Accreditation

Southeast Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Higher Learning Commission accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in 19 North Central states, including South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado.

Accreditation Status

Southeast Technical College has been continuously accredited by the HLC since 1981. The college was last reaffirmed for accreditation at the July 18, 2023, Institutional Actions Council meeting. Our next scheduled comprehensive evaluation is in 2032-2033.

Scope of Accreditation

The HLC accreditation covers all degree programs and certificates offered by Southeast Technical College, including Nursing (RN and LPN), Surgical Technology, Business Administration, Civil Engineering Technology, Mechanical Systems and Construction programs.

Higher Learning Commission Contact Information

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

Importance of Accreditation

Accreditation by the HLC ensures that Southeast Technical College meets rigorous standards of quality and integrity regarding academic offerings, institutional effectiveness, and student services. This accreditation signifies that our institution is committed to continuous improvement and providing a high-quality educational experience to our students.

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
atg.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
www.sdbon.org/

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).

Respiratory Therapy

CoARC

Southeast Technical College is currently in the process of seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) for a respiratory care program. However, STC can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC. https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an "outcomes based" process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.

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
www.sdbon.org/

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.