The electrical engineering technology program educational objectives: Are they measurable and how?

Abstract

The Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) program developed a Program Educational Objectives assessment process in response to ABET accreditation requirements. Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) describe the attributes that we desire our graduates to possess three to five years after graduation 1. The BS degree program in EET will prepare graduates with the technical and managerial skills necessary to enter careers which involve the design, application, installation, manufacturing, operation and maintenance of electrical/electronic(s) systems. This paper details the PE O assessment process developed by the program, as well as the implementation process that took place in the academic year 2007-2008. An interim report submitted to ABET resulted in the resolution of the institutional weakness regarding ABET criterion 3 (Assessment and Evaluation)1. The PEOs are identified in line with ABET's Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) and support the EET program mission. For each PEO, a set of indirect assessment tools has been identified and the performance criteria for each tool have been set. These indirect assessment tools4 can include career center job placement data, alumni surveys, employer surveys, and input from the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB). This paper will discuss the PEOs, the process of how they are determined and reviewed, the role of the program constituencies in setting and reviewing them. Also discussed are the assessment tools, how these tools are used in the PEO assessment process, how frequently data is collected for each tool, who is responsible for data collection and analysis, and how data is used for continuous improvements. Information will be provided on the assessment process issues and challenges and can be used to help engineering technology programs seeking accreditation or re-accreditation. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2009.