The college’s academic program is twofold, encompassing both traditional agriculture and the biological sciences. Agricultural work spans four primary areas: academic programs, research, extension, and statewide services. Research and investigations address issues in livestock, natural resources, field crops, veterinary science, horticulture, agricultural economics, dairy, landscape design, and mechanized agriculture. These findings inform classroom instruction, extension work, and public inquiries. The Extension Service disseminates research findings statewide, bringing applied knowledge directly to communities.
Biological sciences are primarily conducted within the departments of biology/microbiology and wildlife and fisheries sciences. These disciplines are integral to all departments focused on plant and animal sciences.
The College of Arts and Sciences originated as the General Sciences Course. Beginning in 1884, students could earn a Bachelor of Science degree by taking courses rather than selecting majors—in subjects such as English and rhetoric, Latin, French, German, history, philosophy, physical science, mineralogy and geology, biological science, metallurgy, mathematics, and music. There were no departmental administrators or a dean until 1924, when the General Science Division was established. In 1953, applied arts were added to its title. Following the institution’s transition to university status, the Division of Science and Applied Arts became the College of Arts and Sciences.
The College of Arts and Sciences fulfills two key roles at the university: it provides instruction in the university’s general education core and offers disciplinary education in the arts and sciences.
Today, the College includes fifteen departments offering major and minor programs leading to one of three undergraduate degrees. Additionally, five departments in other colleges offer programs administered through the College of Arts and Sciences.
South Dakota State University has long served as a training ground for educators, although teacher preparation was not a primary focus in its earliest years. Many early graduates became teachers, and students frequently taught in rural schools during college breaks. The first formal teacher preparation program was established in 1904 as the Department of Latin and Pedagogy. In 1906, it was reorganized as the Department of Philosophy, incorporating courses in the history and methods of education alongside philosophy and psychology. A distinct Department of Education was created in 1913, adding professional education courses to the curriculum.
In 1924, with the university’s reorganization into divisions, the Department of Education was placed within the General Science Division, which later became the College of Arts and Science. This college oversaw education until 1975, when the Division of Education became an autonomous unit. In 1989, it was restructured as the College of Education and Counseling, coordinating all professional education programs at the university.
The College of Education and Counseling later merged with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences to form the College of Education and Human Sciences. The college now offers 15 majors and 22 minors in areas such as consumer sciences, counseling and human development, health and nutritional sciences, and teaching, learning, and leadership.
The College of Family and Consumer Sciences at South Dakota State University developed from one of the institution’s earliest academic initiatives aligned with its land grant mission. Instruction began in 1885 with the establishment of a four year program in Domestic Economy, making South Dakota State College one of the first land grant institutions to create a formal home economics department. The curriculum combined scientific training with liberal and practical education, preparing students, particularly women, for leadership in home and family management. Renamed Home Economics by 1915, the program expanded significantly following the Smith Lever Act and Smith Hughes Act, which strengthened extension and vocational education. By the 1920s, coursework in nutrition, clothing, design, home management, and child development supported growing enrollment and statewide influence, particularly through teacher preparation and public school service.
The division evolved steadily through the mid 20th century, adding child development in 1945, technical journalism in 1946, and graduate instruction in 1952. When South Dakota State College became a university in 1962, the unit was elevated to the College of Home Economics. Continued curricular development led to a core curriculum in 1975 and expanded specialized programs in education, extension, human services, and interior design. In 1994, the college was renamed the College of Family and Consumer Sciences to reflect national disciplinary trends and an emphasis on the relationships among individuals, families, and their environments.
Organizational restructuring in the early 21st century marked a significant transition. In 2009, the College of Family and Consumer Sciences merged with the College of Education and Counseling to form the College of Education and Human Sciences. Subsequent consolidations brought together programs in health, nutrition, consumer sciences, and recreation, culminating in the creation of the School of Health and Consumer Sciences in 2022. Further restructuring in 2024 resulted in the School of Health and Human Sciences, while the Consumer Affairs program was transferred to the Ness School of Management and Economics. Although the College of Family and Consumer Sciences no longer exists as a standalone unit, its academic legacy continues through these successor programs, maintaining a longstanding commitment to applied science, education, and service that supports families, communities, and human well being.
Nursing education at South Dakota State College began in 1935, when the institution established a Department of Nursing under the Division of Pharmacy at the request of the South Dakota Nurses’ Association. Leila Given served as the first director, and the first nursing degree was awarded in 1936 to Rachel Hasle. Under the leadership of Martha Krause from 1939 to 1943 and R. Esther Erickson from 1943 to 1954, the program expanded but continued as a five year course that relied on a cooperative arrangement with Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls for clinical training.
A four year nursing program was introduced in 1952, while clinical education continued at Sioux Valley Hospital under joint oversight with Augustana College. Public Health and Rural Nursing components were added in 1954. In 1955, Helen Gilkey was appointed director, contractual relationships with Sioux Valley Hospital were ended, and new clinical sites were developed throughout South Dakota and Minnesota. The following year, the Department of Nursing was elevated to divisional status, becoming the Division of Nursing with Gilkey as its first dean. In 1957, the division relocated to Solberg Hall, the former Engineering Building.
The Division of Nursing received national accreditation from the National League for Nursing in May 1960 and has maintained continuous accreditation since that time. When South Dakota State College became South Dakota State University in 1964, the division was redesignated as the College of Nursing. The Board of Regents subsequently authorized the creation of three departments within the college: Nursing, Health Science, and Continuing Education. In 1969, the college moved into the newly constructed Home Economics Nursing Building, which provided expanded instructional and laboratory space. The Department of Health Science offered majors and minors in areas such as public health and environmental health, while Continuing Education supported professional development through workshops for healthcare practitioners.
In 1977, clinical education was consolidated entirely within South Dakota following a review of clinical placements. That same year, the Board of Regents approved the development of a Master of Science in Nursing and an extended baccalaureate program for registered nurses in western South Dakota. Between 1978 and 1980, the college secured legislative and federal funding to support the implementation of graduate education, including a grant from the Advanced Nurse Training Program. By the late 1990s, the College of Nursing was organized into four departments: Undergraduate Nursing, Graduate Nursing, Research and Special Services, and West River Nursing. Academic offerings included Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Nursing, with an optional Health Science minor, and programs were approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing.
Pharmacy instruction at South Dakota State College began in 1887 with coursework in subjects including physics, algebra, bookkeeping, chemistry, materia medica, botany, physiology, hygiene, and pharmacy. The early program was designed to prepare students to work as druggists, and the first pharmacy degrees were awarded in 1893. A four-year curriculum option was introduced by 1898 and became the required standard by 1930.
Between 1931 and 1970, the program expanded its professional scope. During this period, the college established the Tau Chapter of Rho Chi, a pharmacy honor society; initiated a continuing education program for practicing pharmacists; adopted a five-year pharmacy curriculum; and introduced an externship program to provide experiential training. By the 1996–1998 academic bulletin, the College of Pharmacy had transitioned to a six-year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program, comprising a two-year pre-pharmacy sequence grounded in biological and physical sciences and a four-year professional phase integrating pharmaceutical sciences, therapeutics, and professional practice.
The mission of the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions emphasizes preparation of graduates with primary care skills focused on the rational use of medications and therapies to achieve optimal patient outcomes. The College also aims to foster lifelong learning and a professional commitment to service and improvement within the field.
The Cooperative Extension Service at South Dakota State University traces its roots to the late 1880s, when local farmers began seeking agricultural advice from college experts. Early outreach took the form of Farmers’ Institutes, which began in 1888 as formal meetings to share best practices in crop and livestock production. These institutes evolved from local agricultural gatherings that had been held in the Dakota Territory since around 1880. By the 1890s, state legislation provided modest financial support, and the Agricultural College was authorized to hold institutes statewide. However, it was the passage of the Smith-Lever Act by Congress in 1914 that fundamentally reshaped agricultural extension work across the country.
Under the Smith-Lever Act, a cooperative system was established between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state colleges, and local communities to deliver agricultural education and demonstration programs. South Dakota appointed its first county agent in Brown County in 1912, under an early partnership between the USDA, the Better Farming Association, and South Dakota State College. By 1914, the college formalized its agreement with the USDA to create a Division of Extension, laying the groundwork for federally supported extension activities across the state.
Initially, the Extension Service provided direct, individualized support to farmers and homemakers. Over time, it shifted toward working with organized groups and associations. Early on, the Farm Bureau Federation was closely tied to extension efforts, with the Extension Service playing an active role in organizing local bureaus. However, as concerns grew over the blending of public service and organizational advocacy, the formal partnership ended in 1935.
Two major areas of Extension focus have been youth and family programs. Boys’ and girls’ club work, which began in 1913, later evolved into the 4-H program, supported by Smith-Lever funding. Home demonstration work, initially offered through the Farmers’ Institutes, became a formal part of Extension, addressing topics ranging from poultry care and home cooking techniques to nutrition and clothing. Women served as early demonstrators before the establishment of regular home demonstration agent positions.
Specialists within the Extension Service have complemented the work of county agents by providing expertise in areas such as dairy production, livestock breeding, farm management, and construction. This combination of generalist and specialist services allowed the Extension Service to meet a wide range of technical and practical needs across the agricultural sector.
Today, the mission of the Cooperative Extension Service is to extend research-based knowledge and leadership practices to individuals, families, and communities across South Dakota. As the off-campus educational arm of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, the Extension Service works to improve agricultural practices and strengthen family and community life statewide. Through its agents and specialists, and using media such as print, radio, television, satellite communication, and in-person outreach, the Cooperative Extension Service brings the resources of South Dakota State University to every community, helping South Dakotans meet the challenges of change in farming, ranching, home life, and beyond.
The primary responsibility of the Curricula Evaluation Committee was to conduct an internal evaluation of South Dakota State University's doctoral program as part of the accreditation process during the mid to late 1960s. The committee's work contributed to institutional self-assessment efforts and helped ensure that SDSU’s graduate-level programs met the standards required by accrediting bodies.
The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at South Dakota State University was formally established in 1925, building on earlier coursework in civil and agricultural engineering offered beginning in 1902. Created to support the modernization of agriculture, the department initially focused on mechanization as farming transitioned from horse drawn equipment to tractor based systems. Jointly administered by the Colleges of Agriculture and Engineering, the department expanded over time in response to changing agricultural practices, research needs, and technological advances.
In 1999, the department was renamed Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering to reflect its broadened emphasis on biological systems, environmental management, and sustainable technologies. Entering the 21st century, the department’s teaching and research increasingly addressed precision agriculture, water management, and data driven agricultural systems, supported by modern facilities such as the Raven Precision Agriculture Center. Celebrating its centennial in 2025, the department’s administrative history reflects a continuous evolution from mechanization to integrated, technology focused approaches to agriculture, while maintaining close ties to industry and applied research.
Courses related to animal science have long been offered at South Dakota State University. In the early years, instruction focused primarily on livestock, with separate departments often dedicated to specific animal types, such as poultry. General animal science courses were taught across various departments. Over time, departmental specialization declined, and these programs were eventually consolidated. The department's scope expanded to include rangeland management.
Today, the Department of Animal Science offers a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in animal science or range science. The curriculum prepares students for careers in livestock production, agricultural business, farming and ranching, and natural resource management on both private and public lands, as well as for graduate study.
Instruction in apparel, fashion, and interior design at South Dakota State University developed to prepare students for professional careers that combine creative practice with analytical and business skills. Programs in Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising emphasize the cultural, scientific, and commercial dimensions of apparel and textiles, including design, product development, merchandising, consumer behavior, and supply chain processes. Coursework integrates historical, aesthetic, economic, sociological, and psychological perspectives, and requires substantial experiential learning through a supervised practicum. Resources such as the Snellman Hsia Collection and Laboratory support the study of historic costume and textiles as part of the academic program.
Interior design education at SDSU focuses on technical competence, design thinking, and the functional and aesthetic planning of interior environments. The accredited curriculum emphasizes studio based problem solving and prepares students for work in residential, commercial, and specialized design settings. Together, these programs have been administered through academic units that reflect a multidisciplinary approach, including affiliations with the School of Design and the School of Health and Human Sciences. Departmental partnerships, such as participation in visiting scholar programs at the Fashion Institute of Technology, further support professional preparation and external engagement within the fields of apparel merchandising and interior design.
Instruction in the biological sciences at South Dakota State University began in 1885, with the first student graduating in the field in 1888. When academic departments were formally established in 1897, biology was not included. Instead, related subjects such as zoology, botany, and entomology were taught through various departments. A combined Department of Botany and Biology was established in 1966, but an independent Department of Biology was not created until 1980.
Today, the Department of Biology and Microbiology offers undergraduate curricula leading to a Bachelor’s degree in biology. Students may choose between two programs: one offered through the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences (Biological Sciences curriculum) and the other through the College of Arts and Sciences. The programs are academically identical, differing only in college-specific requirements. Within the major, students may select an area of emphasis based on their interests and career goals. The Biology emphasis prepares students for a broad range of careers in the biological sciences. The Botany emphasis focuses on plant science, supporting careers in research and industry. The Zoology emphasis centers on the scientific study of animals and provides a foundation for fields such as medicine, veterinary science, and oceanography. The Pre-professional emphasis is designed for students intending to pursue admission to professional health science programs.
In the 1884–85 catalog, chemistry was listed under the Department of Natural Sciences as part of the agriculture curriculum. Three courses were offered: elementary chemistry, analytical chemistry, and agricultural chemistry. By 1892, all students were required to complete three terms of elementary chemistry, while analytical and agricultural chemistry were available as electives.
Chemistry first appeared as an independent department in the 1897–98 catalog, with a significantly expanded curriculum. Course offerings continued to grow, with new courses added regularly every few years. In 1944, the department’s professional curriculum received approval from the American Chemical Society.
Following World War II, increased enrollment led to the expansion of departmental staff. By 1958, the department was authorized to offer a Ph.D. in biochemistry, and in 1965, Ph.D. programs were approved in most branches of chemistry. The Biochemistry Experiment Station, established in 1887, remained separate until it merged with the Chemistry Department on July 1, 1974.
In the 1998–2000 catalog, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry was listed as approved by the American Chemical Society for training professional chemists. In addition to the B.S. in chemistry, the department offers coursework to support other disciplines, a minor in chemistry, and graduate programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.
Civil engineering was among the first disciplines taught at South Dakota State University. Early students could complete a prescribed course of study leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Prior to 1902, civil engineering courses were offered through the Department of Architectural and Agricultural Engineering or the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In 1902, the Department of Civil and Agricultural Engineering was established. In 1925, Agricultural Engineering became its own department within the Division of Agriculture, and a distinct Department of Civil Engineering has existed since.
The civil engineering curriculum covers the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure such as highways, airports, bridges, dams, water and wastewater systems, irrigation and drainage networks, and river and harbor facilities. The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
The program aims to prepare professionals capable of applying scientific and engineering principles to solve civil engineering problems. It also emphasizes the development of high standards of professional conduct.
Speech instruction has long been part of the South Dakota State University curriculum. In the early years, the preparatory department provided public speaking courses for high school students, while the English Department offered instruction in public speaking and rhetoric, including elocution and oral reading. Over time, various departments assumed responsibility for public speaking instruction, including the Elocution and Physical Culture Department, the Public Speaking Department, and again the English Department. A distinct Speech Department first appeared in the 1924 course catalog, offering courses in debate, public speaking, and play production. Required rhetoric courses were moved from the English Department to the Speech Department in 1938.
By the 1950s, the Speech Department was firmly established. The Board of Regents approved a speech major in 1958, and a master’s degree became available. Course offerings expanded to include forensics, drama, and radio, followed by film and television instruction. In the 1970s, the communication disorders program was established within the department to prepare students for careers in speech-language pathology and audiology.
Beyond formal coursework, the department has supported a rich array of extracurricular activities. In the early years, speech and literary societies organized plays and debates that served as major campus events. As these societies declined, student involvement continued through debate competitions, theatrical productions, and work with the State College broadcasting system and campus radio station KAGY.
Since the early 1990s, the department has been known as the Department of Communication Studies and Theatre. It offers programs in speech communication, speech education, theatre, and media production, including radio, television, and film. The department continues to provide numerous opportunities for student engagement through both academic and extracurricular activities.
Instruction and research in dairying at South Dakota State University began well before the formal establishment of the Department of Dairying in 1897. By that time, coursework in the field was already developed. A dedicated dairy building was constructed in 1892, providing laboratories and specialized rooms for instruction. In addition to its standard academic offerings, the department operated a short course in creamery practices for over 50 years, ranging in length from two to twelve weeks. These courses were well attended and widely regarded.
While the department's name has changed slightly over the years, its core mission has remained consistent—preparing students for careers in dairy production and manufacturing. The department has offered a Master of Science in Dairy Science since 1903, and students may also pursue a Ph.D. in agriculture with a focus on dairy science or dairy cattle nutrition and management. Research activities are closely tied to the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the department has also played a longstanding role in the Cooperative Extension Service.
The Department of Dairy Science maintains a strong presence on campus and in the Brookings community through its dairy processing plant and sales room. Students gain hands-on experience producing milk, cheese, butter, and ice cream, which are sold on-site and used in university dining facilities.
Geography was among the first subjects taught at South Dakota State University upon its founding in 1881. Although geography courses were occasionally offered through various departments, a formal program did not emerge until 1966–67, when a bachelor's degree in geography was approved. In 1968, the Department of History and Geography was established. By 1971, the program had expanded significantly, leading to increased faculty appointments. A separate Department of Geography was created in 1973, followed by the approval of a Master of Science degree in Geography in 1974.
Today, the geography curriculum trains students to describe, analyze, and explain natural and cultural phenomena that distinguish regions around the world. Courses emphasize technical geography, environmental planning, and resource management.
Physical education has been part of the South Dakota State University curriculum since its early years, reflecting the institution’s commitment to developing mind, body, and spirit. Students were historically required to complete coursework in either physical education or military science to graduate. Instruction evolved over time and was housed in departments with names such as Music and Physical Culture, Elocution and Physical Culture, and eventually Physical Education and Recreation.
A major in physical education was introduced in the 1940s with separate tracks for men and women, and a graduate degree was added in 1953. The department was renamed Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) in 1969–70, followed shortly by the introduction of a degree in public recreation. Additional majors and minors were later developed.
Now part of the College of Education and Human Sciences, the department operates as the Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences, offering undergraduate programs in Athletic Training, Nutrition and Dietetics, Exercise Science, Health Education, Physical Education, and Sport, Recreation and Park Management, along with related minors.
The teaching of history at South Dakota State University developed alongside the college. From the beginning, students in all divisions of the college were required to take basic history courses. As time went on and the numbers of students and teachers multiplied, the Department of History was able to carve out its own niche. At times, other disciplines were taught through the department and the name was occasionally changed to reflect these areas. In 1905, the department was known as the Department of History and Political Science, this lasted until 1967. After a year as the Department of History, in 1968 the name changed to the Department of History and Geography to reflect the number of geography courses taught. In 1973, a separate geography department was established and the history department was reorganized into a resemblance of today's department.
The courses offered by the Department of History are intended to prepare majors for careers in teaching, government, and service-oriented occupations, and to provide a necessary background for graduate work or other specialized training. / History is now merged into the Department of History, Political, Sciences, Philosophy, and Religion.
The Department of Horticulture and Forestry was established in 1887 as one of the original units of the college and its newly organized experiment station. Early research focused on windbreak trees, orchard and small fruits, vegetables, and ornamental trees and shrubs, with practical applications across South Dakota. Over the years, the department maintained active research programs in horticulture, forestry, landscape design, and park management. In the mid-1980s, it was renamed the Department of Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape and Parks and offered a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree with majors in horticulture, landscape design, and park management. In the summer of 2011, the department was merged with the Department of Plant Science.
Mathematics has been part of South Dakota State University since its founding. In the early 1900s, the department emphasized developing habits of systematic and accurate thinking, proficiency in calculation, and independent problem-solving. Original demonstrations and problem-solving were central to each course.
The Department of Mathematics offers a strong liberal arts curriculum with opportunities for focused study in mathematics, as well as support courses for other academic units. Over time, the department has been administratively housed in either the College of Engineering or the College of Arts and Sciences. Currently, financial and administrative matters fall under the College of Engineering, while degrees are conferred through the College of Arts and Sciences. An effort to consolidate this dual administration was proposed but not approved by the South Dakota Board of Regents.
Mechanical engineering has been taught at South Dakota State University since its earliest years. Initially, students could follow a prescribed course sequence leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Arts, later renamed Mechanical Engineering. During the first two years, mechanical engineering students shared coursework with civil engineering students, with specialization occurring in the junior and senior years.
In 1897, the Department of Mechanical Engineering was established to oversee the mechanical engineering curriculum. At that time, most civil engineering courses were transferred to the Department of Architectural and Agricultural Engineering, though some remained with mechanical engineering. By 1902, with the formation of separate Civil and Electrical Engineering departments, Mechanical Engineering became an independent department, a structure that continues today.
Graduates of the mechanical engineering program pursue careers in research, development, design, testing, manufacturing, operations, maintenance, marketing, sales, management, and administration.
Military instruction has long been a part of campus life at South Dakota State University. The Morrill Act of 1862, which established the nation's land-grant colleges, required institutions to offer instruction in “military tactics.” At SDSU, formal military classes began in September 1884 under Professor Robert F. Kerr. Instruction consisted of lectures, recitations, and regular drills. Until 1918, the university met federal military training requirements through mandatory drills and academic coursework led by civilian faculty.
The National Defense Act of 1916 established the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), which standardized military training across all land-grant institutions, including SDSU. ROTC replaced the earlier system with a formalized structure directed by the War Department, which set the curriculum and provided personnel and equipment. Local land-grant colleges served as the headquarters for their respective ROTC programs.
One notable figure in SDSU’s ROTC history is General Omar Bradley, who served as Professor of Military Science at the university. While best known for commanding the largest U.S. field force during World War II and becoming the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Bradley also gave SDSU’s Army ROTC its enduring nickname: “The West Point of the Plains,” a title still embraced by cadets and alumni.
ROTC participation was once compulsory for underclassmen, who were required to complete two years of basic military training. Selected upperclassmen could choose to pursue advanced training. Initially, SDSU’s program included multiple service branches, but by 1942—when DePuy Military Hall was built—training was limited to Army and Air Force ROTC. ROTC remained mandatory for all male freshmen and sophomores until 1969, when the South Dakota Board of Regents made participation voluntary. Despite the change, the program has remained active, with students continuing to enroll.
Today, the Army ROTC program at SDSU offers training in leadership, ethics, management, and personal development, preparing cadets for service as commissioned officers in the Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve. Through classroom instruction, hands-on exercises, and field training, cadets gain the skills and values essential to military and civilian leadership.
The Global Studies major and minor were introduced at South Dakota State University in 2004. This interdisciplinary program offers students a broad academic foundation, preparing them to be globally literate, culturally aware, and proficient in a modern foreign language.
The program provides students with a current understanding of global studies, including contemporary global events, and potential career paths in international business, global corporations, government agencies (both domestic and international), and non-governmental organizations. A central goal is to promote global citizenship and a broad perspective on the individual's relationship to the world community. Global Studies is administered through the Department of Modern Languages and Global Studies.
Music instruction has been a part of South Dakota State University since its founding in 1881. Initially organized as the Department of Music and Physical Culture, the program expanded in 1904–1905 into a four-year Department of Music with four faculty members. Early course offerings included piano, voice, stringed instruments, orchestra, pipe organ, band instruments, and music theory. The music major was discontinued during the Great Depression but reinstated after World War II, with curricular and extracurricular opportunities such as chorus, orchestra, and band continuing to be available.
A major curricular revision in 1975 led to the establishment of three degree programs—Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Science in Music, and Bachelor of Music Education—and earned the department national accreditation. By the 1996–1998 academic bulletin, the department offered the BA in Music, MS in Music Merchandising, and the Bachelor of Music Education, as well as a minor in music.
In 1938, South Dakota State University offered its first Conservation of Natural Resources course through the Entomology and Zoology Department. By 1939, the college catalog included conservation and wildlife management as a formal area of study. The program expanded over the years, and by 1950, students could pursue a BS in agriculture or a BS in wildlife techniques and conservation. Graduate courses were introduced in 1957, eventually leading to a Master of Science degree in both areas. In 1963, these developments culminated in the creation of a separate Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences.
The department continued to grow, with a wildlife extension agent added in 1970 and increasing faculty numbers. Although the wildlife techniques major was later discontinued, new areas of study were introduced. Today, the department—now known as the Department of Natural Resource Management—offers BS, MS, and PhD degrees designed to prepare students for careers with government agencies and private organizations.
The department’s mission is to conduct research, educate students at all levels, and provide outreach benefiting South Dakota and society at large. Its work focuses on ecology and environmental science, rangeland ecology and management, and wildlife and fisheries sciences.
Instruction in human nutrition and foods at South Dakota State University originated within the early home economics curriculum. Initial coursework in cooking expanded into formal foods instruction, and by 1907 dietetics courses had been introduced. By 1918–1919, the university catalog noted that the curriculum prepared students for institutional employment, with campus cafeterias serving as laboratory spaces. Following the 1924 divisional reorganization of South Dakota State College, the Department of Foods and Nutrition was formally established, and early research activities were supported through the Agricultural Experiment Station. The curriculum underwent regular revision to remain responsive to advances in nutrition science and evolving professional needs.
Program growth accelerated in the mid-20th century. In 1955, a restaurant management program was introduced and later developed into the Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management program, combining coursework in food service operations, business, and economics with practicum-based experience. The dietetics program also expanded significantly through the creation of a coordinated undergraduate pathway and accreditation by the American Dietetic Association, requiring supervised internships at approved sites and qualifying graduates for the dietetic registration examination. Food science was added as a program option in 1966, offering students access to specialized laboratories and research opportunities in food processing, safety, and analytical methods grounded in chemistry and the biological sciences.
These academic areas eventually came together within the Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Hospitality, offering undergraduate and graduate education in nutrition, dietetics, food science, and hospitality management. The department’s history reflects a sustained emphasis on experiential learning, research, and professional preparation, supporting careers in healthcare, public health, food industries, regulatory agencies, education, and hospitality services.
Prior to the establishment of the Department of Philosophy and Religion in 1968, instruction in those subjects was sporadic. Religion courses were occasionally taught by local clergy, with the first mention of this arrangement appearing in the 1947–48 course catalog. Philosophy courses, by contrast, were taught by college faculty.
Philosophy has been part of the curriculum since the university’s founding. The Morrill Act, which established land-grant institutions like South Dakota State University, required instruction in ""moral philosophy."" A Chair of Psychology and Philosophy was created in 1885, and a Department of Philosophy was established in 1906. For a time, it included philosophy, psychology, and education before these disciplines were moved under the Department of Education in 1913. In 1967, a Department of Psychology and Philosophy was briefly reestablished before splitting the following year into separate departments for psychology and for philosophy and religion.
The department began offering minors in philosophy (1975) and religion (1978). Although efforts were made to establish a philosophy major, the Board of Regents denied the request.
Philosophy and religion courses remain open to students of any major. The study of these subjects is intended to broaden students’ perspectives and explore foundational questions in human thought. The program is now part of the Department of History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion.