Accreditation & Outcomes

View information and student outcomes pertaining to accreditation.

Institutional Accreditation

Institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) provides assurance to prospective students, parents, and others that an institution of higher education meets the agency's clearly stated requirements and criteria. Institutional accreditation is the standard against which colleges and universities are evaluated as a whole for the quality of their education activities. The HLC is an independent organization founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The University of South Dakota has been accredited by the HLC since 1913.

Institutional accreditation is an ongoing process consisting of the Assurance Review, the Quality Initiative, and the Comprehensive Evaluation.  The next review will be USD’s Comprehensive Evaluation, scheduled for 2030-31. Please visit the Higher Learning Commission website for more information on the institutional accreditation process.

Specialized Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science program housed in the College of Arts & Sciences is fully accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. This is a required professional accreditation for our computer science program and signifies that the program has met standards essential to producing graduates who are ready to enter the field of computing.

As outlined in the university’s assessment plan, available from the Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment, all academic departments at the University of South Dakota are responsible for the development and evaluation of department strategic goals and program student learning outcomes. The results of departmental assessment are reported annually and are subsequently evaluated by the Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Assessment.

Program Educational Objectives

Our computer science program will prepare graduates to do the following for a minimum of 2-5 years after graduating:

  1. Demonstrate progressive technical competency for a computing career or advanced studies (Technical Competency).
  2. Exhibit effective communication skills including the abilities to think critically and creatively, communicate clearly and work effectively with others (Communication Competency).
  3. Integrate computational principles with social, business, and ethical issues in modern society in the process of decision making (Responsibility Awareness).
  4. Engage professionally in serving the needs of business, industry, government, or academic organizations and in developing leadership skills (Managerial Competency).
  5. Grow professionally through steps such as continuing education, professional certifications, and participation in professional organizations (Lifelong Learning Competency).

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the program will have an ability to: 

  1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed and equitable judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

Enrollment Data

Institutional enrollment and graduation data are published annually.