A common misconception exists regarding the accreditation of engineering programs in the United States, as some people mistakenly believe that the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) holds this responsibility. In reality, the nonprofit organization ABET, which stands for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, is the entity responsible for accrediting specific academic programs in designated disciplines. It does not accredit entire institutions, schools, or individual courses; rather, it focuses solely on academic programs.
While IEEE plays a critical role in the accreditation process by providing evaluations, it does not have the authority to grant accreditation itself. ABET collaborates with 34 professional organizations, including IEEE, to establish policies, develop strategies, and conduct accreditation activities globally. This partnership dates back to 1932 when the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE), a predecessor of IEEE, along with six other engineering organizations, founded the Engineers’ Council for Professional Development, which later evolved into ABET.
Currently, ABET accredits more than 4,770 programs at 930 colleges and universities across 42 countries. IEEE serves as the lead society for 877 of these programs, making its involvement significant in shaping engineering education. The organization contributes to the accreditation process by supplying volunteer program evaluators who visit educational institutions seeking accreditation. These evaluators assess programs based on criteria collaboratively developed with ABET and the respective professional societies.
The evaluators come from diverse backgrounds, including industry, academia, and government, ensuring a comprehensive perspective during assessments. After gaining substantial experience—typically five years or more—IEEE volunteers may be nominated to serve on the IEEE Committee on Engineering Technology Accreditation Activities (CETAA) or the IEEE Committee on Engineering Accreditation Activities (CEAA). IEEE Educational Activities supports these committees and oversees all of IEEE’s responsibilities regarding ABET.
Each accreditation visit is led by a team chair, who serves as the primary point of contact for the institution undergoing evaluation. The standard term for this role is five years, with an option to serve a three-year term on the executive committee of ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) and Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC). Currently, there are approximately 380 IEEE evaluators, with 26 serving as commissioners on ABET’s EAC and ETAC.
The CETAA and CEAA select new program evaluators annually, with the number of applicants varying each year to ensure adequate evaluators for future accreditation visits. For the 2025–2026 academic year, IEEE received 126 applications from professionals across 24 countries, including 105 from academia and 21 from industry or government.
Victor Nelson, an IEEE life senior member and professor emeritus of electrical and computer engineering at the Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University in Alabama, has served as a program evaluator for over two decades. His contributions were recognized with the 2024 IEEE EAB Meritorious Achievement Award in Accreditation Activities, which honors efforts in fostering education quality through accreditation.
Reflecting on his experience, Nelson stated, “Years of developing and leading undergraduate electrical and computer engineering programs, including preparing for ABET accreditation reviews, led me to believe that becoming an ABET program evaluator would be a great way to learn new ways to improve the quality of our own programs while also assisting others.” He added, “My 23 years of conducting ABET reviews have more than confirmed that belief and have been incredibly rewarding.”
Nelson emphasized the privilege of studying and visiting programs worldwide, expressing admiration for the dedication of students and faculty. He noted, “I always feel a sense of pride in being able to make modest contributions to improving the quality of engineering education through the accreditation review process.”
For those interested in understanding the significance of accreditation further, IEEE published an article titled “How IEEE Ensures Quality in Engineering Education” in The Institute last year, providing insights into the importance of maintaining high educational standards.
