CSWE-Accredited BSW Programs in South Dakota: Guide for 2026

Want to pursue a BSW degree in South Dakota? You’ll find three CSWE-accredited options to pick from. Each program comes with its own unique benefits that match different student needs and career paths.

These BSW programs might be few in number, but they pack a punch with their academic excellence. The programs give you complete training in multiple practice areas instead of focusing on just one specialty. You’ll learn to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Students must complete 400 hours of supervised practice at approved social service agencies. This hands-on experience will prepare you for real-world challenges.

The career outlook is bright, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024 data. Social workers in South Dakota earn $59,420 on average. Your actual salary could vary based on your work setting, specialty, and years of experience.

This guide takes a closer look at all three CSWE-accredited social work programs in South Dakota. You’ll learn about what makes each program special, how much they cost, and their online options. This information will help you choose the right path for your social work education.

Augustana University BSW Program

Augustana University has one of South Dakota’s newest CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs through its Harriet Emily Scott Social Work Program. The program returns to the university after more than 15 years and gives future social work professionals a solid foundation.

Description

The BSW program at Augustana University helps you get ready for generalist social work practice in settings of all types. You’ll gain skills to work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Students develop knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive-affective processes they need to practice effectively. The program focuses on four key elements: belonging, mastery, generosity, and independence.

Augustana’s social work curriculum shapes you into a change agent. You’ll learn to improve people’s and communities’ resilience, help clients find vital resources, and promote inclusion, diversity, equity, antiracism, and belonging. This lines up with the profession’s aim to create positive change by building problem-solving abilities and tackling institutional barriers.

The 56-credit hour major balances liberal arts education with social work-specific coursework. The structure has:

• 13 credit hours of supportive courses
• 43 credit hours of required social work courses

Supportive courses build your basic knowledge through:

• Biology and Human Concerns (4 credits)
• American Government (3 credits)
• General Psychology (3 credits)
• Contemporary Society (3 credits)

Required social work courses develop your professional skills through specialized subjects:

The program stands out with its hands-on learning through field practicum experiences. You’ll get two full semesters of real-life practice in professional settings, adding up to 400 hours of supervised field experience. This practical training helps you step into professional social work roles and meets CSWE accreditation requirements.

Heather El-Khoury, assistant professor of social work, supervises the field experience as the program’s field director. Her supervision makes sure your internship experiences matter and match your educational goals.

Students can pursue double majors easily. The curriculum’s schedule lets you study social work along with fields like sociology and psychology, giving you flexibility to gain expertise in multiple areas.

The BSW program started in fall 2024, though students could take introductory courses in the previous year. The program has already attracted more than 20 declared majors in its first year as a full major.

Students who want advanced studies will find a clear path forward. Augustana will start offering a Master of Social Work (MSW) program in Fall 2025. BSW graduates from CSWE-accredited programs can qualify for Advanced Standing and complete their MSW in just one year (30 credit hours) instead of two years (59 credit hours) needed for other bachelor’s degrees.

BSW graduates from Augustana can work in many settings:

• Public and private social service agencies
• Healthcare facilities
• Mental health organizations
• Child welfare services
• Schools
• Advocacy organizations
• Community development

The curriculum emphasizes social work’s core value of promoting social justice and addressing systemic inequities. You’ll learn to work effectively with diverse populations and solve complex social problems.

Tuition and fees

Your investment in Augustana University opens doors to a successful social work career. The university sees this investment as more than just education costs – it’s your path to future success beyond the classroom.

The 2022-2023 academic year fees were:

Students taking fewer or extra credits paid $1,992 per credit hour during 2022-2023.

The university includes these additional costs when calculating financial aid:

• Books and supplies: $1,000
• Personal expenses: $1,544
• Travel expenses: $1,886

The total cost including tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal expenses comes to about $60,000. Most students pay much less than this listed price.

Every full-time undergraduate student at Augustana gets some form of financial help through scholarships, grants, or both. This support brings down costs substantially.

Students receiving need-based aid pay an average of $23,534 after financial aid packages. This cuts the total cost by more than half, making the program more affordable.

Students must pay for tuition, housing, and meal plans before each semester starts. CashNet offers a monthly payment plan for families who want to spread out payments. New students need to pay a non-refundable tuition deposit by May 1 to hold their spot.

The program’s recent start and plans for CSWE accreditation make an Augustana BSW valuable. Field experience and generalist practice prepare you for immediate jobs or advanced standing in MSW programs, potentially increasing your return on investment.

Online options

Augustana University teaches its BSW program completely face-to-face. While other schools might offer hybrid or online options, Augustana sticks to traditional in-person learning for undergraduate social work.

The upcoming Master of Social Work (MSW) program will use a hybrid format when it starts in Fall 2025, making it easier for working professionals to attend.

The BSW program’s in-person approach focuses on:

• Direct faculty-student interaction
• Close community connections for field placements
• Interactive classroom experiences
• Hands-on learning opportunities
• Collaborative peer engagement

The program schedules courses thoughtfully to help students manage double majors in fields like sociology and psychology, offering flexibility within the in-person format.

The face-to-face BSW builds strong skills that work well in hybrid graduate programs, including Augustana’s future MSW program. Students should think about whether campus-based education fits their learning style, location, and schedule. Those who can attend in person benefit from direct mentorship and an immersive learning community.

Oglala Lakota College BSW Program

Oglala Lakota College in Kyle, South Dakota, has a unique Bachelor of Social Work program. The program blends Lakota values with standard social work education. It stands out because of its native viewpoint on social work while meeting all accreditation requirements.

Description

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) fully accredits the BSW program. This means graduates get a recognized credential they can use anywhere in the field. The accreditation shows the program meets quality standards and gets students ready for licenses and professional work.

The program wants to strengthen students in both social work and Lakota ethics. Students learn skills and knowledge they need to lead in tribal, state, federal, and global communities. This mix of traditional and modern learning creates a special education that works well for native communities and beyond.

Students learn through the Strengths Based Viewpoint. They study both regular social work and Lakota research, theory, values, policy, and practices. This helps graduates tackle social, economic, and environmental justice issues with cultural understanding.

The program’s native viewpoint makes it special. Lakota culture and values are part of every class. Students learn to:

• Use social change methods that share economic and social resources fairly
• Make life better for Lakota People and other groups that need help
• Use Lakota cultural knowledge in their work
• Fix system-wide problems through cultural understanding

Students get both basic social work knowledge and special native teachings. They study social work’s history and how it matters today, especially in tribal areas. The program covers everything from basic methods to helping with addiction and abuse. This gets students ready for their first social work jobs.

Students must take SOWK 203 in spring to start their social work classes. They should finish most OLC Core classes before junior year. This creates a clear path through the degree.

Students need 120-124 credit hours to get their Bachelor of Science in Social Work. They get real-life experience through field work that connects what they learn in class to actual practice.

Recent research has focused on creating a Lakota Social Work Education Conceptual Framework. This framework helps:

• Train faculty better
• Keep more Lakota social work students in school
• Bring Lakota elders’ wisdom into classes
• Match Lakota values with social work ethics

This cultural model helps bring more diversity and fairness to social work teaching and practice. The research behind it helps develop better programs for social work, American Indian studies, and Tribal Colleges.

The Pine Ridge Reservation location lets students work with the local community. They see firsthand the social issues affecting tribal communities. This prepares them for working with Native American groups.

Graduates can work in many places. The program prepares them for jobs in:

• Tribal social service agencies
• State and federal social programs
• Healthcare facilities
• Child welfare services
• Mental health organizations
• Community development initiatives
• Advocacy groups

Students learn to blend Lakota and other cultures into their work. This cultural skill is valuable in today’s diverse social services.

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University of South Dakota BSW Program

The University of South Dakota runs one of the state’s oldest BSW programs. The School of Health Sciences provides detailed education to future social workers. The program puts students first and prepares graduates to help people from all walks of life.

Description

USD’s Bachelor of Social Work program has held full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1974. This guarantees graduates receive nationally recognized credentials. Students learn to understand people’s unique needs and help them through individual-specific support.

The program combines classroom learning with hands-on field experience. Students become versatile social workers who can handle different challenges – from one-on-one services to policy creation and community work. The program teaches:

• Strong ethical foundations based on the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics
• Skills to connect clients with essential resources
• Ways to advocate for individuals and communities
• Understanding of human behavior and social environments
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice methods

Students can add a specialized track in child welfare that prepares them to work with children in need. The program also lets students shape their education through focused elective tracks:

Students pick six credit hours from these specialized tracks to match their career goals. The program also pairs field placements with each student’s professional interests.

A BSW degree opens doors to entry-level social work positions or graduate studies. Social work stands as a helping profession where practitioners tackle human problems with solution-focused approaches.

Sociology majors can choose USD’s innovative 3+2 accelerated program. Students finish 96 hours of their undergraduate degree in three years, then complete 24 hours of Master of Social Work coursework that counts toward both degrees. This path saves time and money for students planning advanced degrees.

USD partners with many professional agencies for field education under qualified social workers’ supervision. Field supervisors must have:

• Two years minimum post-graduate experience
• A degree equal to or higher than the student’s level
• Time to provide one hour of direct, educational-focused supervision weekly

Students blend classroom theory with real-life practice in supportive settings.

Tuition and fees

USD keeps its tuition competitive. Here’s the cost breakdown for 2025-26:

Total estimated costs reach $24,888 for in-state and $28,398 for out-of-state students. USD offers in-state tuition to residents from Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming. This makes the program accessible to more students from these states.

Net prices change based on family income after financial aid:

• $0-$30,000 family income: $15,653 average cost
• $30,001-$48,000 family income: $16,813 average cost
• $48,001-$75,000 family income: $18,725 average cost
• $75,001-$110,000 family income: $21,006 average cost
• $110,001+ family income: $21,482 average cost

Some sources list the average net price for federal loan recipients at $19,499. Students should check with USD’s financial aid office for specific cost estimates.

Fall 2023 saw 54% of first-year students receive need-based financial aid. The average need-based scholarship or grant was $6,597. The university covered about 61% of its students’ financial aid needs.

Students who take loans have a median federal debt of $23,592. Monthly payments run about $250 over 10 years at 5.05% interest. About 22% of graduates took private loans, averaging $25,321.

The 2024 graduating class saw 69% of students borrow loans, with average total debt at $30,117. These numbers show why financial planning matters and how USD works to keep costs down through aid and scholarships.

Online options

USD knows students need flexible options. The BSW program includes some distance learning choices, though not everything can be done remotely.

The university promises “high-quality education at an affordable rate” whatever your location. Some BSW coursework works well online, but hands-on field training – a vital part of social work education – usually needs in-person participation at approved sites.

Students blend classroom theory with practical experience in field settings. While some courses work online, you’ll need hands-on field experience to complete your degree.

USD’s graduate MSW program offers more online flexibility than the BSW program. You can complete the MSW 100% online if campus visits don’t fit your schedule. Start with a mixed online-campus BSW, then move to an all-online MSW later.

USD stands among just 11 schools nationwide using the Path to Licensure program. This program blends online or campus learning with practical field work. Students gain required experience while keeping some schedule flexibility.

Talk to program advisors about which courses work online and which need campus attendance. This helps plan your degree path around your schedule.

The School of Health Sciences values mentorship between students, faculty, and field supervisors. Some face-to-face interaction helps build these relationships, even for online students.

Field education remains essential no matter how you study. The BSW program requires supervised field hours where you’ll apply classroom knowledge in real situations under qualified supervision.

Next Steps

Your social work career in South Dakota starts with picking the right BSW program. Each option brings unique strengths that need to line up with your professional goals. The state’s three CSWE-accredited programs excel in different areas. Augustana University offers a newly refreshed program with paths to advanced standing in their upcoming MSW program. Oglala Lakota College provides culturally-grounded education that integrates indigenous views. The University of South Dakota, 49 years old, stands out with specialized tracks and a strong reputation.

Money plays a big role in your decision. Oglala Lakota College keeps things affordable at $2,684 per year. USD’s in-state rate runs $9,687, while Augustana’s private institution cost reaches $41,768 before financial aid. These costs drop substantially for many students. At Augustana, all full-time undergraduates get some form of financial help.

Each school takes a different approach to class format. Oglala Lakota guides the way with extensive distance education options. USD mixes online learning with in-person classes. Augustana sticks to traditional face-to-face teaching. Your life situation and learning priorities will point you toward the best model.

Your career outlook looks bright whatever program you choose. South Dakota’s social workers earn $59,420 on average yearly. This number can grow based on your specialty, workplace, and experience. Each program prepares you for license eligibility and graduate studies through 400 hours of supervised field experience.

South Dakota’s BSW programs may be few, but they all maintain high standards while meeting different student needs. Your final choice comes down to cost, location, cultural focus, and learning format. This detailed guide gives you the tools to pick a program that matches your career dreams, budget, and educational goals.