Guidelines for Engaging in Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)

This document explains the underlying ABET principles associated with establishing MRAs. In keeping with the vision statement "to provide world leadership" and its intent to encourage the highest quality applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology educational programs, ABET's Global Council (GC) establishes processes for mutual recognition of ABET-accredited programs in the United States and corresponding programs in other countries, and to assist other higher education agencies or organizations outside of the United States in developing quality assurance processes. Effective systems to accredit and monitor progress are essential to assure the level and quality of such programs.

The Global Council receives frequent requests from various organizations outside of the United States typically seeking technical assistance in developing or recognizing their accreditation systems. Often the underlying goal of these requests is to enter into an international Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) such as the Washington Accord, Sydney Accord, and Seoul Accord.

MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their respective jurisdictions. Signatories of the MRAs agree that the graduates of accredited programs are prepared to begin practice of the profession at the entry level. ABET views the entering into MRAs with appropriate higher education agencies or organizations in other countries as a further mechanism to promote the quality improvement of applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology education.

ABET, through the Global Council, will consider entering into a MRA with recognized higher education authorities or quality assurance organizations outside of the United States, or sponsoring their membership in the Washington Accord, Sydney Accord, Seoul Accord, or other accords as ABET may join, subject to the following conditions:

1. The organization has an on-going, profession-controlled, peer-review accreditation system for applied science, computing, engineering, or engineering technology degree programs at institutions of higher education within the country.
2. The organization shall have completed a minimum of five (5) accreditation cycles prior to their request for entry or sponsorship into the MRA.
3. The organization has received recognition, approval, and/or authorization of operating status from a national educational ministry, legislative mandate, or other appropriate authority (governmental or non-governmental).
4. The organization provides a mechanism whereby the professions related to the programs to be accredited have representation within its governance structure, and professional peers are involved in a voluntary manner in the accreditation process, including formulation of accreditation criteria, policies and procedures, and decisions about accreditation actions.
5. The organization must have goals, objectives, criteria, policies, and procedures in educational quality assurance consistent with practice recognized by ABET.
6. The organization shall demonstrate a willingness to share studies, proposals, discussions, minutes of board/commission meetings, and accreditation policies and procedures; and, by mutual consent, agree to participate as observers in meetings and site visits, and contribute to the understanding of each other's system of accreditation.
7. Each party to the MRA shall adjudge accreditation decisions by the other party to be acceptable and substantially equivalent evidence of acceptable educational preparation of graduates for entry into the practice of the specific discipline for which the program is being accredited.
8. The organization recognizes and agrees that ABET may enter into other MRAs with other entities within the same country or region when judged appropriate by ABET.
9. The MRA, when entered into, shall be in effect for a mutually agreeable finite period of time. The MRA shall include an exit clause whereby either entity may withdraw from the agreement with appropriate written notice.
10. No MRA shall preclude ABET from accrediting a qualifying program if requested to do so by an institution regardless of geographic location.

The following procedures shall be followed in the development and implementation of MRAs:

1. The Global Council shall conduct a preliminary review and evaluation of a candidate organization’s accreditation system through exchange of pertinent documentation.
2. A positive outcome shall enable the Global Council to arrange for the exchange visit of appropriate representatives. A negative outcome shall terminate the review unless the candidate requests ABET assistance in further development of its accreditation system.
3. The MRA must have appropriate procedures for on-site reviews of candidate organizations and ABET reserves the right to participate in these reviews The visits shall include opportunities for interviews with appropriate authorities, observance of decision meetings, and allow an assessment of the cultural setting in which the system operates.
4. The reports of the review teams of candidate accrediting organizations shall be presented to the Global Council for consideration and approval. In those cases where a recommendation includes the possible establishment of a MRA, a draft MRA document shall accompany the recommendation from the Global Council. Any financial commitment related to the implementation of the MRA must be specified in writing. In addition, any manpower required to implement the MRA must also be specified on an annual basis.
5. Any evaluations or consultations to be undertaken as a result of a given MRA will be completed in accordance with established ABET policies and procedures, insofar as possible. Due recognition will be given to different economic, cultural, environmental, political, and societal factors, as well as purely technical/educational matters.