Preparing the EAC Self Study

7/30/2019 Preparing the EAC Self Study

1/42

Sarah A. Rajala

Chair, EAC Materials Committee

ABET SymposiumSt. Louis, MO

April 20, 2012


2/42

Preparing an Effective

Self-Study

Goal

To facilitate preparation of the self-study

by engineering programs preparing for

ABET evaluation visits in 2012-2013 orlater.

Expected Outcome

Participants will understand the types ofresponses expected by teams to various

types of questions in the self-study.


3/42

Organization

Self-Study Basics and Context

The Preparation Activity

Sample Reporting Elements


4/42

Self-Study Basics and Context

Presents your program to the evaluation team

Information provided in the self-study is used by

the team to initially evaluate the program.

Basis for questions raised by the PEVs as they preparefor the campus visit

Provides the team its first impression of the extent

to which the program meets the criteria.

Note: While the self-study focuses primarily onaccreditation criteria, it also responds to questions related

to certain sections of the ABET Accreditation Policy and

Procedure Manual (APPM)


5/42

Audience for the Self-Study

Team Chair Overall team manager

Typically responsible for institutional issues

Responsible for overall statement

Presents the teams findings to the whole commission

Experienced evaluator, but maybe not in your specific discipline

Program Evaluators (PEV)

Evaluate specific programs for compliance with the criteria

Work with other PEVs and the team chair to apply consistent and

appropriate interpretation of the EAC criteria

Expertise in specific discipline

Recommended by professional societies (based on the program being

evaluated) for approval by the institution and the team chair

Observers (no evaluative role)


6/42

Tips to Connect with Your

Audience Make it easy for the reader to find information required:

Well-defined Table of Contents

To-the-point responses

Specific pointers to documents or other sections as appropriate

Clearly explain any institution- or program-specific

terminology

It is OK to use discipline-specific jargon/terminology.

Footnote if not sure what response is expected, to explainyour interpretation.


7/42

How is Self-Study Organized?

Follows the harmonized EAC criteria Students

Program Educational Objectives (note changes)

Student Outcomes (note changes)

Continuous Improvement (note changes)

Curriculum

Faculty

Facilities

Institutional Support

Program Criteria (as applicable)

General Criteria for Masters Level Program (as applicable)

Appendices (note changes)


8/42

Changes?

Criteria

Self-Study Questionnaire


9/42

Changes in the Criteria

The Harmonized Criteria were put into effect for

the first time in 2011-2012.

For the most part, they are not new.

There are changes of substance in three criteria:

Criterion 2, Criterion 3, and Criterion 4

The self-study you will prepare needs to reflect

these changes.


10/42

Changes in Criteria 2, 3, and 4

The assessment and evaluation processes associated

with Criteria 2 and 3 have been moved to Criterion 4.

Criterion 4 for 2012-13 requires that the program

regularly use appropriate, documented processes for

evaluating the extent to which both the PEOs and the

student outcomes are being attained. The results of these

evaluations must be utilized as input for the continuous

improvement of the program. Other available information

may also be used to assist in the continuousimprovement of the program.

Note the change in language in Criterion 4.


11/42

Changes in the Self-Study

Questionnaire

Some of the tables have been deleted or

moved.

Changes in table requirements for Criterion 1

New tables in Criteria 5 and 6

New content in Criterion 4

Appendices

Changes in format for syllabi and resumes Changes in section for Appendix D


12/42

Types of Responses

Narrative explanations

Tables and figures

Appendices (vitae, course descriptions,institutional summary)


13/42

Time Frame for Responses

Responses generally are for the year in which self-study

is prepared (year prior to visit).

Self-study is due July 1 of year of visit.

Assessment material will cover previous years as well. Some tables request information for years prior to self-

study.

Updates for year of visit can be provided on site to

evaluation team. Upcoming changes should be noted in self-study,

especially if they will be effective in year of visit.


14/42

The Preparation

Activity


15/42

How Do I Start?

Get a copy of the current EAC Self-Study

Questionnaire from the ABET website.

New and based on the harmonized criteria

Typically posted in July of the year preceding the visit It is a guided tour of what you will want to put

into the report.

It can be used as a checklist to help you gauge

criteria compliance and prepare for on-site visit.

It is not intended to be limiting.


16/42

Am I Required to Follow the Format of

the Self-Study Questionnaire? It is important that the overall structure in the Self-Study

Questionnaire be retained.

Be sure to include all items that appear in the Self-StudyQuestionnaire Table of Contents.

If you deviate, make it clear for the reader how and why,

and enable the reader to find material easily.

Explain and clearly link any institution- or program-specific terminology in the Self-Study Report to

terminology used in the Self-Study Questionnaire.


17/42

What About Tables and Figures?

Dont change the format without a good

reason.

Feel free to add additional tables and/or

figures to make your self-study moreunderstandable and to explain relevant points

about your program.

The objectives are content (numbers, facts,and trends) and clear communication.


18/42

We Made Major Changes in our

Program Recently. What Do We Do?

Great! You identified (perhaps through your program of

assessment and analysis) that a change was needed to

achieve objectives and/or outcomes. Relate the changes to statements in the criteria as much

as possible and describe them in the parts of the self-

study that relate to these criteria.

Include what led to them, when they take effect, andwhen their impact will be assessed.


19/42

We Have Questions While We Are

Preparing the Self-Study

Call ABET HQ

Ask for

EAC Adjunct Accreditation Director Dr. DayneAldridge, or

Ms. Maryanne Weiss, ABETs Accreditation

Director


20/42

Preparation Tips

Recognize that much of the work is done on anongoing basis in the true spirit of accreditation.

Appoint a leader for self-study preparation (in theyear prior to the year of your visit).

Assign tasks to key persons at program, college,and institutional level as appropriate.

Synthesize materials into a coherent whole.

Leave time for review before due date. By someone not involved in the preparation, if possible.


21/42

What Are the Visitors Really

Looking For?

Demonstration that your program meets the

EAC criteria and applicable ABET policies

and procedures.


22/42

Self-Study Submission ABET

A Self-Study Report for each program and one

set of supplemental materials on paper or

PDF files (on CD, DVD, or data stick)

If submitted via electronic media, the material mustbe self-contained and may not include hot links.

Do not combine hard copy and electronic media.

Do not submit via email.


23/42

Self-Study Submission Dates

Who/when do I mail my materials to?

Engineering Accreditation Commission,

ABET (July 1) Team chair (July 1)

PEVs (as directed by the team chair)

Observers (as directed by the team

chair)


24/42


25/42

Criterion 5. Curriculum

Alignment with program educational objectives

Support of student outcomes

Flowchart or worksheet of pre-requisite structure for

required courses

Compliance with curricular requirements math &

science, engineering topics, and general education

Major design experience (ties to prior coursework,engineering standards, realistic constraints)


26/42

Table 5-1: Curriculum(Page 13 of the Self-Study Questionnaire)

Course(Department, Number, Title)

List all courses in the program by term starting with first term of first year andending with the last term of the final year.

Indicate WhetherCourse is Required,

Elective or a SelectedElective by an R, an E

or an SE.1

Subject Area (Credit Hours)

Last Two Termsthe Course was

Offered:Year and,

Semester, orQuarter

MaximumSection

Enrollment

for the LastTwo Terms the

Course wasOffered2

Math &Basic

Sciences

EngineeringTopics

Check ifContains

SignificantDesign ()

GeneralEducation Other

For courses that include multiple elements (lecture, laboratory, recitation,

etc.), indicate the maximum enrollment in each element.

Required courses are required of all students in the program, electivecourses are optional for students, and selected electives are courses

where students must take one or more courses from a specified group.


27/42

More on the Curriculum Table

Options, concentrations, pathways

Current vs. new curriculum (handling versions)

Guidance for large lists: What do I do if I have an

extensive list of electives? The PEVs will be looking at the syllabi in the

appendix along with this table.

Ensure consistency, clarity, and completeness of

information

Add footnotes if helpful.


28/42

One Year of Study

Criteria One Year of Study =

Engineering

(EAC)

32 semester credit hours

OR25% of total credits for degree,

whichever is less


29/42

Criterion 6. Faculty

Addresses faculty qualifications, workload,

size, professional development, and the

authority and responsibility of the faculty.

Two tables

Faculty Qualifications

Faculty Workload Summary


30/42

Table 6-1: Faculty Qualifications


31/42

More on the Curriculum Table

Options, concentrations, pathways

Current vs. new curriculum (handling versions)

Guidance for large lists: What do I do if I have an

extensive list of electives? The PEVs will be looking at the syllabi in the

appendix along with this table.

Ensure consistency, clarity, and completeness of

information

Add footnotes if helpful.


32/42

One Year of Study

Criteria One Year of Study =

Engineering

(EAC)

32 semester credit hours

OR25% of total credits for degree,

whichever is less


33/42

Criterion 6. Faculty

Addresses faculty qualifications, workload,

size, professional development, and the

authority and responsibility of the faculty.

Two tables

Faculty Qualifications

Faculty Workload Summary


34/42

Table 6-1: Faculty Qualifications

Faculty NameHighest DegreeEarned- Field

and Year

Rank1

TypeofAcadem

icAppointment2

T,TT

,NTT

F

TorPT4

Years ofExperience

ProfessionalRegis

tration/Certification Level of

Activity

H, M, or L

Govt./Ind.Pra

ctice

Teach

ing

ThisInstitution

ProfessionalOrganizations

ProfessionalDeve

lopment

Consulting/summe

rworkin

industry


35/42

Table 6-2: Faculty Workload Summary

FacultyMember(name)

PT or FT1

ClassesTaught

(CourseNo./CreditHrs.)

Term andYear2

Program Activity Distribution3

% of TimeDevoted

to theProgram5

Teaching

Research orScholarship

Other4


36/42

Appendix A: Course Syllabi

Follow outline provided (specifies minimum required

information) Course number and name

Credits and contact hours

Instructors or course coordinators name Textbook, title, author, and year

Specific course information

Specific goals for the course (Link to Criterion 3: Student Outcomes)

Brief list of topics to be covered

Common format for all courses

No more than two pages for each course


37/42

Appendix B: Faculty Vitae

Support summary in faculty analysis table

Show education, experience, recent and

current activities, currency in the field

Help PEV identify who to interview

Common format for all faculty include

requested information

Two-page limit


38/42

Appendix C: Equipment

List of major pieces of equipment that

support instruction


39/42

Appendix D: Institutional Summary

Note changes in the tables


40/42

Resources on ABET Web Site


41/42

Get Very Familiar with .

Accreditation Criteria, Policies & Procedures

Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs,

2012-2013 Review Cycle (PDF)

2012-2013 Accreditation Policy and Procedure

Manual (PDF)

Self-Study Questionnaire: Template for the

Engineering Self-Study Report (DOC)


42/42

Questions &

Answers

Preparing the EAC Self Study

Documents

Transcript of Preparing the EAC Self Study