The state of South Dakota offers diverse opportunities for psychology-related careers in family services, community resources, and behavioral health. Outside the realm of social services, many graduates of psychology programs find fulfillment in education, business, marketing, and human resources. According to the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, some of the most in-demand professionals are teachers, teacher assistants, residential assistants, social workers, and office and business managers.
Both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science are available from the University of South Dakota. In addition to the traditional psychology major, the university also offers both a major and a minor in disaster response psychology. This program offers unique courses such as Psychological First Aid, Children and Trauma, and a Practicum in Disaster Response. South Dakota State University offers several Bachelor of Science in psychology programs, among them a psychological services track. This concentration is designed for individuals who plan to begin working after completion of the bachelor's degree, and prepares students for work in social services or clinical facilities such as mental health facilities, board and care homes, or community mental health services. The psychology department at Black Hills State University offers a Bachelor of Science program that is heavily focused on research. Students work side by side with award-winning faculty to conduct cutting edge research. The BHSU psychology department is noted for participation in the International Collaborative Research (ICR) program.
