ABET-Why Accreditation Matters
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Why Accreditation Matters
Simply put, accreditation is value. Reaching into our public, private, and professional lives, accreditation is proof that a collegiate program has met certain standards necessary to produce graduates who are ready to enter their professions. Students who graduate from accredited programs have access to enhanced opportunities in employment; licensure, registration and certification; graduate education and global mobility. ABET is an integral part of each of these areas because we accredit over 3,100 applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology programs at more than 670 colleges and universities in 24 countries worldwide. Approximately 85,000 students graduate from ABET-accredited programs each year. Accreditation impacts:
Students Programs and Institutions Public Professionals in Business, Industry, and Government Accreditation is an assurance that the professionals who serve us have a solid educational foundation and are capable of leading the way in innovation, emerging technologies, and in anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.
Why Accreditation Matters to Students
Watch this video from the Association of Specialized & Professional Accreditors
Earning a degree is a significant achievement and an important investment in your future. Since so much of your future success depends on your educational foundation, the quality of the education you receive makes a big difference. Earning a degree from an ABET-accredited program:
Verifies that the quality of the educational experience you’ve received meets the standards of the profession. Increases and enhances employment opportunities. Permits and eases entry to a technical profession through licensure, registration, and certification. Establishes eligibility for many federal student loans, grants, and/or scholarships. You should be aware that not all technical programs at every college and university are accredited. Make sure that the program you’re interested in is ABET-accredited. How do you find an ABET-accredited program? Every program that ABET accredits - more than 3,100 programs at over 670 institutions in 24 countries - can be found in the ABET Accredited Program Search. You may also be interested in the following information about ABETaccredited programs:
What kinds of programs does ABET accredit? Are there any ABET-accredited online programs? What is the difference between ABET-accredited engineering and engineering technology programs?
What ABET Accreditation Assures
More than 2,000 professionals from academe, industry, and government carry out every aspect of ABET accreditation. Because they know their profession's dynamic and emerging workforce needs, they review academic programs to ensure these programs provide students with the technical and professional skills they need to succeed. An ABET-accredited program assures prospective students that: the institution is committed to improving their educational experience the program is committed to using best practices and innovation in education the program is guided by its industry, government, and academic constituents through formal feedback the program considers the students' perspective as part of its continuous quality improvement process ABET itself is accredited by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). ABET has been recognized by CHEA as an accrediting organization since 1997. Please watch CHEA's short videos on: Accreditation and Its Value to You Types of Accreditation: What’s the Difference?
ABET Often Required
ABET accreditation can be of great value to a student. It is often required for eligibility for federal student loans, grants, and scholarships. Many forms of professional licensure, registration, and certification also require graduation from ABET-accredited programs as a minimum qualification. In addition, many employers, including the federal government, require graduation from ABET-accredited programs to be eligible for employment
in certain fields. Also, multinational corporations are increasingly listing graduation from an accredited program as a requirement for employment. Every day, thousands of jobs requiring graduation from ABETaccredited programs are available.
Making a Difference Around the World
ABET has helped pave the way for graduates of accredited programs to work globally. ABET directly supports the development of other countries' national accrediting systems, many which are based on the ABET model. In addition, ABET is a signatory to several international agreements that ease the way for graduates of accredited programs to practice internationally. ABET also directly accredits more than 200 programs in 23 countries outside of the U.S. Graduation from an ABET-accredited program offers excellent access to employment in the global market. Read more about international Mutual Recognition Agreements.
Beware of Diploma and Accreditation Mills
The number of fake or unaccredited institutions and programs is rising dramatically. These organizations, also known as diploma mills, often offer high-cost, low-effort degrees. Businesses and the government are examining employees' credentials more thoroughly to ensure their earned degrees are valid and not fraudulent. Read more about Diploma and Accreditation Mills.
Why Accreditation Matters to Programs and Institutions
Accreditation provides an opportunity for academic institutions to demonstrate they are committed to maintaining their programs' quality and that their programs are performing at the level required by the professions they serve. Programs undergo periodic accreditation to ensure that they continue to meet quality standards set by the profession. The result provides lasting benefits to students, the institution, employers, the professions, and society as a whole.
What Accreditation Means for Your Program
When a program becomes ABET-accredited, it means that it: Has received international recognition of its quality Promotes "best practices" in education Directly involves faculty and staff in self-assessment and continuous quality improvement processes Is based on "learning outcomes," rather than "teaching inputs" Can more easily determine the acceptability of transfer credits Interested in learning how ABET accreditation can foster educational innovation? ABET's presentations at the American Association of Engineering Education Annual Conference, focus upon partnerships with external organizations, competencies for new hires, and industry expectations for graduates.
Accreditation Is Voluntary
In the United States, program accreditation is voluntary. Many institutions choose ABET accreditation for their programs because it offers many
benefits, such as peer-review, recognition of the program's commitment to quality, and insights from the professionals who review the programs.
Worth the Effort
There's no doubt that the ABET accreditation review process is an intensive team effort. However, the accreditation process yields a wealth of information that programs can use to deliver the very best education for their students.
Why Accreditation Matters to the Public
ABET accreditation enables academic institutions to demonstrate to the public that they are serious about advancing the quality of their programs. It is recognition by the technical professions that these programs are preparing students well, and it encourages "best practices" in education through formal, continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes.
The Professional Standard – a Peer-Review Process
ABET accreditation criteria are developed by the technical professionals who are members of ABET's 32 member societies. Each society dedicates volunteers to perform program reviews related to its professions. Coming from both academic and industry backgrounds, ABET volunteers are trained experts who evaluate the programs for relevancy, content, and quality. This third-party peer review protects the community’s best interests, as well as the professions’. This is critical in the technical fields, where quality, precision, and safety are of utmost importance, and sets ABET apart from other accreditors. It is a solid process that has been refined over nearly 80 years. ABET itself is accredited by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). ABET has been recognized by CHEA as an accrediting organization since 1997. Please watch CHEA's short video on accreditation.
Educational Innovation
ABET supports and stimulates innovation in technical education by focusing on continuous quality improvement processes, not by prescribing methods. With technological change occurring so rapidly, institutions must
ensure their programs are dynamically evolving. One way they can respond to this challenge is by participating in the ABET accreditation process.
Professional Proficiency
Graduates of ABET-accredited programs achieve the essential level of knowledge upon which the public can rely — as employers, consumers, and citizens. Graduation from an ABET-accredited program is often required to qualify for educational and professional advancement, including licensure, registration, and certification. That is because graduates of ABET-accredited programs can demonstrate the skills and expertise expected of professionals in their fields.
Global Workforce
Because of increasing globalization, ABET works to ensure that the graduates of accredited programs can employ their talents internationally. ABET does so by signing agreements with educational quality assurance organizations in other countries and jurisdictions. Not only does this allow ABET-accredited program graduates to use their skills around the world, but it also raises their value to key employers. The U.S. government, for example, and many multinational corporations seek employees with degrees from ABET-accredited programs that translate globally.
The Global Gold Standard
When ABET's quality standards are applied and promoted around the globe, the results are positive for all: a better-educated, global, and diverse technical workforce that is guided by its professions and responsive to its markets. This is one reason ABET accreditation has earned the reputation as the global gold standard in educational accreditation.
Why Accreditation Matters to Industry and Government
As an employer, you want to know that your new hires have the right educational background to excel. ABET accreditation provides that assurance. When ABET program evaluators review educational programs, they make certain the program meets quality standards that provide the students with an appropriate educational experience. ABET accreditation:
Ensures that graduates have met the educational requirements necessary to enter the profession
Provides opportunities for the industry to guide the educational process to reflect current and future needs Enhances the mobility of professionals In addition, ABET accreditation is often used by licensing, registration, and certification boards to screen applicants. This provides additional assurance that our public safety and well-being is in knowledgeable, professional hands.
Hire Graduates of ABET-Accredited Programs
When you advertise for new hires, include "graduation from an ABETaccredited program" as one of your requirements.
See how employers typically advertise for graduates of ABET-accredited programs.
Simply put, accreditation is value. Reaching into our public, private, and professional lives, accreditation is proof that a collegiate program has met certain standards necessary to produce graduates who are ready to enter their professions. Students who graduate from accredited programs have access to enhanced opportunities in employment; licensure, registration and certification; graduate education and global mobility. ABET is an integral part of each of these areas because we accredit over 3,100 applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology programs at more than 670 colleges and universities in 24 countries worldwide. Approximately 85,000 students graduate from ABET-accredited programs each year. Accreditation impacts:
Students Programs and Institutions Public Professionals in Business, Industry, and Government Accreditation is an assurance that the professionals who serve us have a solid educational foundation and are capable of leading the way in innovation, emerging technologies, and in anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.
Why Accreditation Matters to Students
Watch this video from the Association of Specialized & Professional Accreditors
Earning a degree is a significant achievement and an important investment in your future. Since so much of your future success depends on your educational foundation, the quality of the education you receive makes a big difference. Earning a degree from an ABET-accredited program:
Verifies that the quality of the educational experience you’ve received meets the standards of the profession. Increases and enhances employment opportunities. Permits and eases entry to a technical profession through licensure, registration, and certification. Establishes eligibility for many federal student loans, grants, and/or scholarships. You should be aware that not all technical programs at every college and university are accredited. Make sure that the program you’re interested in is ABET-accredited. How do you find an ABET-accredited program? Every program that ABET accredits - more than 3,100 programs at over 670 institutions in 24 countries - can be found in the ABET Accredited Program Search. You may also be interested in the following information about ABETaccredited programs:
What kinds of programs does ABET accredit? Are there any ABET-accredited online programs? What is the difference between ABET-accredited engineering and engineering technology programs?
What ABET Accreditation Assures
More than 2,000 professionals from academe, industry, and government carry out every aspect of ABET accreditation. Because they know their profession's dynamic and emerging workforce needs, they review academic programs to ensure these programs provide students with the technical and professional skills they need to succeed. An ABET-accredited program assures prospective students that: the institution is committed to improving their educational experience the program is committed to using best practices and innovation in education the program is guided by its industry, government, and academic constituents through formal feedback the program considers the students' perspective as part of its continuous quality improvement process ABET itself is accredited by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). ABET has been recognized by CHEA as an accrediting organization since 1997. Please watch CHEA's short videos on: Accreditation and Its Value to You Types of Accreditation: What’s the Difference?
ABET Often Required
ABET accreditation can be of great value to a student. It is often required for eligibility for federal student loans, grants, and scholarships. Many forms of professional licensure, registration, and certification also require graduation from ABET-accredited programs as a minimum qualification. In addition, many employers, including the federal government, require graduation from ABET-accredited programs to be eligible for employment
in certain fields. Also, multinational corporations are increasingly listing graduation from an accredited program as a requirement for employment. Every day, thousands of jobs requiring graduation from ABETaccredited programs are available.
Making a Difference Around the World
ABET has helped pave the way for graduates of accredited programs to work globally. ABET directly supports the development of other countries' national accrediting systems, many which are based on the ABET model. In addition, ABET is a signatory to several international agreements that ease the way for graduates of accredited programs to practice internationally. ABET also directly accredits more than 200 programs in 23 countries outside of the U.S. Graduation from an ABET-accredited program offers excellent access to employment in the global market. Read more about international Mutual Recognition Agreements.
Beware of Diploma and Accreditation Mills
The number of fake or unaccredited institutions and programs is rising dramatically. These organizations, also known as diploma mills, often offer high-cost, low-effort degrees. Businesses and the government are examining employees' credentials more thoroughly to ensure their earned degrees are valid and not fraudulent. Read more about Diploma and Accreditation Mills.
Why Accreditation Matters to Programs and Institutions
Accreditation provides an opportunity for academic institutions to demonstrate they are committed to maintaining their programs' quality and that their programs are performing at the level required by the professions they serve. Programs undergo periodic accreditation to ensure that they continue to meet quality standards set by the profession. The result provides lasting benefits to students, the institution, employers, the professions, and society as a whole.
What Accreditation Means for Your Program
When a program becomes ABET-accredited, it means that it: Has received international recognition of its quality Promotes "best practices" in education Directly involves faculty and staff in self-assessment and continuous quality improvement processes Is based on "learning outcomes," rather than "teaching inputs" Can more easily determine the acceptability of transfer credits Interested in learning how ABET accreditation can foster educational innovation? ABET's presentations at the American Association of Engineering Education Annual Conference, focus upon partnerships with external organizations, competencies for new hires, and industry expectations for graduates.
Accreditation Is Voluntary
In the United States, program accreditation is voluntary. Many institutions choose ABET accreditation for their programs because it offers many
benefits, such as peer-review, recognition of the program's commitment to quality, and insights from the professionals who review the programs.
Worth the Effort
There's no doubt that the ABET accreditation review process is an intensive team effort. However, the accreditation process yields a wealth of information that programs can use to deliver the very best education for their students.
Why Accreditation Matters to the Public
ABET accreditation enables academic institutions to demonstrate to the public that they are serious about advancing the quality of their programs. It is recognition by the technical professions that these programs are preparing students well, and it encourages "best practices" in education through formal, continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes.
The Professional Standard – a Peer-Review Process
ABET accreditation criteria are developed by the technical professionals who are members of ABET's 32 member societies. Each society dedicates volunteers to perform program reviews related to its professions. Coming from both academic and industry backgrounds, ABET volunteers are trained experts who evaluate the programs for relevancy, content, and quality. This third-party peer review protects the community’s best interests, as well as the professions’. This is critical in the technical fields, where quality, precision, and safety are of utmost importance, and sets ABET apart from other accreditors. It is a solid process that has been refined over nearly 80 years. ABET itself is accredited by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). ABET has been recognized by CHEA as an accrediting organization since 1997. Please watch CHEA's short video on accreditation.
Educational Innovation
ABET supports and stimulates innovation in technical education by focusing on continuous quality improvement processes, not by prescribing methods. With technological change occurring so rapidly, institutions must
ensure their programs are dynamically evolving. One way they can respond to this challenge is by participating in the ABET accreditation process.
Professional Proficiency
Graduates of ABET-accredited programs achieve the essential level of knowledge upon which the public can rely — as employers, consumers, and citizens. Graduation from an ABET-accredited program is often required to qualify for educational and professional advancement, including licensure, registration, and certification. That is because graduates of ABET-accredited programs can demonstrate the skills and expertise expected of professionals in their fields.
Global Workforce
Because of increasing globalization, ABET works to ensure that the graduates of accredited programs can employ their talents internationally. ABET does so by signing agreements with educational quality assurance organizations in other countries and jurisdictions. Not only does this allow ABET-accredited program graduates to use their skills around the world, but it also raises their value to key employers. The U.S. government, for example, and many multinational corporations seek employees with degrees from ABET-accredited programs that translate globally.
The Global Gold Standard
When ABET's quality standards are applied and promoted around the globe, the results are positive for all: a better-educated, global, and diverse technical workforce that is guided by its professions and responsive to its markets. This is one reason ABET accreditation has earned the reputation as the global gold standard in educational accreditation.
Why Accreditation Matters to Industry and Government
As an employer, you want to know that your new hires have the right educational background to excel. ABET accreditation provides that assurance. When ABET program evaluators review educational programs, they make certain the program meets quality standards that provide the students with an appropriate educational experience. ABET accreditation:
Ensures that graduates have met the educational requirements necessary to enter the profession
Provides opportunities for the industry to guide the educational process to reflect current and future needs Enhances the mobility of professionals In addition, ABET accreditation is often used by licensing, registration, and certification boards to screen applicants. This provides additional assurance that our public safety and well-being is in knowledgeable, professional hands.
Hire Graduates of ABET-Accredited Programs
When you advertise for new hires, include "graduation from an ABETaccredited program" as one of your requirements.
See how employers typically advertise for graduates of ABET-accredited programs.
