Accreditation

Academic programs at UMBC are accredited by regional and state agencies, and some programs have earned specialized accreditation. For information about UMBC accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and Maryland Higher Education Commission go to the UMBC Accreditation page.

The B.S. engineering programs in Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT), are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The B.S. program in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

ABET is the recognized accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. Accreditation ensures that a college or university program meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students. More information about ABET, its member societies, and the accreditation criteria used to evaluate programs can be found on the ABET website.

Why Is Accreditation Important?

• Quality Assurance: Accreditation helps students choose programs that meet established standards of excellence, ensuring they receive a robust and respected education.
• Professional Readiness: Accreditation signals to employers that graduates have developed the competencies and technical foundations required by the industry. Many employers look specifically for degrees from ABET-accredited programs.
• Career Pathways: Accreditation is used by registration, licensure, and certification boards to evaluate qualifications for professional practice.
• Continuous Improvement: Accreditation provides colleges and universities with a structured mechanism to regularly assess, evaluate, and enhance the quality of their programs.
• Academic Recognition: Accreditation ensures that graduate and professional schools recognize that our programs produce graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills for success in advanced study and professional environments.

Visit the department websites for further information about the programs, general criteria, educational objectives, and student outcomes.