ABET requires a preliminary Self-Study Report from all programs seeking initial accreditation if the institution has no currently ABET-accredited programs in that same commission. A review of this preliminary Self-Study Report - which is called the Readiness Review - will help ABET determine whether an institution is ready to submit a formal Request for Evaluation (RFE) for that program.
The Readiness Review reduces the possibility that both ABET and the institution will expend resources for the on-site review before the program is sufficiently prepared.
Please refer to the Accreditation Policy and Procedure Manual (APPM), Section II.E.6, for details.
Instructions
Programs should use the Self-Study Questionnaire: Template (DOC) for the appropriate commission.
The preliminary Self-Study Report that is submitted for the Readiness Review should be as complete as possible.
Please submit the preliminary Self-Study Report for a Readiness Review to ReadinessReview@abet.org by the following deadlines:
- For the 2013-14 review cycle, the preliminary Self-Study Report is due February 15, 2013.
- For the 2014-15 review cycle, the preliminary Self-Study Report due November 1, 2013. Programs may use the Self-Study Questionnaire: Template (DOC) for the 2013-14 review cycle for a Readiness Review for the 2014-15 review cycle.
Outcomes
A program may receive one of three non-binding recommendations as the outcome of a Readiness Review:
- A recommendation to submit the Request for Evaluation (RFE) in the immediate upcoming accreditation review cycle;
- A recommendation to postpone the RFE submission unless substantive changes in the Self-Study preparation and documentation are made; or
- A recommendation not to submit the RFE in the immediate upcoming accreditation review cycle because it is likely to be rejected.
Programs that complete a Readiness Review and continue in the review process must update their Self-Study Reports for the final Self-Study Report submission which is due July 1 annually.
Fees
- US$1,000 for the first program at an institution within a given commission.
- US$500 for each additional program within the same commission.
US$500 will be credited to the institution for each program that is cleared to undergo a full review, to be applied toward the visit fees for the immediate upcoming cycle only.
Questions?
Please contact ReadinessReview@abet.org for assistance.