Begin your healthcare studies at BHSU!

Black Hills State University offers an associate degree in Applied Health Sciences that can prepare students for a wide variety of healthcare fields. BHSU prepares approximately 60 students per year for admission into nursing programs.  The associate degree in Applied Health Sciences offers students all the general education and core classes required for admission into the Standard BSN program at South Dakota State University, as well as for other bachelor degree-level programs like Dental Hygiene. This degree allows students to prepare for multiple career options.

What makes your program unique?

Students may complete the entire Applied Health Sciences program in Spearfish or at BHSU-RC, with online options also available for many classes. Select courses can also be taken as dual credit courses, jumpstarting your college career.  We’re happy to work with students at any stage in their educational journey.

Partnership with South Dakota State University

BHSU is excited to partner with SDSU College of Nursing through the West River Health Science Center.  Students in the Applied Health Sciences degree at BHSU are guaranteed admission to SDSU's Rapid City Standard BSN program as long as they meet the following requirements:

• 2.7 cumulative college GPA
• C grade or better in all courses required for graduation
• All other admission requirements to SDSU and the Standard BSN program
• Please note this guaranteed admission option is only available at SDSU's Rapid City location.

What programs do you offer to students in the West River Area?

• Associate Degree in Applied Health Sciences
• Transfer Options:
  • SDSU Nursing (Rapid City and Brookings)
  • USD Nursing (Vermillion and Sioux Falls)
  • USD Dental Hygiene (Vermillion)