2026 Best South Dakota Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in South Dakota who have a master’s or doctoral degree often decide to expand their practice with a subspecialty or to change their area of focus. There are several online and traditional schools to choose from that offer post-graduate nursing certificates. These programs allow nurses in South Dakota to achieve APRN certifications in new areas that can enrich their careers.

2026 Best Online Nursing Post-Master's Graduate Certificate Schools in South Dakota

#1

Mount Marty University

Yankton, SD - Private 4-year - mountmarty.edu

Graduate Certificate - Post-Graduate APRN Certificate

Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Mount Marty University's Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program prepares advanced nursing professionals to deliver comprehensive primary healthcare. Designed for registered nurses, the program focuses on holistic patient care, emphasizing evidence-based practices and managing acute and chronic health conditions. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program with a minimum 3.0 GPA, possess current RN licensure, and have at least one year of professional nursing experience. The curriculum is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and provides rigorous academic training to develop clinical experts in family healthcare.

• CCNE Accredited Program
• 3.0 GPA Minimum Requirement
• Minimum 1 Year RN Experience
• Advanced Clinical Skills Training
• Holistic Patient Care Focus
• Evidence-Based Practice Curriculum
• Primary Healthcare Specialization
• Professional Recommendation Required
• Basic Life Support Certification
• Multiple Program Entry Tracks

#2

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, SD - Private 4-year - augie.edu

Graduate Certificate - Post-Master's Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Online Learning - Visit Website

Augustana University's Post-Master's Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner prepares advanced practice nurses to provide comprehensive care for complex medical conditions in inpatient settings. This online program allows working professionals to advance their nursing expertise while maintaining their current roles. Students complete the certificate in approximately 15 months, with two 4-day immersion sessions on campus. The program is CCNE-accredited and designed for nurses with a minimum 3.25 GPA, two years of professional experience, and an unencumbered RN license. Graduates are eligible to take the AG-ACNP certification exam, enhancing their clinical leadership skills in acute healthcare environments.

• Online flexible curriculum
• 15-month certificate program
• CCNE accredited program
• Two 4-day campus immersions
• Prepares for AG-ACNP certification
• Requires 2+ years nursing experience
• Specializes in acute care practice

*Institutional data extracted from: IPEDS 2023, NCES.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Admission Requirements in South Dakota

If you have an MSN or DNP, you may benefit from obtaining a South Dakota post-graduate nursing certificate. Each university or college has its own requirements for admission. Besides filling out an application and paying the admissions fee, you will have to prepare a personal statement for each school you apply to. Post-MSN certificate programs are relatively rare in South Dakota. However, South Dakota State University offers several specialties. Their admissions requirements are as follows:

• Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from CCNE or NLNAC-accredited program
• MSN or DNP from CCNE or NLNAC-accredited program
• GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0
• Active RN license from anywhere in the U.S.
• 1,500 hours of experience as an RN
• Background check
• Drug screening
• Immunizations check

Post-Graduate Certificate Nursing Classes and Courses

Each university varies in its requirements but your classes will match the area you choose to specialize in. Online and campus-based programs have similar coursework in a specific specialty. The length of the program and the number of clinical hours also vary greatly based on your certification requirements in South Dakota.

SDSU’s post-grad nursing certification programs offer some of the few opportunities for post-grad education in South Dakota.

The university offers the following certifications:

• Clinical Nurse Leader (online delivery)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (blended campus and online delivery)
• Nurse Educator (online delivery)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (online delivery)

SDSU’s Nurse Educator certification requires the following courses:

• Curriculum Development and Program Evaluation in Nursing Credits
• Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education Credits
• Teaching and Learning Methodologies in Nursing Credits
• Nurse Educator Didactic/Practicum Credits (5 credits required)

This 15-credit certification can be completed in one semester, but other certifications require more than 30 credits plus clinical hours.

Program Length

The length of time it takes to complete a post-master’s nursing certificate depends on several factors. If you work and have family obligations, for example, you may only be able to take one course at a time. The program requirements also vary greatly. Although SDSU’s Nurse Educator Certification has only 15 credits, its Family Nurse Practitioner certification requires 29 academic credits and 1,050 clinical hours.

Tuition and Cost of Attendance

Tuition rates vary widely from university to university. Out-of-state students pay higher tuition rates than in-state students. At South Dakota State University, for example, tuition for in-state nursing graduate students pay $610 per credit hour of campus and online coursework. Out-of-state students enrolled in SDSU classes pay $910 per credit hour. These rates include all administration and delivery fees.

In comparison, Regis College offers online post-graduate nursing certifications nationwide, including in South Dakota. Students pay $980 per credit hour at Regis.

Online Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs in South Dakota

South Dakota MSNs can attain a post-graduate nursing certificate at online universities and colleges. Besides South Dakota State University, there are several nationwide schools accredited for South Dakota licensing requirements. Generally, some students choose nearby colleges to ensure they can complete clinical hours close to home. However, since options in South Dakota are somewhat limited, online courses provide a convenient way to meet the academic portion of the certificate. Each school has unique requirements for clinical hours.

Featured Online School

Regis University offers completely online programs for post-MSN certifications. It has five certificate options:

• Pediatric NP
• Adult-Geriatric NP
• Psychiatric Mental Health NP
• Family NP
• Women's Health NP

These programs require 19 – 40 credit hours to complete, based on the specialization taken. Courses are each worth three credits and take 16 weeks to complete. NP clinicals are offered in two courses worth eight credits each, and the programs can be completed in 12 to 20 months.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Career Pathways in South Dakota

Advanced Practice Registered Nursing certifications let learners extend their knowledge and deepen their practice. Some certifications may include further licensing requirements.

Post-MSN programs in South Dakota include:

• Adult-Gerontology
• Women’s Health
• Nurse Education
• Forensic Nursing

Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Salary and Job Outlook

South Dakota nurses with an MSNs and DNPs make an average of $93,000 per year, based on data available in March 2020. Location, education, specialization, and experience influence the amount of money individual nurses earn.

With the continuing nursing shortage, jobs for RNs with post-master’s certificates in nursing are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that nurses in this sector will experience job growth over the next decade that’s much higher than other professions.

List of South Dakota Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing Programs

South Dakota nurses have access to several post-graduate nursing certificate programs. Check out the list of on-campus, online, and hybrid schools to choose the one that’s best for you.