New and Developing Program Areas
Set the standard for excellence
ABET accreditation represents the highest standards in technical education, ensuring that emerging programs such as Cybersecurity, Data Science, Environmental Science and Geology are held to rigorous industry and academic benchmarks. Through ABET’s commitment to quality and sustainability, students gain the skills necessary to make meaningful, lasting contributions to their fields and society.
Cybersecurity
Why accredit cybersecurity programs?
Data Science
Why accredit data science programs?
Environmental Science
Why accredit environmental science programs?
Info coming soon
Geology
Why accredit geology programs?
Info coming soon
Who is ABET?
We are accreditors of college and university programs in the disciplines of applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels.
With ABET accreditation, students, employers and society can be confident that your program meets the quality standards to produce students prepared to enter a global workforce.
Graduates from an ABET-accredited program have a solid educational foundation and are capable of leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies while anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.
ABET’s commitment to inclusivity ensures that these programs foster diverse, equitable and accessible learning environments, preparing graduates to contribute to a global workforce. Additionally, our focus on sustainability means that accredited programs are equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop sustainable solutions for the challenges facing our world.
Who looks for ABET accreditation?
Students & Families
Students choose schools for many reasons, but they need to be confident that they’re receiving a valuable education.
From top research universities to small liberal arts colleges, ABET accreditation allows families to be confident that their students are attending a program that will give them the knowledge and skills to continue their education or enter the workforce.
Employers
When hiring new graduates, employers know that applicants from ABET-accredited programs can perform and compete at a global level.
That is why nearly 30 percent of our Program Evaluators come from industry. It is also why firms such as Boeing, Caterpillar, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, IBM, and the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency specifically require or prefer hiring graduates from ABET-accredited programs.
Our Process
ABET accreditation is more than just a stamp of approval. Our review process is a rigorous, but flexible, examination of what your students are actually learning. Before the process begins, make sure your program is eligible for accreditation:
- Read through our key documents and consider our Eligibility Requirements.
- Focus on Assessment Planning.
- Begin working on your preliminary Self-Study Report to submit for your Readiness Review (if required).
The 18 Month Accreditation Process
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Complete the Readiness Review by October 1
1 year before your On-Site Visit
- Collect samples of student work, syllabi, textbooks and sample assignments.
- Complete your Readiness Review (if required) by October 1.
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Submit your Request for Evaluation by January 31
Year of your On-Site Visit
- Submit your Request for Evaluation (RFE) by January 31 of the year of your program’s On-Site Visit.
- We will invoice your institution for the On-Site Visit, set a visit date and form a review team between April and May.
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Complete and submit your Self-Study Report by July 1
Year of your On-Site Visit
- Complete and submit your Self-Study Report to us no later than July 1.
- The review team assigned to your program begins reviewing your Self-Study Report.
- Participate in the Institutional Representatives webinars provided by your commission (details will be emailed to Primary and Secondary Institutional contacts), or view recordings here.
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On-Site Visit takes place September – December
On-Site Visit
- Prepare for your On-Site Visit. Finalize the visit schedule, arrange student and faculty interviews, and, finally, set up rooms with display materials for the review team. You should begin planning and preparation months in advance.
- Your On-Site Visit typically lasts three days (usually Sunday through Tuesday). It includes a review of your materials; interviews with students, faculty, staff, and administrators; and concludes with an exit meeting, when the team will convey its findings.
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Due Process and the Accreditation Decision
1 Week After the Visit
Provide the review team with corrections to any errors of fact in presentations at the exit meeting.
2-3 months after the visit
Your institution receives the Draft Statement, a formal communication of your review team’s findings.
3-4 months after the visit
During the 30-Day Due Process period your institution responds to any shortcomings identified in the Draft Statement.
July
The ABET commissions meet to decide Accreditation Actions in July. At this meeting your program’s accreditation is discussed and determined.
By August 31
Your program is formally notified of the accreditation action via the Final Statement to the institution.
Contact Us
Please contact accreditation@abet.org if you have any questions or would like additional information