South Dakota State University Quick Facts
| Duration: 2-4Â Years | Courses: 66 | Faculty: 38 |
| Applications (Fall 2024): 80 | Acceptance Rate: 57% | Est. Class Size: 65 |
Program Description
The South Dakota State University Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program is nationally recognized for excellence in preparing students to provide high-quality patient-centered care. The Pharm.D. program curriculum is designed to prepare pharmacy graduates for interprofessional collaborative practice. Medication therapy management, patient counseling on proper medication use, and drug therapy outcome monitoring are areas of focus throughout the program. In addition, development of lifelong learning and leadership skills are emphasized.
The College also offers a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate program, which provides a valuable background of preparation for an academic or pharmaceutical industry career. In the area of research, the College has great momentum. Research teams led by faculty are making progress on projects that can enhance the health and wellbeing of people around the world. The College’s growing research portfolio includes oncology, pharmacogentics, unique drug delivery systems, addiction to drugs and alcohol, cardiovascular health, dementia, ophthalmic medicine, and new models of pharmacy care.
The “home” for the College as it conducts this important, problem-solving research and teaches pharmacy care of today and tomorrow is the recently constructed Avera Health and Science Center. This state-of-the art facility features 97,000 square-feet of teaching laboratory, classroom, and office space, as well as 48,600 square-feet of research laboratory space.
If you are interested in visiting, please contact us. We would be happy to show you around and tell you more about our programs.
https://www.sdstate.edu/pharmacy-allied-health-professions
PharmD Program Highlights
- Public Institution
- No Baccalaureate Degree Required
- $600 deposit to hold acceptance
- Conducts interviews of applicants
- Does not participate in Early Decision Program (EDP)
- Minimum Two (2) Letters of Reference are required
- Does not utilize the Centralized Criminal Background Check (CBC)
- Does not participate in the PharmCAS-facilitated Drug Screening Service
Location
Location:Â Box 2202C, Brookings, South Dakota 57007
Interactive mapAcceptance Rate for South Dakota State University
57%: See other Schools with an acceptance rate under 57%
NAPLEX Pass Rates
First-time NAPLEX pass rates for South Dakota State University graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.
| Graduation Year | First-Time Pass Rate | National Average |
| 2025 | 94.1% | 86.8% |
| 2024 | 98.3% | 75.9% |
| 2023 | 92.3% | 76.4% |
Source: NABP, NAPLEX Passing Rates for 2023–2025 Graduates (March 2026). First-attempt pass rates. National average covers all graduates of ACPE-accredited programs.
Tuition
| Tuition (In-State): | $10,192 | per year |
| Tuition (Out-State): | $21,806 | per year |
| Mandatory Fees: | $10,271 | per year |
First professional year, 2022–23 academic year (most recent AACP tuition survey); later years may differ — confirm current rates with the school. Branch campus locations: Sioux Falls, SD.
Requirements
GPA and Test Scores
| Minimum GPA: N/A | Average GPA: N/A | Standardized Tests: Not required (PCAT discontinued) |
| Program Prerequisites | |
| Total number of college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 66 |
| Total number of basic science college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 36 |
Course Prerequisites Table
| Course Title | Semester/Quarter Hours |
| General Chemistry w/lab | 8 |
| Organic Chemistry w/lab | 8 |
| General Biology | 3 |
| Calculus | 5 |
| Microbiology w/lab | 4 |
| Human Anatomy w/lab | 4 |
| Human Physiology w/lab | 4 |
| Economics | 3 |
| English Composition | 6 |
| Speech | 3 |
| General Statistics | 3 |
| Total | 66 |
Prerequisite Coursework Policies
Online coursework: science courses with labs: Varies; science courses without labs: Varies; non-science courses: Yes.
Pass/fail grades: science courses with labs: Yes, but only if no letter grade option available; science courses without labs: Yes, but only if no letter grade option available; non-science courses: Yes, but only if no letter grade option available.
Completion timing: All pre-requisites must be completed prior to starting your P1 year
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
| General Information | Students are asked to list two references on their application for admission, we do not ask for letters of reference. |
| LOR types that are CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED: | |
| Note: please verify the institution specific details regarding CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTED LOR types.
Pre-Health Adviser |
|
| Are Committee Letters accepted? | Yes |
| A Committee Letter is: | Not Accepted |
| Does it count as more than one LOR? | No |
| Are Composite Letters accepted?
Does it count as more than one LOR? |
Not Accepted
No |
Interview Information
| Interview Format: | Individual applicants with two or more interviewers |
| Details: | Students are asked to complete a 30-minute interview as part of the admissions process. The candidate will be interviewed by two people and be asked a variety of questions. |
Applying
Deadline
First day of classes: August 24, 2026February 1, 2022
General School Information
Program
Dual Degree Program? Yes
Part of an academic health center? No
Pharmacy observation hours required? Yes
Supplemental application requirement? No
Baccalaureate degree preferred for admissions? No
Follows the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines? No
Is preference given to in-state applicants vs. out-of-state applicants? No
Pharmacy School Tour Video
International Applicants
Foreign (non-U.S.) citizens considered: Yes
Applications accepted from: US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, US Temporary Residents, Canadian Citizens, Foreign (non-US) Citizens with a Visa, Foreign (non-US) Citizens, Other Non-Citizens (e.g. DACA Students)
Foreign transcript policy: Send an original foreign transcript directly to the school
TOEFL required: No
Contact Information
Website:Â https://www.sdstate.edu/pharmacy-allied-health-professions
Social Profiles
| Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SouthDakotaStateUniversity/ | Instagram @sdstatepics |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at South Dakota State University?
The acceptance rate is approximately 57%, so qualified applicants have a reasonable path in.
What is the tuition at South Dakota State University?
First-year tuition is about $10,192 for in-state students and $21,806 for out-of-state students (2022–23 AACP survey), before fees.
Does South Dakota State University have a GPA requirement?
South Dakota State University does not publish a hard GPA minimum; applications are reviewed holistically, with prerequisite grades carrying the most weight.
What is South Dakota State University’s PharmCAS deadline?
Applications for the 2026–27 cycle are due by We are not a participating PharmCAS institution through PharmCAS. A priority deadline of We are not a participating PharmCAS institution offers earlier review.
Is a bachelor’s degree required at South Dakota State University?
No — South Dakota State University admits students who have completed the prerequisite coursework, with or without a bachelor’s degree. The PharmD itself takes four years.
What is South Dakota State University’s NAPLEX pass rate?
In 2025, the first-time NAPLEX pass rate was 94.1%, as reported by NABP.