The Evolution of Computing Degrees: Tracking ABET Accredited Undergraduate Disciplines over Time

Abstract

Recent decades have seen the continual growth in the number and quality of undergraduate computing programs and disciplines. For example, the ACM and ABET draw distinctions between these computing disciplines: Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Software Engineering, and Cybersecurity. This paper analyzes data from ABET-accredited undergraduate programs in these disciplines, pulling in data from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education about the type of institution. We illustrate the contrasting initial growth pattern between Computer Engineering (slow growth) and Computer Science (rapid growth) and the newer disciplines (moderate growth). Information Technology is notable in its consistent growth and high percentage of accredited programs that are in research universities compared to other newer disciplines. Further analysis shows that about half of all institutions with an ABET accredited program have only one accredited program. This data can help inform academics, ABET, and others hoping to better understand the state of the computing disciplines and their trajectory so far.