This article was updated on March 15, 2021.
Accreditation signifies that programs have undergone a process of peer-review and were determined to meet or exceed the established benchmark of quality. While the process is voluntary, ABET and CEAB accreditation is necessary for engineering and technology programs across Canada and the United States to remain competitive, attract the brightest students, and ensure strong employability rates.
What is ABET?
Founded in 1932, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) is a not-for-profit body that provides accreditation for associate, bachelor, and master degree programs in the applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology in the United States. While Canada is excluded from the ABET accreditation, they provide accreditation services to programs in 30 countries worldwide. 81% of accredited programs are found within the United States. The ABET uses a team to evaluate applicant programs by one of the body’s four commissions based upon their academic discipline:
- Applied Science Accreditation Commission (ASAC)
- Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC)
- Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
- Engineering Technology Accredited Commission (ETAC)
What is the CEAB?
The Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) was established in 1965 as a subcommittee of Engineers Canada to review and provide quality assurance of undergraduate engineering programs within Canada. Engineers Canada is a non-governmental organization supporting Canada’s 12 provincial and territorial engineering bodies regulating the profession and licencing its 280,000 members. Programs eligible for CEAB accreditation must be in Canada, delivered at the undergraduate level, and include the word “engineering” in their title. While the CEAB does not accredit international programs, it has established equivalency terms with engineering programs in 18 countries worldwide.
Why seek ABET and CEAB accreditation
While peer-review recognition is valuable, the critical reason programs seek ABET and CEAB accreditation is so their alumni can legally practise. All Canadian engineers must hold a CEAB-accredited or recognized degree to apply for licensure and practise anywhere in Canada. The vast majority of the United States also requires ABET-accredited degrees from prospective practising engineering and technology professionals.
Academic programs applying for accreditation are evaluated by an external team composed of members from the private, public, and academic sectors. The ABET and CEAB share a similar accreditation process:
| ABET | CEAB | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Requests Evaluation | Due by January 31 | Due by January 1 |
| Self-Evaluation | The program completes an internal evaluation and self-study report to send to the ABET commission before their visit. | The program completes a questionnaire and sends requested documentation to CEAB before their visit. |
| On-Campus Evaluation | ABET commission visits campus for three to four days to:
|
CEAB team visits campus for three days to:
|
| Review External Report | The program has 30 days to respond to issues identified in the ABET commission’s draft statement report based upon their documentation and campus visit evaluation. | CEAB team provides the academic program with a report based upon their evaluation of documentation and campus visit. The program may address any issues highlighted by CEAP by advising on the steps for improvement that they will implement in the current academic year. |
| Notification of Decision | A decision is made in August. Accreditation is granted for a term of up to six years. | A decision is made in June. Accreditation is granted for a term of up to six years. |
Logistical challenges for ABET and CEAB accreditation
ABET or CEAB accreditation processes require a significant level of coordination and planning within academic programs. The collection and documentation of years’ worth of assessments, course materials, and student transcripts often pose the largest logistical challenge. To alleviate the stress during an accreditation review, an increasing number of institutions are using digital educational technologies or distance learning apps to organize and store digital artefacts and records of student assessments and documents.
While pursuing accreditation is technically a voluntary process, it is mandatory for academic engineering and technology programs across Canada and the United States.
ABET and CEAB applications and renewals may be resource and labour intensive tasks; however, engaging in good record keeping through digital technology and maintaining proactive communication with students and faculty make the processes much more manageable.
Read more:
- Accreditation: Setting the Standard Worldwide
- Accreditation Resources
- Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board: 2016 Accreditation Criteria and Procedures (PDF)
About the Author: Dustin is a senior account manager with DesignedUX, providing communications and marketing strategy to organizations in education and technology. Dustin is also a part-time faculty member at Centennial College and serves on the board of the Canadian Public Relations Society.