By Jeff Murphy,
September 22, 2020
![欧美视频 Sign](/news/university-news/posts/images/ucm-sign.jpg)
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 , an organization that sets the standard worldwide for the accreditation of programs
in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology,
has approved accreditation for six 欧美视频 academic programs.
All of these programs are housed in the College of Health, Science and Technology.
ABET announced its decision to continue accreditation for the Bachelor of Science
in Computer Science - Computer Science Option and the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
programs. Also reaccredited were the Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene, Master
of Science in Occupational Safety, and the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety,
which includes options in Environmental Management, Safety Management and Occupational
Health Management. The Bachelor of Science in Construction Management was accredited
for the first time.
Belinda Copus, undergraduate program coordinator in computer science and software
engineering, said that in considering the BS in Computer Science 鈥 Computer Science
Option and the BS in Cybersecurity, ABET conducted a site visit in fall 2019 for both
programs. In making its decision to continue accreditation, ABET reviewed program-level
student outcomes and curriculum requirements, level of support by the institution,
and definition and evidence of application of a continuous improvement process.
鈥淪ubstantial work is required to execute and maintain a continuous improvement process,鈥
Copus said. 鈥淭he faculty in Computer Science and Cybersecurity are committed to applying
our process so that we enable our students to graduate with market demand skills,
both technical and non-technical, and to be work-ready upon graduation. Our students
are equipped to enter the workforce and to continue to develop and advance their careers
as computer science and cybersecurity professionals.鈥
As for what accreditation means, Copus noted, 鈥淪tudents can have an extra measure
of confidence in the quality of the program. Because the program is continually reviewing
itself and introducing changes based on measures of outcomes, input from our advisory
board, students, and faculty, the program is current in knowledge content and effective
in dissemination of program 鈥搒pecific knowledge.鈥
Leigh Ann Blunt, chair of the School of Geoscience, Physics and Safety, said, 鈥淎BET
accreditation is the gold standard for safety programs and puts UCM among only a handful
of programs in the U.S. with this distinction,鈥
She pointed out that ABET considers general criteria and program-specific criteria
in making its decision regarding accreditation.
A designation that is sought globally, ABET鈥檚 voluntary peer-review process is highly
respected because it adds critical value to academic programs in the technical disciplines,
where quality, precision, and safety are of the utmost importance. Developed by technical
professionals from ABET鈥檚 member societies, ABET criteria focus on what students experience
and learn. ABET accreditation reviews look at program curricula, faculty, facilities,
and institutional support and are conducted by teams of highly skilled professionals
from industry, academia, and government, with expertise in the ABET disciplines.
Blunt said procedures that lead up to ABET鈥檚 action included submission of a request
for evaluation by Jan. 31 of the year of the on-site visit; completion of a self-study
for each program to be submitted by July 1; an on-side visit by the ABET accreditation
team between September and December; and notification of accreditation actions by
August or September.
Information provided by Ronnie Rollins, associate professor and chair of the School
of Technology, noted that the accreditation of the BS in Construction Management extends
retroactively from Oct. 1, 2018. The steps toward accreditation were consistent with
other UCM programs that received ABET accreditation.
The Construction Management program was initially accredited by the Association of
Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) in 1990. In 1992, the program
earned accreditation by the American Council for Construction Education, which was
maintained until 2017.
More information about ABET, its member societies, and the accreditation criteria
used to evaluate programs can be found at .