Thinking About Studying Computing, Engineering, or Technology in the United States?

As you consider if a computing, engineering, or technology program in the United States may be right for you, there's something that you should look for - programs that have received accreditation from ABET.

What is “accreditation?”

In the United States, accreditation is a process in which educational programs are reviewed to determine if they meet certain standards. Although accreditation is voluntary, most engineering programs in the United States choose to undergo the accreditation process. So do many computing programs and some two- and four-year technology programs. Why?

• Accreditation requires colleges to assess continuously their programs and then work to improve them.
• An impartial third party evaluates the programs and determined that they can provide students with an adequate education.
• Accreditation helps students and their parents choose programs that experts in that field deem suitable to prepare graduates for entry-level practice.
• Graduates of accredited programs often have the technical skills and the professional skills - the ability to work on a team, effective communication skills, and others - that employers require.

Note that accreditation is not a ranking system. It is simply assurance that computing, engineering, and technology programs meet established quality standards.

And what is “ABET?”

Formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, ABET is a non-profit organization made up of 30 professional and technical societies related to applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. These societies collaborate to evaluate degree programs in technical fields, both in the United States and elsewhere. In addition, the societies provide the volunteers – such as deans, faculty, and industry leaders – who review documents from programs seeking accreditation, visit campuses to interview students and faculty and to look at facilities, and make accreditation decisions.
Currently, ABET accredits some 2,900 programs at more than 600 colleges and universities.

Why should I choose an ABET-accredited program?

ABET accreditation assures that programs meet the quality standards that technical professions set. In fact, ABET accreditation even may be a key to your professional future:

• Experts who teach and work in technical fields set the program evaluation criteria, and they review accredited programs every few years to ensure that they continue to prepare their students well.
• Many licensure, registration, and certification boards require graduation from an ABET-accredited program as a minimum qualification to take professional exams.
• ABET accreditation is recognized throughout much of the world, and a degree from an ABET-accredited program will give students a decided advantage as they enter the global marketplace.

Besides ABET accreditation, what else should I look for in a computing, engineering, or technology program in the United States?

All accredited programs will state what they prepare their students to learn and their graduates to do. A program’s objectives are usually available on its website and/or in its printed literature. See if a program’s goals match your vision for your education and subsequent career. Does this program concentrate on areas that you wish to study and prepare you for the sectors that interest you? Will it ready you for an entry-level job, or will it groom you for graduate school and eventually an academic career? Examining each program’s objectives will help you figure out if its course of study may be right for you.

If you wish to learn more about computing, engineering, and technology accreditation in the United States or to view a list of ABET-accredited programs, visit ABET’s website at www.abet.org.

Science / Engineering courses / colleges