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ACCEPTANCE RATE

86.38%

FINANCIAL AID RATE

95%

STUDENT TEACHER RATIO

16:1

DEGREE OFFERED ONLINE

66

FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.

$5,302

Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students

Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid

Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition

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Communications Degree

The communications program at University of South Dakota prepares the student to enter the fields of advertising, marketing, organizational communication, public relations, publishing, human resources, law, criminal justice, politics, public administration, and more. The program focuses on the scientific, humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats, media, and contexts. Program courses include: intercultural communication, speaking and listening, verbal and nonverbal interaction, rhetorical theory and criticism, argumentation and persuasion, technologically mediated communication, and popular culture. Get more details below including other South Dakota colleges that offer communications degrees.

Learn more by requesting information now!

University of South Dakota (USD)

604 N. West Ave., Sioux Falls, SD

University of South Dakota provides a variety of educational opportunities for students to aid them in their growth and development. The school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota and publically funded. USD has a yearly student enrollment of over 10,000.

Here is a list of some of the popular programs USD offers:

  • Health And Clinical Professions
  • Psychology
  • Business And Marketing Studies
  • Security And Protective Services
  • Biological And Biomedical Sciences
  • Legal Professions And Studies

The admissions process begins with the submission of an application, transcripts, records, and test scores, which are then reviewed by admissions staff. Students may take either the ACT or SAT scores to be considered for admissions to University of South Dakota. A score within the range of 1430 - 1750 on the SAT, or 20 - 26 for the ACT is usually submitted among admitted students. 89% of those students that apply are accepted to this school, of which 43 percent choose to enroll. More information from the admissions office can be found at usd.edu.

Tuition & fees at USD vary for in-state and out-of-state residents. In-state tuition costs close to $7,900 per year and out-of-state tuition costing $9,800 annually. On-campus housing is available for students and costs approximately $3,700 for the year. This school may offer financial aid for students that qualify by way of scholarships, grants, and loans.

The University of South Dakota Coyotes participate in several intercollegiate athletic programs, as part of the NCAA organization. Athletic programs offered may include:

  • Basketball (NCAA Division I-AA)
  • Track & Field (NCAA Division I-AA)
  • Football (NCAA Division I-AA)
  • Golf (NCAA Division I-AA)

For a complete list of areas of study, enrollment information, student services, and more, please take a look at the school's website at www.usd.edu.

Students Enrolled in the Communications Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. USD has offered the following programs for students:

  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

 Graduates
Bachelor's Degree12
Master's Degree5

Students by Gender (2019)

 Graduates
Male6
Female11

Students by Race (2019)

 Graduates
Hispanic3
White12
Non Resident Alien2

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Upon completion of the Communications program at USD, most students have pursued careers in the following fields:

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Radio and Television Announcers

Description

Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio or television. May announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.

Public Address System and Other Announcers

Description

Make announcements over public address system at sporting or other public events. May act as master of ceremonies or disc jockey at weddings, parties, clubs, or other gathering places.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, public address system and other announcers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 2.9% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

  • Sioux Falls, SD
    • Total Employment: 40
    • Average Hourly Rate: $11.41
    • Average Annual Salary: $23730

Public Relations Specialists

Description

Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, public relations specialists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 6.2% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

  • Sioux Falls, SD
    • Total Employment: 330
    • Average Hourly Rate: $23.32
    • Average Annual Salary: $48510

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Admission Requirements & Details

The admissions information below may give an overview of the candidates USD accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP college credits that may be transferred.

College Credits Accepted

  • Dual Credits
  • AP Course Credits
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Academics & Student Services

Student Services

To help support students, University of South Dakota may offer student services like those listed below:

  • Distance learning
  • Remedial instructional courses
  • Career path counseling
  • Work study style employment
  • Employment search assistance
  • Day care

Intercollegiate Athletics

University of South Dakota is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports being in the NCAA Division I-FCS classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:

  • Basketball (The Summit League)
  • Track and Field (The Summit League)
  • Football (Missouri Valley Conference)
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming and Diving
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Other Sports