Meeting educational and outcome assessment requirements of Criteria 2000

The ABET Board of Director has adopted an Engineering Accreditation Commission recommendation that a new accreditation criteria called “Criteria 2000” be circulated for a two-year comment period beginning January, 1996. It is hoped that the Criteria 2000, as appropriately amended, will be adopted and in place before the next millennium begins. Criteria two and three of section II represent a dramatic shift in emphasis relative to historic ABET criteria. Criterion two includes the requirement for detailed published educational objectives consistent with the mission of the institution. Criterion three requires an assessment process with documentation of results that drives ongoing development/improvement in the program. This paper describes the process followed by the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas to involve large numbers of faculty in the development of detailed educational objectives. Examples of objectives in several areas are given. Outcomes for these objectives and measurements used to determine the extent to which objectives are met are also discussed