Engineering Programs Earn ABET Accreditation

UC Merced’s undergraduate degree programs in environmental engineering, materials science engineering and mechanical engineering have been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the recognized accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. ABET accreditation demonstrates a program’s commitment to providing its students with a quality education.

Formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, ABET is an organization that accredits programs, not institutions; UC Merced as an institution is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

“Earning ABET accreditation is one more benchmark for our maturing campus,” said Erik Rolland, interim dean of the School of Engineering. “It shows that our programs meet the standards of the engineering profession, which eases the process of professional licensure, registration and certification.”

Some employers, like the federal government, require that job candidates in certain fields have graduated from ABET-accredited programs. This accreditation can also open doors to government-sponsored funding in the form of student loans, grants and scholarships.