2023 - VOLUME 11 ISSUE 4 - Opinion: Engineering Program Accreditation-Where Have We Been and Where Should We Go?

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Đào

We critically examine the idea and practice of engineering program accreditation, assessing how accreditation processes operate across regions worldwide. Building on an analysis of current approaches, the article proposes improvement areas, methods, and guidelines for a revised accreditation framework. The discussion highlights benefits such as standardization of course content, outcome assessment, and curriculum enhancement, while recommending adjustments to reduce reporting burden and promote faculty empowerment and innovation to sustain high-quality engineering education.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Opinion: Engineering Program Accreditation - Where Have We Been and Where Should We Go?

Introduction

Purpose and Importance of Accreditation

Strengths of the Current Approach

Limitations of the Current Criteria

| | Ad | vances in Engineering Edu | cation | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2023: VOLUME 11 ISSUE 4 Opinion: Engineering Program Accreditation-Where Have We Been and Where Should We Go? KRISHNASAMY T. SELVAN Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering Kalavakkam, India AND KARL F. WARNICK Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Brigham Young University Provo, Utah, USA ABSTRACT We examine the soundness of the idea and practice of engineering accreditation and look critically at the process as implemented in regions around the world. Based on our analysis of the effectiveness of current approaches, we suggest areas and methods for improvement and propose guidelines for a revised accreditation framework that addresses some of the challenges of the current system. In addition to providing standardization of course topics and methods for assessing outcomes and curriculum improvement, accreditation requirements could be adjusted to reduce the reporting burden and recognize the need for faculty empowerment and freedom to innovate in motivating and encouraging high quality educational programs. Key words: Accreditation, Engineering program, Engineering education INTRODUCTION Accreditation is “a process by which an institution…formally evaluates its educational activities, in whole or in part, and seeks an independent judgement that it substantially achieves its own objectives and is generally equal in quality to comparable institutions.” Its origins date back to the late 1700s in the U. S. (Harcleroad, 1980) . The practice of accreditation for engineering programs and programs in other disciplines has since spread around the world. 2 2023: VOLUME 11 ISSUE 4 ADVANCES IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION Opinion: Engineering Program Accreditation-Where Have We Been and Where Should We Go? Our purpose is to reaffirm the soundness of the idea of accreditation and its benefits while looking critically at the process as currently implemented in some systems around the world and identifying potential improvements. We start with a discussion of the role and value of engineering accreditation and the strengths of the current ABET accreditation process. We suggest areas for improvement and propose guidelines for a revised accreditation framework that addresses some of the challenges of the current system. While different national boards may have somewhat varying criteria, signatories to the Washington Accord International Engineering Alliance have criteria that are consistent with each other and hence with ABET, allowing these countries to have mutual recognition of their accredited degrees (Washington Accord, 2014) . PURPOSE AND IMPORTANCE OF ACCREDITATION The philosophical basis for accreditation is to ensure that the needs of stakeholders including students and others are met. Institutions of higher education serve an important social purpose in preparing young people to work productively in industry and make positive contributions to society. Institutions are naturally accountable to students, their parents and families, employers, government institutions that provide oversight and financial support, and to society in general. Accreditation attempts to ensure a certain level of quality in terms of content being taught and the impact of a program on its students. The benefits of accreditation include more uniform quality among degree programs, a way for students and other stakeholders to recognize quality programs, consistency in the body of knowledge taught in the discipline, a means to identify and improve substandard programs, and a process for ongoing improvement for accredited programs. Naturally, institutions around the world take the process seriously. STRENGTHS OF THE CURRENT APPROACH There are two basic approaches to accreditation. One is to verify that resources are adequate and cla

FAQs

What is the central focus of the article on engineering accreditation?

It examines the soundness of engineering accreditation as an idea and critiques how the process is implemented in different regions. It also identifies improvement opportunities for a revised accreditation framework.

What benefits does accreditation provide according to the text?

Accreditation aims to ensure quality in taught content and program impact, supporting more uniform degree quality, recognition of quality programs, consistency in the body of knowledge, identification and improvement of substandard programs, and ongoing improvement.

What does the article say about the strengths of the current accreditation approach?

It notes that the process encourages departments to think deeply about student accomplishments after graduation and supports the creation, delivery, and improvement of curriculum, course content, and assessment methods. It also highlights the value of assessments such as alumni and employer surveys.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Đào