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EnglishWhat Majors and Academic Programs Does the University of South Dakota Offer?
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The University of South Dakota (usd.edu) offers more than 200 academic programs across undergraduate, graduate, and professional categories. If you are trying to find a program that fits your interests, the site's "Majors and Programs" section is the starting point: it presents the full range of offerings and lets you explore by program level rather than browsing a single flat list.
Program Levels at a Glance
USD organizes its academics into three broad categories. The table below summarizes what each covers and who it is for.
| Program level | What it includes | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate programs | Bachelor's-level majors and programs within a comprehensive liberal arts university | First-time students, transfer students, and anyone seeking a four-year degree |
| Graduate programs | Advanced study beyond the bachelor's level | Students who already hold a bachelor's degree and want deeper specialization |
| Professional programs | Career-oriented professional study | Students pursuing a specific professional path |
The site describes USD as "a comprehensive, liberal arts university offering undergraduate, graduate and professional programs," so the three categories are meant to be read together—the same institution covers a broad liberal arts base and specialized professional training.
How to Explore the Offerings
The homepage frames the choice as personal: "At the University of South Dakota, you can create a path that reflects your unique interests and passions." To act on that:
- Start from the "Majors and Programs" section. The heading "Majors and Programs DESIGNED FOR YOU" marks the entry point for academic offerings.
- Choose your level first. Decide whether you are looking at undergraduate, graduate, or professional programs; the site separates "Undergraduate Programs" and "Graduate Programs" as distinct entry links.
- Narrow by interest. With more than 200 programs, use your intended field or career direction to shortlist options rather than scanning everything.
- Confirm the specific program page. Once you have a shortlist, open the individual program to check its details before applying.
Expected result: you should end up with a short list of programs at the right level, each tied to a specific program page you can review in detail.
What Else the Site Signals
A few homepage details are useful context while you research:
- Applying is free. The homepage includes an "Apply for Free" prompt, so the application step itself carries no stated fee on the page.
- Rankings are listed for orientation, not as a substitute for program fit. U.S. News & World Report ranked USD No. 283 among 2026 Best National Universities, No. 157 among Top Public Schools, and No. 133 among Best Education Schools; Princeton Review listed USD among its Best 391 Colleges. These are institutional rankings—they do not tell you which specific major suits you.
- Recent news shows active program areas. Examples include a new Piano & Music Technology Lab in the College of Fine Arts and a statewide NIH research partnership involving the USD Sanford School of Medicine, which can help you see where the university is investing.
Common Sticking Points
- Treating "200+ programs" as a single list. The site splits offerings by level; picking your level first keeps the search manageable.
- Confusing institutional rankings with program quality. The rankings above describe the university overall, not individual majors.
- Skipping the program page. The homepage gives the categories and the count; the specifics of any major live on its own program page, which is where you should verify before applying.
If your goal is simply to understand what USD is, the short answer is a comprehensive public liberal arts university in South Dakota with more than 200 programs spanning undergraduate, graduate, and professional study—and the "Majors and Programs" section is where to match one to your plans.