EMU Today

YPSILANTI – The College of Engineering and Technology (CET) at Eastern Michigan University has secured the accreditation of three of its undergraduate programs from the commissions associated with the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The Product Design Engineering Technology and the Electronic Engineering Technology undergraduate programs both earned the accreditation of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology-Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission.

In addition, the Information Assurance and Cyber Defense undergraduate program has secured the accreditation of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology-Computing Accreditation Commission. 

A powerful validation for programs

Representatives from the accreditation groups visited the CET recently as part of the process. Such accreditation is considered a powerful validation of the curriculum and student success in a given program.

According to the group’s website, ABET accreditation indicates that a program has met standards to produce graduates ready to enter the critical fields of STEM education. Graduates from an ABET-accredited program have a solid educational foundation and are capable of leading the way in innovation, emerging technologies, and in anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public, the ABET website states.

“I want to congratulate the school directors and all faculty members who played a role in securing these accreditations,” said Mohamed Qatu, Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, which is housed in Sill Hall. “These accreditations are a major achievement for these programs and a significant step confirming the advancement in terms of program quality in the CET.”

The product design and electronic engineering accreditations complement the already existing accreditation of the EMU Mechanical Engineering Technology program.

A major achievement

The accreditation of the Information Assurance and Cyber Defense is a major achievement for the program and for the School of Information Systems and Applied Computing, in which the program is housed, Dean Qatu said.

This Fall, the School of Information Systems and Applied Computing became the fastest growing school on the EMU campus, with a record number of students enrolling in information assurance and cyber defense and information technology, Dean Qatu said.

He noted that, coupled with a recent $1 million grant awarded by the State of Michigan and the recent opening of the Vehicle Cyber Security Lab in Sill Hall, the accreditations help cement the College’s leadership in the area of cybersecurity in the state, across the nation and globally. 

In addition, Sill Hall is undergoing a $40 million renovation to accommodate the expansion of engineering and other CET programs. Parts of the building have reopened this fall, with other programs temporarily located in Roosevelt Hall. Full completion is set for Fall 2020.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.