In 1997, ABET expanded its mission to include the accreditation of applied science programs. ABET is a federation of 28 professional engineering and technical societies. The ABET Board of Directors sets policy and approves accreditation criteria while the Commissions implement procedures and decisions. The active participation of practicing professionals allows accreditation to reflect standards set by the profession itself. This approach provides a better-prepared graduate which ultimately translates into a valuable employee.
Accreditation is a voluntary process that institutions choose to undertake.
Programs that have produced at least one graduate are eligible for accreditation. Each program then conducts an internal evaluation and completes a self-study questionnaire. The self-study documents that students, curriculum, faculty, administration, facilities and institutional support meet the established criteria. While this is being conducted, the appropriate ABET Commission forms an evaluation team to visit the campus. A team chair and one or more program evaluators make up the evaluation team.