ABET Accreditation in Applied Science
The ISAT program is currently in the process of becoming an officially accredited applied science degree program as recognized by ABET. This page will answer the following questions:
- What is "accreditation" and why is it important?
- What is ABET?
- How does ABET accreditation affect my ISAT degree?
Accreditation Assures Program Quality
ISAT Accreditation Process
Self-Study: June 2007
External Review: October 2007
Final Decision: August 2008
All academic degree programs are not alike. Accreditation is both a status and a process that is designed to ensure that an academic degree program meets or exceeds established standards of quality.
- Accreditation is the process by which a program demonstrates and establishes that it meets the established standards in its field or discipline
- An accredited program is a program that has conducted a self-study and successfully passed an external review to confirm that it meets the standard
Accreditation is undertaken voluntarily by programs and institutions to demonstrate to students, parents, and the academic community that they are committed to high standards and a continuous process of self-improvement.
ABET Accredits Applied Science Programs
According to the ABET's mission and strategic plan, ABET:
"ABET serves the public through the promotion and advancement of education in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. 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."
ABET's review panels and standards-setting committees are made up of professionals and practitioners in the applied sciences which collectively represent decades of experience and wisdom in the field.
ISAT + ABET Accreditation = Increased Value
The faculty of the ISAT program are committed to achieving success in the ABET accreditation process. This means that in addition to the recognition that the ISAT program and ISAT graduates have already received for their proven track-record as technological and scientific problem solvers, we will also have earned approval from our peers in the realm of higher education. This can help students in the following ways:
- Students will have access to tangible evidence that their degree program is turning out solid results
- Employers and graduate schools, who understand the value of accreditation, will be able to rely on the high quality of the ISAT program
- Students will have the opportunity to take their education into their own hands and be a part of shaping the future of the program as we continue to grow and improve
