Graduate Certificate in State Government Leadership Excellence at University of South Dakota

Programme overview

A post-baccalaureate certificate for State of South Dakota government managers, building leadership and management skills including managing resources and people and leading organizational change. Delivery combines distance learning with intensive face-to-face seminars on the Vermillion campus.

Faculty: Graduate School | Department: Graduate School (supported by Communication Studies, Entrepreneurship Management and Marketing, and Political Science) | Duration: 15 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Vermillion, SD, United States

What you will study

Five graduate courses taught by USD faculty, including a capstone experience.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Enrollment restricted to State of South Dakota government employees nominated and selected through the state. USD graduate programmes, general requirements: official transcript showing a regionally accredited bachelor's degree (or equivalent), online application (USD or GradCAS) with a $38 non-refundable fee, letters of recommendation (number varies by programme), statement of purpose and resume. International applicants need English proficiency of TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS Academic 6.0, Duolingo 110 or PTE 53 (minimums listed for the Graduate School; individual programmes may set higher scores), unless they hold a degree from an exempt English-speaking country, plus a passport copy and Financial Ability Form before an I-20 is issued.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms for international applicants: Spring 2027 classes start January 11, 2027 (new student arrival deadline January 10); Fall 2027 classes start August 23 (new student arrival deadline August 20).

Graduate applications go through the USD Graduate Application or GradCAS; Audiology, Speech Language Pathology, Law, Medical, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies and Social Work use specialty CAS applications. Application deadlines are set per programme in the Graduate Catalog and are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The graduate application fee cannot be waived or deferred and is non-refundable.

Law (JD): applications open September 1 for the next year's admission; applicants apply through LSAC CAS and must submit the LSAT, GRE or JD Next. June LSAT scores are accepted for the same year if the application is submitted by July 1. Out-of-state applicants scoring 150+ on the LSAT receive in-state tuition.

Apply through the official page: https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/Apply

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