ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University will offer a new Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd) focused on Career and Technical Education (CTE)—a unique degree in the state’s public university system designed to meet South Dakota’s growing need for qualified CTE teachers.

Approved by the South Dakota Board of Regents at its July 2025 meeting, the program is set to begin in Fall 2025. It comes at a critical time as the state prepares to modernize its career cluster framework for the 2026–27 school year, offering a proactive solution to the long-standing shortage of licensed CTE educators, particularly in rural areas.

“This program is about more than just filling a workforce need, it’s about opening a new door for students who want to teach but haven’t seen themselves in the traditional pathway,” said Dr. Anna Schwan, dean of Northern’s Millicent Atkins School of Education. “The flexibility of the BSEd in CTE means we can meet students where they are, especially those enrolled in our state’s outstanding technical colleges. We have the potential to create a path that helps students turn their skills and passions into meaningful teaching careers all across South Dakota.”

The program is designed to attract a wide range of future educators, including students currently enrolled in technical colleges, experienced professionals seeking to transition into teaching and traditional undergraduates who want to take courses at Northern and specialize in areas like health sciences, business or technology.

Students will complete education coursework at Northern, including specialized CTE training in curriculum design, authentic assessment, and work-based learning coordination. Flexible delivery options—such as online and HyFlex—will ensure the program is accessible to working adults.

BSEd in CTE is supported by the South Dakota Department of Education’s Division of College, Career, and Student Success, educational partners like Lake Area Technical College, and regional school districts working to spark interest in teaching within CTE fields. The degree combines career-focused content training with purposeful preparation for teaching in career and technical education classrooms.