Accreditation Criteria, Policy and Procedure Changes for the 2011-2012 Review Cycle and Forward

Accreditation Alert

[Go to the full list of Accreditation Alerts] 

Issue

ABET is continuing to improve the accreditation process by updating the Accreditation Policy and Procedure Manual (APPM) for the 2011-12 accreditation cycle.

Background

At its October 2010 meeting, the ABET Board of Directors approved an updated version of the Accreditation Policy and Procedure Manual (APPM), the document governs the ABET accreditation process. This revised version of the APPM will be in effect for all reviews during the 2011-12 accreditation cycle.

Guidance

Initial Accreditation Visits

Programs seeking initial accreditation must have at least one graduate and provide ABET Headquarters with a transcript prior to the on-site visit.

• Please reference APPM, Section II.E., Eligibility of Programs for Accreditation Review, sub-section II.E.5. 

Including Accreditation in Publications

ABET has revised the text to be used in publications that inform the public regarding ABET accreditation.

• APPM II.A.6. states, "Each accredited program must be specifically identified as 'accredited by the (_________) Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.'"
• The street address and telephone number of ABET are no longer required in this notification.
• Please carefully review all sub-sections of APPM, Section II.A., Public Release of Accreditation Information by the Institution. 

Show Cause Action Replaced

The Show Cause (SC) accreditation action, which previously meant that a deficiency has not been resolved prior to the commission decision, has been replaced with two possible actions:

• A Show Cause Report (SCR) requires only a report.
• A Show Cause Review (SCV) requires an on-site visit as well.

Additional Action After SCR or SCV

Now, programs that receive either an SCR or an SCV must carry out an additional action.

• APPM II.G.12.b. states, "ABET expects the institution to notify students and faculty that the program is required to make specific corrective actions to maintain accreditation."

Revision to NA Expiration Date

ABET has revised the date that accreditation expires after a Not to Accredit (NA) action.

• APPM II.G.12.i.(2) states, "A 'Not to Accredit' action, as a result of a 'Show Cause' focused review, is effective September 30 of the year of the 'Not to Accredit' decision, pending final action on any request from the institution for immediate revisit, reconsideration, or appeal."
• Prior to 2011-12, accreditation extended a year beyond the "Not to Accredit" decision.
• Please carefully review all sub-sections of APPM, Section II.G.12., Accreditation Actions. 

Note:

This alert highlights revisions that may noticeably affect programs in the upcoming cycle but does not identify all revisions to the APPM. Each program should review the entire 2011-12 Accreditation Policy and Procedure Manual to insure compliance.

Questions?

Please contact the Accreditation Department.