MIT Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

EECS Bachelor's Programs Receive Accreditation

September 12, 1996

To: EECS Faculty and Staff
From: Paul Penfield, Jr.
Date: September 12, 1996
Subject: Accreditation

As most of you know, engineering degree programs in the United States are accredited by ABET, Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (this accreditation is separate from the one for MIT as a whole, which is done by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges). Every few years ABET visits and then makes a decision on each of our S.B. programs.

The visit in Fall 1995 was unusual in two ways. First, we requested that they look at the new 6-2 program, which had never been accredited before. We even requested retroactive accreditation for two years, to cover students who graduated in 1994 and 1995. Second, programs with both the words "computer" and "science" in the title need accreditation by both ABET and CSAB, Computer Sciences Accreditation Board. The 6-2 and 6-3 programs fell under this requirement.

We have just received the formal letters from ABET and CSAB with their findings. I am pleased to be able to report that all three of our programs were accredited, both by ABET and, where necessary, by CSAB. In addition, the 6-2 program was back-accredited, as we requested, to the graduating class of Spring 1994. This means that all students who have received the 6-2 degree can say they were graduated from an accredited program.

I want to thank those of you who participated in the visit, by meeting with the visitors, or preparing material that they examined. I heard informally from some of the visitors that they found the material to be well organized and presented, and the faculty and staff to be very helpful.