First for St.

Mary’s University’s Computer Engineering Program

Date: 2010-08-23
SAN ANTONIO—St. Mary’s University’s bachelor’s of science degree programs in electrical, industrial and computer
engineering have been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the ABET, Inc., the recognized
accrediting agency of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology.
ABET accreditation demonstrates a program’s commitment to providing its students with a quality education.

St. Mary’s computer engineering program is the first in San Antonio to be accredited by ABET, and one of only 11 in
Texas. The industrial and electrical engineering programs have been accredited for nearly 30 years and were re-
accredited during the most recent cycle.

“I am very pleased to see yet another one of our engineering programs recognized for having met the quality standards
of our profession,” said Winston Erevelles, Ph.D., Professor of Engineering and Dean of the School of Science,
Engineering, and Technology “We have a long-standing tradition of rigorous engineering education at St. Mary’s
University that is enhanced by our liberal arts heritage. Our Catholic, Marianist approach to education fosters an
environment where our students develop as individuals and as engineering professionals who distinguish themselves in
industry or enter graduate programs at some of the finest institutions in the nation.”

Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-review process that requires programs to undergo comprehensive, periodic
evaluations. The evaluations, conducted by teams of volunteer professionals working in industry, government,
academia, and private practice within the ABET disciplines, focus on program curricula, faculty, facilities, institutional
support, and other important areas.

ABET accreditation requires that programs continuously improve the quality of education provided. As part of this
continuous improvement requirement, programs set specific, measurable goals for their students and graduates, assess
their success at reaching those goals, and improve their programs based on the results of their assessment.

In addition to providing colleges and universities with a structured mechanism to assess, evaluate, and improve their
programs, ABET accreditation also helps students and their parents choose quality college programs, enables
employers and graduate schools to recruit graduates they know are well-prepared, and is used by registration, licensure,
and certification boards to screen applicants.

St. Mary’s School for Science, Engineering and Technology strives to meet students’ needs by offering them degree
programs that reflect today’s changing professional job market. This fall 2010 semester St. Mary’s will offer a pre-med
concentration within the engineering science degree program for students who want to pursue careers in medicine
and/or in biomedical engineering. In response to the need for more convenient, but still academically strong graduate
programs for professionals, the School is introducing an industry-responsive, online master’s degree in software
engineering for the spring 2011 semester. These are just the latest additions to the new degrees St. Mary’s now offers.

Graduates from the School of Science, Engineering and Technology are in high demand by the country’s top graduate
and professional schools, as well as regional and national organizations. The school offers small class sizes,
personalized attention from faculty, rigorous programs that combine scientific education with the liberal arts, a
dedicated and experienced faculty with a passion for student mentoring, classes taught primarily by full-time
professors, active learning in well-equipped laboratories, and internship and undergraduate research opportunities that
enhance the student experience.

St. Mary’s University is ranked No. 1 by Washington Monthly’s 2010 “College Rankings—What Can Colleges Do for
the Country” for promoting community service, fostering scientific and humanistic research, and making a quality
college education accessible and affordable. St. Mary’s is also ranked seventh in the West Region for quality and value
in “Great Schools, Great Prices” by U.S. News & World Report and is among Forbes list of “America’s Best Colleges”
for 2011.

St. Mary’s University, as a Catholic Marianist University, fosters the formation of people in faith and educates leaders
for the common good through community service, integrated liberal arts and professional education, and academic
excellence.