Cornell Engineering receives ABET accreditation for degree programs

Eight bachelor’s degree programs offered by Cornell Engineering have been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.

ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies, and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.

Seven Cornell Engineering programs being reevaluated received reaccreditation, including biological engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, environmental engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering. The biomedical engineering degree, first offered in 2015, sought and received accreditation for the first time.

“ABET accreditation is based on a continuous improvement framework in which we set specific learning outcomes for students and critically evaluate progress toward goals, and over time,” said Lynden Archer, the Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering. “That all of our programs received accreditation underscores our uniform high standards in preparing future Cornell engineers for the challenges of tomorrow, irrespective of their field of study.”

Sought worldwide, ABET’s voluntary peer-review process is highly respected because it adds value to academic programs in the technical disciplines, where quality, precision and safety are of the utmost importance.

“ABET accreditation reflects the hard work and dedication our faculty and staff have put forth since the Meinig School first launched our biomedical undergraduate degree less than 10 years ago,” said Marjolein van der Meulen, the James M. & Marsha McCormick Director of the Nancy E. & Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering and Swanson Professor of Biomedical Engineering. “This recognition reflects our success to date and commitment to the future of how students learn and develop as engineers to design and develop therapeutic strategies, devices and diagnostics to improve human health.”

Developed by technical professionals from ABET’s member societies, ABET criteria focus on what students experience and learn. ABET accreditation reviews look at program curricula, faculty, facilities, and institutional support and are conducted by teams of highly skilled professionals from industry, academia and government, with expertise in the ABET disciplines.

“Cornell Engineering is filled with talented educators and individuals who foster innovation, creativity and transformative learning experiences in the classroom,” said Alan Zehnder, associate dean for undergraduate programs at Cornell Engineering and professor in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. “We are proud to remain a top destination for students seeking a world-class engineering education.”

ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization with ISO 9001:2015 certification. It currently accredits 4,564 programs at 895 colleges and universities in 40 countries and areas.

More information about ABET, its member societies and the accreditation criteria used to evaluate programs can be found at abet.org.