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Session: 3675 New Engineering Educators

A Progress Report on the ABET-Sponsored Study of the Impact of EC2000

Lisa R. Lattuca, J. Fredericks Volkwein, Patrick T. Terenzini, Linda C. Strauss, J. Sukhbaatar The Pennsylvania State University

Abstract

This paper provides an overview and progress report on a national study of the impact of ABET’s EC2000 accreditation criteria on student learning in engineering programs. Sponsored by ABET, the study addresses the question, “Are the engineers who complete undergraduate programs under the EC2000 accreditation criteria better prepared for careers in engineering than those who graduated before implementation of EC2000?”

A major focus of the study is the examination of student learning outcomes, defined by EC2000 Criteria 3.a-k, for engineering graduates educated in pre-EC2000 and post-EC2000 programs. The study also assesses the impact of EC2000 on engineering program curricula, instruction, faculty cultures, and administrative policies and practices.

Seven disciplines - aerospace, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial, mechanical engineering – were selected for study. Because there is little existing data that can be used to assess the a-k outcomes, surveys and interviews are being used to collect original data. Approximately 1400 program chairs and faculty members in more than 200 programs – in 40 participating institutions – responded to surveys in fall 2003. Approximately 11,500 graduating seniors (anticipated degree date of Spring 2004) and approximately 9,000 alumni (who graduated in 1993-94) from those same programs are being surveyed in early 2004. Telephone interviews of deans and a survey of employers will be conducted in summer 2004.

This paper presents information about the research design of the EC2000 Study, describing the sampling plan, instrument development process, survey administration, data collection and management, and planned analyses. It also provides information about the anticipated uses of the findings of the EC2000 Study.

Introduction

In the early 1990s, the Accreditation Board of Engineering Education (ABET), through its Accreditation Process Review Committee (APRC), examined existing accreditation criteria and processes, and presented proposals for change. The primary reason for this reform was the

Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2004, American Society for Engineering Education

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Volkwein, J. F., & Strauss, L., & Lattuca, L., & Terenzini, P. (2004, June), A Progress Report On The Abet Sponsored Study Of The Impact Of Ec2000 Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--14037