Engineering Program Accreditation in Latin America and the Caribbean

The International Engineering Accreditation Alliance (IEA) is formed by the signatories of the six international agreements governing mutual recognition of qualifications and professional competence of engineers. Washington Accord recognizes substantial equivalence in professional engineering degrees (normally a 4 years degree). The Sydney Accord recognizes substantial equivalence in engineering technology degrees (normally a 3 year). The Dublin Accord provides the same for engineering technician degree (normally 2 years). There are three other agreements that cover competence standards for individual practicing engineers (the APEC Engineer Agreement, the International Professional Engineers Agreement, and the International Engineering Technologist Agreement). This paper will focus on engineering program accreditation, not credentialing of individual engineers. None of the engineering program accreditation agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean are members of the IEA. There are different strategies used to provide access to engineering program accreditation or quality assurance to universities in the Latin America and Caribbean. These are examined, and a summary of the state of engineering program accreditation in the region will be presented.