Black Hills State University

Non-profit public

Public

Private

Regional

Black Hills State University opened as a teachers college in 1883. A public university with locations in Spearfish and Rapid City, BHSU currently oversees 80 degree programs and educates nearly 4,000 students through its three colleges. BHSU offers an online bachelor's degree in business administration with a general studies track and a specialization option in management. General studies students must take a capstone course and complete 15 credits in three areas of emphasis. BHSU also offers online master's degrees in sustainability, strategic leadership, curriculum and instruction, secondary education, and reading. The strategic leadership program uses an executive cohort model. The one- or two-year secondary education degree prepares graduates for teacher certification, combining distance learning with two practica and a stint of student teaching. Admission requirements vary by program. First-year applicants must possess a minimum 2.6 GPA, a score of at least 18 or 970 on the ACT or SAT, or rank in the top 60% of their high school class. Online students may access support services, including library services, technical support, and advising.

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Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

91% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

81% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

60% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores:	Considered (not required)	High school transcript:	Required
High school rank:	Considered (not required)	Letter of recommendation:	Considered (not required)
High school GPA:	Considered (not required)	Open admission:	No
Completion of college prep program:	Required	Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL):

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment: Yes

Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes

Credit for qualified life experience*:

ⓘ *This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

Learning Environment

Students enrolledOnline student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio

63%

Online student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio

15:1

Student to faculty ratio

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

#	Programs	BA	MA	Doc
1	Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies	✔	✕	✕
2	Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies	✔	✕	✕
3	Biological And Biomedical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
4	Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services	✔	✔	✕
5	Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs	✔	✔	✕
6	Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services	✔	✔	✕
7	Education	✔	✔	✔
8	Engineering	✕	✔	✔
9	English Language And Literature/Letters	✔	✔	✔
10	Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics	✔	✕	✕
11	Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
12	Health Professions And Related Programs	✔	✔	✔
13	History	✔	✔	✕
14	History	✔	✔	✕
15	Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services	✔	✕	✕
16	Legal Professions And Studies	✕	✕	✔
17	Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities	✔	✔	✕
18	Mathematics And Statistics	✔	✔	✔
19	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies	✔	✔	✕
20	Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology	✔	✔	✕
21	Philosophy And Religious Studies	✔	✕	✕
22	Physical Sciences	✔	✔	✔
23	Psychology	✔	✔	✔
24	Public Administration And Social Service Professions	✕	✔	✕
25	Security And Protective Services	✔	✕	✕
26	Social Sciences	✔	✔	✔
27	Visual And Performing Arts	✔	✔	✕