ABET accreditation is assurance that a college or university program meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students.

For example, an accredited engineering program must meet the quality standards set by the engineering profession. An accredited computer science program must meet the quality standards set by the computing profession.

ABET accredits postsecondary degree-granting programs housed within regionally accredited institutions. ABET accredits programs only, not degrees, departments, colleges, or institutions.

The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, a school with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, has adopted the following ABET Program Educational Objectives for the training of our undergraduates pursuing Engineering Sciences:

Objectives

Program educational objectives are broad statements that describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduates to achieve.

• The Engineering Sciences program seeks to prepare graduates who:

1. establish themselves in a diverse range of engineering careers in industry and government or engage in advanced work in engineering, business, law or medicine;

2. after a few years, demonstrate leadership in their chosen profession.

Outcomes

• An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering [ABET, 3a].
• An ability to design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data, and report findings [ABET, 3b].
• An ability to design a system, component or process to meet specifications [ABET, 3c].
• An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams [ABET, 3d].
• An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems [ABET, 3e].
• An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility [ABET, 3f].
• An ability to communicate effectively, including oral, written and visual forms [ABET, 3g].
• The acquisition of a broad education and knowledge of contemporary issues necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context [ABET, 3h].
• A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-long learning to remain effective in a climate of continually emerging technologies. [ABET 3i]
• A knowledge of contemporary issues  [ABET 3h]
• An ability to use the techniques, skills and modern tools necessary for engineering practice [ABET, 3k].