Two programs from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology have received accreditation from ABET.

The Architectural and Construction Engineering (ARCE) and Mechanical Systems Engineering (MSEG) programs have been accredited by ABET after a 20-month review process. The added accreditation is retroactive to Oct. 1, 2016.

“ABET is the gold standard for technical education of all kinds,” said Nickolas Jovanovic, professor in the Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering. “Meeting the accreditation standards for ABET is a testament to the high quality of the UA Little Rock ARCE and MSEG programs, their faculty, and graduates.”

Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-reviewed process that evaluates many factors, including curriculum, educational facilities, institutional support, faculty expertise, student performance, and outcomes. Many employers require degrees from accredited programs for employment in certain technical fields.

The Architectural and Construction Engineering program in the Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering was approved by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education in August 2012, and the program produced its initial graduating class in May 2017. UA Little Rock’s program focuses on building structure design and construction engineering and management. All students in the program are required to complete a minimum of 800 contact hours of practical work experience in an approved construction- or engineering-related activity to gain valuable industry experience and insights.

The Mechanical Systems Engineering program in the Department of Systems Engineering started in the spring 2017 semester. It is a unique, interdisciplinary program which combines the strengths of traditional mechanical engineering with a core of systems engineering concepts.

ABET, previously known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, accredits college and university programs in the disciplines of applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology at the associate, bachelor and master degree levels. Accreditation criteria focus on what students experience and learn. Sought worldwide, ABET’s voluntary peer-review process is highly respected because it adds critical value to academic programs in the technical disciplines, where quality, precision and safety are of the utmost importance. ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.