Excelsior College and ABET Accreditation

I looked up Excelsior's accreditation with ABET and only their Electronics Engineering Technology Program is accredited by ABET. Does this mean it is not a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering (BSEE)? What is the difference and does it make a difference?

mgolini

 

Hi mgolini,

ABET has two types of accreditation (for engineering).

EAC - for bonafide engineering programs.

TAC - for engineering "Technology" programs.

Both types of programs will normally be 4 year BS degrees and to a certain extent are very similar, HOWEVER...

the TECHNOLOGY (for example Excelsior's BSEET program) degree does not have as much math as an BSEE program (for example UND's DL BSEE program). Looks like its typically a year more of calculus. In addition the upper level engineering credits in a Technology program are more geared towards existing technology (hence the title of the degree) while the BSEE programs lean more towards classes on theory.

Make a long story short.. the BSET (BEE, BSEET, whatever) is an "applied" engineering program (an engineering LITE, if you will).

Doesn't mean a BSEE is really BETTER than a BSET. In an ideal job setting, a BSEE would have a design (at the drawing board) role. The Technologist (BSET grad) would carry out the design engineers idea and make it work. Finally, the engineering technician (typically an ASET grad) would actually build and test it.

Sometimes BSET's get engineering positions. Sometimes they get Technologists positions (seen BSET grads as low level technicians as well). Depends the job market, your expectations, and your experience.

Best Regards,

Bill

 

In any event, UND and Excelsior require non D/L lab courses. It really isn't possible to do an engineering or technology degree entirely by D/L, worse luck.
I wish there were; I live in a town with a full-fledged engineering college but ALL of the classes are offered ONCE per year and during the day. No evenings; no weekends.
Now, New Mexico is a tech-heavy state due to the defense establishment and Intel. Wouldn't you think these programs would be offered at a time and place that would serve working adults?
225 miles north of me, the University of New Mexico offers a BSEE at night. Why won't New Mexico State?
Nosborne, JD

 

My sympathies, Nosborne. I'm lucky enough to live in the Chicago area, where evening/weekend opportunities for both BSEE/BSEET exist.

 

Hmm. Now THAT'S an idea...do they need criminal defense lawyers in Chicago?

Nosborne, JD (for whom the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side!)

 

No - no crime in Chigaco

 

No, they have plenty, but they could use some honest ones!

 

Not that I'm an expert, but there seem to be plenty of lawyers, criminals, criminal lawyers and lawyer criminals in the Chicago area. A veritable land of opportunity, so to speak. I'm just glad the Chicago Police nailed the robbery ring that was working the Red line.