University of South Dakota

university-of-south-dakotaUniversity of South Dakota Accounting and Finance Degrees

University of South Dakota is also featured in our ranking of the Top 35 Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs.

Accounting and finance degrees are expected to grow by 16 percent over the next ten years, faster than other types of industries. Most accounting and finance positions require a bachelor’s degree although here are positions that require graduate degrees. The University of South Dakota offers several degree programs designed to prepare individuals for careers in this growing industry.

Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting gain an understanding of general accounting, audit, tax, financial planning and management consulting services. The program provides an understanding of ethical business practices as well as critical thinking. They begin the program in a pre-major business core before entering the accounting curriculum. Courses required may include:

  • Accounting Systems
  • Auditing
  • Business Finance
  • Business Law
  • Business Policy and Strategy
  • Business Statistics II
  • Cost Accounting
  • Economics for Managers
  • Econometrics
  • Income Tax Accounting
  • Information Systems for Data Analytics
  • Intermediate Accounting I & II
  • Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • Intermediate Microeconomics
  • International Macroeconomics
  • International Trade
  • Labor Economics
  • Legal Environment of Business
  • Marketing
  • Money and Banking
  • Organizational Behavior & Therapy
  • Production/Operations Management
  • Public Finance

Bachelor of Business Administration/Master of Public Accounting Fast-Track Option

After completing 75 credit hours, students may apply for the Bachelor of Business Administration/Master in Public Accounting Fast-Track option that allows them to earn their Master in Public Accounting in less time. Although many of the courses required are the same as those required for the Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, students may substitute Business Policy and Strategy at the 500 rather than 400 level. In place of the 400 level credit as well as the Information Systems for Data Analytics, they may substitute two of the following courses:

  • Business Ethics
  • Commercial Law and Ethics
  • Financial Strategy
  • Independent Study
  • Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • Intermediate Microeconomics
  • Investments
  • Money & Banking
  • Personal Selling
  • Project Management
  • Topics
  • Undergraduate Research and Scholarship

Master of Professional Accountancy

The Master of Professional Accountancy provides specialized training in accounting and prepares students for a career in public accounting. The program provides the 150-credit hours necessary to sit for the Certified Public Accounting examination. The program requires 21 accounting core credits, up to six credit hours in electives and a thesis. The program is available both online and on campus. Courses required may include:

  • Accounting in Governmental and Non-Profit Organizations
  • Accounting Standards and Ethics
  • Advanced Accounting
  • Advanced Accounting Theory
  • Contemporary Topics in Auditing
  • Cost Accounting
  • Tax Planning and Practice

Master of Business Administration Business Analytics Specialization

The Master of Business Administration with a Business Analytics specialization prepares students to use and analyze data designed to improve the decision-making aspects of business. They are provided an understanding of science and technology designed to solve key business problems in areas of operations management, sales, marketing, finance and economics. The program does not require a thesis. Courses required for the program may include:

  • Business and Its Environment
  • Data Management and Warehousing
  • Data Mining for Competitive Advantage
  • Data Mining for Managers
  • Foundations of Accounting
  • Foundations of Calculus & Statistics
  • Foundations of Economics
  • Foundations of Finance
  • Foundations of Information Systems
  • Foundations of Marketing and Organizational Behavior
  • Leadership Development
  • Managerial Accounting
  • Managerial Economics
  • Managerial Finance
  • Managerial Management
  • Operational Analytics
  • Operations Management
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Production Operations Management

About University of South Dakota

When the Dakota Territory was established in 1862, leaders wanted to create a university, choosing Vermillion as the location. Unfortunately, the legislature did not provide funding for the school and it was more than 20 years before the school opened its doors after residents of Clay County provided funding.

By the time South Dakota became a state in 1889, enrollment had already grown to 500 students. Today, it is the oldest public university governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents and there are more than 10,000 students attending.

University of South Dakota Accreditation Details

The University of South Dakota is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation lets parents, students and employers know that the University provides education that meets the Commission’s standards for excellence in education. In addition, programs throughout the organization are accredited by the following organizations:

  • Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology
  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
  • Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
  • Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants
  • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism & Mass Communication
  • American Bar Association
  • American Chemical Association
  • American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation
  • American Psychological Association
  • Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care
  • Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs
  • Association of University Programs in Health Administration
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
  • Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs
  • Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
  • Council on Social Work Education
  • Liaison Committee on Medical Education
  • National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission
  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • National Association of Schools of Public Affairs & Administration
  • National Association of Schools of Theatre
  • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

University of South Dakota Application Requirements

Applicants to the undergraduate programs in accounting must provide official high school transcripts as well as official ACT or SAT scores. Applicants who have earned credits after high school graduation must also provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

Applicants to the Master of Public Accounting must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. One transcript must show the conferring of a bachelor’s degree or higher. Official GMAT scores, three letters of recommendations and the completion of an undergraduate accounting core. Prerequisite courses include Intermediate Accounting I and II, Cost Accounting, Accounting Systems, Income Tax Accounting and Auditing.

University of South Dakota Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduate tuition for South Dakota residents is $9,331.50 per year while Minnesota tuition is $9,693 per year. Out-of-state residents pay $12,807 per year. Graduate tuition for South Dakota residents is $336.80 per credit hour and for non-residents is $391.30 per credit hour. Online undergraduate tuition is $351.25 per credit hour and graduate tuition is $465.80 per credit hour regardless of residency.

All students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for financial aid. The FAFSA must be renewed annually. Students may be offered grants, scholarships or loans. Those attending on campus may be offered work-study, assistantships or fellowships.

The University of South Dakota is the oldest university in the state, serving as the flagship and the only public liberal arts school in the state. The University of South Dakota is committed to its mission to be a regional leader in diversity and inclusiveness while offering programs that are of the highest quality.