Regents approve academic program requests to develop workforce

The South Dakota Board of Regents this week approved academic program requests from Dakota State and Northern State universities to meet emerging workforce and economic development trends statewide. 

At DSU, Regents approved a minor in finance technology, which will provide Dakota State graduates a new skill set in innovative technologies for the financial services industry, such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data mining. Students seeking careers in banking and financial services will benefit from this new knowledge base in data science and cyber technology. The minor will be available to DSU students both at the Madison campus and online.

Regents also approved a new graduate certificate in cyber security at DSU, which will be available online, to prepare more computer scientists, software engineers, and programmers. The certificate offers DSU students hands-on and practical experience in the theory and application of cyber security. This certificate, designed to meet a growing need in today’s workforce, is intended for working professionals who already have undergraduate degrees in security-related technology fields.

At Northern State University, Regents approved a graduate certificate in behavioral and justice studies, and a new specialization in forensic counseling.