NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering program has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.
“Only four years after welcoming its first students, our electrical engineering program has earned ABET accreditation,” said Dr. Rickey McDaniel, chair of SFA’s Department of Engineering and Construction Sciences. “I’m proud of the faculty and students whose work made this possible, from building strong laboratory and design experiences to continually improving the program.”
McDaniel added that the accreditation builds on other recent electrical engineering program successes including the completion of a hands-on laboratory offering real-world projects and the first-place finish by SFA’s IEEE Robotics Team at the IEEE Region 5 Robotics Competition in March in Boulder, Colorado.
“With this milestone, all three of SFA’s bachelor’s degree in engineering programs — engineering physics, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering — are now ABET-accredited.” McDaniel said. “That gives students and employers confidence in the engineering education we provide here in East Texas.”
ABET accreditation provides independent assurance that an engineering program meets established professional standards for engineering education. For students, it confirms that their curriculum, laboratory experiences and professional preparation have been evaluated against the knowledge and skills expected of practicing engineers. It can also strengthen employment opportunities and support pathways to professional licensure, graduate education and careers requiring an ABET-accredited degree. For employers, it provides confidence that graduates have completed a rigorous program emphasizing technical knowledge, engineering design, experimentation, problem-solving, communication, teamwork and professional responsibility.
“Earning ABET accreditation is the gold standard for engineering education, validating the exceptional quality and rigor of our program,” said Dr. Kimberly Childs, dean of SFA’s College of Sciences and Mathematics. “It reflects our faculty's dedication to providing a top-tier curriculum and ensures our electrical engineering graduates step directly into high-demand careers fully equipped to lead, innovate and succeed on a global stage.”
ABET is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. It currently accredits 4,863 programs at 950 colleges and universities in 42 countries. Each year, 2,200 experts from 34 member societies contribute to ABET’s goal of assuring confidence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.
For more information on ABET, its member societies and the accreditation criteria used to evaluate programs, visit abet.org. For more information on SFA’s engineering programs, visit sfasu.edu/engineering.
