Southeastern University was founded in 1879. It was chartered by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1937.

Southeastern University is a private, accredited, non-profit institution of higher learning that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as certifications.

Southeastern University is an institution of higher learning committed to academic excellence and civic engagement. Its academic innovation is driven by faculty who provide traditional and adult learners with the critical thinking and business skills that result in exit competencies demanded by a competitive marketplace.

The university was founded by the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) in response to a great influx of newcomers to Washington in 1879. Established in the District of Columbia, the school initially offered classes in French, mathematics, general education, religion and business. In 1907, the Washington School of Accountancy was added to the University. In1923, the institution was incorporated by the city government as the Southeastern University of the YMCA of the District of Columbia. On August 19, 1937, an Act of Congress declared the name of the institution to be "Southeastern University" and provided a federal charter for the University.

The Congress declared that the University was to be governed by a board of trustees comprised of prominent individuals. It also called for a wide range of courses, schools and degrees. This official charter has since been amended three by the Congress - first, on October 10, 1966, and again on March 29, 1976.

The University offers Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Business Management, Computer Science and Information Technology, Public Administration and Liberal Studies.

Undergraduate majors are offered in:

• Accounting
• Business Management
• Child Development
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Financial Management
• Health Services Administration/Management
• Information Systems Management
• Liberal Studies
• Marketing
• Non-Profit Management
• Public Administration/ Government Administration

Graduate majors are offered in:

• Accounting
• Business Management
• Computer Information Systems
• Computer Science
• Financial Management
• Health Services Administration/Management
• Mathematics
• Marketing
• Non-Profit Management

Certificate Programs are offered in Information Technology.

• Accounting
• Information Systems Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Java
• Oracle
• CENA (Cisco Certified Network Administration)
• MS Certified Systems Engineer

Student enrollment is approximately 1000. Over 60% are female. In 2004, fifty-four percent of the students were residents of the District of Columbia.

Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis is the ninth President of Southeastern University. Selected in 1996, the Honorable Charlene Drew Jarvis was a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, having served since 1979. She was Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and also served as Chairperson Pro Tempore of the Council. President Jarvis is a trained scientist with a doctorate in Neuropsychology, a scientific researcher and a prominent community leader. She is the daughter of Dr. Charles R. Drew, the blood bank pioneer.

The Southeastern University faculty is comprised of individuals who have demonstrated mastery of theory as well as significant practical experience. Of the full-time faculty, 67% have doctoral degrees in their specialties. At the same time, many of the faculty hold senior level positions in the federal and local government as well as in the private sector.

Southeastern University is located at, 501 I St in the Southwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., only blocks from the historic Waterfront Area.

The campus holds the Southeastern University library and administrative offices and a growing number of classes and available online.