Open Door Admissions
Southeast Tech maintains an “open door” admissions process. Southeast Tech accepts all students who can 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. Students who are under eighteen years of age and have not graduated from high school must see a Southeast Tech Admissions Counselor before being admitted to a credit class. Prospective students who have not completed high school are encouraged to complete their high school education or work toward receiving a GED certification.
Admissions
All applicants for admission into a program of study at Southeast Tech must complete the following steps:
- Submit a completed “Application for Admission” form to the Admissions Office. (Web application available on apply.southeasttech.edu).
- Request official high school/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 graduation and prior to beginning classes at Southeast Tech, students must submit final transcripts to Southeast Tech.
- Southeast Tech will only accept high school transcripts from high schools accredited by agencies recognized by the United States Department of Education or by the state in which the school resides unless the student is home schooled or from a foreign country. (See “Home School Entrance Requirements” or contact Admissions for information regarding foreign transcript approval.)
- Complete any required assessments (reading, writing, computation, etc) or program requirements. Academic preparation courses are available for those who need to improve their skills. Applicants will be notified of assessment requirements after they have applied for admission.
Upon receipt of all application materials and completion of all admission requirements, the Admissions Office will determine acceptance of the student into their chosen program. A $75 nonrefundable entrance fee is required to complete the application process and to assure enrollment in the student’s chosen program.
Whenever the number of applicants for program enrollment reaches the maximum number, applicants will be notified that the program is full and their names have been placed on a waiting list. Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Financial aid will not be considered 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 on a competitive basis. Please contact the Admission Office for details.
Southeast Tech reserves the right to deny admission to students who have been previously accepted into a program and have withdrawn or dropped out from the 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 math) 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 school 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 determined assessment test for placement into English and Math courses. Students are strongly encouraged to complete this testing prior to attending an orientation session.
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 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.
Home School Entrance Requirements
Home-schooled high school students applying for admission into Southeast Tech have three options to meet the high school diploma requirement:
- Provide a home-school high school record of completion and receive the program entrance scores on the GED exam. The student must also take Southeast Tech’s entrance assessment and meet the required scores for the program.
- Provide a home-school high school record of completion and receive the composite ACT minimum scores required by the program. The student must also take Southeast Tech’s entrance assessment and meet the required scores for the program.
- Provide a home-school high school record of completion that has been certified by an accredited outside educational organization. The student must also take Southeast Tech’s entrance assessment and meet the required scores for the program.
Extended Preparatory Coursework Option
Students who do not meet Southeast Tech program entrance requirements may be eligible for admission via the Extended Preparatory Coursework Option. The Extended Preparatory Coursework Option helps students build foundational skills prior to beginning core program coursework. Students taking the Extended Preparatory Coursework Option may be required to complete additional coursework and receive minimum required grades before becoming eligible to continue into the program.
See Health Pre-program Preparatory Coursework or the Southeast Tech Admissions staff for additional information and curriculum information.
Law Enforcement Science Admission Requirements
All applicants for admission into the Law Enforcement Science program at Southeast Tech must possess or complete the following:
- A driver’s license. You will be suspended from the Law Enforcement program if, for any reason, your license is suspended, revoked, or taken from you during, from and after the time of your admission. You will be considered for reinstatement after you obtain your license again;
- A satisfactory background check. A felony conviction or a conviction for domestic violence, as that term is defined in applicable provisions of federal and state law, prevents your admission; convictions for misdemeanor offenses not involving domestic-violence circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis;
- Satisfactory drug testing. The student can expect to be asked to submit to drug testing at random times throughout his or her career at Southeast Tech;
- A demonstrated willingness to comply with the program’s appearance requirements and Honor Code.
- All Law Enforcement Science students with prior military service must provide a certified copy of their DD214 before admission to the program.
Health and Law Enforcement Science Lab Participation Liability Notice
Due to the procedures covered in and the physical participation requirements of the Health and Law Enforcement Science labs, students are required to sign release forms that provide the student with a description of the required lab experiences, student lab responsibilities, and/or release of liability to the institution. For more information, see the Health Student Handbook or discuss the liability notice with your program instructor.
Background Checks & Drug Screenings
Background Checks and Drug Screenings are required in some programs, especially programs in the Health and Human Services area. (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.
NOTE: Drug screen results are not appealable.
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. 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.
Math & English Placement Testing
Students are required to complete a Southeast determined assessment test for placement into English and Math courses. Students are strongly encouraged to complete this testing prior to attending an orientation session. STI accepts ACT, COMPASS, and Accuplacer scores for placement testing.
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 transferable to other diploma programs. Students considering such credit transfer should consult an Admissions Counselor or Student Success Advisor to determine which credits will or will not transfer. An audit course cannot be used towards graduation.
Transfer of Credits to Southeast Tech
Southeast Tech will accept credits from any post secondary institution accredited by one of the major regional accrediting associations, e.g., Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools – Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NCA-CIHE). Acceptance of transfer credits is contingent upon the student having completed the 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 applicants wishing advanced standing by transfer credit should request an evaluation of their official transcript(s) of courses taken at their previous school(s). This request should be made at the time of application for admission. The student will be notified of credits granted after they have been accepted. Transferred credits are not used in determining grade point average. 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 until the transcript is received and the transfer credits have been approved. It is the student’s responsibility to drop these courses during the drop period should the transfer be completed.
Students who fail to provide a transcript to STI and who remain in a course that would have transferred beyond the drop period will be required to pay for the course.
*Students not providing transcripts prior to their first semester at STI may find themselves taking and paying for courses that could have been transferred and may experience delays in program completion.
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.
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.
Prior Learning Credit/Department Evaluation
A person who wishes to obtain prior learning credit by department evaluation should first discuss the option with a Southeast Tech Admissions counselor or Student Success Advisor. The appropriate department will review previous coursework accomplished and/or documentation of experience 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, etc.
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.
Prior Learning Credit/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.
- 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 Center during the first week of the semester. 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 the course in order to take the test-out. If a student 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 the course and are interested in testing out must do so before the end of the first week of the semester. Students remaining in the class beyond the first week are no longer eligible for a test-out 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 average 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. Students wishing to obtain credit through CLEP exams should meet with an Admissions counselor. CLEP exams are charged out differently than other test-outs. There is a $15 proctoring fee payable to Southeast Tech and $80 payable to CLEP. (Charges subject to change.)
Advanced Placement Courses (AP)
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are typically offered at the high school level. Students take the course while in high school and then complete the AP test at the end of the course. Students who score “3” or higher and are degree-seeking students at Southeast Tech may be eligible to receive credit.
A student’s AP score report will be sent to Southeast Tech when the student places our school code (7054) on their test registration application. When Southeast Tech receives the AP score report, the student will be notified in writing of the allowable credits. There is no cost to transcript the AP course on the students’ transcript.
Contact the Admissions Office at 605.367.6040 to determine if you are eligible for credit for your AP course(s).
Bachelor’s Degree Transfer Options
Southeast Tech offers a variety of opportunites for students to transfer their Southeast Tech credits to colleges/universities. For information please see the Bachelors Degree Transfer Options section of the catalog.
High School Credit Transfer Agreements
Southeast Tech has articulation agreements with high schools in South Dakota. Articulation agreements make it possible for students to receive credit for courses they successfully completed during high school. Articulation agreements may allow students to bypass a particular course at Southeast Tech and/or to pay a reduced rate for tuition.
High school and post-secondary instructors work together to develop articulation agreements. They develop the criteria for granting credit. Credit is awarded based on the competencies the student has mastered in high school courses, academic performance, portfolio review, or the results of a written examination or skill test.
Southeast Tech’s staff will make every effort to inform students about articulation agreements; however, it is the student’s responsibility to request articulation agreement credit. Below are Southeast Tech’s Secondary to Post-secondary Articulation Guidelines.
- All students enrolled under the articulation agreement shall meet the admissions standards as established by the post-secondary institute for that particular program.
- To receive articulated credit, the student must have completed the high school course within the last two years.
- For a student to articulate courses after the two year time limit, an assessment of skill mastery will be required.
- A minimum of “B” average (3.0) in the course(s) to be articulated is required.
- No grade will be assigned for articulated credit. These courses will not be counted in determining the student’s post-secondary grade point average, nor for financial aid purposes.
- Credits articulated will count toward the total number needed for graduation from the program.
- Articulation agreements will be reviewed on an annual basis as well as during the program review cycle at the post-secondary level.
- Articulated courses may be honored by all South Dakota technical institutes for those course(s) that have common numbers and titles.
- All articulation agreements between secondary schools and the technical institutes reflect only the transferability of credit between these agencies and not necessarily with state or other universities.
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