Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

The Electrical Engineering Technology Program Educational Objectives: Are They Measurable and How?

Abstract The Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) program developed a Program Educational Objectives assessment process in response to ABET accreditation requirements. Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) describe the attributes that we desire our graduates to possess three to five years after graduation1. The BS degree program in EET will prepare graduates with the technical and managerial skills necessary to enter careers which involve the design, application, installation, manufacturing, operation and maintenance of electrical/electronic(s) systems. This paper details the PE O assessment process developed by the program, as well as the implementation process that took place in the academic year 2007-2008. An interim report submitted to ABET resulted in the resolution of the institutional weakness regarding ABET criterion 3 (Assessment and Evaluation)1.

The PEOs are identified in line with ABET’s Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) and support the EET program mission. For each PEO, a set of indirect assessment tools has been identified and the performance criteria for each tool have been set. These indirect assessment tools4 can include career center job placement data, alumni surveys, employer surveys, and input from the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB).

This paper will discuss the PEOs, the process of how they are determined and reviewed, the role of the program constituencies in setting and reviewing them. Also discussed are the assessment tools, how these tools are used in the PEO assessment process, how frequently data is collected for each tool, who is responsible for data collection and analysis, and how data is used for continuous improvements. Information will be provided on the assessment process issues and challenges and can be used to help engineering technology programs seeking accreditation or re-accreditation.

1. Introduction The curriculum of the EET program covers a broad based educational experience emphasizing practical, hands-on laboratory work, closely coordinated with theoretical classroom discussion. Students receive a solid foundation of coursework in electric circuits, digital electronics, solid-state electronics, communications, power and electrical machinery.

The EET program has developed a PEOs assessment process to fulfill ABET accreditation requirements. It is an outcome based assessment in which the PEOs should meet the need of the program constituents. PEOs describe the attributes that we desire our graduates to possess three to five years after graduation. According to ABET’s definition of PEOs, “Program Educational Objectives are broad statement that describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduates to achieve”1. A set of assessment tools with performance criteria has been identified for each PEO. Data has been regularly collected, assessed and evaluated against the performance criteria to ensure that each PEO has been assessed and the goals have been met1. Results of assessments process are then utilized in continuous improvement actions.

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Alaraje, N. (2009, June), The Electrical Engineering Technology Program Educational Objectives (Peos): Are They Measurable, And How? Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--5282