abet

ABET is a nonprofit organization that accredits college and university programs in the disciplines of applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. It operates in the United States and internationally, offering accreditation to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. ABET accreditation is voluntary and is used by employers, licensing boards, and students as a measure of program quality.

The accreditation process involves program self-study, on-site evaluation by a team of professionals, and a formal accreditation decision. Programs are evaluated against general criteria and discipline-specific criteria, with emphasis on student outcomes and continuous improvement. General criteria address elements such as educational objectives, student outcomes, curriculum, faculty, facilities, and institutional support, while program criteria specify discipline-specific knowledge and abilities. Accreditation decisions are typically granted for a term of up to six years.

Student outcomes commonly include the ability to apply mathematics and science, design and conduct experiments, function on multidisciplinary teams, communicate effectively, recognize professional and ethical responsibility, and engage in lifelong learning. ABET emphasizes assessment and improvement of these outcomes through ongoing assessment, reporting, and program changes.

ABET is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a national accrediting agency and is a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Many employers, licensure boards, and universities rely on ABET accreditation when evaluating programs, and ABET collaborates with international partners to advance quality assurance in engineering, computing, and related fields.