However, CEAB accreditation can occur only during the year in which the first group of students graduate from the IGEN program, i.e., by the end of the 2002-2003 academic year. The accreditation then applies to 2003 and later graduates. The CEAB has been made aware of the program and the Faculty will continue to inform them of developments in the program so that the accreditation process should be relatively easy. The University is not in the business of running unaccredited programs so that should any problems arise between now and 2002, they will be quickly fixed. The Integrated Engineering program at University of Western Ontario will be visited by CEAB in the fall of 2000 in order that accreditation for that program can occur for the 2001 graduates.
Accreditation has no effect on employment.
Employers often assume that applicants have graduated from an accredited engineering program. This is not a bad assumption because there are very few unaccredited programs in North America. Admission to a post-graduate program is not affected by accreditation. The only issue that is affected by accreditation is registration as a professional engineer which requires graduation from an accredited program. Obtain employment with a company in which engineering is routinely practiced.