9/19/2005

Contact: K.E. Schwab -- 724-738-2199; e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

 SRU COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAMS EARN 6 PRESTIGIOUS COMPUTING ACCREDITATIONS

      SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Slippery Rock University’s computer science department has received accreditation by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., the recognized accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. The accreditation recognizes the departments program in computer science as well as five concentrations its information systems area.

          ABET accreditation recognizes the programs commitment to providing students with quality education. SRU currently has nearly 100 students majoring in computer science and 60 majoring in information systems studies.

          Department chair Dr. David Valentine, associate professor of computer science, says, “We are unbelievably excited about this recognition. ABET certification is an important acknowledgment of the excellence of our programs in computer science and in information systems. It is a guarantee to our students that they are receiving an outstanding education in computing at Slippery Rock University.”

          Valentine, adds, “Of all the computing degrees offered in Pennsylvania, only eight are accredited in computer science with only three accredited in information systems. SRU stands out as one of the best choices available to students wanting to study computing!”

          “This is truly an important milestone for our computer science department and our faculty are to be commended for their work in obtaining this important accreditation, as well as for the outstanding teaching they are providing within computer science and information systems classes. This accreditation from an outside body speaks volumes about the quality of education Slippery Rock University students receive and once again points to the rock-solid educational opportunities available to our students,” said President Robert Smith on learning of the accreditation.

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

          One of the key elements of ABET accreditation is the requirement 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 the assessment.

          In addition to providing colleges and universities a structured mechanism to assess, evaluate, and improve their programs, 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.

          ABET is a not-for-profit organization, owned and operated by its more than 25 professional and technical member societies. An internationally respected organization with some 1,500 volunteers, ABET has set the higher-educational standards in its fields for nearly 75 years. More information about ABET, its member societies, and the evaluation criteria used to accredit programs can be found at www.abet.org.           

      For more information about SRU’s degree programs in computing, visit http://cs.sru.edu

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