Engineering Programs Earn Full Accreditation

Nine undergraduate programs are recognized for academic excellence, innovation and student success in a comprehensive review

Rutgers University-New Brunswick has earned full accreditation for all nine of its undergraduate engineering programs from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.

In a rigorous process that occurs at least every six years, the nonprofit organization evaluated the Rutgers programs on everything from curriculum and faculty to student outcomes and continuous improvement.

Engineering is a service profession, and a discipline rooted in solving real-world problems and advancing society, says School of Engineering Dean Alberto Cuitiño.

The assessment highlighted Rutgers as a national research powerhouse, with a robust infrastructure supporting engineering education. The School of Engineering, which administers most of the reviewed programs, was praised for its innovative approach to pedagogy and student engagement.

"We are extremely pleased with the report which once again validates the quality of Rutgers' engineering programs, but also celebrates its forward-thinking strategies," said Alberto Cuitiño, dean of the School of Engineering. "All nine programs passed with no concerns, weaknesses or deficiencies."

The nine undergraduate engineering programs were each assessed for compliance with strict academic and institutional standards.

The Rutgers School of Engineering, which administers eight of the nine accredited programs, supported 4,115 undergraduate students and 166 faculty members as well as conferred 826 bachelor's degrees in the 2023-24 academic year, the period ABET assessed. The environmental engineering program, jointly managed with the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, awarded 15 degrees to its 40 students.

Yingying Chen, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, called ABET accreditation a "cornerstone achievement" that affirms the department's commitment to excellence. The department is the School of Engineering's largest program.

"It proves our curriculum is aligned with the highest professional standards," she said, adding that the recognition enhances the department's ability to attract top talent and strengthen industry partnerships.

Students in the School of Engineering are encouraged to employ their talents to advance communities, and advance society.

For students, Chen said, the accreditation is "a mark of quality respected across the country and worldwide," signaling to employers and graduate schools that Rutgers electrical and computer engineering graduates are prepared to "innovate and build the technologies of tomorrow."

Engineering and environmental faculty are supported in developing active and inclusive teaching methods through the Institute for Teaching, Innovation and Inclusive Pedagogy, the report said. Engineering students benefit from rich experiential learning opportunities, with more than 60% participating in internships and over 30% engaging in undergraduate research, the report concluded.

Facilities such as the Bruce and Phyllis Nicholas Engineering Students Project Studio, which provide hands-on design experience through intercollegiate team competitions such as solar car and Formula racing challenges, were viewed as a strong positive.

Each engineering program was individually assessed. The 8-year-old Aerospace Engineering program, the School of Engineering's newest, was praised for its strong student involvement in multidisciplinary design competitions through the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) student club, according to the report. The student chapter includes the Rutgers Rocket Propulsion Laboratory and the RU Airborne team, where members focus on rocketry and aircraft design in competitions.

"Our strength lies in fostering excellence, collaboration and openness among faculty, students, industry partners and stakeholders," said Assimina Pelegri, chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. "All of us are collectively pushing the boundaries of academic achievement and professional leadership on a daily basis to promote innovation and meaningful impact in the field of aerospace engineering."

School of Engineering students are prepared to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation.

The program has benefited from strong industry partnerships and a collaborative culture, thanks to its location in a region with a robust presence in both civilian and defense aerospace activity, Pelegri said.

The environmental engineering program was commended for its collaborative structure across two schools.

"Environmental engineering students apply science and engineering concepts to protect and restore our air, water and soil quality, and to find sustainable solutions for energy, food, manufacturing and water resources," said Nenad Gucunski, chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. "Students are empowered and excited about becoming leaders in the protection, resilience and improvement of public health and our built and natural environments."

Other programs assessed included: biomedical engineering; chemical engineering; civil engineering; industrial engineering; materials science and engineering; and mechanical engineering.

ABET accredits college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. Through the accreditation of academic programs, recognition of credentials and assessment of student learning, ABET focuses on supporting excellence in education worldwide.

The year-long accreditation process involved a self-study report, a visit by reviewers and a comprehensive evaluation of student outcomes, curriculum and faculty.

Cuitiño said the central philosophy of the School of Engineering is that engineering is a service profession, a discipline rooted in solving real-world problems and advancing society.

"Engineers are builders and need to get their hands dirty - thinking about a solution is not enough," Cuitiño said. "We are here to develop the next generation of engineers that will be looking into how we can advance our communities, and how we can advance society."

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