
BROOKINGS, S.D. – The Animal Science Department at South Dakota State University (SDSU) has become the first four-year animal science in the nation to earn accreditation from the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS). The accreditation recognizes the university’s commitment to student learning outcomes, both in the classroom and the hands-on experiences from the campus livestock units.
The ASAS utilized a review board in the process to assess faculty, programming, current animal science students and even industry wide perceptions to award the accreditation.
In addition to the accreditation announcement the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES), also has received approval from the Board of Regents to pioneer a Global Agriculture Leadership program. Dr. Rosie Nold, assistant dean of CAFES and director of the Global Agriculture Program says that it’s the first of its kind in the nation.
The Master of Science program will begin recruiting the first class in the near future with a start date of May 2026. Students are anticipated to graduate from the program in 13-14 months.
“Having the accreditation makes a statement that says we do have a program that fills what animal science students are looking for…” Nold said. “So it really says people that are already out there, yes, we did accomplish what we aimed to do… to hopefully put you on the right track to success in your career and to those that are out there now looking and trying to decide what their career path might be that has an interest in animals that there’s a lot of opportunity here…”