A unified, interactive approach to degree program accreditation and quality assurance

In preparation for our accreditation visit in 2002 by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), faculty at the University of Arkansas Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department assembled a powerful, interactive electronic package designed to provide easy access to information needed. The self-study document, which is part of the package, includes our educational objectives, our assessment plans for programme outcomes, copies of all course syllabuses, links to examples of student work and documentation of our feedback loops in action. The package has been organized on a CD-ROM with hundreds of links to help the reader navigate through the material efficiently. Not only was the package useful for accreditation review, it has become an important tool used by the faculty for making changes in our programme. By routinely updating the package, we will facilitate steady and continuous quality improvement.