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Does ABET evaluate educational
credentials?
Can ABET recommend a credentials
evaluation service?
May I obtain a copy of my ECEI
evaluation?
Why are schools in the United States so different from
each other?
What factors should I consider when choosing a program
of study?
How do I know if an accrediting organization is
legitimate?
How do I find out which programs are
ABET-accredited?
What is the process for accrediting a program?
Does ABET accredit programs outside the United States?
Will I receive credit for educational courses or
programs taken outside the United States?
Does ABET evaluate
educational credentials?
ABET does not evaluate educational credentials.
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Can ABET recommend a
credentials evaluation service?
ABET does not make recommendations on credentials
evaluation services. Contact your employer or
state board for
instructions regarding evaluation of your credentials.
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May I obtain a copy of my ECEI
evaluation?
Yes. Please submit a written request with your
name, ECEI reference number, mailing address, and US$50.00 payable
to ECEI, and mail the request to: 111 Market Place, #1050,
Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Contact us
if you need further assistance.
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Why are schools
in the United States so different from each other?
The strength of the educational system in the
United States is due in large part to the diversity of its educational
institutions. Students can choose to study at private or public
schools, small colleges or large research universities, or urban or
rural institutions. Students may take courses full-time, part-time,
on-campus, or online. With all these choices, how can a prospective
student decide? How does a prospective student know if the institution
or program will deliver on its promises? Accreditation is one way to
help narrow the selection process.
The United States does not have a ministry of
education to approve curricula or courses of study. The U.S.
Department of Education primarily provides oversight at the
post-secondary level for the distribution of federal funds in the form
of student loans and grants. In the United States, quality assurance
in higher education rests with accreditation organizations, and in the
case of public institutions, state boards for higher education, which
license or charter schools within state borders.
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What should I consider when choosing
a program of study?
Accreditation status is an important consideration,
as well as costs, location, and degree options. Career placement or
graduate school admission rates may also be important. Faculty
interaction, educational resources, and the availability of support
systems for students may also be considerations. Maturity and the
ability to work independently should also have a bearing on your
selection. Establishing methods to maintain links with friends and
family may be crucial to a successful educational experience.
NOTE: Accreditation is not a ranking system.
ABET does not rank programs in any way.
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How do I know if
an accrediting organization is legitimate?
Most legitimate accrediting organizations in the
United States are recognized by either the
Council on Higher
Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the
U.S. Department of
Education. ABET is recognized by CHEA.
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How do I find out
which programs are ABET-accredited?
You can search for ABET-accredited programs on our
website here.
This list is also published annually in the ABET Accreditation
Yearbook. ABET does not rank programs, so it cannot advise you as to
which program is best for you.
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What is the
process for accrediting a program?
ABET, in cooperation with its more than 25
professional and technical societies, has developed criteria, or
standards, for the evaluation of educational programs. The criteria
require programs to demonstrate that their graduates have mastered the
knowledge and skills required and that the institution has in place a
process for continuous improvement. ABET has four commissions that
carry out the accreditation process:
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Applied Science
Accreditation Commission (ASAC)
-
Computing Accreditation
Commission (CAC)
-
Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
-
Technology Accreditation
Commission (TAC)
Because accreditation is voluntary, the institution
must request accreditation by ABET. If the program meets the
prerequisites, it begins by conducting an internal evaluation and
documenting the results of that evaluation in a self-study report.
Meanwhile, ABET forms an evaluation team to visit the campus. Team
members are practicing professionals from industry, academe,
government, and private practice.
During the on-site visit, the team verifies the
information in the institution's self-study, reviews course materials
and student work, and interviews students, faculty, and
administrators.
Accreditation actions are decided by the
appropriate commission. For example, engineering programs are
evaluated and accredited by ABET's Engineering Accreditation
Commission (EAC). Once an accreditation action is decided, a final
statement is provided to the institution. In addition to the
accreditation action, the statement identifies strengths and
weaknesses in the program and makes recommendations for improving the
program. The maximum period for ABET accreditation is six years.
However, ABET may require interim reports or evaluation visits if
warranted.
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Does ABET
accredit programs outside the United States?
In fall 2005, the ABET Board of
Directors unanimously approved proceeding with developing a plan for
non-domestic accreditation that will continue to honor existing
mutual recognition agreements and
memoranda of understanding and phase out
substantial equivalency evaluations.
Substantial equivalency evaluations
have since been phased out, a draft non-domestic accreditation plan
has been created, and the first non-domestic accreditation visits were held in fall 2007.
The non-domestic accreditation visits are conducted using the same accreditation criteria and the
same policies and procedures as domestic visits. Interested parties
should learn more about ABET accreditation by visiting the links
listed under "Resources for programs" on the left-hand navigational
menu. You may also contact us.
Substantial equivalency: In the past, ABET evaluated programs
outside the U.S., by institutional request, to determine if they
were "substantially equivalent" to ABET-accredited programs.
"Substantial equivalency" means the program is comparable
in educational outcomes, but may differ in format or method of
delivery. Substantial equivalency is not binding on colleges,
universities, employers, or licensing agencies. Substantial equivalency is not accreditation.
Visit
www.abet.org/subequi.shtml for the list of substantially
equivalent programs.
Mutual recognition agreements: ABET has signed a number of
mutual recognition agreements with
accrediting organizations in other countries. These agreements
recognize the substantial equivalency of accreditation systems with
respect to the preparation of graduates to begin professional
practice at the entry level. Signatories agree to recommend that
graduates from recognized programs be afforded the same rights and
privileges as those graduates in the home country. These agreements
are not binding on colleges, universities, employers, or licensing
agencies.
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Will I receive
credit for educational courses or programs taken outside the United
States?
You must discuss this with the school in which you
plan to enroll. School administrators will advise you on prospective
programs and courses. They will also tell you if the course work that
you have completed will transfer to your new school and count towards
the credits that you need for graduation. Your school may have
articulation agreements with other schools to permit transfer credit.
Each school sets its own transfer policy. Schools with ABET-accredited
engineering programs are not required to accept transfer credit from
international programs deemed "substantially equivalent" by ABET or
from programs recognized by accreditors in other countries.
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