Our project and ABET
Each ABET accreditation process cycle is a seven-year cycle, and the accreditation determination cycle itself is a year-long process as well. In order for the ABET committees to reach their decision, they need a way to determine whether the program meets their standards. The burden of proof is on the program; the program must prove that their courses are in fact accreditation-worthy. This is where the documentation problem comes in. To determine how courses are performing, the department members must collect data, analyze them, and archive them as long as the program is being accredited.
What is ABET?
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is a non-governmental accreditation organization that accredits post-secondary education program in "applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology." They create standards which serve as a way to measure the experience and understanding of graduates of a certain institution. In short, it is the "assurance that the experience and understanding of graduates meets the established standards of their profession." Northern Arizona University’s Computer Science program first received ABET’s accreditation on October 1996, and continues to be accredited.
History
ABET was established in 1932 as the Engineer's Council for Professional Development (ECPD) by seven engineering societies: The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AlChE), and the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
ECPD changed its name to ABET, Inc. in 1980. And as of October 2011, around 3,100 programs are accredited, distributed over more than 660 universities and colleges in 23 countries.
Why do we care?
Accreditation adds value to our program. "It is a proof that a college 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 areas such as employment, mobility, and providing a positive impact on society."