Indiana Tech engineering meets high ABET standards again

Indiana Tech’s College of Engineering learned on Aug. 16, 2016, that its Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering programs have been re-accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET is the recognized U.S. accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and technology. Accreditation of these programs will last until Sept. 30, 2022.

ABET accreditation is a voluntary peer-review process that evaluates program curricula, faculty expertise, facilities, institutional support and other factors. Many employers, including the federal government, require a diploma from an ABET-accredited program for employment in certain technical fields. Industry licensing and certification groups also use ABET standards to screen applicants.

“Engineering has been an integral part of Indiana Tech since our founding in 1930,” said Indiana Tech President Dr. Arthur E. Snyder. “We are pleased with ABET’s findings, as they validate the tremendous work done by our College of Engineering on behalf of our students. We are achieving our goal of preparing them to find new and better ways to address the STEM challenges of the 21st century.”

As part of the evaluation, the commission used detailed criteria to analyze student performance and outcomes, curriculum requirements and program educational objectives, faculty competency and facilities. In its final report, ABET listed the faculty’s commitment to maintaining a minimum of 18 weekly office hours and the intensive work done by Indiana Tech’s Career Center as institutional strengths of the university.

The report indicated that Indiana Tech’s Career Center has a high success rate in placing engineering students in professional positions after they graduate.

ABET identified Tech’s state-of-the-art Life Science Laboratory that supports anatomy and physiology classes as a strength of its Biomedical Engineering program, and recognized the program’s human-machine interface research as a positive. The report lauded faculty engagement and use of contemporary teaching methods as strengths of Tech’s Electrical Engineering program.

“These recognitions are results of the tremendous work being done by our faculty and the commitment of our university to this discipline,” said Dean of the College of Engineering David Aschliman. “I am extremely pleased to work with such a talented and committed group of professionals.”