Academics
Founded in 1860, Augustana University provides students with a wide range of academic courses and majors. There are more than 100 different majors, minors and pre-professional programs of study. Additionally, graduate students can select from nearly a dozen master and doctoral programs.
Accreditation
Augustana University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Its original accreditation dates to 1931, with the last accreditation visit in 2022.
Augustana is also accredited by the South Dakota Department of Education and holds professional accreditation in the following organizations:
- Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC)
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (Candidacy Status)
- American Chemical Society (ACS) (approval)
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE)
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- National Association for Schools of Music (NASM)
- National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD)
- State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA)
- South Dakota Board of Nursing (SDBN)(approval)
Co-Curricular Activities
Beyond the classroom, Augustana provides opportunities for involvement in more than 100 student organizations and activities, including special interest groups, 21 NCAA Division II and one Division I athletic teams, as well as performing arts ensembles in music and theatre.
Faculty
The student to faculty ratio is 12:1 with an average class size of 21 students.
Location
The university is located in Sioux Falls — South Dakota's largest city — with an estimated population of 213,891 with 5,007 new residents in 2023.
Students
Augustana serves more than 2,500 students from 44 states and 45 countries. Most are part of our residential community and call our 100-acre campus home. Our graduate and continuing education programs serve students during times that are convenient for adult learners.
Traditions
Major university traditions include Opening Convocation, Viking Days (homecoming), Christmas Vespers, Semester Shutdown, the Arthur Olsen Student Research Symposium and faculty gauntlet at commencement. Ole — the Viking statue in the center of the quadrangle — is often decorated for special seasonal events. The Campus Green is the large expanse of green space used for intramural sports and student activities.
Residential Life
Living opportunities include seven residence halls, apartment complexes and theme houses.