Overview of ABET Kent Hamlin Director Institute of Nuclear Power Operations Commissioner TAC of ABET 1 st National Meeting on Improving Education and Training For Chinese Nuclear Power Industry Personnel May 25-29, 2009 Harbin, China
What is ABET? Founded by 7 engineering societies in 1932 as Engineers Council for Professional Development (ECPD) to provide guidance, training, education and recognition in engineering education. Renamed the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in 1980. Currently accredits applied science, computing, engineering, and technology programs.
ABET Vision ABET will provide world leadership in assuring quality and in stimulating innovation in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology education.
ABET Mission ABET serves the public through the promotion and advancement of applied science, computing, engineering, and technology education. ABET will: Accredit educational programs. Promote quality and innovation in education. Consult and assist in the development and advancement of education worldwide in a financially self-sustaining manner. Communicate with our constituencies and the public regarding activities and accomplishments. Anticipate and prepare for the changing environment and the future needs of constituencies. Manage the operations and resources to be effective and fiscally responsible.
How is ABET Structured? ABET is a federation of 30 professional and technical societies. ABET Board of Directors approves accreditation policy and criteria. ABET Commissions decide accreditation actions and implement accreditation policy.
ABET Membership 29 Member Societies: Responsible for curricular area at the post-secondary level. 2 Member Societies do not have curricular responsibilities (NCEES & NSPE). 1 Affiliate Member Society: Interested in education for applied science, computing, engineering or technology and whose goals can effectively support those of ABET.
Applied Science Accreditation Commission (ASAC) 20 representatives from 10 Member Societies having responsibility for the program areas and 1 public member. Program Areas: Environmental, Health & Safety Health Physics Industrial Hygiene Industrial Management and Quality Management Safety Surveying and Geomatics
Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) 50 representatives from CSAB and 1 public member. Program areas: Computer Science Information Systems Information Technology
Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) 66 representatives from 23 Member Societies having responsibility for the program areas and 1 public member. 26 program areas.
1 Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) 48 representatives from 17 Member Societies having responsibility for the program areas and 1 public member. 24 program areas.
1 What is Accredited by ABET? An academic program leading to a specific degree in a specific discipline. Misconceptions clarified: Not institutions Not schools, colleges, or departments Not facilities, courses, or faculty Not graduates Not degrees
1 Objectives of ABET Accreditation 1. Assure that graduates of an accredited program are adequately prepared to enter and continue to practice the profession. 2. Stimulate the improvement of applied science, computing, engineering and engineering technology education. 3. Encourage new and innovative approaches to applied science, computing, engineering and engineering technology education and its assessment.
1 Governing Documents for the ABET Accreditation Process ABET Criteria Program Management Assessment Curriculum Resources and Support ABET Accreditation Policy & Procedure Manual Eligibility for Accreditation Conduct of Evaluations Public Release of Information Appeals
1 ABET Accreditation Process What Does It Involve? Criteria developed by Member Societies, practitioners, and educators. Self-Study by the institution and program. On-site evaluation by peers (from education, government & industry). Publication of lists of accredited programs. Periodic re-evaluation (maximum 6 years).
1 Self-Study Basics and Context Institutions and programs prepare the Self-Study documenting how they comply with ABET policy and criteria. Presents the program to the evaluation team. Affords team its first impression of the extent to which the program meets the criteria. Gives an impression of the institution s preparation for the upcoming visit.
1 Peer Review Evaluation conducted by team of peer colleagues: Faculty, industry and government professionals, and administrators in the profession. Review the Self-Study and conduct the site visit. ABET resource pool of visitors consists of approximately 2,000 faculty, industry, and government representatives.
1 Visit Team Members One Team Chair. Typically one Program Evaluator for each program being evaluated. Possibly one or more Observers.
1 On-Site Visit Provides direct observation of the institution or programs functions and provides the opportunity to interview faculty, students, administrators, and other professional supporting personnel. Complements the Self-Study by providing direct, observable evidence that cannot be obtained from the written Self-Study. Team members are volunteers and are not compensated for their work.
1 The ABET Accreditation Timeline January nstitution requests accreditation for programs March - June Team members assigned, dates set, Self-Study submitted December - February Draft statements edited and sent to institutions May - June Necessary changes to statement, if any, are made August Institutions notified of final action Year 1 Year 2 February - May Institution prepares self-evaluation (Program Self-Study) September - December Visits take place, draft statements written and finalized following 7-day response period February - April Institutions respond to draft statement and return to ABET July Commission meets to take final action
2 Ongoing External Review Programs continue to be reviewed over time cycles that range from 2 to 6 years. At the end of the accreditation cycle of recognition the program prepares another assessment and undergoes another evaluation.
2 The Duration of Accreditation Accreditation Calendar Accreditation Year = Oct 1 to Sept 30 Accreditations normally effective October 1 Accreditations normally expire September 30 Duration of Accreditation Normally multiples of 2 years (2, 4, 6) Max. of 6 Years Between General Reviews
2 Outcomes-Based Accreditation: A New Philosophy Institutions and programs define mission and objectives to meet the needs of their constituents enable program differentiation. Emphasis on outcomes preparation for professional practice. Programs demonstrate how criteria and educational objectives are being met.
2 General Criteria 1. Students 2. Program Educational Objectives 3. Program Outcomes 4. Continuous Improvement 5. Curriculum 6. Faculty 7. Facilities 8. Support
2 Program Criteria Each program must satisfy applicable Program Criteria: Outcomes Curricular topics Faculty qualifications Must satisfy all Program Criteria implied by title of program.
Volunteer Training 2
2 Competencies of Program Evaluators Technically Current Effective Communicators Professional Interpersonally Skilled Team-Oriented Organized
Becoming an ABET Program Evaluator 2 Society assigns mentor PHASE I Candidate works preliminary modules on-line Candidate successfully completes modules on-line Member Society selects Evaluator candidate PHASE III Candidate attends program specific training (Society) Observer visit (optional) Lead Facilitator (Society) Candidate successfully completes visit simulation seminar Society approves Evaluator for assignment Support Facilitators (Society) PHASE II Candidate attends visit simulation seminar Program Evaluator
2 Additional Information Contact ABET Headquarters George Peterson, ABET Managing Director for International Business Development (410) 347-7700 ABET public web site www.abet.org
Questions? 2