Engineering Management Program Accreditation: Comparing AACSB and ABET

It is feasible for engineering management, industrial engineering, management information systems or similar programs to achieve accreditation by both the Association for Advancing Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) or Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC). A small number of programs have done so and there is active movement toward this end by some other programs. Most of the criteria of each accrediting body are compatible or even synergistic. This paper explores the similarities and differences in the accreditation philosophies of the two accrediting bodies and how those philosophies apply to engineering management programs in particular.