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South Dakota legal education

Law schools, bar exam, CLE, and legal education in South Dakota.

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South Dakota

Law Schools

ABA-accredited JD programs in South Dakota

University of South Dakota — Knudson School of Law

Vermillion, South Dakota — South Dakota's only law school — ABA-accredited since 1923, celebrating 125 years in 2026. Specialized programs in rural practice, Indian law, and environmental law with excellent job placement rates.

South Dakota

Paralegal Programs

Accredited paralegal education and certificate programs

ABA-Approved

National American University — Paralegal Studies

Rapid City, South Dakota — ABA-Approved — ABA-approved online paralegal program offering both AAS and BS degrees — performance-based curriculum preparing graduates for the NALA Certified Paralegal exam.

South Dakota Paralegal Association

Statewide professional organization for paralegals — networking, continuing education, and advocacy for the paralegal profession in South Dakota.

South Dakota

Court Reporter & Captioning Programs

Stenography, digital reporting, and real-time captioning training

SimplySteno — Online Court Reporting

Online stenography school available to South Dakota residents — personalized training with working court reporters. South Dakota has no in-state campus-based court reporting programs.

NCRA A to Z Steno Program

Free six-week introductory program from the National Court Reporters Association — learn the steno alphabet and basic machine writing. Available to South Dakota residents online.

South Dakota

Mediator & ADR Certification

Alternative dispute resolution training and qualified neutral roster

South Dakota Unified Judicial System — Mediation

The SD Supreme Court maintains a roster of approved mediators. Family court mediators must have 40 hours of mediation training or five years' experience with 20+ completed mediations.

Resolution Systems Institute — South Dakota

National nonprofit providing resources on South Dakota's court ADR programs — research, program design, and best practices for dispute resolution across the state.

South Dakota

Notary Public Certification

How to become a notary public in South Dakota

South Dakota Secretary of State — Notary Public

Official notary application guide. Requirements: 18+, SD resident (or bordering county with SD workplace), no felony convictions, $30 filing fee. No training or exam required. Six-year commission.

South Dakota

Bar Admission & Exam

Pathways to becoming a licensed attorney in South Dakota

South Dakota Board of Bar Examiners

Administers the South Dakota bar exam. South Dakota is not a UBE jurisdiction — the exam includes MBE, MEE, MPT, and a state-specific Indian Law Question. Combined passing score of 266 required.

South Dakota Board of Bar Examiners — FAQ

Frequently asked questions about bar exam eligibility, exam format, application deadlines, and admission on motion — available for attorneys with 3 of 5 years' active practice.

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