ABET

ABET. It is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that accredits post-secondary education programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. The accreditation process, conducted by over 2,200 volunteers from industry, academia, and government, is recognized as a key assurance of quality in STEM education worldwide. Its evaluations ensure that graduates are prepared to enter critical technical fields, contributing to global innovation and public safety.

History

The organization's origins trace back to a 1932 report by the Engineers' Council for Professional Development, a body formed by seven founding engineering societies including the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers. Initially focused on engineering education, its scope expanded over decades, leading to a name change in 1980 to the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. A further evolution occurred in 2005 when it began operating simply as ABET to reflect its growing international activities beyond the United States. Key milestones include accrediting its first computing program in the 1980s and establishing formal recognition agreements with bodies like the International Engineering Alliance through the Washington Accord.

Accreditation process

The accreditation process is a rigorous, peer-review system typically conducted over an 18-month cycle. It begins with a program's comprehensive self-study report, which is then evaluated by a team of volunteer experts selected from ABET's member societies. This team, often including professionals from companies like Boeing or IBM and faculty from institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, conducts an intensive on-site visit to assess facilities, interview faculty and students, and review course materials. Findings are reviewed by the appropriate commission, such as the Engineering Accreditation Commission, which makes the final accreditation decision. Programs must demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement based on outcomes assessment.

Accreditation criteria

Accreditation is granted based on a set of detailed, outcomes-based criteria. For engineering programs, these are outlined in the general criteria and the program-specific criteria developed by member societies like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. All programs must demonstrate that their students attain specific learning outcomes, including an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering principles. Critical requirements include a documented, ongoing assessment process, adequate faculty qualifications, appropriate curriculum content, and suitable institutional support and facilities. The criteria are periodically revised by committees involving representatives from industry, academia, and organizations like the National Society of Professional Engineers to maintain relevance.

Member societies

ABET is a federation of over 35 professional and technical societies, each contributing to the development of criteria and the volunteer pool for evaluations. Key founding and participating societies include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the Association for Computing Machinery. These societies, through their involvement in bodies like the Engineering Accreditation Commission and the Computing Accreditation Commission, ensure that accreditation standards reflect the current practices and needs of their respective professions. The collaboration between these diverse organizations, from the American Nuclear Society to the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, provides the multidisciplinary expertise essential for credible accreditation.

Global impact

ABET's influence extends significantly beyond North America, with hundreds of accredited programs in over 40 countries, including China, India, and Saudi Arabia. This global reach is facilitated by its leadership role in international agreements like the Washington Accord, a multilateral pact for the recognition of engineering qualifications, and the Sydney Accord. These agreements, negotiated with signatories such as Japan, Germany, and Australia, promote the mobility of engineers and technologists worldwide. The organization also engages in capacity-building projects with ministries of education and universities abroad, helping to align global engineering education with standards that support innovation and economic development.

Category:Educational accreditation organizations Category:Engineering organizations based in the United States Category:Organizations based in Baltimore Category:Educational organizations established in 1932