Admissions

605-367-6040 800-247-0789

Admissions Policy

Southeast Tech accepts all students who may benefit from the various kinds of instruction available and are at least 16 years of age, have completed their GED, or are high school graduates of the United States. Prospective students who have not completed high school are encouraged to complete their high school education or work toward receiving a GED certification.

Students who completed high school level of education outside the United States is required to complete a transcript evaluation with a reputable organization affiliate with NACES. 

Southeast Tech does not admit international students with a F1, F2, J1, J2, M1, or M2 visa status. 

At Southeast Tech, all students are welcome to apply regardless of citizenship or residency status. An undocumented student’s legal status does not impact his/her admission decision. However, an undocumented student may not be eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

Application Process

All applicants for admission into a program of study at Southeast Tech must complete the following steps:

1. Submit an online ”Application for Admission” to the Admissions Office.
    
2. Request official high school and/or college transcripts or GED certificate be sent to Southeast Tech. For transfer purposes, an official transcript is required from each college or technical school previously attended. Students currently in high school may submit a partial transcript. Upon their high school graduation and prior to beginning classes at Southeast Tech, they must submit final transcripts with graduation date and school official signature.

• Home-school high school students are required to provide a home-school high school record of completion and the Notification for Public School Exemption Certificate that was submitted to the local school district for each year of high school or 12th grade only if signed by school district official. 
• If you have received or will be receiving a “modified” high school transcript, please contact the Admissions Office to verify that your modified high school transcript will meet Southeast Tech’s admission requirements. Each situation will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
• Students who completed high school education outside of the United States are required to complete a transcript evaluation with a reputable organization affiliate with NACES or AICE. Southeast Tech will only accept transcript evaluations that document at a minimum high school level of education that is equivalent to the United States high school education. 

3. Submit test scores as required by your program. Send in your ACT or SAT scores or complete the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER, if required by your program. Applicants will be notified of assessment requirements after they have applied for admission.
    
4. Complete any additional program requirements. 

Upon receipt of all application materials and completion of all admission requirements, the Admissions Office will determine acceptance of students into their chosen programs. A $75 nonrefundable registration fee is required prior to enrollment at Southeast Tech.

Whenever the number of accepted students for an academic program reaches the maximum student slots allocated for that program, new applicants who complete the admission requirements for that program will be notified that the program is full and their names will be placed on a waiting list. Qualified students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Financial Aid will not be awarded until all admission requirements have been met and the student is accepted into a program of study.

Southeast Tech’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program admission is a competitive admission process. Please contact the Admission Office for details.

The ACT test is required for students applying to the following programs: Cardiac Sonography, Vascular Sonography, Invasive Cardiovascular, and Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Southeast Tech reserves the right to deny admission to students who have been previously accepted into a program and have withdrawn or dropped out of that program.

Southeast Tech offers opportunities through the Hovland Learning Center for individuals to work toward receiving a GED certificate or to do remedial work in skill areas (language, reading, and mathematics) to help students develop the skills necessary for them to be successful in their chosen career area. This “basic skills building” can be done either before a person takes a Southeast Tech course or while they are taking a Southeast Tech course. There is no charge for using the Hovland Learning Center to work on developing basic skills.

Pre-academic classes are also offered in the above areas during specified times throughout the academic year for students needing additional review and assistance. These classes are intended for students who have mastered the basic skills but need refresher help to bring their scores up to expected levels of performance for completing required coursework. All students are required to complete a Southeast Tech determined assessment test for placement into English and Math courses, which may include ACT, SAT, or Next-Generation ACCUPLACER. Students are strongly encouraged to complete this testing prior to attending an Academic Advising and Registration Day.

Home School Entrance Requirements

Home-schooled high school students applying for admission into Southeast Tech must complete the following steps to meet the high school diploma requirement:

1. Provide a home-school high school record of completion.
2. Provide the Notification for Public School Exemption Certificate form that was submitted to the local school district to document all four years of high school. 

       OR

       Provide the most recent Notification for Public School Exemption Certificate only if signed by a certified school official.

Students may be asked to complete the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER for admission decision and/or placement into college-level coursework.  If an ACT was taken, provide a copy of your ACT scores for determination.

Online High Schools

Students who desire to complete their high school studies online must choose their school carefully. Many online high schools are not legitimate high schools. These schools promise that students can complete their entire high school career in as little as a few weeks for only a small fee. In addition, while these schools state that they are accredited high schools, their accreditation agencies may consist of nothing more than a website and list no employees or contact information. These schools are obviously fraudulent and the diplomas that students receive are not legitimate and may in fact be illegal to use in many states.

Schools such as the South Dakota Virtual School are legitimate, recognized institutions. For students who want to complete their secondary education as quickly as possible, Southeast Tech recommends the GED option. If you wish to be accepted into a legitimate, post-secondary institution anywhere in the nation, you must complete actual testing at an authorized GED testing center. Southeast Tech offers free GED preparation through our Hovland Learning Center in the Mickelson Center which can be reached by calling 605.367.7997.

Immunizations

Due to regulations mandated by the State Health Department, medically signed proof of TWO properly administered MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) immunizations are now required for all new, readmitted, and transferred students who enroll in courses on campus. A student completing coursework entirely online is not required to provide immunization documentation. History of these diseases is accepted with medical provider verification. If you have only one immunization, the required second immunization may be administered not less than one month after the first immunization. Students who fail to provide the required proof of immunizations may be refused class registration until in compliance. If you are not able to receive the required MMR immunizations due to medical or religious reasons or if you cannot complete this requirement for other reasons, you may choose to complete the Immunization Exemption Form which may be obtained from Admissions.

Background Checks & Drug Screenings

After students have met the admissions requirements and have been accepted into their programs, Background Checks and Drug Screenings are required for some programs, specifically programs in the Health and Human Services areas. (Additional programs and random drug testing may be added and required as needed.) The results of these checks and screenings may affect a student’s admission into the program, ability to attend a clinical or internship site, take specific courses, or continue enrollment in the program. Results may prevent a person from sitting for a board exam or from gaining employment in a chosen career field. See the Health Student Handbook for additional information.

Background checks and drug screenings must be completed by the second week of class. Failing to complete background check and drug screenings can result in administrative withdrawal from program.

NOTE: Drug screening results are not appealable.

Health and Human Services Program Requirements

All applicants for admission into the Health and Human Services Programs at Southeast Tech need to refer to the additional Academic Handbook. Due to procedures covered in and the physical participation requirements of the Health and Human Services labs, students are required to sign release forms that provide them with a description of the required lab experiences, student lab responsibilities, and/or release of liability to the college. For more information, see the Academic Handbook for the Health & Human Services Programs  or discuss the liability notice with your program instructor.

Math & English Placement Testing

Students are required to complete a Southeast Tech-determined placement assessment prior to attending an Academic Advising and Registration Day. These assessments are used to ensure students begin English and Math courses at the appropriate level.

Southeast Tech accepts ACT, SAT, Smarter Balance, TABE, and Next-Generation and historical ACCUPLACER scores for placement testing.

Students may also use the placement tests to “Test Out” of some courses at Southeast Tech. Please talk to an Academic Advisor, Student Success Advisor, or the Southeast Tech Testing Center for assistance with placement scores.

English Considerations:

ENGL 094 - Students who place into ENGL 094 must successfully complete this course with a “C” or higher to progress to ENGL 101. Students who receive a “D” or “F” grade must repeat ENGL 094.

ENGL 100 - Students requiring non-transferable communications as part of their program will take ENGL 100 dependent upon placement scores. If a student has a placement test score that meets the requirement of ENGL 101, they have the option to take ENGL 101. The course presents the elements of oral and written communication necessary to succeed in today’s workplace.

ENGL 101- Students may be placed directly into ENGL 101 if they have achieved the designated placement testing score, pass ENGL 094 with a “C” of higher, or qualify through the ENGL 100 to 101 pathway.

Although ENGL 100 is not a writing course and is not a traditional prerequisite for ENGL 101, the following pathway is an option for students:

• Successfully complete ENGL 100 with an earned grade of an A or a B
• Documented placement score that places the student in the ENGL 094 course
• Proctored writing sample that earns a minimum of a 3 (Meets Expectations) on a 4-point scale

Contact an ENGL instructor or a Student Success Advisor for more information about this pathway.

ENGL 201 - Students must earn a “C” or higher in ENGL 101 to take ENGL 201. Students who do not meet this requirement can either repeat ENGL 101 or substitute SPCM 101 for ENGL 201

See also: General Education English Placement Table  

Math Considerations:

MATH 100 - This course satisfies the college’s general education requirements for mathematics for many programs, but it is not a transferable course.

MATH 101/MATH 103/MATH 114/MATH 116/MATH 120 - Students may place directly into one of these courses based on a placement assessment score. If students have a placement assessment score that meets the requirements of a higher-level MATH course than their program requires, they have the option to take the higher-level MATH course.

See also: General Education Math Placement Table  

Transfer of Credits Within Southeast Tech

Courses are transferable from one program to another with associate of applied science degree courses generally transferable to other associate of applied science degree programs or to vocational diploma programs, and vocational diploma courses are transferable to other diploma or certificate programs. Students considering such credit transfer should consult a Student Success Advisor to determine which credits will or will not transfer between programs. An audit course cannot be used toward graduation.

Transfer of Credits to Southeast Tech

Southeast Tech will accept credits from any post-secondary college accredited by one of the major regional accrediting associations (e.g., Higher Learning Commission). Acceptance of transfer credits is contingent upon students having completed a course or courses with a grade of “C” or better, and, that in the judgment of the Registrar, the course credit and content is similar to that contained in the Southeast Tech course for which advanced standing by transfer is being requested. Granting of such credit is at the discretion of Southeast Tech’s Registrar.

Prospective students wanting to know if their college credits will transfer to Southeast Tech can refer to the online transfer credit equivalency calculator or may submit their unofficial transcripts to registrar@southeasttech.edu for a preliminary evaluation of their unofficial record. Transferred credits will not be used in determining grade point averages. The maximum number of credits granted for any course cannot exceed the Southeast Tech credit standard for a similar course.

Southeast Tech will register students for required courses based upon receipt of students’ official transcripts and the transfer credits having been approved by the Registrar.

*Students not providing transcripts prior to their first semester at Southeast Tech may find themselves taking and paying for courses that could have been transferred and may experience delays in program completion. Students who remain in a course that would have transferred beyond the drop period will be required to pay for the course.

In some cases, credit may be granted for military service school courses. Students must submit official documents containing specific credit recommendations for their service school training at the time of admission.

A minimum of 25% of a total program must be earned at Southeast Tech and the student must complete 25% of the major courses in the program at Southeast Tech in order to receive a Southeast Tech certificate, diploma, or degree.

For international credit to be accepted, transcripts are evaluated by a third party.

Prior Learning Credit

Students may receive credit for past experiences or coursework in lieu of taking comparable Southeast Tech courses. Prior Learning Credit may be obtained through the following methods:

• Credit by department evaluation (life/work experiences or coursework)
• Credit by examination

NOTE: Courses completed through Department Evaluation or Credit by Examination do not count toward Financial Aid full/part-time enrollment requirements. Students who are awarded credit will be required to pay a $50 per course transcription fee.

Department Evaluation

A person who wishes to obtain Prior Learning Credit by Department Evaluation should first discuss the option with a Student Success Advisor. The appropriate department will review previous coursework accomplished and/or documentation of experiences to determine whether credit may be granted. Documentation should include statements from work supervisors (or the company’s human resources department), work project examples, explanations of work, and/or training experiences.

The applicant will be notified of the results of the evaluation, and credits awarded will be listed on the student’s transcript. No grade will be recorded. Credits granted through evaluation will not be used in the calculation of the student’s grade point average and cannot be used in full-time/part-time Financial Aid calculations.

In cases where students are granted prior learning credit, it will be necessary to complete only those additional requirements of the program in which they plan to enroll. However, at least 25% of the credits for a program must be earned at Southeast Tech, and the student must complete 25% of the major courses in the program at Southeast Tech.

Credit by Examination

A person may be eligible for credit by examination if:

• Extensive high school work has been completed,

• Competency has been acquired through actual work experience,

• Courses taken at another institution are not transferable, but the content has provided sufficient background,

• Courses taken in a vocational diploma program, which cannot be directly transferred to an associate of applied science degree program, may warrant examination of the person’s competency, or

• A person can demonstrate sufficient competency because of self-study or non-traditional education or training.

Examinations are available for most courses at Southeast Tech. They may be oral or written. In addition to the exam, a skill demonstration may be required. Persons who wish to obtain credit through a formal Southeast Tech exam can obtain information by contacting the Southeast Tech Testing. A nonrefundable fee of $50 per test-out must be paid in the Business Office prior to testing. All testing must be completed within a week of payment.

Students are not required to enroll in a course in order to take the test-out exam. If students would like to test out of a class they are not currently enrolled in, they may do so throughout the year. Those who are enrolled in a course and are interested in testing out of it must do so before the end of the first week of the semester. Students remaining in the class beyond the first week of the semester are no longer eligible for a test-out exam in that class. Test-outs cannot be retaken, and students may not attempt to test out of classes that they have previously failed. Credits granted by examination are not used in determining grade point averages and cannot be used in full-time/part-time Financial Aid calculations.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Students may also be eligible for credit through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams, either the General Exams or the Subject Exams. No grade is granted when an exam is passed, and credits granted by CLEP are not used in determining grade point average and cannot be used in full-time/part-time financial aid calculations. Students wishing to obtain credit through CLEP exams should visit the College Board CLEP website at https://clep.collegeboard.org/exams. 

Advanced Placement Courses (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are typically offered at the high school level. Students take these courses while in high school and then complete the AP test at the end of them. Students who score “3” or higher and are degree-seeking students at Southeast Tech may be eligible to receive credit.

Students’ AP score reports will be sent to Southeast Tech when they place our school code (7054) on their test registration application. When Southeast Tech receives AP score reports, they are notified in writing of the allowable credits. There is no cost to transcribe AP courses on students’ transcripts. No grade is granted when AP courses are transferred in, and credits through AP are not used in determining grade point averages and cannot be used in full-time/part-time Financial Aid calculations.

Dual Credit

Dual credit is an opportunity for high school students who meet admissions standards to enroll in public postsecondary colleges in South Dakota and simultaneously earn credits for both their high school diploma and postsecondary degree or certificate.

Dual credit courses are offered by the postsecondary institution’s faculty members, are governed by the postsecondary institution’s policies, and follow the postsecondary institution’s established processes for admissions, registration, billing, and grade reporting. Courses include college-level content and subject matter; students choosing to participate will be held to the same expectations and standards as college students.

Through a program approved by the South Dakota Legislature, dual credit coursework is available to high school students in grades 11-12 at the rate of $48.33 per credit. Students are able to choose from a number of on-campus and online classes, including general education and career and technical education courses.

High School-Based Concurrent Enrollment

Courses are college courses taking place in the high school, during the high school day, being taught by high school faculty who have been approved (as per Southeast Tech Faculty Qualifications Policy) to instruct said college-level courses as part of their duties as a school district employee. High school students participating in concurrent enrollment will earn a grade on the permanent college and high school transcripts. These courses have been approved as having equivalent course content, learning objectives and outcomes and work assignments as an on-campus college course. The high school student will be treated equal to any college student on the same campus-based course.