Preparing for an accreditation visit using ABET Engineering Criteria 2000

Engineering Criteria 2000 contains two kinds of items: (1) requirements which must be satisfied, as well as (2) other evidence mentioned that may be used but is not required. Since the new criteria include a number of items of both kinds not considered directly in the present Topics Criteria a longer lead time is needed for the initial preparation. These items are grouped in this paper and a common-sense time schedule suggested for implementation in preparing for an accreditation visit under Engineering Criteria 2000 for programs in electrical engineering and computer engineering at the University of Kansas in the Fall of 2000. A particular emphasis is placed on the program outcomes and assessment criterion. Comparisons with the Topics Criteria are presented and recommendations made on avoiding some common problems. Selected information from a working symposium in April 1997 at Rose-Hulman on best assessment practices in engineering education is also included.