Orlando, FL – Valencia College’s bachelor’s degree program in electrical and computer engineering technology has received ABET accreditation, an internationally recognized accreditation that will open more job opportunities to Valencia College’s engineering graduates.
Because of the ABET accreditation, graduates of Valencia’s engineering technology program can now take the Professional Engineer licensure exam in the state of Florida. The accreditation is retroactive and applies to all students who graduated from the program after Oct. 1, 2017.
“This is a significant milestone for Valencia College to have a very high-quality, external validation of its first baccalaureate program,” said Paul Wilder, dean of Valencia College’s engineering, computer programming and technology programs. “ABET accreditation is a game changer for our students and the program. I am honored to work with a faculty that is dedicated to high value and quality of education. They worked tirelessly to accomplish this monumental task.”
ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology) is a nonprofit, non-governmental agency that accredits programs in applied and natural science, computer, engineering and engineering technology. ABET accreditation provides assurance that a college or university program meets the quality standards for the profession for which that program prepares graduates.
Since the 2010 launch of Valencia’s bachelor’s degree program in electrical and computer engineering technology, graduates have been hired by dozens of employers, including Lockheed Martin, Siemens, Microsoft, Google, and theme park operators including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida.
While local employers know Valencia has high standards for its program graduates, ABET accreditation provides assurance to employers, both nationally and internationally, that the students graduated from a rigorous engineering program, said Masood Ejaz, professor and program chair. “Companies in other parts of Florida and other states, and even international companies, usually rely on ABET accreditation to judge the quality of engineering and technology education that a student would have received as one of the deciding factors to offer a job to the student,” Ejaz added.
In addition, students who graduate from ABET-certified programs are eligible to apply for licensure, registration, and certification—all of which often require graduation from an ABET-accredited program as a minimum qualification. Students in ABET programs are often eligible for more grants, scholarships and loans, added Ali Notash, professor of engineering.
Matt Taylor, a mechanical engineer at Mitsubishi Power and a member of the Valencia College Industrial Advisory Council, said “ABET accreditation significantly increases the value of a technical degree from Valencia College. Search ‘ABET’ on any job website and you will see it listed as a specific requirement on engineering job postings for many different companies, including our own. This credential will boost the quality of the program and creates more job opportunities for Valencia College graduates.”
For more information on Valencia College’s bachelor’s degree program in electrical and computer engineering, please visit https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/departments/engineering/programs/bachelor-electrical-computer-engineering-technology/index.php