Innovation is a driving force behind higher education, powering progress in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs worldwide. One concern that has been expressed is that somehow, ABET accreditation stifles innovation. At ABET, we’re focused on ensuring students receive the best quality educational experience during their academic career. We do this through the accreditation process and have over 4,800 accredited programs in 42 countries. The broad range of academic institutions stands as a catalyst for forward-thinking educational initiatives. Programs and institutions are all different and have individual missions, focus areas and constituents. They all implement some level of innovation in curriculum design, delivery methods, industry partnerships and assessment methods to name a few.
ABET CEO Dr. Michael K. J. Milligan says. “If you look at our accreditation criteria, there is nothing that prohibits programs from doing something truly innovative. We see innovation in our accredited programs all the time.”
Outcomes-Based Assessment
Historically, the accreditation process was perceived as prescriptive, or as a checklist approach to evaluating programs. Our evolution to a focus on student outcomes in the late 1990s with Engineering Criteria 2000 (EC2000) transformed that narrative. The shift empowered academic institutions to integrate many new and innovative methods into their programs. “We want programs to do things differently,” Milligan says. “Preparing students to face the challenges of tomorrow requires that students are exposed to modern tools, methods and approaches to solving problems. That comes from students that have experiences in innovative programs.”
Championing Innovation Through Awards and Recognition
One example of how we promote innovation in higher education comes from the annual ABET Innovation Award. The 2025 winner was Georgia Tech’s CREATE-X program, which credits ABET’s outcomes-based framework, saying in a statement:
“While accreditation is often seen as restrictive, our experience with CREATE-X shows it can be a powerful engine for innovation. ABET’s outcomes-based framework functions as a permission slip, enabling us to replace traditional projects with student-driven startups. The result is a structure that ensures our students become world class engineers and scientists while giving them the flexibility to graduate as world class innovators.” -Dr. Fisayo Omojokun, associate dean for undergraduate education at Georgia Tech.
Dr. Raghupathy “Siva” Sivakumar, chief commercialization officer at Georgia Tech, also noted in a statement, “The recognition of Georgia Tech’s CREATE-X with the 2025 ABET Innovation Award underscores ABET’s commitment to setting the standard in outcomes-based teaching methodology. For us, meeting ABET’s rigorous standards is a testament to the tangible impact our teaching practices have on our students, which includes a holistic education coupled with robust entrepreneurial experiences, ensuring they are adaptable and confident as they begin their careers.”
Supporting Innovation in Lifelong Learning and Credentials
ABET’s support for innovation extends beyond traditional degree programs to educational credentials and lifelong learning initiatives. As the landscape for education evolves, the demand for credentials and certifications has exploded. With industry needs and technological landscapes evolving rapidly, ABET’s quality assurance instills confidence and credibility in continuing education. “There are literally thousands of credentials that people can earn, it’s only natural for someone investing time and money to want assurance from a respected third-party like ABET,” Milligan says.
Peer-Led Innovation and Spreading Best Practices
One of ABET’s strengths is the peer review quality assurance model. It connects programs globally and allows them to adopt best practices by learning from each other. “Peer recognition benefits the entire community,” Dr. Milligan says. “What are people doing in other institutions around the world? And what can we learn from them and do something? That is where the Innovation Award is helpful, it demonstrates to other programs, ‘Hey, you can do these great things.”
Innovation Is Not the Exception, It Is the Rule
While the old stereotype says accreditation stifles innovation, ABET stands as a true champion of innovation in higher education. Our framework is designed to enable, recognize and spread innovation globally, ensuring graduates are capable, creative and ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
We are proud to be part of this evolving ecosystem, continually supporting programs as they break new ground and redefine the future of higher education.