Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in South Dakota 

Public health schools throughout South Dakota and beyond offer Master of Public Health (MPH) programs that focus on a variety of subjects. Having the urge to better yourself through education should be your first indication that you have potential that has not been met. Enrolling in an MPH program in the state of South Dakota might improve the quality of your life and potentially make an impact on the lives of others in your state.

There is only one public health school in South Dakota that offers an MPH that is  accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH): the University of South Dakota/South Dakota State University. Read on to learn more.

As mentioned, the University of South Dakota/South Dakota State University is the only public health school in South Dakota that offers a CEPH-accredited MPH program. This MPH program is only available online and offers only one concentration: generalist. Online MPH programs are a great option not only for the added convenience of attending school from anywhere, but also for allowing students to continue working or managing a family. If you are thinking of pursuing a degree in public health but you are not sure how to manage your time effectively, online MPH programs may be a great option.

Public Health Career Outlook in South Dakota

Public health is a field focused on  the prevention and treatment of serious health issues. Hospitals, health care centers, educational institutions and public service providers are just a few of the areas where you can pursue a public health career in South Dakota. Multiple careers have positive outlooks in the state. For instance, health specialties professors lead the pack, with projected employment growth of 25% through 2028—higher than the national average (21%). Four other jobs—occupational health specialist, medical records and health information technician, dietitian and nutritionist, and health informatics specialist—are also expected to top the national growth rate. Within South Dakota, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the Minnehaha area experienced slightly lower wage growth than the rest of the state and country between 2019 and 2020.

The table below reflects the demand and earning potential for public health careers in South Dakota, based on data provided by O*NET OnLine.

Job TitleMedian Salary in SD, 2020 (Yearly)Median Salary in U.S., 2020 (Yearly)Projected Job Growth in SD, 2018-2028Projected Job Growth in U.S., 2019-2029
Biostatisticians
n/a*
$92,270
n/a*
35%
Health Specialties Professors
$68,890
$99,090
25%
21%
Environmental Health Specialists
$58,260
$73,230
8%
8%
Epidemiologists
n/a*
$74,560
n/a*
5%
Medical and Health Services Managers/Healthcare Administrators
$101,320
$104,280
10%
32%
Health Educators
$50,230
$56,500
11%
11%
Occupational Health Specialist
$76,810
$76,340
5%
4%
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
$59,110
$51,840
10%
8%
Dietitians and Nutritionists
$55,250
$63,090
15%
8%
Health Informatics Specialists 
$76,790
$93,730
13%
7%

*Estimate not released/provided by O*NET

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. 

Information last updated July 2021