Finance & Accounting at Dakota State University
Dakota State University appears in our ranking of the 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Accounting.
There are two programs in accounting and finance at Dakota State University that students may pursue. Options include the Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and the Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. Students can graduate in four years from either program when they enroll in full-time study of approximately 15 credits per semester. Some classes are offered in the summer, in addition to the fall and spring semesters.
Students who pursue the BBA in Accounting will need to complete 120 credits to earn their degree. Classes taken during the first year of enrollment include several liberal arts classes in areas like science, math, computers, and the humanities. The second year of study introduces students to topics in accounting, economics, business, and organizational management.
The third year is when students begin expanding their knowledge of accounting in earnest. Classes include Auditing, Business Finance, Intermediate Accounting I, and Accounting Systems. Students will continue their college careers with classes like Managerial Communications, Income Tax Accounting, Cost Accounting, and International Trade & Finance.
For the BBA in Finance program, students also need to complete 120 credits with 54 credits of business administration core classes and 27 credits of finance classes. Students are also eligible to choose from electives in business, finance, computers, or accounting. There are also 30 credits required in general education topics like English, social science, and math.
Some of the finance classes students will take for the BBA in Finance include Financial Futures and Options, Financial Technology, Analysis of Financial Statements, and Financial Institutions. Students will also have the opportunity to choose Problem Solving and Programming, Computer Science I, or Visual Basic Programming for their finance elective.
Both programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, which may help students continue their studies in an accredited graduate program if they choose to earn a degree like a Master of Business Administration or a Master of Accountancy.
The university even offers students a selection of recommended classes that they should take in the event they want to pursue an MBA. Suggested classes include Principles of Macroeconomics, Business Statistics, Legal Environment of Business, and Business Finance. Students may weave these classes into their BBA degree as electives.
About Dakota State University
Dakota State University is a public university in Madison, South Dakota, with a student body population of approximately 3,300. The school was once a training site for teachers when it opened in 1881, and education remains one of the university’s primary focuses today. The university placed an additional focus on technology in the 1980s after the state legislature suggested adding various programs related to computer and information systems.
The university’s official colors are light blue, dark blue, and gray, and the school has an endowment of more than $10 million. The university has been labeled a National Center of Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency. The university has several awards relating to its homeland security programs. The university also has a governing body known as the South Dakota Board of Regents.
Dakota State University Accreditation Details
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is responsible for accrediting Dakota State University, and the commission has accredited the university on the strength of its quality standards. Accreditation from a regional agency means that students can gain eligibility to sit for licensing exams, as well as transfer credits earned at DSU to other institutions. The university participates in the Academic Quality Improvement Program of the HLC. Some facets of the university are further accredited by other agencies.
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education has accredited the College of Education. The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics has accredited the health information program. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs has accredited the university’s undergraduate business degrees. The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care has approved the respiratory programs.
Dakota State University Application Requirements
Students who want to apply to Dakota State University as first-year enrollees must meet one of several academic standards to qualify for admission. The university requires that students achieve a high school graduation rank of 60 percent or above, a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or an 18 or higher on the ACT. Students may also qualify with a 950 or above for their SAT score.
There are also grade requirements for the college preparatory classes students take while in high school. Students must achieve a “C” or better in their English, math, science, and fine arts classes, as well as take a basic computer skills class. The application process includes the official application, a $20 application fee, transcripts, and standardized test scores.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Residents of South Dakota, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming can qualify for the in-state tuition rate of $291.40 per credit hour. The total cost of full-time tuition is $4,371.00, and students will also pay $396.75 for a wireless computing fee and $3,516.65 for housing and a meal plan. Minnesota residents can also qualify for a reduced rate of $296.65 per credit.
Meanwhile, non-residents will pay $393.75 per credit, and tuition and fees will come to $5,906.25. The wireless computing fee and housing costs are the same as they are for in-state students. Students should note that the tuition and fees paid to the university don’t cover books or additional supplies that may be required by the student’s chosen program. The wireless computing fee includes a laptop computer.
Students should submit a financial aid application at the same time or in advance of when they apply for entry into the university. Students will only receive a financial aid award notification if they are accepted to DSU. After filling out a FAFSA and submitting it online, students will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) with details on available financial aid.
Applicants are also encouraged to submit scholarship applications that are available for virtually all students at the university. Students who are involved in sports or certain academic pursuits may qualify for scholarships like the DSU Rising and Transfer Annual Scholarship or the Julie Doerr Farley Annual Scholarship. Students who attend Dakota State University may also apply for the Kappa Sigma Iota Annual Scholarship or the Madison Lions Club Annual Scholarship.
