Frequently Asked Questions -
Parents and Students

Does ABET accredit distance education programs?

Does ABET accredit graduate or postgraduate programs?

What is the difference between engineering and engineering technology?

Is there a difference between a BE and a BS?

Can ABET provide program or institution rankings?

Does ABET offer scholarships?

What is ABET's policy on transfer credits?

How do I file a complaint?

Does ABET accredit distance education programs?

ABET's accreditation criteria require that accredited programs include laboratory experiences. These are difficult to achieve via remote learning environments. However, many ABET-accredited programs do offer significant portions of their programs remotely (i.e., online). Please contact programs individually for information about what delivery options each has to offer.

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Does ABET accredit graduate or postgraduate programs?

ABET does not accredit postgraduate programs.

ABET accredits graduate programs within applied science and engineering only. However, within engineering, institutions are restricted to accrediting only one program per discipline per level. Because graduation from an undergraduate program is generally considered adequate preparation for entry into the engineering profession, most institutions choose to accredit undergraduate programs only. Graduate and undergraduate programs are listed together on our website.

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What is the difference between engineering and engineering technology?

Engineering and technology are separate but intimately related professions.  Here are some of the ways they differ:

  • Engineering undergraduate programs include more mathematics work and higher level mathematics than technology programs.

  • Engineering undergraduate programs often focus on theory, while technology programs usually focus on application.

  • Once they enter the workforce, engineering graduates typically spend their time planning, while engineering technology graduates spend their time making plans work.

  • At ABET, engineering and engineering technology programs are evaluated and accredited by two separate accreditation commissions using two separate sets of accreditation criteria.

  • Graduates from engineering programs are called engineers, while graduates of technology programs are often called technologists.

  • Some U.S. state boards of professional engineering licensure will allow only graduates of engineering programs—not engineering technology programs—to become licensed engineers. Visit www.nicet.org for information on certification for engineering technologists.

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Is there a difference between a BE and a BS?

There really is no difference between a bachelor's of engineering and a bachelor's of science in engineering. Institutions can give their degrees any name they choose. Contact the institution itself for more information about its degree titles and their distinctions.

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Can ABET provide program or institution rankings?

Accreditation is not a ranking system. ABET does not rank programs in any way.

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Does ABET offer scholarships?

ABET does not offer scholarships. However, many of our member societies do. Please contact their educational departments/divisions for more information.

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What is ABET's policy on transfer credits?

Policies on transfer credits and institution and program admissions are set by individual institutions, not by ABET. Questions related to these policies should be directed to the institution. 

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How do I file a complaint?

ABET's complaint policy is outlined in detail in its Accreditation Policy and Procedure Manual. You can find the manual here.

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