The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA) was founded in 1994 capitalizing on the institutional resources of 11 major research universities to sponsor graduate education programs through distributed learning technologies. The Alliance offers fully-online graduate coursework and program options in high-demand professional fields.

Why choose SDSU? 

Welcome to the South Dakota State University’s Great Plains Idea Site!  Within the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, the Department of Human Development, Consumer and Family Sciences, and the Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design offer three distance education opportunities including:

• M.S. in Dietetics

• M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences, Family Financial Planning (FFP) specialization

• M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences, Merchandising specialization

• M.S. in Family & Consumer Sciences Education (FCSE)

• M.S. in Rural Sociology, Community Development specialization

The Family and Consumer Sciences College mission is to provide educational programs (at both the undergraduate and graduate levels), outreach and new knowledge which improves individual, family and community well-being, impacting the development and delivery of consumer goods, and enhancing the human condition --- physically, cognitively, psychosocially, economically and aesthetically.  We welcome you to investigate the possibilities offered in the areas of Family Financial Planning, Family & Consumer Sciences Education, and Merchandising.

The programs in Dietetics, Family Financial Planning, Family Consumer Sciences Education, Merchandising and Community Development offer quality programs/courses at a distance.  The programs are designed to prepare students to use and further develop their knowledge base, skills and experiences in solving problems, verbal and written communication, 21^st century technologies, leadership development and work in interdisciplinary and diverse teams. 
The faculty are committed to offering quality instruction and to preparing students to excel in their professional lives.