Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
777 South Harbour Island Boulevard,
Suite 750
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 769-6500
National Association of Schools of Music
777 South Harbour Island Boulevard,
Suite 750 Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 769-6500
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
1140 19th ST NW #400
Washington, DC 20036
South Dakota Department of Education
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501-2291
(605) 773-5232
Society of Health and Physical Educators
1140 19th ST NW #400
Washington, DC 20036
Black Hills State University offers a variety of courses and programs online and is committed to providing a quality education to help you reach your professional goals. Some professions require certification or licensure in order to practice/work in the field; for instance, a teacher must be certified to teach. The curriculum for a number of degree programs at Black Hills State University have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in South Dakota, and prepare students to sit for licensure exams in South Dakota. The various licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state and distance students with intent of returning or moving to any state other than South Dakota should be aware of the unique requirements for that state.
Students seeking to establish licensure in the following states and territories should contact an academic advisor prior to beginning any academic program that would lead to licensure in order to best understand the licensure program in your intended state of residence: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Minor Outlying Islands, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. For those states and territories, we are unable to admit you to a program that leads to professional licensure until after we have certified that our curriculum will prepare you to sit for licensure in your state of residence.
Teacher Education
To graduate from BHSU and be licensed to teach in South Dakota, students must pass
Praxis Content Knowledge Exams and the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers
(PPAT). The Praxis Content Knowledge Exams measure the student’s knowledge of content
(what disciplines he/she will teach) and must be successfully passed before a student
is allowed to student teach. The PPAT assesses the student’s knowledge of methods
(how to teach). It is taken during the student teaching semester.
Students must pass any content area exam for which they want to be licensed in South Dakota as per the guidelines for certification. Study guides are available on the ETS PRAXIS website. Over 90% of our students pass the exams on the first try because they study, take it seriously, and take advantage of study guides.
Assistance will be provided to candidates in understanding the out-of-state requirements for licensure prior to enrollment in the Black Hills State University program. Please contact the Director of Field Experiences and University Certification Officer, Mrs. Jami Kesling at 605-642-6077.
Links to certification information:
College of Education
Field Experience, Pre-Admission, Pre-Student, Internship
Teacher Certification and Recertification
A degree in Professional Accountancy prepares students for a wide range of careers in accounting, most of which do not require professional licensure. For students who do choose to pursue CPA certification, BHSU's program meets the educational requirements to sit for the CPA exam in South Dakota. Each state is responsible for its own CPA certification/licensure requirements, which may change without notice. Students with questions about CPA eligibility requirements should speak with their academic advisor.
BHSU is committed to assisting students in meeting their academic goals through a positive experience. For minor concerns or complaints, the student is encouraged to meet with the Professor with the goal of resolving the issue. If the concern is not resolved at this level, it is suggested that the student talk with the appropriate Chair or Dean. The formal appeal process is outlined in BHSU and SDBOR policy.
Students may address the concern/appeal formally through the Academic Affairs Office.
Office of Academic Affairs
Black Hills State University
1200 University St, Unit 9501
Spearfish, SD 57799-9501
PH. (605)642-6262
academicaffairs@bhsu.edu
Any person may file a complaint with the Executive Director of the South Dakota Board of Regents to obtain a review and appropriate action on allegations that an institution governed by the Board:
Violated South Dakota consumer protection laws,
Engaged in fraud or false advertising,
Violated South Dakota laws relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions
or programs,
Failed to provide an educational program meeting contemporary standards for content
and rigor,
Failed to assign qualified instructors; or
Violated one or more accreditation requirements.
Where the institution has not already considered and acted upon the complaint, the
Executive Director will refer the matter to the institutional president for review
and action. If the complainant challenges an institutional disposition of the complaint,
the Executive Director will provide for an independent review and disposition of the
allegations. The Executive Director may be contacted at:
The Office of the Executive Director of the South Dakota Board of Regents
306 East Capitol Avenue, Suite 200
Pierre, SD 57501-2545
Phone: 605-773-3455
Information Email