IEEE Clarifies Its Role in ABET Accreditation Process

Misunderstandings often arise regarding the role of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in the accreditation of engineering programs in the United States. While some may believe that IEEE holds the authority to grant accreditation, this responsibility lies solely with the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET, a global nonprofit agency, accredits academic programs leading to degrees in various engineering disciplines, focusing specifically on the programs rather than the institutions or their faculty.

The collaboration between IEEE and ABET dates back to 1932, when the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE), a predecessor of IEEE, joined forces with six other engineering organizations to establish the Engineers’ Council for Professional Development, which later evolved into ABET. Currently, ABET oversees more than 4,770 programs at 930 colleges and universities across 42 countries and regions. Of these, IEEE serves as the lead society for 877 programs.

Understanding the Accreditation Process

IEEE, along with 33 other professional organizations, contributes to ABET’s mission by providing volunteer program evaluators. These evaluators play a crucial role in assessing educational institutions that seek accreditation. They visit schools and provide evaluations based on established criteria developed in conjunction with ABET and the participating societies. To qualify, evaluators must possess relevant experience in industry, academia, or government.

Once IEEE volunteers accumulate five or more years of experience as program evaluators, they may be nominated to serve on the IEEE Committee on Engineering Technology Accreditation Activities (CETAA) or the IEEE Committee on Engineering Accreditation Activities (CEAA). These committees, supported by IEEE Educational Activities, facilitate the organization’s responsibilities with ABET.

The accreditation visits are led by a team chair, who serves as the primary contact for the institution undergoing evaluation. The typical term for this position is five years, with an option to serve an additional three years on ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) or Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC). Currently, there are approximately 380 IEEE evaluators, with 26 serving as commissioners on ABET’s EAC and ETAC.

Becoming a Program Evaluator

Each year, CETAA and CEAA select new program evaluators. The number of applicants chosen can fluctuate, ensuring sufficient evaluators are available for future accreditation visits. For the 2025–2026 academic year, IEEE received 126 applications for EAC and ETAC positions, with submissions from 24 countries. Notably, 105 applicants hailed from academia, while 21 came from industry or government.

Victor Nelson, a life senior member of IEEE and professor emeritus of electrical and computer engineering at Auburn University in Alabama, has served as a program evaluator for over two decades. His contributions were recognized with the 2024 IEEE EAB Meritorious Achievement Award in Accreditation Activities, which honors efforts to enhance educational quality through accreditation.

Reflecting on his experience, Nelson stated, “Years of developing and leading undergraduate electrical and computer engineering programs, including preparing for ABET accreditation reviews, led me to believe that becoming an ABET program evaluator would be a great way to learn new ways to improve the quality of our own programs while also assisting others.” He emphasized the rewarding nature of conducting ABET reviews, noting, “I have had the privilege of studying and visiting programs around the world, and I never fail to be impressed with and learn from the efforts and achievements of the many students and faculty in those programs.”

To further explore the importance of accreditation in engineering education, one can refer to the article “How IEEE Ensures Quality in Engineering Education,” published last year in The Institute. This piece elaborates on the critical role that organizations like IEEE play in maintaining high standards in engineering education globally.