ABET accreditation requirements and preparation: Lessons learned from a case study of Civil Engineering Program

With the need for specialized civil engineers rising in local and regional markets, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan (ZUJ) had launched the Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (CIE) program in 2009. The CIE program has aspired to be among renowned universities worldwide through the recognition of...

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Main Authors: Rana A. M. Alhorani, Wejdan Abu Elhaija, Subhi M. Bazlamit, Hesham S. Ahmad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2021-01-01
Series:Cogent Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2021.1995109
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author Rana A. M. Alhorani
Wejdan Abu Elhaija
Subhi M. Bazlamit
Hesham S. Ahmad
author_facet Rana A. M. Alhorani
Wejdan Abu Elhaija
Subhi M. Bazlamit
Hesham S. Ahmad
author_sort Rana A. M. Alhorani
collection DOAJ
description With the need for specialized civil engineers rising in local and regional markets, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan (ZUJ) had launched the Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (CIE) program in 2009. The CIE program has aspired to be among renowned universities worldwide through the recognition of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The CIE curriculum was adapted to meet the requirements of ABET. As a consequence of preparing for the first-time accreditation of the CIE program, the authors have learned several valuable lessons. This article constitutes a roadmap to those seeking first-time ABET (or other) engineering accreditation for their programs by reviewing the work of other successful first-time accreditation efforts and analyzing similar processes that were necessitated at ZUJ in preparation for the accreditation. In particular, the article describes the processes used and corresponding results of the ABET Site Visit completed in November and provides a good resource for conducting a sustainable continuous improvement process. Throughout the self-assessment process, feedback was gathered and information was solicited from internal and external formal/informal sources. Periodic collections of specific inputs regarding the program educational objectives, curriculum, and outcomes were requested through meetings, discussions, questionnaires and archives of the CIE Department in the period from 2016 to 2019. Data analysis was performed using Likert scale, statistical analysis, qualitative analysis and judgment to evaluate and perform the necessary reviews and revisions in the accreditation process.
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spelling doaj.art-e92041c1de5c4ba4bae74ea146c16d5f2023-08-02T04:06:22ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Engineering2331-19162021-01-018110.1080/23311916.2021.19951091995109ABET accreditation requirements and preparation: Lessons learned from a case study of Civil Engineering ProgramRana A. M. Alhorani0Wejdan Abu Elhaija1Subhi M. Bazlamit2Hesham S. Ahmad3Al-Zaytoonah University of JordanPrincess Sumaya University for TechnologyAl-Zaytoonah University of JordanAl-Zaytoonah University of JordanWith the need for specialized civil engineers rising in local and regional markets, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan (ZUJ) had launched the Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (CIE) program in 2009. The CIE program has aspired to be among renowned universities worldwide through the recognition of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The CIE curriculum was adapted to meet the requirements of ABET. As a consequence of preparing for the first-time accreditation of the CIE program, the authors have learned several valuable lessons. This article constitutes a roadmap to those seeking first-time ABET (or other) engineering accreditation for their programs by reviewing the work of other successful first-time accreditation efforts and analyzing similar processes that were necessitated at ZUJ in preparation for the accreditation. In particular, the article describes the processes used and corresponding results of the ABET Site Visit completed in November and provides a good resource for conducting a sustainable continuous improvement process. Throughout the self-assessment process, feedback was gathered and information was solicited from internal and external formal/informal sources. Periodic collections of specific inputs regarding the program educational objectives, curriculum, and outcomes were requested through meetings, discussions, questionnaires and archives of the CIE Department in the period from 2016 to 2019. Data analysis was performed using Likert scale, statistical analysis, qualitative analysis and judgment to evaluate and perform the necessary reviews and revisions in the accreditation process.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2021.1995109engineering educationprofessional developmentcontinuous improvementengineering accreditation
spellingShingle Rana A. M. Alhorani
Wejdan Abu Elhaija
Subhi M. Bazlamit
Hesham S. Ahmad
ABET accreditation requirements and preparation: Lessons learned from a case study of Civil Engineering Program
Cogent Engineering
engineering education
professional development
continuous improvement
engineering accreditation
title ABET accreditation requirements and preparation: Lessons learned from a case study of Civil Engineering Program
title_full ABET accreditation requirements and preparation: Lessons learned from a case study of Civil Engineering Program
title_fullStr ABET accreditation requirements and preparation: Lessons learned from a case study of Civil Engineering Program
title_full_unstemmed ABET accreditation requirements and preparation: Lessons learned from a case study of Civil Engineering Program
title_short ABET accreditation requirements and preparation: Lessons learned from a case study of Civil Engineering Program
title_sort abet accreditation requirements and preparation lessons learned from a case study of civil engineering program
topic engineering education
professional development
continuous improvement
engineering accreditation
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2021.1995109
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AT subhimbazlamit abetaccreditationrequirementsandpreparationlessonslearnedfromacasestudyofcivilengineeringprogram
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