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Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in South Dakota
South Dakota has one Master of Public Health program accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, offered jointly by the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University. The fully online, generalist MPH offers full-time and part-time enrollment and emphasizes rural public health, including the health needs of rural, underserved, and Indigenous communities. The curriculum covers core areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, social and behavioral sciences, and health services administration. The program is currently undergoing CEPH reaccreditation, and its accreditation remains in effect while the council completes its review.
Sponsored Online MPH Programs
| Institution & Program | Study Length | Test requirement |
|---|---|---|
| As few as 20 months | No GRE required | |
| As few as 12 months | No GRE required |
Master of Public Health (MPH) Programs in South Dakota
| Institution & Program | Delivery Mode | Location | Study Length | Test requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University of South DakotaMaster of Public Health | In-Person | Vermillion, SD | 2+ years | No GRE required |
University of South DakotaMaster of Public Health | Online | Vermillion, SD | 2+ years | No GRE required |
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 available only online and offers 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. Medical and health services managers/healthcare administrators command the highest median salary in the state at $122,050 — nearly at the national median of $123,860 — and are projected to see the strongest job growth nationally at 29% through 2034. Medical records specialists are the only occupation in South Dakota that exceeds the national median, at $51,610 vs $51,140.
The table below reflects the demand and earning potential for public health careers in South Dakota, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025).
Job Title | Median Annual Salary in SD (May 2025) | Median Annual Salary in U.S. (May 2025) | Projected Job Growth in U.S., 2024-2034 |
|---|---|---|---|
Biostatisticians | N/A* | $105,650 | 8% |
Health Specialties Professors | $78,720 | $107,310 | 4% |
Environmental Health Specialists | $68,230 | $82,220 | 7% |
Epidemiologists | N/A* | $87,220 | 16% |
Medical and Health Services Managers/Healthcare Administrators | $122,050 | $123,860 | 29% |
Health Educators | $57,370 | $64,070 | 7% |
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,610 | $90,150 | 6% |
Medical Records Specialists | $51,610 | $51,140 | 9% |
Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,890 | $76,400 | 7% |
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $60,740 | $68,020 | 17% |
*Estimate not released by BLS for this occupation in South Dakota.
Information last updated June 2026, using May 2025 BLS OEWS data. Job growth projections from BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.
Sponsored Online Public Health Programs
| Institution & Program | Study Length | Test requirement |
|---|---|---|
| As few as 20 months | No GRE required | |
| As few as 12 months | No GRE required | |
| 36 months | No GRE required | |
| As few as 24 months | No GRE required | |
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Institute of Health ProfessionsMasters of Health Administration Ad | 12-24 Months | No GMAT or GRE required |
Information last updated: August 2026