The state of South Dakota is always looking to recruit highly qualified educators. In order to become a teacher in South Dakota, you must possess a conferred bachelor's degree and verification of a completed teacher preparation program.
South Dakota is home to nine Indian Reservations. In order to ensure that you are aware of the history of the areas in which you teach, you must also complete a three-hour credit course in South Dakota Indian Studies.
Suicide among teens is, unfortunately, an endemic issue on South Dakota's reservations. The South Dakota Department of Education (SDDE) requires educators to take a one-hour credit course on teen suicide awareness and prevention as an effort to help combat this issue.
South Dakota has a traditional route for teachers and multiple alternative paths to certification.
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South Dakota teachers must complete a teacher preparation program. These programs will provide their students with student teaching experience which is essential to earning a teaching certificate in South Dakota.
South Dakota educators must also complete a state-approved Human Relations course in South Dakota Indian Studies. In order to apply, you must have earned a C or higher in this course. New educators must also complete a state-approved training on suicide awareness and prevention.
In order to apply for a teaching certificate in South Dakota, you must have completed at least six credits worth of the state's teacher certification program in the last five years. If your teacher preparation program was completed more than five years before, you may apply for a temporary one-year teaching certificate while you complete the required six credits.
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Create AccountSouth Dakota, like most states in the US, require educators to complete a teacher preparation program. These programs can be completed at the bachelor's, master's or the post-baccalaureate level. Each program will have different course work requirements, but every state-approved program will include field work and student teaching.
The South Dakota Department of Education also requires these programs to include a three-credit hour course in Human Relations and South Dakota Indian Studies. These courses prepare educators to work with historically marginalized communities in South Dakota.
Some schools that offer state-approved programs:
South Dakota offers a few alternative routes for new educators. All alternative routes (except SPED) are required to hold an Alternative Preliminary Certificate.
In order to apply for an Alternative Preliminary Certificate, you must have a bachelor's degree (some CTE candidates may substitute work experience or industry certificates for academic credentials). In order to renew this certificate, you must complete one hour of suicide prevention training.
The following are different alternative paths towards certification:
General Education Alternative Certification: Intended for educators who are in the process of completing their teacher preparation program but have not yet graduated. You must possess an Alternative Preliminary Certificate, a bachelor's degree, and an offer of employment from a South Dakota public school.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Certificate: Working professionals with applicable work experience may apply for this alternative certification. In addition to the requirements for all alternative routes, you must have a high school diploma and either cluster-specific coursework or an industry certification.
Teach for America (TFA): As a TFA graduate, you may be eligible to apply for an alternative teaching certificate in South Dakota.
Special Education (SPED): This route is appropriate for educators who hold valid teaching licenses but are looking to change specialties to teach children with special needs. You will need to have three years of teaching experience completed within the last five years to apply for SPED.
Most educators will need to meet South Dakota's requirement of a South Dakota Indian Studies course prior to license renewal or before applying for a Professional Teaching Certificate.
After you hold an alternative teaching certificate for one year, you are eligible to apply for a professional teaching certificate.
South Dakota requires educators to pass the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT Praxis test) as well as the appropriate Praxis Content Exam or Praxis Subject Assessment.
For the PLT, most educators will need to earn a score over 157 (Grades K-6 and 5-9 will need to earn over 160). Praxis scores for the content exams can vary depending on grade level and content area.
South Dakota does not require criminal background checks for new educators. Certain school districts, however, are allowed to require criminal background checks.
The SDDE handles educator license applications.
In order to apply for your South Dakota teaching license, you must possess a signed and verified letter from your teacher preparation program that indicates that you have completed the program and are recommended for certification.
You will also need to provide:
The SDDE will review applications within four to six weeks.
For out-of-state educators, there is a different application process. If you hold a valid teaching certificate from another state and that state will provide verification that you are in good standing, you may apply for a one-year provisional certificate.
During this year, you must complete an approved South Dakota Indian Studies course.
South Dakota is a participant of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, making reciprocity with the following states streamlined:
Pennsylvania, Florida, Montana, South Carolina, Georgia, Nebraska, Tennessee, Hawaii, Nevada, Texas, Idaho, New Hampshire, Utah, Illinois, New Mexico, Vermont, Kansas, New York, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Washington, Arizona, Maine, North Dakota, West Virginia, Arkansas, Maryland, Ohio, Wisconsin, California, Michigan, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Colorado, Michigan, Oregon, Delaware, and Missouri
All out of state educators must complete a three-credit hour course on South Dakota Indian Studies and one hour of suicide awareness and prevention. You may be eligible for a one-year provisional certificate if you have not yet completed these requirements.
South Dakota offers different teaching licenses depending on years of experience and other qualifications. The standard licenses are as follows:
One-year Certificate: Some educators may be eligible to apply for the one-year certificate while you complete any additional requirements (this applies to educators seeking reciprocity and other special cases).
Professional Teaching Certificate: eligible new teachers who have passed their Praxis exam, completed their teacher preparation program, and possess a conferred bachelor's degree may apply for this certificate.
Advanced Certificate: Professional Teaching Certificate holders who have five or more years of teaching and have earned a graduate degree or received National Board Certification may apply for this certificate.
The SDDE has continuously added jobs and continued to fill vacancies. South Dakota educators make on average $44,000 a year. South Dakota has numerous organizations that are devoted to offering high quality professional development. South Dakota is a state that is home to many marginalized communities and is in need of dedicated educators.
Nadim Tabsch is an adjunct English professor with over 15 years of experience. He has deep expertise in Literacy and Social Sciences and has been an educator at the elementary, middle school, high school, and collegiate level. Nadim graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Barry University and a Master's degree in Literacy from the University of New England.
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