What does ABET accredit?

ABET accredits individual programs in applied science, computing, engineering and engineering technology, not whole universities. A school may have some accredited programs and others that are not.

Does ABET accreditation matter for jobs?

It matters for many employers, for government roles and for licensure as a professional engineer in most states. Some employers do not check, but accreditation reduces risk.

How do I check if a program is accredited?

Use ABET's online search of accredited programs, check the program's start date of accreditation and confirm that your graduation year is covered. Do not rely on a school's marketing alone.

What if my program is not accredited?

You may still find work, but licensure and some jobs could be harder. Some states have alternate routes requiring more experience. Consider transferring or choosing an accredited graduate program.

Is a master's accredited by ABET?

ABET does not accredit most master's programs as stand-alone engineering degrees in the same way. Licensure rules usually look at the undergraduate degree, so check the state board.

ABET Accreditation Explained for Engineering Students

When you compare engineering programs, you will see the letters ABET again and again. They matter more than most rankings. Accreditation tells you whether a program meets professional standards, and it can affect your licensure, your first job and your options for graduate study.

This guide explains what ABET does, how to check a program and what to do if the program you are considering is not accredited.

What accreditation is

Accreditation is a process of peer review. An accrediting body sets standards for a program, evaluates it against them and confirms that it meets the standards. It is voluntary, but in engineering it is widely expected.

There are two layers in US higher education:

Institutional accreditation covers the entire university, usually by a regional accreditor. It affects things like financial aid eligibility and credit transfer.
Programmatic accreditation covers a specific program, such as an engineering degree. ABET provides it for engineering.

A university can be well accredited overall and still have an unaccredited engineering program.

What ABET reviews

ABET evaluates programs against criteria that include:

Student outcomes: what graduates should know and be able to do.
Curriculum: math, basic science, engineering topics and design experience.
Faculty: qualifications, size and engagement.
Facilities and resources: labs, equipment and support.
Students: admission, advising and monitoring progress.
Continuous improvement: how the program assesses itself and acts on results.
Institutional support.

Accredited programs undergo periodic reviews, so accreditation is not a one-time stamp.

Why it matters

Licensure

Most states require a degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program, or a very long alternative route, to become a licensed professional engineer. If you plan to seek a PE license, accreditation is a practical necessity. Fundamentals of Engineering exam explained describes the first step toward licensure.

Employment

Many employers, particularly government agencies, defense contractors and large firms, prefer or require graduates of accredited programs. Even where it is not required, it is a recognized signal of quality.

Graduate study

Many graduate programs expect an accredited bachelor's degree, and some will ask applicants without one to complete extra coursework.

International recognition

Through international agreements, accredited US engineering degrees are recognized in several other countries. If you plan to work abroad, accreditation makes it easier to show equivalence.

How to check a program

Use ABET's online search for accredited programs. Search by school and by program name.
Check the exact program name. Accreditation is for specific titles, such as Mechanical Engineering, not for "engineering" in general.
Check the accredited-since date. If a program was accredited recently, make sure your graduation year is covered. Accreditation usually applies from a certain year, and it generally covers graduates from that point.
Check the status. Programs can be on probation or lose accreditation.
Ask the department if anything is unclear.

Do not rely on a statement like "engineering programs meet the highest standards." Look for the specific ABET listing.

Engineering vs technology vs computing

ABET accredits several families of programs: engineering, engineering technology, computing and applied and natural science. Engineering technology programs are hands-on and application focused, and they have different licensure implications in some states. Computing programs, such as computer science, are accredited under a separate commission. If you are choosing between two similar degree names, check which family each belongs to.

New or developing programs

New programs cannot be accredited immediately. They typically must graduate students before they can be reviewed, and accreditation may then apply retroactively to the first graduating class or only from a given date. If you are considering a new program, ask the school for its timeline, its plan and what will happen if accreditation is delayed.

If a program is not accredited

You have options.

Look for an accredited program at another school or through transfer.
Check state licensure rules. Some states allow additional experience or exams to substitute for accreditation.
Consider a graduate degree from an accredited program, which may help in some fields.
Ask employers in your target industry about their expectations.
Be wary of claims like "equivalent to ABET."

Do this research before you enroll, since changing later is costly.

Online and part-time programs

Some online engineering degrees are ABET-accredited, but many are not. If you plan to study online, look for the specific accredited program and check whether the online version is covered. Ask about lab requirements, which are often completed in person or with kits.

Questions to ask a program

Which of your engineering programs are ABET-accredited, and since when?
When is the next review?
Are there any concerns or conditions on accreditation?
What are the pass rates on the FE exam for your graduates?
Where do graduates work?
How do you support students who want licensure?

Straight answers are a sign of a program that takes accreditation seriously.

A worked example of checking a program

Suppose you are considering "BS in Engineering" at a school. You search ABET's list and find that the school's mechanical and civil engineering programs are accredited, but nothing appears under a general "Engineering" title. That tells you the general program may not be accredited, even if the university is. You email the department and ask which concentration leads to an accredited degree. They explain that students must declare mechanical or civil to be in an accredited track.

That simple check could save you from graduating with a degree that does not meet licensure requirements. Always verify the exact program name and the dates of accreditation.

Accreditation and transfer credit

When you transfer from a community college, the receiving school decides which courses count. ABET does not accredit individual courses, but accredited programs have specific curriculum requirements, so they may not accept courses that do not match. Ask for a written course equivalency list before you enroll. Articulation agreements between two-year and four-year schools can protect you from losing credits.

Accreditation and graduate school

If you plan to attend graduate school, accreditation of your bachelor's degree can matter. Some programs accept applicants from non-accredited programs but require additional coursework. If you are changing fields, your graduate program may use accreditation to decide which prerequisites you need. Ask admissions staff how they treat degrees from different institutions.

What accreditation does not tell you

Accreditation confirms that a program meets minimum standards. It does not tell you about teaching quality, class size, research opportunities, student support or job placement. Use it as a baseline, then compare programs on the factors that matter to you. Visit, ask questions and talk to students and alumni.

Accreditation and rankings

Rankings and accreditation measure different things. Rankings try to compare schools on research, reputation or outcomes, and their methods vary. Accreditation is a pass or fail judgment about whether a program meets standards. A highly ranked program should be accredited, but a lower-ranked accredited program may serve you well. If you must choose between a famous unaccredited program and a solid accredited one, think about licensure and your long-term plans.

Keeping records

Save your program's accreditation listing and your transcript. If you apply for licensure later, the state board will ask for transcripts and may ask for proof that your program was accredited in your graduating year. Having documents ready makes the process much smoother.

Common mistakes

Assuming the whole university is accredited for engineering.
Confusing institutional and programmatic accreditation.
Ignoring the start date of accreditation.
Trusting marketing language instead of checking the listing.
Waiting until graduation to learn that licensure will be harder.

Final thoughts

Accreditation is a basic check, not a guarantee of an excellent experience, but missing accreditation can close doors. Check the specific program, confirm your graduation year is covered and ask direct questions. A few minutes of research can protect years of study. For further orientation, the engineering assignment help guide describes how coursework is structured in accredited programs.