Southeast Technical Institute (STI) Academics and Unique Programs

Academics

Since 1968, the public, two-year institution Southeastern Technical Institute has strived to initiate, develop and provide high quality technical education opportunities and services for students aged sixteen and older. Located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Southeast Technical Institute’s campus consists of the Mickelson Education Center, the Terrence Sullivan Health and Science Center, the Ed Wood Center, the Technology Center, the Scarbrough Child Care Center, and Nicolay-Hummel and Andera Residence Halls. Set on the limits of Sioux Falls, students have easy access to the “upbeat and carefree” downtown area, including entertainment, shopping and restaurants just minutes away. With a local population of just 150,000 students have the perfect opportunity to truly take advantage of the local professional sports teams, concerts, theaters and more.

Students at Southeast Tech participate in hands-on, technologically state-of-the-art programs of study to receive associate of applied science degrees as well as diplomas and certificates. With a wireless campus and programs designed to reflect market demand, students are able to get the most out of their degree, diploma, or certificate programs, or in the Business & Industry Training division. Degree-granting programs of study are currently offered in areas like business & communications, computer information systems, electronics technology, engineering technology, health technology, human services technology, industrial technology, landscape design/sports turf management & horticulture technology, and transportation technology. Exciting programs include animation technology, graphic communications, computer programming, biomedical equipment technology, architectural/construction engineering technology, cardiac ultrasound technology, Licensed Practical Nursing, law enforcement science, machine tool technology, and automotive or diesel technology. The Business & Industry Training Center features programs in computer applications, construction & transportation, corporate & small business, health education, and manufacturing & industrial areas of study.

The training center holds courses on campus, online, or on-site for specific companies and corporations. Specialized training requests are viable for consideration, featuring customized training programs. Students who wish to pursue coursework but are limited to evening and weekend classes may choose from programs in business administration, electronics technology, Licensed Practical Nursing and network administration. For those wishing to participate in distance education, the Southeast Technical Institute Online offers the Online Business Administration program. Adult learners may choose to take advantage of the STI Adult Learning Center which offers free GED and ESL (English as a second language) classes.

As a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, STI is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It has been approved to grant the associate in applied science degree in all two-year programs it offers by the South Dakota Board of Education. Automotive Technology and Diesel Technology programs are certified as Automotive Service Excellence schools by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, Cardiovascular Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Surgical Technology programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Licensed Practical Nursing is accredited through the South Dakota Board of Nursing, Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement is approved by the Law Enforcement Officer and Training Commission, the Machine Tool Technology program is accredited by the National Institute of Metal Working Skills (NIMS), Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration is accredited through the HVAC Excellence Accreditation program, and Pharmacy Technician is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).

Most Popular Fields of Study

Information Summary

Ranks 15th in South Dakota and 1688th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	69.8
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$20,540
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	14 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	73% / 59%
Enrollment Total (all students)	2,166

Unique Programs

At STI it is important that students have real-world training for today’s job market, which is the inspiration for the Southeast Technical Institute laptop program. As the first campus in South Dakota to initiate this kind of program, students can harness their computer skills while simultaneously participating in classes and receiving important industry-specific software training. All STI students receive an STI email and webmail account which they can use to stay connected and participate in important academic activities.

Students involved in the laptop program should expect to submit assignments and communicate online, as well as receive important information like assignments, project information and course syllabi. Any student entering a laptop program will have the laptop provided to him or her from Southeast Tech. Financial aid can be applied to the purchase of the laptop, as it is included in tuition for the student’s first two semesters. The same conditional sales agreement process can apply to students who are not in a laptop program but wish to purchase a laptop just the same.

Laptop program areas of study are certain programs in the areas of business & communication technology, computer information systems, electronics technology, engineering technology programs, health technology, human services, and industrial technology. Some programs will have specific STI hardware and software requirements. For more information prospective students should contact STI directly.

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Admissions

At Southeastern Technical Institute there is an open door admissions policy. In order to qualify students must be at least 16 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED equivalency. To enroll, prospective students must complete an application for admission, submit a high school transcript or GED results (or any college transcripts as applicable), complete any Admissions Office assessments, pay a matriculation fee, and submit immunization information. Even before applying students may choose to meet with an admissions representative to explore the career and study options available at STI, and should plan to meet with a representative after acceptance for assistance in selecting courses.

Home schooled students and transfer students should pay extra attention to the admission section, as additional application materials and requirements may apply. Students applying to certain programs may be required to comply with additional program requirements which range from certain forms to background checks, and physical, medical and drug testing. Southeastern Tech should be contacted directly about special admissions instructions for the following programs: Health Technology, cardiac ultrasound, diagnostic medical sonography/abdominal/OB/GYN, electroneuradiagnostic, health information services, invasive cardiovascular, licensed practical nurse, nuclear medicine, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy/patient care technician, surgical technology, and vascular ultrasound; Human Services Technology, law enforcement, early childhood; Electronics Technology, biomedical equipment; and Transportation Technology, automotive.

Students may wish to take one of many tests given via the Southeast Testing Center, such as the COMPASS test, the applied health program HOBET or NET tests, CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) testing, and PAN and ACT testing.

Students applying to the Southeast Technical Institute Online Business Administration Degree program must complete either an ACT assessment or COMPASS assessment.

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid department at STI assists students in financing their educations through grants, external scholarships, STI Foundation scholarships, loans and/or Federal work-study programs. Students must first complete the FAFSA, then submit their Financial Aid application. After receiving their Student Aid Reports, students should receive an award letter which must be completed and returned to the financial aid office. Any first-time borrowers attending STI must complete an Entrance Counseling on-line.

To apply for STI Foundation Scholarships, students must fill out an online application form, available roughly from October through mid-March each year. Decisions will be made by a scholarship selection committee and scholarships may be academic, merit or need-based. A variety of local, state, and federal scholarships are also available like the Pierre Chamber of Commerce scholarship, and the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 3744th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in South Dakota.

Students

Students have available a wide range of support services like the campus bookstore, located in the Mickelson Center, both online and in-person counseling, disability services, financial aid, a tech support help desk, job placement specialists for both part- and full-time positions, the Southeast Library as part of the South Dakota Library Network, tutoring, and webmail.

At STI find a wide variety of nontraditional students, like single parents, displaced homemakers, dislocated workers, non-direct high school grads, and adults looking to make a career change. For this reason student services are offered like the Scarbrough Center, a licensed child care center located right on campus.

With studying at STI many students choose to stay right on-campus in the roomy new four bedroom, two bathroom campus apartments. Student apartment facilities come equipped with televisions and game tables, and utilities, basic cable, basic phone and wireless internet are available for a rental fee. Students can walk from their residence to class, and will be exposed to a range of social and academic opportunities.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

The following sports can be found here:

Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Basketball
Men’s Intramural and Women’s Intramural Volleyball

Southeast Technical Institute