A common misconception exists regarding the accreditation of engineering programs in the United States. While some attribute this responsibility to the IEEE, the actual accrediting body is the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). This nonprofit organization focuses on accrediting specific academic programs rather than entire institutions or departments.
ABET, established in 1932, evaluates programs that lead to degrees in various engineering disciplines, ensuring they meet quality standards. With a network of 34 member organizations, including IEEE, ABET collaborates with these groups to develop policies and conduct accreditation activities worldwide. As of now, ABET has accredited over 4,770 programs across 930 colleges and universities in 42 countries.
IEEE’s Involvement in the Accreditation Process
The collaboration between IEEE and ABET dates back to its founding years when the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE), a predecessor of IEEE, helped establish what would evolve into ABET. Today, IEEE plays a leading role in accrediting 877 programs and supports the evaluation process by providing volunteer program evaluators.
These evaluators are crucial for the accreditation process, as they assess educational institutions seeking ABET accreditation. They are tasked with visiting colleges and universities, providing evaluations based on criteria developed in partnership with ABET and the professional societies. Evaluators must possess relevant experience in industry, academia, or government.
After gaining experience as evaluators, IEEE volunteers can be nominated to serve on the IEEE Committee on Engineering Technology Accreditation Activities (CETAA) or the IEEE Committee on Engineering Accreditation Activities (CEAA). This pathway allows them to contribute further to the accreditation process and potentially serve on ABET’s commissions.
“As a program evaluator, I have had the privilege of studying and visiting programs around the world,” said Victor Nelson, a long-serving program evaluator and a professor emeritus of electrical and computer engineering at Auburn University. “I never fail to be impressed with and learn from the efforts and achievements of the many students and faculty in those programs.”
Becoming a Program Evaluator
IEEE selects new program evaluators annually through CETAA and CEAA, with the number of chosen applicants varying each year to ensure a sufficient number of evaluators for upcoming accreditation visits. For the 2025-2026 academic year, IEEE received 126 applications from 24 countries, with a mix of candidates from academia and industry.
Victor Nelson’s extensive experience as a program evaluator has been recognized with the 2024 IEEE EAB Meritorious Achievement Award in Accreditation Activities. This award, established in 1984, honors contributions to improving education through accreditation.
“My 23 years of conducting ABET reviews have more than confirmed that belief and have been incredibly rewarding,” Nelson noted. He emphasized the importance of accreditation in enhancing the quality of engineering education globally.
For those interested in understanding the significance of accreditation, IEEE published “How IEEE Ensures Quality in Engineering Education” last year, providing insights into its role and impact on engineering programs worldwide.
