Board Recognized Schools
The Board recognizes junior colleges, colleges and universities accredited at the time the applicant's degree was received by virtue of membership in one of the following regional accredited agencies:
Higher Learning Commission (accrediting post-secondary institutions in the North Central region)
Middle States Association of College and Schools
New England Association of Colleges and Schools
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Schools
The accrediting agencies may list the accredited colleges and universities on their websites. If the accrediting agency does not list your school:
- Check the back of your transcript. Many schools list their accreditation on the back of their transcripts.
- Contact the school to find out if it is accredited through one of the above agencies.
Online Colleges/Universities
If an on-line college or university is accredited by one of the above accrediting agencies, then the Board will recognize the school.
Education Earned Outside the United States
The Board will recognize colleges/universities outside of the United States, but you must have your education evaluated by the Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc., or a comparable service as approved by the Board.
Non-Accredited U.S. Education
If an institution was not accredited at the time your degree was received but was accredited at the time the application was filed with the Board, the institution will be recognized as acceptable to the Board for the purposes of South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 36-20B-15, if the institution:
- Certifies the applicant's total educational program would qualify the applicant for graduation with a baccalaureate degree during the time the institution has been accredited; and
- Furnishes the Board satisfactory proof, including college catalogue course numbers and descriptions, that the pre-accrediting courses used to qualify the applicant as an accounting major can be matched with substantially equivalent post-accredited courses;
- A graduate of a four-year degree granting institution which was not accredited at the time the applicant's degree was received or at the time of filing shall be recognized by the Board as a graduate of a four-year accredited college or university, if:
- An accredited college or university, as defined in Administrative Rule of South Dakota (ARSD) 20:75:02:12, accepts the applicant's non-accredited baccalaureate degree for admission to a graduate business degree program;
- The applicant satisfactorily completes at least 15 semester or 22 quarter hours, or the equivalent, in post-baccalaureate education at the accredited institution, of which at least 9 semester or 13 quarter hours, or the equivalent, shall be in accounting; and
- The respective accredited college or university certifies that the applicant is in good standing for continuation in the graduate program or has maintained a grade point average in these courses that is necessary for graduation.
A graduate seeking recognition under this section shall provide to the Board, at the graduate's own expense, a complete course evaluation of any foreign transcripts by the Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc., or a comparable service as approved by the Board.
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501-2291
Tel. 605.773.3101
Fax. 605.773.6184
