College and Schools

College of Arts and Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences is the heart of USD, where students thrive in the liberal arts and sciences and develop a coherent, integrated, rich world view.

  • Founded in 1949
  • 33 majors, 42 minors and 5 certificate programs
  • 3 graduate programs
  • 19 departments
  • 313 devoted, full-time faculty
  • 19 honor and professional societies

Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science

Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science is a premier private graduate school with a public conscience.

  • Ranks as the #1 Catholic Graduate Nursing School in the nation based on U.S. News & World Report research
  • Internationally recognized faculty have extensive postgraduate research training
  • Awarded the largest research grant in USD history.
  • Our Nursing Clinical Simulation Laboratory provides expert clinical training

Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies

Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies works for sustainable peace and justice through innovative education, interdisciplinary scholarship, advanced practice and policy engagement.

  • Founded in 2007
  • Offers MA in Peace and Justice, MA in Social Innovation, MS in Conflict Management and Resolution, MS in Humanitarian Action, JD/MA Peace and Law Dual Degree
  • Focus areas: conflict analysis and resolution, human rights, development and human security
  • Benefit from two practice-oriented institutes: the Kroc Institute for Peace and the Spark@USD: A Social Innovation Institute

Knauss School of Business

Knauss School of Business develops socially responsible business leaders with a global mindset and a passion for innovation.

  • Full-Time, Part-Time and Flex MBAs
  • 6 specialty master's programs
  • 11 undergraduate business majors

School of Law

School of Law is recognized for the excellence of its faculty, depth of its curriculum, and strength of its clinical programs.

  • 900 Juris Doctor and graduate law students annually
  • Strong faculty of outstanding scholars and teachers with national and international reputations.
  • Member of the Order of the Coif, a national honor society for law school graduates. Focus areas: business and corporate law, constitutional law, intellectual property, international and comparative law, public interest and taxation.

School of Leadership and Education Sciences

School of Leadership and Education Sciences prepares educators and leaders to serve a diverse society by focusing on human dignity and the quality of life.

  • Founded in 1962
  • Established the nation's first doctoral program in leadership studies in 1979
  • Four departments and 10 degree, 16 credential and 4 certificate programs
  • Affiliated with 10 academic centers and institutes

Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering

Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering inspires students to innovate, create and ultimately make a difference by practicing real-world engineering.

  • Offers a Dual BA/BS Degree in four engineering disciplines, a BA degree in computer science, and an MS in Cyber Security Engineering
  • Meet prospective employers and find new opportunities while giving back to their community
  • Ranks #13 in engineering undergraduate programs in the nation

Division of Professional and Continuing Education

USD's Division of Professional and Continuing Education supports career advancement and change through professional development programs and online degrees.

  • More than 600 affordable, high-quality professional development and continuing education courses, programs and certificates
  • Convenient online and classroom schedules, certificate credential and graduate-level extension credit
  • Small class sizes, customized private and group professional development
  • Corporate training and accessible online graduate degrees