ACCREDITATION BOARD FOR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) provides specialized accreditation evaluation services for engineering, computing, and applied science degree programs at higher education institutions. Its core capabilities center on rigorous program assessment against globally recognized criteria established by professional societies, ensuring educational quality, workforce readiness, and alignment with industry standards. ABET conducts on-site campus visits, reviews curriculum structures, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, and continuous improvement processes, applying standardized evaluation frameworks such as those defined by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC). The organization’s technical expertise lies in institutional accreditation methodology, outcome-based education assessment, and compliance verification for STEM disciplines, serving as an independent validator of academic rigor in engineering and technology education. ABET maintains a consistent relationship with the Department of Defense, delivering accreditation evaluation services to defense-affiliated institutions, particularly those training engineers and applied scientists for military and national security missions. These engagements involve assessing programs at service academies and defense technical schools to ensure graduates meet the technical and ethical standards required for defense-sector employment. ABET operates primarily within NAICS 611710 (Educational Support Services) and 611310 (Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools), positioning itself as the preeminent non-governmental accreditor of STEM higher education programs in the United States. Its market role is not as an educator but as a quality assurance entity that enables institutions to maintain eligibility for federal funding and professional licensure pathways. ABET is structured as a non-profit entity with headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. It holds no formal government certifications such as 8(a), HUBZone, or small business status. Its authority derives from recognition by the U.S. Department of Education and international accreditation bodies, not federal contracting certifications. Its geographic presence is anchored in Maryland, with operations extending nationwide through field evaluators and institutional partnerships.