Jake Flannigan, NP
July 15, 2025
South Dakota’s NP programs train RNs for advanced practice in both urban centers like Sioux Falls and rural clinics statewide. CCNE‑accredited MSN and DNP tracks, primarily at the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University, offer specialties such as Family and Psychiatric‑Mental Health NP. Graduates are eligible for national certification and South Dakota APRN licensure with full prescriptive authority, with an emphasis on serving the state’s rural healthcare needs.
Yankton, SD - Private 4-year - mountmarty.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Mount Marty University's Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner track provides comprehensive advanced practice nursing education with a distinctive rural healthcare focus. The hybrid program spans 50 credits and emphasizes holistic, evidence-based patient care across diverse populations. Designed exclusively for licensed RNs, students develop advanced clinical expertise through rigorous academic training and extensive hands-on experiences. With a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement and 720 clinical hours, graduates are uniquely prepared to address complex healthcare challenges in primary care settings. The CCNE-accredited program integrates post-graduate certification options and prioritizes comprehensive patient management strategies.
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Visit Website
Mount Marty University's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program delivers comprehensive two-year online training for advanced practice nurses. The 50-credit curriculum encompasses 750 clinical hours, focusing on evidence-based psychiatric care and advanced mental health interventions. Students develop sophisticated skills in diagnosing and treating psychological conditions through integrated pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy approaches. Emphasizing compassionate care in rural and underserved settings, the program integrates Catholic Benedictine values while preparing graduates to address complex mental health challenges across diverse populations.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mount Marty University's campus-based Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner program provides comprehensive advanced practice preparation. Blending in-person and online learning, the curriculum emphasizes rural health, disease prevention, and compassionate care through Catholic Benedictine values. Students receive extensive training in advanced pharmacology, physical assessment, and lifespan patient management. The CCNE-accredited program offers flexible learning options while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Graduates are equipped with advanced clinical skills, positioning them to deliver high-quality primary care in diverse healthcare environments.
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Mount Marty University's Post-Graduate APRN Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner offers specialized advanced practice training for experienced registered nurses. Requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA, current RN licensure, and one year of professional experience, this hybrid program provides comprehensive primary healthcare preparation. The CCNE-accredited curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practices, holistic patient care, and advanced clinical skills development. Students gain expertise in managing acute and chronic health conditions while exploring multiple program entry tracks. Professional recommendations and Basic Life Support certification complement the rigorous academic training, positioning graduates as highly competent family healthcare professionals.
Sioux Falls, SD - Private 4-year - augie.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Augustana University's Post-Master's Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner offers a specialized online pathway for experienced nurses seeking advanced clinical expertise. This CCNE-accredited program enables working professionals to enhance their acute care skills through a comprehensive 15-month curriculum. Featuring two intensive 4-day campus immersion sessions, the program prepares nurses to provide complex medical care in challenging inpatient environments. Candidates must possess a minimum 3.25 GPA, two years of professional nursing experience, and an active RN license. Upon completion, graduates are well-positioned to take the AG-ACNP certification exam and advance their healthcare leadership capabilities.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Augustana University's Master of Science in Nursing delivers a transformative hybrid learning experience tailored for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners. This innovative program combines flexible online coursework with immersive on-campus sessions, allowing working professionals to develop advanced clinical competencies. Spanning approximately 2.5 years, the CCNE-accredited curriculum emphasizes holistic patient care, interprofessional collaboration, and leadership development. Students specializing in AG-ACNP gain comprehensive skills to address complex adult and geriatric healthcare needs. Prerequisites include a BSN, active RN license, and relevant nursing experience, providing a strategic pathway for nurses seeking meaningful career advancement in acute care settings.
Programs often use a hybrid format: didactic lectures and discussions delivered online via asynchronous modules and live webinars, with periodic on‑campus intensives for simulation labs and skills workshops. Clinical rotations are arranged locally at approved sites, and some schools offer fully online didactic phases requiring only brief in‑person skill assessments.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Augustana University |
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| Mount Marty University |
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| Certifying Board | South Dakota Board of Nursing – Advanced Practice Section |
|---|---|
| Certification | Active South Dakota RN license (or NLC multistate privilege) plus national APRN credential with primary-source verification |
| License Renewal Period | Biennial renewal on your birth date every two years, with notices sent three months prior |
| Continuing Education | No state-mandated CE, maintain the requirements of your national certifier |
| License Application Fee | $100 application fee |
| Clinical Hours | Minimum of 1,040 practice hours as a licensed NP or CNM in the preceding five years |
| Processing Time | Approximately 4–6 weeks after receipt of a complete application |
| Endorsement | Out-of-state APRNs must hold (or obtain) a South Dakota RN license and submit primary-source verification of APRN credentials |
Nurse practitioners in South Dakota earn an average of about $120,980 per year, with metropolitan areas like Sioux Falls seeing wages near $121,000 and Rapid City around $116,000. Compensation packages often include benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and sometimes rural retention incentives.
| Salary & Career Outlook | South Dakota | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual NP Salary | $115,000 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $55.29 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$130,000 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $115,000 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$95,000 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~45% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~70 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Marty University |
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| Augustana University |
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Many NPs pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice to deepen clinical expertise and qualify for leadership or academic roles. Post‑master’s certificate programs allow adding new specialties, such as acute care or women’s health, without another full degree. PhD pathways open doors to research and faculty positions, while advanced training also supports careers in administration, informatics, policy development, or telehealth leadership.
Learn more about Nurse Practitioner specialities.
Additional Nursing Programs in South Dakota
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Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
