School of Engineering

ABET Accredited

ABET at WIU

Is WIU ABET Accredited?

Yes. On the 23rd of August 2012 the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) granted accreditation to Western Illinois University’s Engineering program. It retroactively covers all our graduates.

Why ABET?

From the ABET Website: “Accreditation is an assurance that the professionals that serve us have a solid educational foundation and are capable of leading the way in innovation, emerging technologies, and in anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public. When a program becomes ABET-accredited, it means that it has received international recognition of its quality, promotes "best practices" in education, and directly involves faculty and staff in self-assessment and continuous quality improvement processes”.

What are the ABET requirements for a General Engineering Program?

The curriculum requirements for any ABET accredited program are, in general: 1) satisfy the General Education requirements of the institution (WIU); 2) complete one year of Math and Science appropriate to the engineering degree; 3) complete a year and a half of Engineering Courses; and 4) complete the requirements for a bachelor degree.

ABET Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes

Program Educational Objectives

Program educational objectives describe career and professional accomplishments within 3-5 years following graduation.

  1. Create: Graduates will analyze problems and create innovative designs that are based on sound engineering principles and that consider functionality, cost effectiveness, sustainability, safety, aesthetics, and satisfy the requirements of a customer.
  2. Communicate: Graduates will use modern technology and design tools, work effectively as individuals and in teams, and clearly and effectively communicate ideas in written, oral, and graphical form.
  3. Continue to Learn: Graduates will increase their personal knowledge and skills through graduate work and other professional education, to maintain an appropriate level of expertise and remain current in their chosen profession.
  4. Citizenship: Graduates will serve as a team member or as a team leader and use the principles of ethical leadership, both in their chosen profession and in other activities.
  5. Community: Graduates will contribute their time and talents to improve their communities.

Student Outcomes

Student Outcomes for the Engineering Program are those skills and knowledge graduates should have on the day of graduation.

  1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
  2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
  3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
  4. an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
  5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
  6. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
  7. an ability to communicate effectively
  8. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
  9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
  10. a knowledge of contemporary issues
  11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.