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In this Spring 2018 photo, WIU-QC Engineering student-interns learn about equipment at the Quad Cities Manufacturing lab located on the Rock Island Arsenal.
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WIU-QC Engineering Receives ABET Accreditation

September 19, 2018

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MOLINE, IL - Western Illinois University-Quad Cities' degree program in Mechanical Engineering has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, and its general Engineering degree has been re-accredited. ABET is the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.

ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical engineering fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies, and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public. Accreditation reviews look at program curricula, faculty, facilities, and institutional support.

"ABET's peer-review process is highly respected, because it adds critical value to academic programs in the engineering disciplines, where quality, precision, and safety are of the utmost importance," said William Pratt, director of the WIU School of Engineering. "We go through this voluntary accreditation process as a means of continuous improvement of our degrees, with the reviews being conducted by teams of highly skilled professionals from industry, academia, and government. This proves that students can be confident that they are receiving a quality education."

Pratt noted that the School of Engineering also recently received a gift from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, which has allowed for upgrades of lab equipment and software licenses that continue to enhance students' capabilities and education.

ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). It currently accredits programs at more than 750 colleges and universities in 31 countries. More information about ABET can be found at abet.org.

Western Illinois University was been recognized for the 14th consecutive year as a "Best Midwestern University" by U.S.News and World Report.

For more information about Western Illinois University's bachelor's degree program in Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, visit wiu.edu/engineering.
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Posted By: Alison McGaughey (AR-McGaughey@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing