STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Franciscan University of Steubenville’s bachelor of science programs in mechanical engineering and software engineering have been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, a nonprofit, ISO 9001-certified quality assurance organization. Through the accreditation of academic programs, recognition of credentials, and assessment of student learning, ABET supports excellence in education worldwide.

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.

“This accreditation is an important step for engineering at Franciscan University, opening a wide range of new doors for our students in employment, graduate study, and professional licensure. It gives us an even stronger foundation to build on what we do well: forming technically and professionally excellent engineers who solve difficult problems, build things that matter, and approach their work as a vocation of service to God and others,” said Dr. Tyler Brown, department chair for Franciscan’s engineering and computing programs. “This is a significant milestone, and it points toward the continued growth and momentum of engineering at Franciscan.”

The accreditation of the Mechanical Engineering Program is effective retroactively to October 1, 2024, while the accreditation of the Software Engineering Program is effective retroactively to October 1, 2023.

Franciscan launched its Software Engineering Program in fall 2021 and its Mechanical Engineering Program in fall 2022. Both are housed in the Department of Engineering and Computing within the School of Natural and Applied Sciences. The programs combine rigorous technical education with Franciscan University’s Catholic intellectual tradition, including an emphasis on ethical decision-making, virtue, and developing technologies that serve the human person.

“At Franciscan, engineering students receive the hands-on technical preparation and Catholic formation they need to solve real-world problems with skill, creativity, and purpose. In state-of-the-art engineering laboratories, students use advanced technology to put classroom concepts into practice. However, we believe that excellent engineering preparation goes beyond technical ability,” said Dr. David Collins, dean of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences. “We form ethical engineers who understand their responsibility to use technology in service to others. Professors know and mentor students throughout their preparation, helping them see engineering not simply as a career, but as a vocation. ABET accreditation of our programs assures that our graduates have a solid educational foundation and are capable of leading the way in innovation, emerging technologies, and in anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.”

Sought worldwide, ABET’s 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’s 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.

ABET currently accredits 4,773 programs at 930 colleges and universities in 41 countries and areas as of October 1, 2024.

More information about ABET, its member societies, and the accreditation criteria used to evaluate programs can be found at ABET.org.

Franciscan University of Steubenville integrates strong academic programs with a dynamic Catholic faith environment to educate, evangelize, and send forth joyful disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit.

View the program pages for more information about Franciscan University’s Mechanical Engineering and Software Engineering programs.