Compliance Snapshot
- Who must attend
- Parents with minor children in divorce or custody cases
- Format
- Online, self-paced
- Languages
- English and Spanish
- Certificate
- Included at completion
Why South Dakota requires a parenting class
South Dakota courts recognize that divorce and custody disputes can have lasting effects on children. The parenting education requirement exists to help parents understand how their behavior during and after separation impacts their children's emotional and developmental well-being.
The course is intended to reduce parental conflict, improve communication between co-parents, and give parents practical tools for supporting their children through the transition.
Who needs to complete the course?
Both parents with minor children involved in a divorce or custody proceeding are generally required to complete a parenting education course. This applies to both married parents filing for divorce and unmarried parents in custody or visitation disputes.
Each parent completes the course individually. The court order will typically specify the deadline for completion, often before the final hearing.
- Both parents must complete the course, not just one.
- Applies to divorce, legal separation, and custody proceedings involving minor children.
- Check your court order for the specific completion deadline.
What the course covers
The course covers the impact of divorce and separation on children at different developmental stages, effective co-parenting communication, conflict reduction strategies, and how to help children adjust to new family arrangements.
Topics also include recognizing signs of stress in children, appropriate ways to discuss the other parent with children, and how to handle transitions between households.
Where National Course Portal fits
The South Dakota Parenting course on National Course Portal is an online, self-paced program with a certificate included at completion. It is available in English and Spanish.
Because court requirements can vary by judicial circuit, parents should confirm with their court that an online certificate is accepted before enrolling. The course is designed to meet the educational objectives that South Dakota courts expect.
Employer Checklist
- 1Confirm your court order requires a parenting education course.
- 2Verify with your court that online completion is accepted.
- 3Complete the course before your court-ordered deadline.
- 4Download your certificate immediately after finishing.
- 5Submit the certificate to the court as directed.
- 6Keep a personal copy of the certificate for your records.
FAQ
Do both parents have to take the South Dakota parenting class?
Yes. South Dakota generally requires both parents to complete the parenting education course individually as part of divorce or custody proceedings involving minor children.
Can I complete the South Dakota parenting class online?
Many South Dakota courts accept online completion, but acceptance may vary by judicial circuit. Confirm with your court before enrolling.
How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and designed to be completed in a few hours. There is no scheduled class time, so you can work through the material at your own pace.
Is the South Dakota parenting course available in Spanish?
Yes. The course and certificate are available in both English and Spanish.
Official Sources
This guide is general information for employer planning. It is not legal advice, and employers should confirm requirements with counsel, the regulator, or the requesting agency before relying on any course for a specific obligation.