zweben@CIS.OHIO-STATE.EDU (Stu Zweben) (10/28/89)
The following announcement was released by the Computing Sciences
Accreditation Board (CSAB) this week. Questions that can be handled by
email can be addressed to me.
Stu Zweben, CSAB President
Dept. of Computer and Information Science
Ohio State University
2036 Neil Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
COPA RECOGNITION GRANTED TO THE COMPUTER SCIENCE ACCREDITATION COMMISSION
The Computer Science Accreditation Commission of the Computing Sciences
Accreditation Board (CSAC/CSAB) has received the official recognition of
COPA, the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation. This action by the COPA
Board of Directors on October 6, 1989, is the culmination of a rigorous
two and one-half year review process for CSAC/CSAB. The recognition by
COPA follows the 1988 recognition by the U.S. Secretary of
Education. CSAC/CSAB is listed in Department of Education publications as a
"reliable authority" and a "nationally recognized agency" for the
evaluation and accreditation of baccalaureate programs in computer science.
To secure COPA recognition, CSAC/CSAB provided evidence that the quality
assurance provided by CSAC/CSAB accreditation protects the interests of
students, their families, educational institutions, the computing professions,
employers, and the public. It was also shown that CSAC/CSAB's efforts are well
received among the members of these 'publics,' and that CSAC/CSAB follows
accepted practices of postsecondary accreditation agencies.
CSAB was founded five years ago by the Association for Computing Machinery
(ACM) and the Computer Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE-CS), the two largest membership societies for scholars and
professionals in computing and related areas. The rapid growth of computer-
related degree programs in the late seventies and early eighties created
many concerns about quality, consistency, and professional outcomes for
graduates in computer science. To remedy these concerns, ACM and IEEE-CS
continue to support the quality assurance provided by CSAC/CSAB accreditation.
Today, over 225 volunteers from both societies serve CSAC/CSAB as
members of program evaluation teams or as representatives to the Board or
Commission. These volunteers bring representation from higher education,
business and industry, government, and research organizations to the
accreditation process.
Since 1985, over 200 colleges and universities have indicated a desire for
an evaluation of their computer science programs by CSAC/CSAB. To date, more
than 100 programs have had evaluations and 81 have received CSAC/CSAB computer
science program accreditation. To qualify for evaluation, an undergraduate
computer science program must be designed to prepare its graduates for
professional employment and progressive careers as computer scientists.
An accredited program meets or exceeds CSAC/CSAB Criteria requirements for
Faculty, Curriculum, Laboratory and Computing Resources, Students, and
Institutional Support. Such programs provide an evenly-distributed core of
essential computer science topics, with sufficient advanced coursework,
projects, and laboratory experiences to prepare students for later
professional assignments. Also to be included in the program is a general
education component, with at least 25% of the student's program devoted
to a broadening education in the humanities, social sciences, communications,
and the arts. A solid foundation in mathematics and science, important for
a student's later growth, is part of an accreditable program, and
communications skills must be both developed and applied in the program.
An accreditation process covers about 18 months, beginning with an initial
evaluation request from the institution by January 31 prior to the academic
year in which the evaluation is desired. Each institution then submits an
in-depth self-study by June 1, and a CSAC/CSAB Evaluation Team then visits
each campus in the fall. Final action is taken by CSAC/CSAB at its annual
meeting in June.
Information on CSAC/CSAB computer science accreditation may be obtained by
calling or writing to CSAB headquarters.
Executive Director
Computing Sciences Accreditation Board
345 East 47th Street, 14th floor
New York, NY 10017
(212) 705-7314msmith@topaz.rutgers.edu (Mark Robert Smith) (10/28/89)
Does anyone on the net have a list of accredited schools? In particular, I would like to see if Rutgers is accredited. In my opinion, they shouldn't be. Their attitude is "We are NOT attempting to prepare our students for a job". Mark -- Mark Smith, KNJ2LH All Rights Reserved RPO 1604 You may redistribute this article only if those who P.O. Box 5063 receive it may do so freely. New Brunswick, NJ 08903-5063 msmith@topaz.rutgers.edu
ragarwal@sybil.cs.Buffalo.EDU (Rajesh S. Agarwalla) (10/29/89)
Hello, Even I would like to have the names of the schools having Computer Science accreditation. Where can I get the names from? I would be grateful, if someone could help me in this. Please e-mail to me at Thanks ragarwal@cs.buffalo.edu