants

Indian Health Services, Scholarship Program

Tribal Higher Education Funding

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

Crow Creek Sioux Tribe

Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe

Lower Brule Sioux Tribe

Oglala Sioux Tribe

Rosebud Sioux Tribe

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

Yankton Sioux Tribe

WRAHEC Healthcare Career Scholarship - Five (5) $500 scholarships will be awarded for 2021 graduating seniors who reside in and intend to pursue further education in a healthcare field within the WRAHEC service area.

Financial Literacy Guide (Annuity.org) - Topics include how student loans work, sticking to a budget, planning for the future and much more

State and Local Scholarships

Black Hills Area Community Foundation

Build Dakota Scholarship - Build Dakota Scholarships will be awarded to skilled scholars entering high-need workforce programs at South Dakota technical institutes; several healthcare focused program qualify

Dakota Corp Scholarship - February 1 deadline; full-ride scholarship for critical need areas as identified by the state (RN qualifies)

GPTCHB Pathways to Healthcare Professions - PHP awards a limited number of scholarships to qualified students to help them defray the costs of pursuing a high-demand healthcare training program or post-secondary healthcare education in one of our qualified healthcare training programs. PHP qualified programs include CNA, Med Aide, Medical Coding/Billing, LPN, RN, EMT, Paramedic, and GED programs

Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship - application available August 1 – October 25 and January 15 – March 15; chat with the Admissions Rep at your college of choice to determine eligibility, deadline, and application process

SD Opportunity Scholarship - merit-based scholarship for academically accomplished high school graduates who attends an eligible higher education institution in South Dakota

Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Scholarship Search

The Joyce Bedingfield Memorial Nursing Scholarship - The Joyce Bedingfield Memorial Nursing Scholarship is a one-year $2000 scholarship that is intended to financially assist a female nursing student that is accepted and enrolled in a registered nursing program in the Black Hills. Application deadline is April 15..

Resources & Opportunities

Career Resources

Career Launch SD

SD Department of Labor, Training Opportunities

Career Explorer - Search a wide variety of healthcare careers by 'years in school' and 'salary'

Community Resources

Career Learning Center of the Black Hills - The CLCBH provides education and training (including GED), community education, career preparation, and a testing center.

CSS Prosperity Initiative - The Prosperity Initiative is a vision created by the John T. Vucurevich Foundation that strives to move families in Rapid City from poverty to prosperity through a continuum of success from cradle to career by providing resources to the entire family through community collaboration. The Prosperity Initiative is implemented through Catholic Social Services in partnership with Love INC.

CSS Uplifting Parents - The Uplifting Parents Program (Program UP) was created to empower single parent families by providing resources to support their advancement in education. The goal is to assist lower-income single parents to acquire the education needed to become financially sustainable, and thus provide stability and opportunity for their children. Catholic Social Services (CSS) works with over thirty coalition partner agencies in the community to develop the program.

OneHeart Rapid City - OneHeart provides transitional housing along with a variety of services on their campus - from addiction and mental health counseling to life skills and job training.

Surviving COVID-19: A #RealCollege Guide for Students

Student Homelessness & Basic Needs Insecurity Guide - Half-way down the page is list of scholarships, services, assistance programs, and additional resources

Helpline Center Resource Guide - Resource guides sorted by geographic area and include basic needs, emergency resources, behavioral health, caregiver resources, and food calendars

Mentoring Programs

Native American Healthcare Scholars Program - The Native American Healthcare Scholars Program is a joint collaboration between University of South Dakota and Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board and provides mentoring and assistance to students as they work their way toward and through a medical education.

SDSU Native American Nursing Education Center - The NANEC's mission is to provide a nurturing and collaborative environment where intentional mentoring inspires Native American nursing students to thrive and flourish.

The Indians Into Medicine Program (INMED™) - comprehensive program designed to assist American Indian students who aspire to be health professionals to meet the needs of our tribal communities. (satellite office at USD Sanford School of Medicine)

Pre-College Programs

Camp Med

Career Camps

High School Dual Credit

Scrubs Camp SD

South Dakota HOSA - Future Health Professionals

The Indian University of North America, 7th Gen Summer Program

OLC Summer Bridge Program - For high school students - engage in authentic, hands-on interdisciplinary research experiences during the summer, earning 3 science credits toward your undergraduate degree.

UND Indians Into Medicine Program - Summer Institute

Test Prep

Pre-College Testing Resources

Undergraduate Opportunities

Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)

SD Mines PHEVERS - To help SD Mines students prepare for careers in the health professions, SD Mines designed a free, voluntary co-curricular program known as Roadmap to Pre-Health Experience in Volunteering, Education, Research, & Shadowing (PHEVERS...pronounced "fevers"). This program gives our pre-health students access to opportunities that will help them to develop the Pre-Health Pathways Competencies that we expect all of our students to have by the time they leave SD Mines. The Roadmap to PHEVERS also helps students to gain a deeper understanding of health careers and to connect with both peers and professionals here in Rapid City.

Next Steps - You've explored healthcare careers and resources, now what? View next steps!

Schedule an appointment with WRAHEC - We can help answer any questions you have, talk about your specific next steps, and personally connect you with healthcare programs and colleges across the state.

Visit with a college or university - A great way to learn more about a program is by scheduling an appointment or tour with admissions. Each college or university has ways to schedule these on their website.

Shadow someone working in the field - Interested in a certain career field, but unsure if it is right for you? Interviewing or shadowing a professional in that field is a great way to learn more about it.

Healthcare Career Exploration

Your career in healthcare starts here! Click each tab to expand and find additional information and links.