West River Health Sciences Center | Black Hills State University

Supporting Healthcare Education in Western South Dakota

The West River Health Science Center partnership reflects Black Hills State University’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality health sciences education and strengthening the healthcare workforce across western South Dakota. Through collaboration with South Dakota State University and Monument Health, BHSU helps connect students with educational pathways and opportunities that prepare them to meet the healthcare needs of the communities they call home.

As a partner in the West River Health Science Center, BHSU works alongside SDSU and Monument Health to expand access to nursing education. This collaboration helps remove barriers for students and creates a more seamless pathway to enter the SDSU nursing program, complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), remain in the region, and contribute to the health and well-being of West River communities.

Together, BHSU and our partners are simplifying the journey into and through health sciences education through collaboration, innovation, and shared resources. Our shared goal is to make pathways into nursing and other healthcare careers more accessible, workforce-connected, and achievable.

Your Pathway to Nursing

Pre-Nursing at BHSU

Begin your nursing journey at BHSU. Complete your pre-nursing coursework in Spearfish or Rapid City before transitioning seamlessly into SDSU's Rapid City Standard BSN program, allowing you to earn your nursing degree in four years while staying connected to opportunities and internships in western South Dakota.

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SDSU's Bachelor of Science in Nursing

After completing prerequisite coursework, students can continue into South Dakota State University's BSN nursing program located within the West River Health Science Center in Rapid City.

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How does the nursing pathway from BHSU to SDSU Nursing work?

Students start in BHSU's Applied Health Sciences (Pre-Nursing) program, where they complete the prerequisite courses required for admission to South Dakota State University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

Students taking pre-nursing courses in person at BHSU-Rapid City participate in the Unified Nursing Pathway, which allows them to be enrolled at both BHSU and SDSU and receive advising from both institutions. Students who meet the pathway requirements are guaranteed admission to SDSU's Traditional BSN program. Eligible students who meet 3.2 cumulative GPA requirements are also guaranteed admission to the Accelerated BSN pathway.

Students completing their pre-nursing coursework at BHSU-Spearfish also benefit from a streamlined transition and guaranteed admission opportunities to SDSU Nursing when pathway requirements are met. However, Spearfish students are not enrolled in the dual-degree program and remain BHSU students until they transition to SDSU Nursing.

Why choose this pathway?

Complete your pre-nursing coursework at BHSU.
Receive clear guidance on meeting SDSU Nursing admission requirements.
Take advantage of guaranteed admission opportunities when eligibility requirements are met.
Seamlessly transition into SDSU's BSN program.

Do I earn a degree from BHSU or SDSU?

Both. Students in the Unified Nursing Pathway earn two degrees:

An Associate of Applied Health Sciences (AAHS) from Black Hills State University (BHSU)
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from South Dakota State University (SDSU)

The pathway is designed to provide a seamless transition from pre-nursing coursework at BHSU to professional nursing education at SDSU. By following the pathway requirements, students can complete both degrees through a coordinated academic experience that prepares them for nursing licensure and a career as a registered nurse.

Where do I take my classes?

You can complete your pre-nursing coursework through BHSU at either the Spearfish or Rapid City campus, with some courses available online for added flexibility.

Rapid City based students can complete all of their pre-nursing, professional nursing coursework and clinical preparation at the West River Health Science Center located at BHSU Rapid City. Spearfish based students can complete their pre-nursing coursework on BHSU's main campus in Spearfish, then transition to the West River Health Science Center in Rapid City.

In short: Start at BHSU, then transition to SDSU Nursing in Rapid City on your path to becoming a registered nurse.

How can I be sure I will be admitted to the SDSU Rapid City BSN program?

The Unified Nursing Pathway provides guaranteed admission to SDSU Nursing in Rapid City for students who meet the pathway's admission requirements.

Students with a 2.7 GPA or higher who meet all admission requirements are guaranteed admission to the Traditional BSN program.
Students with a 3.2 GPA or higher who meet all admission requirements are guaranteed admission to the Accelerated BSN program.

The Standard BSN program starts in either the fall or spring semester and can be completed in about two years. The Accelerated BSN program begins each January and can be completed in as little as 12 months.

What this means for you: By meeting the pathway requirements, you'll have a clear and predictable route from BHSU into SDSU Nursing all in Rapid City, helping you stay on track toward becoming a registered nurse.

West River Health Science Center

Supporting Healthcare Education in Western South Dakota

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