West Virginia University’s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources has received across-the-board approval for its undergraduate and graduate programs from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

“We are proud to announce that all of our degree programs that could be accredited received full approval from the ABET Board,” said Dr. Warren Myers, associate dean of academics at the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. “This accreditation means that our program curricula meet the expectations of their professional societies and the students in the program are learning what we say we are teaching them.”

“Engineering is a critical field not only within the state of West Virginia, but also for the entire nation as the engineers of tomorrow will power our nation in the 21st century,” said provost Michele Wheatly. “ABET accreditation speaks to the preparedness of our students to meet that challenge.”

Undergraduate programs that received ABET accreditation are:

• aerospace engineering
• chemical engineering
• civil engineering
• computer engineering
• computer science
• electrical engineering
• industrial engineering
• mechanical engineering
• mining engineering
• petroleum and natural gas engineering

Graduate programs are:

• safety management
• industrial hygiene

Because it is a new field not affiliated with an accreditation agency, WVU’s biometrics degree program has not undergone an accreditation review process.

Accreditation was granted after a self study was prepared by each program. Each study outlined a list of criterion including curriculum, facilities and program outcomes. Upon review of each self study, a team of ABET professionals visited the College to review the programs first-hand. The process takes about one year to complete.

“This success is a tribute to the dedication of our faculty and staff to provide CEMR students with a quality and rigorous STEM education that prepares them well for the practice of their professions,” said dean Gene Cilento.

ABET is the recognized accreditation agency for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and technology. In addition, it is a federation of 30 professional and technical societies representing these fields.

-WVU-

8/31/10

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CONTACT:
Nicole Riggleman
Communications, Marketing and Public Relations
College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
(304) 293-4257
Nicole.riggleman@mail.wvu.edu