University of Pittsburgh’s Engineering Programs Receive Reaccreditation From ABET

Engineering programs at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering have been re-accredited by Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.

The programs include:

• Bioengineering (first accredited 1999)
• Chemical Engineering (first accredited 1936)
• Civil Engineering (first accredited 1936)
• Computer engineering (first accredited 1998)
• Electrical Engineering (first accredited 1936)
• Engineering Science (first accredited 2014)
• Environmental Engineering (first accredited 2016)
• Industrial Engineering (first accredited 1936)
• Materials Science and Engineering (first accredited 1988)
• Mechanical Engineering (first accredited 1936)

“We are extremely proud that all of our undergraduate programs were re-accredited by ABET with no weaknesses or deficiencies indicated,” said Sanjeev Shroff, Interim U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering. “It is a testament to the dedication and preparation by our department chairs, faculty, and ABET program managers as well as visiting committee members. My thanks and congratulations to Dr. Mary Besterfield-Sacre, senior associate dean of academic affairs, and her staff for marshalling this critical project.”

ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.

"Earning and retaining accreditation is a key indicator of the exceptional quality of an institution, school or program," said Joseph J. McCarthy, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor. "I congratulate the Swanson School of Engineering on its re-accreditation, which is an important reflection of the school's deep commitment to its students and to excellence."

Sought worldwide, ABET’s voluntary peer-review process is highly respected because it adds critical value to academic programs in the technical disciplines, where quality, precision and safety are of the utmost importance.

Developed by technical professionals from ABET’s member societies, ABET criteria focus on what students experience and learn. ABET accreditation reviews look at program curricula, faculty, facilities, and institutional support and are conducted by teams of highly skilled professionals from industry, academia and government, with expertise in the ABET disciplines.

ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization with ISO 9001:2015 certification. It currently accredits 4,564 programs at 895 colleges and universities in 40 countries and areas.

More information about ABET, its member societies and the accreditation criteria used to evaluate programs can be found at www.abet.org. 

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