USI Manufacturing Engineering Program Receives ABET Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering (BSMFE) program at the University of Southern Indiana has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.

First offered as a named degree in 2016, USI’s BSMFE program, housed in the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education, is the only baccalaureate program of its kind in the state of Indiana and one of less than 25 in the United States.

“We are excited to be offering the only ABET-accredited Manufacturing Engineering program in the state of Indiana,” said Dr. Zane Mitchell, Dean of the Pott College. “Graduates from this program will be able to leverage the hands-on experiences gained in USI’s state-of-the-art Applied Engineering Center in a wide variety of manufacturing industries in the region and the state.”

Students in the BSMFE program learn to apply engineering principles in the design of products and processes, taking them to the forefront of industry and the production of goods that benefit society. Upon graduation, USI alumni from the program will be able to recognize manufacturing issues and implement effective solutions as they pursue opportunities in governmental, consulting or private industry positions.

“This distinction allows our graduates to become registered professional engineers and work within a multitude of advanced industrial and manufacturing operations,” said Dr. Paul Kuban, Chair of the USI Department of Engineering. “Our students continue to benefit from the excellent facilities and laboratories at USI, as well as our accessible, enthusiastic and experienced faculty.”

The BSMFE program joins USI’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) program and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in having ABET certification. USI launched the BSE program in 2002 and has worked closely with community partners to develop programs and curriculum that both enrich students and fulfill the needs of local and regional stakeholders.

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.