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Session 0799

An Inside View on ABET Engineering Accreditor Training

Joseph T. Wunderlich, Ph.D. Elizabethtown College Computer Engineering Program

Abstract

This paper presents a view of ABET engineering accreditor training from the perspective of an engineering professor from small comprehensive college who is helping prepare a Computer Engineering program for accreditation. The foundation of the paper is based on the author’s observations while participating in an ABET accreditor training course at an ASEE conference where 95% of the participants were ABET accreditors. A comparison of ABET evaluation standards as they have changed from the prescribed requirements of the past to the more self-determined measurements of the newer ABET standards yields much insight into the accreditation process. A plan for organizing required documentation, resources, and people is included. The degree to which an engineering program has matured to an “ABET-ready” status must be established to spare a department and college from the financial and emotional costs of planning, funding, and facilitating an ABET accreditation review before a program is ready. Such specifics as having clear objectives, verifiable outcomes, and a fully developed comprehensive curriculum are also discussed. Principles such as self-evaluation, continuous improvement, and life-long learning are critical.

I. Introduction

ABET is: “The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology; a federation of 31 professional engineering and technical societies. Since 1932, ABET has provided quality assurance of education through accreditation. ABET accredits more than 2500 engineering, engineering technology, computing and applied science programs at over 550 colleges and universities nationally. ABET is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.” 1 ABET has traditionally accredited two types of programs: Engineering and Engineering Technology, and has more recently added accreditation of Computer Science programs. ABET has different criteria and a separate commission for each (see Fig. 1).

Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education

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Wunderlich, J. (2003, June), An Inside View On Abet Engineering Accreditor Training Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--12572