Engineering schools and programs have to be accredited. Engineers must have more than a degree; they must be certified and similar to architects, most state registration boards require an engineers' degree to be from an accredited institution. Students attending accredited institutions are also eligible to attend other accredited schools to pursue master's degrees and PhD's. Receiving a degree from an accredited institution also makes the education valuable to the engineering industry.
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredits about 330 institutions nationwide. The ABET is responsible for the specialized accreditation of educational programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. In order for engineers to receive a National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) Certification or to be considered eligible by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to practice in patent cases, they must have a degree from an ABET accredited institution.
In addition to the ABET, six regional boards are recognize by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA):
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
- Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools
Other resources related to engineering accreditation include:
- National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
- American Board of Industrial Hygiene
- Council on Certification of Health, Environmental, and Safety Technologists
- Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering
Other fields related to engineering may be of interest. Visit our partner sites for more information:
