Accreditation

Since 1981, Southeast Technical College has maintained accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, 312-263-0456.

In December 2006, Southeast Tech was officially accepted into the Higher Learning Commission’s (HLC) Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) pathway for accreditation.

HLC discontinued the AQIP pathway in Summer 2018, and Southeast Tech moved to the Open Pathway. The Open Pathway is a process through which an already-accredited institution in good accreditation standing can maintain accreditation through a series of activities over a 10 year period. The pathway is focused on quality assurance and institutional improvement. The pathway requires the institute to follow a specific accreditation cycle:

• Annually: Submit an Institutional Update to assure federal compliance and identify any changes needing HLC follow up.
• Year 4: Complete an Assurance Review by providing documentation that demonstrates the institute is fulfilling HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation. The materials are reviewed by a peer review team with official action from the Institutional Actions Council (IAC).
• Year 5-9: Undertake a Quality Initiative project focusing on a specific aspect of the institute for improvement. HLC peer reviewers approve the initial project proposal as well as the final report of the project’s outcomes.
• Year 10: Undergo a Comprehensive Evaluation to ensure the institute is meeting the Criteria for Accreditation, pursuing institutional improvement, and complying with certain requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education. The review leads to the Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Southeast Tech’s current AQIP Systems Portfolio and Portfolio Appraisal links are below:

View Systems Portfolio  View Systems Appraisal

The South Dakota Board of Education has approved Southeast Tech to grant the associate of applied science degree, diplomas and certificates.

Specialized Accreditations

Many Southeast Tech programs maintain specialized accreditations. Some of these include:

Accounting, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship and Marketing

ACBSP

Southeast Technical College’s Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Accounting and Marketing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Automotive Technology & Collision Repair and Refinish Technology

ASE Education Foundation

Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation
101 Blue Seal Drive SE, Suite 101
Leesburg, VA 20175
702-669-6600
www.aseeducationfoundation.org

Cardiovascular Sonography

CAAHEP

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits the Southeast Tech Cardiovascular Sonography program upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

JRC-CVT
Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology
1449 Hill Street
Whitinsville, MA 01588
978-456-5594
www.jrccvt.org

ARDMS
American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 600
Rockville, MD 20852-1402
301-738-8401 or 800-541-9754
www.ardms.org

Dental Assisting

Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. CODA can be contacted at 312-440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

CODA Website

Dental Assisting National Board


Accreditation Disclosure

The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) has authorized graduates of Southeast Technical College's Dental Assisting program to earn credentialing through DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification program. Graduates from Southeast Tech’s Dental Assisting program will be eligible to complete the CDA certification.

Approval to become a certified Dental Assistant is determined by each state’s department of dentistry. In South Dakota, Southeast Tech’s Dental Assisting program is authorized by the South Dakota Board of Dentistry. Graduates are eligible to apply for certification in South Dakota upon graduation and are not required to pass the DANB’s CDA examination.

Dental Assisting National Board

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

CAAHEP

The Southeast Tech Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS.)

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

JRC-DMS
Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
443-973-3251
www.jrcdms.org

ARDMS
American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 600
Rockville, MD 20852-1402
301-738-8401 or 800-541-9754
www.ardms.org

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology

HVAC Excellence Programmatic Accreditation

The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program is accredited through the HVAC Excellence Accreditation program.

HVAC Excellence Programmatic Accreditation
1701 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20006
www.hvacexcellence.org/accreditation

Invasive Cardiovascular Technology 

CAAHEP

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits the Southeast Tech Invasive Cardiovascular Program upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

CCI
Cardiovascular Credentialing International
1500 Sunday Drive Suite 102
Raleigh, NC 27607
800-326-0268
www.cci-online.org

JRC-CVT
Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology 
1449 Hill Street
Whitinsville, MA 01588
978-456-5594
www.jrccvt.org

Law Enforcement Science

South Dakota Law Enforcement Standards and Training Commission

Law Enforcement Science is approved by the South Dakota Law Enforcement Standards and Training Commission.

South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standard and Training Commission
1302 E Highway 14, Suite 5
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-3584
http://dci.sd.gov

Licensed Practical Nurse

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

The associate Licensed Practical Nursing program at Southeast Technical College located in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Huron, S.D., is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
404-975-5000
www.acenursing.org

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the practical nursing program is September 2023.  

View the public information disclosed by ACEN regarding this program.

South Dakota Board of Nursing

The Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program has full approval status from the South Dakota Board of Nursing.

South Dakota Board of Nursing
4305 S Louise Ave, Suite 201
Sioux Falls, SD 57106-3315
605-362-2760
doh.sd.gov/boards/nursing/

Medical Assistant

CAAHEP

The Medical Assisting program at Southeast Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org/

Paramedic Science

CAAHEP

The Paramedic Science program at Southeast Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Registered Nurse

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

The associate Registered Nursing program at Southeast Technical College located in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Huron, S.D., is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
404-975-5000
www.acenursing.org

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate Registered Nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. The date of the last site visit was Feb. 25-27, 2020, and the next site visit is scheduled for Spring 2028.

View the public information disclosed by ACEN regarding this program.

South Dakota Board of Nursing

Southeast Tech's Registered Nurse (RN) program has full approval status from the South Dakota Board of Nursing.

South Dakota Board of Nursing
4305 S Louise Ave, Suite 201
Sioux Falls, SD 57106-3315
605-362-2760
doh.sd.gov/boards/nursing

Surgical Technician

CAAHEP

The Southeast Tech Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

Veterinary Technician

American Veterinary Medical Association

Southeast Technical College is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) as a program for educating veterinary technicians.

Welding

American Welding Society

Southeast Tech is the first Accredited Test Facility (ATF) in South Dakota through the American Welding Society. Diploma students earn two AWS welding certifications by completing the program.