ABERDEEN — The South Dakota Board of Regents recently announced the approval of two high-need programs designed to meet the growing workforce demands in the state and beyond. These programs include a bachelor’s degree in accounting at South Dakota State University and a master’s degree in artificial intelligence at the University of South Dakota.

“Both of these programs uniquely address the needs of South Dakota’s economy,” said BOR President Tim Rave. “Accounting has long been an area of critical need, and graduate-level programs in artificial intelligence are quickly emerging as a workforce demand.”

SDSU’s bachelor’s degree in accounting aims to provide students with comprehensive training in various aspects of accounting, including managerial, financial, cost, and income tax accounting. The university currently provides a minor in accounting, and it believes that the bachelor’s program will expand its students’ educational opportunities, leading to improved professional prospects. Additionally, introducing a major in accounting will help meet the strong demand for accounting professionals in the job market in South Dakota.

The master of science in artificial intelligence at USD is a cutting-edge graduate program designed to address the rapid advancements and growing needs in the AI sector. The MSAI will encourage innovation through research initiatives and interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing the state’s science and technology foundation. This emerging program will prepare graduates for leadership roles in AI research, development, and application across various industries, including technology, healthcare, finance and more.

These programs will help fill critical gaps in South Dakota’s labor market by equipping students with specialized skills in accounting and artificial intelligence. Graduates of these programs will be well-prepared to take on vital roles in their respective fields, enhancing the region’s economic growth and technological advancement.

Both programs will be offered at their respective universities beginning this fall.