Engineering Accreditation Explained

Accreditation is a quality assurance process that evaluates whether a college or university meets recognized academic and administrative standards. For engineering programs, understanding accreditation helps you assess program credibility and avoid schools that may limit future academic or financial options.

This page explains how accreditation applies to engineering degrees and what to verify before enrolling.

Quick Answers

Why is accreditation important for engineering programs?

Accreditation helps confirm that a college or university meets recognized academic and administrative standards. It can affect transfer credits, financial aid, and professional licensure eligibility.

What is the difference between institutional and programmatic accreditation?

Institutional accreditation applies to the entire college or university and is the baseline you should verify. Programmatic accreditation applies to a specific program and is optional for many fields.

Are online engineering programs accredited?

Online programs should hold the same institutional accreditation as campus-based programs. Delivery format does not change the need for recognized institutional accreditation.

Do I need programmatic accreditation?

For engineering, ABET programmatic accreditation is more important than in many other fields. Many state licensing boards require graduation from an ABET-accredited program to sit for the PE exam.

How do I verify a school’s accreditation?

Check the school’s website for accreditation disclosures and confirm the accrediting body through recognized directories. Look for clear language stating current accreditation, not pending or provisional claims.

For an overview of degree formats and program options, start with the Engineering Program Guide.

Institutional accreditation explained

Institutional accreditation applies to the entire college or university. This is the primary form of accreditation students should verify.

What institutional accreditation typically reviews

Why institutional accreditation matters

If a school lacks recognized institutional accreditation, credits earned there may not transfer and financial aid eligibility may be limited.

To understand how accreditation fits into broader program evaluation, compare it alongside admissions requirements and Engineering Curriculum.

Programmatic accreditation

Some engineering programs also hold programmatic accreditation specific to the field. For engineering, this is through ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).

What ABET accreditation evaluates

• Depth and structure of coursework
• Faculty experience and credentials
• Learning outcomes and assessment methods
• Continuous improvement processes
• Lab facilities and design experience

What programmatic accreditation does and does not indicate

While programmatic accreditation from ABET signals rigorous review and is important for licensure, it does not indicate program quality in all areas or predict individual outcomes.

Online and accelerated programs

Accreditation standards apply equally to online, accelerated, and campus-based programs. Delivery format does not change the requirement for recognized institutional accreditation.

What to confirm for different formats

When comparing formats, confirm that:

• Online programs are accredited under the same institution as campus programs
• Accelerated formats do not waive core academic requirements
• Credits earned online appear the same on transcripts

Related format pages:

• Online Course Formats
• Accelerated Programs
• Part-Time Programs

How accreditation affects transfer credits

Accreditation plays a major role in whether credits transfer between institutions. Schools often accept transfer credits only from institutions with recognized accreditation.