Importance of ABET for engineering programs

How important is it to choose a program that has or might not have ABET accreditation?
Does it hold any importance in consideration for employment or further study at doctorate level?

The program that I'm thinking about is Iowa State's Computer or System engineering program

 

ABET accreditation is the standard Professional Accreditor (PA) in the engineering field. They are unusual in that they normally accredit a given program at either the graudate or undergraduate level but not both.

Attending an ABET accredited undergraduate program is very desireable if you later want to pursue graduate work at the masters level or if you want to sit for the PE exam. Some schools and states won't allow you to gain admission / sit for the PE with out an ABET accredited degree.

As for Iowa State - I doubt you'll have any problem doing anything you want with a MS from there. Iowa State is ABET accredited - but they choose to have their BS degrees accredited (which is typical) and not their grad program.

Regards - Andy

 

Thanks Andy!

 

That does seem odd. Does ABET give any explanation for this?

 

I must have been tired yesterday and didn't peruse the FAQs comme il faut!

This was right in their FAQs:

But at about $1600 per course, they don't come cheap!

 

I've hired about 25 engineers - never once have I enquired whether their degrees were ABET. Their experience counted for more - if no professional experience then they must have had a previous job or engineering oriented hobby. Everyone I hired turned out great.

 

I agree. Although all of the engineers I have hired have ABET degrees, it was not part of my decision. I would much rather have the right kind of person and train them to do the specifics that I need done, than to worry about the right pedigree.

 

Thank you for the feedback.
Another question: is there an age limit to "transition" into engineering jobs? I understand that age discrimination is against the law but productive years in a certain job or field have to be considered.
My situation: I was a military veteran when I finally finished my BSIS in 04. I worked in tech support for a while then went back in the military in late 06. I plan to get out when my officer service obligation is up. By the time I finish a master's in computer engineering, I'd be 37-38. Would this "advanced age" hurt in finding jobs in engineering companies as a green wet-behind-the-ears engineer?

 

The PE is almost a necessity if one works on public projects. You will find Civil Engineers, Agricultural Engineers, and Architectural Engineers often need the PE to work for companies doing public projects.

Most companies don't care about a PE. However, my company hires a lot of chemical engineers. One thing they do is give a bonus to those who attain the PE. Most engineers I work with don't have a PE.

Bing

 

Wouldn't hurt in my opinion (at least not in my organization). You have plenty of other experience.