South Dakota Teacher Certification
How to Become a Teacher in South Dakota
In order to teach in South Dakota, a candidate must obtain a South Dakota teacher certification by fulfilling the state requirements. South Dakota offers certification in areas similar to other states – elementary education (which covers grades K-8), secondary education (which covers grades 7-12), special education, and K-12 areas (e.g., art, music, foreign language).
- I want to be a teacher in South Dakota, but don’t have a degree: Earn an Education Degree
- I want to be a teacher and have a degree, but not in education: Learn about South Dakota’s Alternative Certification Process and Programs
- I have a teaching degree and am interested in more education: Learn about Master’s Degree Education Programs or Doctorate Education Programs and Information.
Spotlight School
Popular Programs:
- Master's-Education
- Graduate Certificate-Management of Education Corporation/Corporate Training Divisions
- Graduate Certificate-Education Leadership
- Graduate Certificate-Curriculum Leadership
South Dakota Teacher Education Requirements
Many applicants for a South Dakota teaching certification follow the traditional route to licensure. These applicants have completed an approved teacher education program from an accredited university. If an applicant has completed such a program, completed six credit hours within the last five years, and passed the appropriate Praxis II exam for the desired certificate, he or she can receive an initial teaching certificate. Each time a teacher in South Dakota wishes to renew his or her license, six credit hours of education courses must be earned. South Dakota teacher candidates must complete a human relations course and a course on South Dakota Indians studies.
Profiles of Well Known Schools
University of South Dakota: The University of South Dakota is home to the institution’s School of Education that houses the divisions of Curriculum and Instruction, Counseling and Educational Psychology, Educational Administration, and Kinesiology and Sport Science. Education majors interested in teaching at the elementary or secondary levels must meet the admissions standards of the School by completing 45 credit hours, earning a passing score on a skills test, participating in an interview with faculty members, and earning cumulative GPA of at least 2.6. Students at the undergraduate level are able to obtain field experiences as soon as their freshman year in order to make sure the major is a good fit. USD students graduating from the School of Education are known for their dedication, ingenuity, passion and competence in their respective fields. Students can choose from a variety of undergraduate and graduate majors.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported South Dakota’s unemployment rate at 4.7% in January 2012, significantly below the national average of 8.5%. The Occupational Supply and Demand System projects 473 annual job openings in education and library related fields through 2018. In fall 2008 and 2007, the National Center of Education Statistics listed 9,244 public school and 930 private school teachers employed in South Dakota. The average beginning teaching salary in South Dakota, as reported by the National Education Association, is $34,061 and the average overall teaching salary in South Dakota is $39,850, the lowest average among US states and over $15,000 below the national average. Note that this ranking is not reflective of variant costs of living among US states and should be considered within that context. The NEA cites teacher shortages across the state and particularly in special education, math and sciences. With retirement rates expected to increase in the next several years, now is a promising time to pursue teacher certification. For more information on state education policy and public employment opportunity please visit the South Dakota Education Association, a local branch of the NEA. For specific certification procedures and requirements, please contact local education and teaching schools and degree programs.
South Dakota Teacher Testing Requirements
Becoming a teacher in South Dakota does not require a basic skills test such as the Praxis I. However, applicants must show that they are competent in their subject area by taking the Praxis II exam in their desired certification area. This exam contains sections on general education knowledge and skills as well as subject-specific topics.
South Dakota Teacher Salary and Jobs
| Type | Number Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers | 830 | $28,210 |
| Kindergarten Teachers | 550 | $37,840 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 4,160 | $39,150 |
| Middle School Teachers | 2,000 | $39,740 |
| Secondary School Teachers | 3,550 | $39,680 |
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.
School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in South Dakota
Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools
Popular Programs:
- MA in Education (Leadership in Early Childhood Education)
- BA in Early Childhood Education
- MA in Educational Leadership and Administration (Tier 1)
- MA in Education with Instructional Technology Emphasis
- And more...
Popular Programs:
- B.S. in Education / Elementary Education
- A.A. in Elementary Education
- M.A. in Education/Elementary Teacher Education
- M.A. in Education/Secondary Teacher Education
- And more...
Popular Programs:
- Master's-Education
- Graduate Certificate-Management of Education Corporation/Corporate Training Divisions
- Graduate Certificate-Education Leadership
- Graduate Certificate-Curriculum Leadership
Popular Programs:
- M.A. Teaching (K-8)
- Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program (K-8)
- B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8)
- M.A. Teaching - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
- And more...
Popular Programs:
- Doctor of Management - Graduate Level Instructional Practices
- Doctor of Management - Private Sector Higher Education Leadership
Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in South Dakota
Augustana College-Sioux Falls
2001 S Summit Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57197-0001
(605) 274-0770
www.augie.edu/admission/index.html
Black Hills State University
1200 University St
Spearfish, SD 57799-9500
(605) 642-6011
Dakota State University
820 N Washington
Madison, SD 57042-1799
(605) 256-5111
www.admissions.dsu.edu
Dakota Wesleyan University
1200 W University Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301-4398
(605) 995-2600
www.dwu.edu/admissions
Mount Marty College
1105 W. 8th Street
Yankton, SD 57078-3724
(800) 658-4552
www.mtmc.edu/admissions
Northern State University
1200 S Jay St
Aberdeen, SD 57401-7198
(605) 626-3011
www.northern.edu/admissions/index.html
Sinte Gleska University
E. Highway 18
Mission, SD 57555-0105
(605) 856-8100
South Dakota State University
Administration Lane
Brookings, SD 57007-1898
(605) 688-4151
www3.sdstate.edu/Admissions/
University of Sioux Falls
1101 W 22nd St
Sioux Falls, SD 57105-1699
(605) 331-5000
usiouxfalls.edu/admissions
University of South Dakota
414 E Clark St
Vermillion, SD 57069-2390
(605) 677-5301
usd.edu/future
Page edited by Charles Sipe.
