USD expands programs, outreach to new sites

USD expands programs, outreach to new sites The University of South Dakota will bring its master's degree in computer science to three tribal colleges early next year. The South Dakota Board of Regents today approved the delivery of the M.S. degree via technology to Sinte Gleska University, Oglala Lakota College, and Sisseton Wahpeton College. USD recently received a grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a demonstration project with the goal of increasing the number of American Indians employed in computing and information technology occupations. The NSF grant will cover instructional costs of the online program. The regents also agreed to USD's request to offer a new transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree designed for licensed physical therapists. The DPT degree, offered by USD on campus since 2005, has replaced the master's degree as the entry degree for new physical therapists. The board authorized USD to deliver the new curriculum online to accommodate licensed physical therapists who cannot relocate to Vermillion. Also approved was a request by USD to offer online its master's degree in history to South Dakota school teachers as part of a U.S. Department of Education grant to the Mid-Central Educational Cooperative, headquartered in Platte. The federal grant supports instruction and student tuition. All of these requests for new site delivery are consistent with Gov. Mike Rounds' goal to bring higher education opportunities to more South Dakotans, and to increase the number of citizens with graduate degrees to meet national averages, regents' officials said.