UNA'S CIS DEPARTMENT RECEIVES ABET ACCREDITATION
September 9, 2008
FLORENCE, Ala. — The University of North Alabama’s Department of Computer Information Systems recently received notification of accreditation by ABET Inc.
ABET, formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, is a federation of 29 professional and technical societies and currently has four accreditation commissions in the applied science, computing, engineering and technology fields.
“We’ve been aware of ABET’s intention to begin accreditation of information systems programs for probably six or eight years,” said Dr. Paulette Alexander, CIS department chair. “When they got their standards together, we started reviewing our program and seeking a program that would conform to those standards. We launched a new curriculum in fall 2006 that was designed specifically to meet those standards.”
UNA’s CIS department is the first program of its kind in the Southeast to receive accreditation within a college of business.
Alexander also said that an additional faculty member was hired in preparation for the accreditation and that it will elevate the department’s status in comparison to other schools.
She also said the accreditation was a voluntary step for the department’s two degree options: enterprise information systems and end user computing systems.
“Our students have learned that employers look favorably on graduating from institutions with accreditation,” said Alexander. “It’s a recognition of the program’s quality. It’s also a very good way to validate what you’re doing with other institutions around the state and the country.”
Alexander said the accreditation will not mean major changes in the department but will serve as a reminder to stay ahead in the game.
“We have state-of-the-art technology already in place,” she said. “Our plan will be to stay as close to the cutting edge as we possibly can and have our students well prepared for the world of work.”
