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South Dakota State University’s Department of Animal Science has made history, becoming the first four-year animal science program in the nation to receive accreditation from the American Society of Animal Science. 

“This historic accreditation represents a transformational moment for animal science education,” Marc Bauer, chair of the Animal Science Council on Accreditation, said. “South Dakota State University has demonstrated exceptional leadership in developing a program that meets all the standards expected of modern animal science education.” 

Road to accreditation 

Achieving accreditation was no small feat. The multiphase process, which took around 15 months to complete, evaluated all areas of the department’s undergraduate program, including curriculum quality, faculty expertise, student experience opportunities and more. 

Under the guidance of former Assistant Department Head Rosie Nold, a team of six faculty members conducted a comprehensive self-evaluation, arguably the most critical component of the accreditation process. 

“It made us take a good, hard look in the mirror,” Cody Wright, professor and participating faculty member, said. 

Following the self-evaluation, representatives from the Animal Science Council on Accreditation conducted a three-day site visit to observe how the program functioned as a whole. Meetings with students, faculty, staff and industry stakeholders were held, along with tours of the facilities and livestock units. 

After the site visit, preliminary feedback was shared with the department. Final approval, however, did not come until July 2025 at the American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting in Hollywood, Florida. 

A legacy of excellence 

When the news became official, it was a proud recognition of the department’s long history of successfully addressing the land-grant mission in South Dakota. 

Serving the state and beyond, the land-grant mission is built on education, research and outreach. Though all three pillars are important, undergraduate education is at its core, according to Joe Cassady, South Dakota Corn Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. “Research and outreach are both important, but they’re built on top of a very solid foundation in undergraduate education,” he said. 

Holding up that foundation is a cohort of dedicated faculty, or what Nold refers to as the “heart of the department.” With advanced degrees and professional credentials to prove it, they bring a plethora of knowledge and expertise to students of the department. Equally important is the energy and excitement they instill in their teaching. 

“This is not an award but rather an acknowledgement of our faculty’s commitment to undergraduate education and student success,” John Jaeger, Calvin and Mary Hayenga Endowed Department Head of Animal Science, said. 

Learning by doing 

This commitment to excellence is fulfilled through hands-on learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom. Livestock units just minutes from campus lend themselves to research and student employment opportunities, with the on-site meat laboratory offering an additional avenue for skill development. 

To further complement these experiences, students are able to take part in internships and study abroad programs, among other extra- and co-curricular activities. 

Collectively, these experiences complement classroom instruction and prepare students for successful careers in applied and scientific areas of livestock production and management, animal nutrition, meat science and related fields. 

“It’s about making sure our students are well prepared to enter the workforce and become contributing members of their communities,” Jaeger said. 

During the site review, students spoke highly of the impact these opportunities have had on their education. “The experiences I have gained from my involvement in undergraduate research, clubs and other activities have been invaluable in preparing me for my future career,” Abby Morse, senior animal science student from Madison, South Dakota, said. 

A moment of reflection 

Although the achievement reflects the undergraduate program as it stands today, the department is quick to share the credit with those who paved the way. 

“Our current faculty is a very talented group,” Cassady said, “but they’re standing on the shoulders of those who have worked hard for years to establish and maintain excellence in undergraduate education.” 

Wright echoes this sentiment. “It’s a credit not only to the people that are here now, but also to those who have laid the groundwork before us. We’re just carrying the torch.” 

A benchmark for future growth 

While the accreditation validates program standards are met, feedback from the site visit revealed several areas for growth. 

Facilities such as the Horse Unit and Meat Counter are in need of upgrades. The student-to-faculty ratio is also higher for the department than the college and university. Furthermore, there is a need to expand coursework, particularly in areas like animal behavior. 

While none of these critiques came as a surprise, they motivate department leadership and program personnel to continue striving for excellence. 

“Although accreditation confirms we are doing things right, it also highlights areas where we can improve,” Carmen Paulson, equine studies lecturer, said. 

Animal science professor Michael Gonda shares this view. “If we stay the same, we will go backward. We need to continually evaluate what’s working and what’s not and make changes as we see fit.” 

A student-centered mission 

At the end of the day, the driving force behind this historic accreditation wasn’t just recognition or prestige. It was a deep commitment to students. That focus is what brought the department to this milestone, and it’s what will carry it forward. 

“It’s about the students,” Nold said. “Everything we do is because of them.”