USD School of Education Celebrates First M.A. in Elementary Education Plus Certification Graduates
This innovative, fully online program allows individuals with any bachelor’s degree to earn a Master of Arts and K–8 elementary teaching licensure simultaneously, creating a second-career pathway into education. Graduates earn South Dakota licensure, with reciprocity available in other states.
“This program opens the door for so many talented individuals to enter the teaching profession,” said Theresa Skinner, Ed.S., residency instructor and program coordinator. “Our candidates bring various backgrounds and life experiences and they’re ready to make an immediate difference for students.”
USD’s online master’s + certification programs are designed for individuals seeking a meaningful transition into teaching. All programs are fully online, paired with supervised clinical experiences, and lead to both a graduate degree and licensure. Programs include elementary education with a K-8 licensure, multi-categorical special education in K-12 special education licensure and secondary education for grades 5-12 in a content area.
USD is the only institution in South Dakota offering all three M.A. plus certification pathways in a fully online format, making high-quality teacher preparation accessible across the state and beyond. Likewise, USD’s programs are growing rapidly and are removing geographic barriers while creating accessible, high-quality graduate pathways. In doing so, USD is helping address critical teacher shortages across South Dakota and the region.
Student demand for these flexible, master’s-level pathways continues to grow with 22 students currently enrolled elementary education, 41 students enrolled in secondary education, 42 students enrolled in special education. Thirty-three M.A. plus certification candidates will complete student teaching in the fall of 2026 and graduate in December.
First Cohort Teaching Across the Region
The following graduates are the first to graduate in the M.A. in elementary education plus certification program, and are now employed at the following school districts:
- Brianna Benjamin — Third-grade teacher, Lincoln Elementary School, Yankton School District, Yankton, South Dakota
- Maren Judisch — Substitute teacher, Kirkwood Elementary School, Coralville, Iowa
- Laurel Schmidt — Third-grade teacher, Leola School District 44-2, Leola, South Dakota
- Cailee Cuny (Oglala Sioux) — Teacher, Robbinsdale Elementary, Rapid City Area Schools, Rapid City, South Dakota
The School of Education also celebrates graduates from the M.A. in secondary education plus initial licensure program:
- Tyus Hanson — Social studies teacher, Watertown High School, Watertown School District, Watertown, South Dakota
- Rebecca Tuttle — Career and technical education teacher, Ben Reifel Middle School, Sioux Falls School District, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Krista Rasmussen — Biology teacher, Jefferson High School, Sioux Falls School District, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Austin Hall — Math teacher, North Middle School, Rapid City Area Schools, Rapid City, South Dakota
- Rickie Presley — English language teacher, Washington High School, Sioux Falls School District, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Alicyn Even — Implementation specialist, Memorial Middle School, Sioux Falls School District, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Additionally, May 2026 graduates of USD’s multi-categorical Special Education (K–12) plus certification program—also offered fully online—are serving students across the state:
- Jonathon Halleen — Special education teacher, Ben Reifel Middle School, Sioux Falls School District, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Karissa Schouten — Special education teacher, Ben Reifel Middle School, Sioux Falls School District, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Cohl Ratermann — Special education teacher, Brookings High School, Brookings School District, Brookings, South Dakota
For more information, visit the USD Division of Teacher Residency and Education webpage.
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