My son is interested in either computer science, computer engineering or software engineering. He has explored and visited many smaller colleges and is leaning towards Loras-which is ABET accredited-although not a strong engineeeing program and the degree is still in computer science I believe. He loved Carroll University and they offer software engineed. ring and comp science but no comp engineering-BUT it isn’t ABET accredited. How much does this ABET accreditation matter at the end of the day if he was to get an engineering degree from a place like Carroll? We are checking other schools still (Bradley, Valpo, Purdue-Purdue Polytechnic, Michigan Tech, Kettering, and Lawrence Tech).
If your not talking about the top schools (e.g. Stanford and UChicago both have some non ABET engineering programs which are leading edge) then it is fairly important. Having said that its really the reputation of the school that matters more than the accreditation. When I was in the government we required ABET accreditation for hiring engineering positions but that was easily waived with submission of the applicants transcripts. ABET is really a check for the rigor of the engineering program but it takes time and money for the school to apply and receive it. If the school doesn’t feel they need it (i.e. there reputation is solid) they may not bother.
For computer science and engineering, ABET accreditation (which is specific to the major) per se is not important except for special cases like taking the patent exam. However, ABET accreditation does indicate meeting a significant minimum standard in CS course offerings and content, and curricular requirements (though some curricular requirements are considered less important, such as the non-CS science requirement). Schools lacking ABET accreditation in CS can be very good (e.g. Stanford, CMU), but can also be quite poor.
Carroll College’s CS offerings look more like IT (managing computers and software) than what one would expect from CS (designing computers and software), so it is not a good choice for someone aiming to go into the kind of jobs that CS graduates typically aim for.
https://www.carroll.edu/courses/computer-science
For some other kinds of engineering (e.g. civil), ABET accreditation is much more important, since it is important for Professional Engineer licensing.
@ucbalumnus is exactly right. There is a world of difference between the requirements in this CS major link for Carroll college, posted above, and what you would see in either an ABET program or a non-ABET program at a top university (as CU123 mentions). In my opinion, this program would not provide the background for most students to be able to compete effectively for jobs at top tech firms. I would strongly advise against a program like this for most students.
Please don’t be confused that a few top schools offer non-ABET programs. There is a very big difference between this non-ABET program, and non-ABET programs at highly selective schools: Stanford, MIT, Chicago, Penn (has only two non-ABET programs I believe), and Carnegie Mellon. For example, the two non-ABET CS majors at Penn SEAS have more extensive overall requirements than the usual, ABET-accredited CS major and even require an additional special application to get admitted into these majors. (I am referring to NETS and DMD for the cc: geeks).
If he’s willing to leave the Midwest, there’s an outstanding, often overlooked school I’d add to the list, WPI. I don’t know anything about Carroll or Loras, but they seem to have a similar size and similar architecture. If those are the unifying factors, WPI won’t disappoint. It has better engineering than any of the schools on the list so far, but isn’t terribly competitive to get in. They have a very novel, project based curriculum, 7 week terms, and real study abroad where students can work doing their major while overseas. Lots to like there. ABET CE only though, no CS or SE. Good luck.
Four or five years ago I went through the top 100 CS departments as ranked by US News, and something like 40 of the 100 were accredited. I’ve been working as a programmer since 1983 and it wasn’t until I came onto college confidential a few years ago that I learned there was any accreditation for CS programs. It’s not a big deal.
@eyemgh WPI seems to have very tough requirements for admission. 3.8GPA and average 30 ACT. My son would never get accepted. Hence the reason why we are struggling. He wants that kind of college but it won’t happen which is why we are kind of stuck with liberal arts-and trying to find the best liberal arts college with a good computer program is tough. Maybe a 3-2 program will have to work, or maybe Valpo?? Michigan Tech is on our list but that is probably the hardest school for him to get into based on the schools on our list and his current GPA and ACT. He’s a great student-just doesn’t test well and is coming from a college prep school with lots of leadership qualities-he’s got so much to offer.
What are his GPA and SAT scores?
Is Union College too far away? It has a very good CS and CE.
Here is an older post listing some smaller colleges’ offerings of junior/senior level CS courses. Note that many of them are not that selective. Verify on college web sites because some may have changed.
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19190340/#Comment_19190340
For smaller colleges not on the list, you can go through their catalogs and schedules to see what they offer and how frequently.
@eyemgh 3.1 GPA and 18 on ACT. Not taking SAT unless he has to. His high school still pushes ACT. He goes to a college prep private school so the rigor is tough-where 70% is an F.
@simba9 I’m not against him going out of state, but NY isn’t somewhere he’s considered.
WPI is test optional. Portland State would be a good option too, also test optional.
Some students do better on the SAT than ACT.
Cost constraints?
@nsrsfamily Which state are you in?
The new SAT has moved in style to be a bit more like the ACT, in that there is a significant amount of reading, even on math problems. ACT though is really all about speed and that really disadvantages some students, especially those who have a challenge with deep, prolonged concentration.