Engineering Accreditation in the United States

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Engineering Accreditation in the United States

• Dr. Sarah A. Rajala
• President, American Society for Engineering
  Education
• Dean, Bagley College of Engineering
• Mississippi State University

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Engineering Accreditation in the U.S.

• A peer review process that ensures educational
  quality
• A method for verifying that a program meets the
  criteria for a quality educational experience
• It is voluntary and non-governmental
• Accreditation and licensure are done by separate
  organizations

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ABET, Inc.

• Recognized accreditor of educational programs in
  engineering, engineering-technology and
  engineering-related fields in US
• Programs receive accreditation or are denied, no
  ranking
• Approximately 2800 programs in more than 600
  colleges and universities accredited by ABET in
  US and internationally

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ABET, Inc.

• A federation of 29 professional engineering and
  technical societies
• Recognized by the Council for Higher Education
  Accreditation
• Composed of four commissions
• Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
• Computer Accreditation Commission (CAC)
• Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC)
• Related Accreditation Commission (RAC)

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Process for ABET Accreditation

• Institutions wishing to have programs accredited,
  must submit a written request for evaluation to
  the Executive Director of ABET
• Each program must prepare a self-study describing
  how each program satisfies the ABET criteria
• A team of program evaluators makes an on-campus
  visit

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Process for ABET Accreditation

• Visiting team prepares a draft report
• Institutional programs have the opportunity to
  respond to the report during due process
• Final decision is made by the relevant ABET
  commission

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• Outcomes based criteria
• Criterion 1 Students
• Criterion 2 Program Educational Objectives
• Criterion 3 Program Outcomes
• Criterion 4 Continuous Improvement
• Criterion 5 Curriculum
• Criterion 6 Faculty
• Criterion 7 Facilities
• Criterion 8 Support
• Criterion 9 Program Criteria

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• Criterion 1 Students
• Evaluation, monitoring and advising of students
• Enforcement of policies for the acceptance of
  transfer students and validation of courses taken
  for credit elsewhere
• Enforcement of procedures to assure that all
  students meet all program requirements

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• Criterion 2 - Program Educational Objectives
• Broad statements that describe the career and
  professional accomplishments that the program is
  preparing graduates to achieve
• Program Educational Objectives must be
• Published
• Based on constituency needs
• Assessment and evaluation process to determine
  attainment

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• Criteria 3 - Program Outcomes
• Narrower statements that describe what students
  are expected to know and be able to do by the
  time of graduation.
• These describe to the skills, knowledge, and
  behaviors that students acquire in their
  matriculation through the program.

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• Engineering programs must demonstrate that their
  students attain the following outcomes
• (a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics,
  science, and engineering
• (b) an ability to design and conduct experiments,
  as well as to analyze and interpret data
• (c) an ability to design a system, component, or
  process to meet desired needs within realistic
  constraints such as economic
• (d) an ability to function on multidisciplinary
  teams

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• (e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve
  engineering problems
• (f) an understanding of professional and ethical
  responsibility
• (g) an ability to communicate effectively
• (h) the broad education necessary to understand
  the impact of engineering solutions in a global,
  economic, environmental, and societal context
• (i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability
  to engage in life-long learning
• (j) a knowledge of contemporary issues

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• (k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and
  modern engineering tools necessary for
  engineering practical
• Program outcomes (a) through (k) plus any
  additional outcomes that may be articulated by
  the program. Program outcomes must foster
  attainment of program educational objectives.
• Assessment and evaluation process to determine
  attained.

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• Criterion 4 Continuous Improvement
• Each program must show evidence of actions to
  improve the program. These actions should be
  based on available information, such as results
  from Criteria 2 and 3 processes.

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• Criterion 5 Curriculum
• The curriculum requirements specify subject areas
  appropriate to engineering but do not prescribe
  specific courses. Must include
• (a) one year of a combination of college level
  mathematics and basic sciences appropriate to the
  discipline
• (b) one and one-half years of engineering topics,
  consisting of engineering sciences and
  engineering design appropriate to the student's
  field of study

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• (c) a general education component that
  complements the technical content of the
  curriculum and is consistent with the program and
  institution objectives
• Students must be prepared for engineering
  practice through a curriculum culminating in a
  major design experience based on the knowledge
  and skills acquired in earlier course work and
  incorporating appropriate engineering standards
  and multiple realistic constraints

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• Criterion 6 Faculty
• Sufficient number and competencies
• Sufficient faculty to accommodate adequate levels
  of student-faculty interaction
• Appropriate qualifications and authority to
  ensure the proper guidance and evaluation of the
  program

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• Criterion 7 Facilities
• Classrooms, laboratories, and associated
  equipment must be adequate to safely and provide
  an atmosphere conducive to learning.
• Programs must provide opportunities for students
  to learn the use of modern engineering tools.
  Computing and information infrastructures must be
  in place to support the scholarly activities of
  the students and faculty.

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• Criterion 8 Support
• Institutional support, financial resources, and
  constructive leadership must be adequate to
  assure the program quality and continuity.
• Resources must be sufficient to attract, retain,
  and provide for the continued professional
  development of a well-qualified faculty and
  staff.
• Resources also must be sufficient to acquire,
  maintain, and operate facilities and equipment
  appropriate for the program.

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ABET Engineering Criteria

• Criterion 9 Program Criteria
• Each program must satisfy applicable Program
  Criteria (if any).
• Program Criteria provide the specificity needed
  for interpretation of the baccalaureate level
  criteria as applicable to a given discipline

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ABET Recent Changes

• Allows for accreditation of both bachelors- and
  masters-degree programs at the same institution
• Accredits programs internationally
• Accepts applications for program evaluators from
  individuals at non-domestic institutions

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Questions or Comments
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Contact Information

• Sarah A. Rajala, Ph.D.
• Dean,
• Bagley College of Engineering
• Mississippi State University
• rajala_at_bagley.msstate.edu