12-18-2014, 06:49 PM
I don't believe they mention ABET at all, on the website. Really, there's nothing to mention, until there's a degree conferred. However, the program director is happy to answer questions about specifics with ABET, including his work with them to qualify for accreditation. He responds very quickly, in my experience.
As far as the equipment, the purchases are spread out, and depend on the courses needed. Much of it (maybe all, but I'll be safe and say "much") is National Instruments product...LABVIEW, the DAQ, ELVIS, RIO, add-ons. Some students have been able to source it more affordably from their work, but the APUS packages are pretty good deals. The materials are reused throughout the program. On the plus side, the books are covered by the book grant.
From what I understand of the ABET process, the curriculum has been aligned with the ABET standards. However ABET use actual student materials/product from classes as part of the final accreditation. This is why it can't be done in advance; they want to see the work actually completed, not just the marketing materials! So ABET isn't so much "grandfathering" as certifying based on actual student experiences/work product. Once the first students' work is approved, the program overall is approved (covering the initial students who were subjected to review).
I know, for example, that Excelsior asks students to save & submit actual work product from outside courses that they are transferring in, to prepare the ABET reaccreditation portfolio, in addition to the samples saved from courses in-house. So I can see how APUS is going through the process here.
As far as the equipment, the purchases are spread out, and depend on the courses needed. Much of it (maybe all, but I'll be safe and say "much") is National Instruments product...LABVIEW, the DAQ, ELVIS, RIO, add-ons. Some students have been able to source it more affordably from their work, but the APUS packages are pretty good deals. The materials are reused throughout the program. On the plus side, the books are covered by the book grant.
From what I understand of the ABET process, the curriculum has been aligned with the ABET standards. However ABET use actual student materials/product from classes as part of the final accreditation. This is why it can't be done in advance; they want to see the work actually completed, not just the marketing materials! So ABET isn't so much "grandfathering" as certifying based on actual student experiences/work product. Once the first students' work is approved, the program overall is approved (covering the initial students who were subjected to review).
I know, for example, that Excelsior asks students to save & submit actual work product from outside courses that they are transferring in, to prepare the ABET reaccreditation portfolio, in addition to the samples saved from courses in-house. So I can see how APUS is going through the process here.
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