Online PhD Programs in South Dakota

South Dakota Top Colleges and Universities: South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, Black Hills State University

South Dakota’s Top Industries: Retail, Finance, and Health Care; Tourism; Agriculture

South Dakota Top Employers: IBP Hog Market Inc., Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City Regional Hospital

South Dakota’s colleges and universities emphasize the importance of online education. The state’s large public universities, South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota, offer an extensive selection of distance learning programs and courses. South Dakota State University’s online degree programs include an associate degree in general studies; bachelor’s degrees in sociology, interdisciplinary studies, and general studies; and master’s degrees in dietetics, chemistry, educational administration, and more. The University of South Dakota’s offers primarily graduate degrees through its distance education system, such as a master’s in addiction studies, educational administration, or administration. It also features a transitional doctorate in physical therapy, the first online doctoral degree program in the South Dakota Regental System.

Students in South Dakota who are interested in earning an online degree can use the state Electronic University Consortium of South Dakota (EUC). The EUC is a resource for students who are looking for online programs offered by the state’s six public universities. Its website features a list of available online programs that includes the level of the degree, the institution offering it, and the title of the program. It also features a list of proposed programs that haven’t been approved by the South Dakota Board of Regents yet. This resource enables students interested in online learning to find a school and degree program they’d like to enroll in, which may streamline the university selection process.

Your Online PhD In South Dakota

South Dakota’s top industries include the retail, finance, and health care industry; tourism; and agriculture. The state’s top employers are IBP Hog Market Inc., Ellsworth Air Force Base, and Rapid City Regional Hospital, according to Career One Stop. There are many online PhD degrees that can apply to these industries, such as a doctoral degree in business administration, health administration, or a Ph.D. in management. For example, online PhD programs in business administration may prepare a student for employment in the top levels of management in a business organization. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), top executives earned a median annual salary of $165,080 in May 2010. Employment of top executives is anticipated to increase 5%, or slower than average for all occupations, from 2010 to 2020. Although executives play an integral role in an organization’s operations, the demand for them doesn’t grow as quickly as it does for lower positions within a company, the BLS reports.

Individuals who want to work in management of a health care organization should consider enrolling in an accredited online PhD program in health administration. Health care administrators plan and coordinate medical and health services at hospitals, doctor’s offices, and nursing care facilities. Although a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement to qualifying for employment in this profession, a doctoral degree in health administration may give a candidate the extra knowledge and experience that would make them more competitive candidates. Healthcare administrators earned a median annual salary of $84,270 in May 2010, according to the BLS. Choosing to pursue a health administration degree in South Dakota may be a good idea because four of the state’s top 10 employers are hospitals, according to Career One Stop.