LSSU Engineering Programs Earn ABET Accreditation

Lake Superior State University is celebrating a major milestone: its Bachelor of Science programs in Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, and Robotics Engineering have all been accredited by ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission.

This accreditation recognizes that the programs meet high, nationally respected standards and that graduates are well prepared for technical careers. It’s an especially big achievement for the Robotics Engineering program, which earned ABET accreditation for the first time, while the other three programs successfully renewed theirs.

More than 2,000 experts from universities, companies, and government help carry out the ABET accreditation process. They’re the ones who review programs like LSSU’s, and they know what today’s engineering jobs demand. They take a close look at each program to make sure students are getting the training they need to succeed.

This focus on program quality matters even more today because the demand for skilled engineers is rising nationwide.

Transportation agencies are already short on qualified civil engineers, and many are struggling to replace retiring staff. A national survey from the MissionSquare Research Institute adds to this concern, showing that 83% of state and local agencies are receiving fewer qualified engineering applicants.

This shortage has forced many transportation departments to rely more on outside help.

A Government Accountability Office review found that nearly all state DOTs rely heavily on engineering consultants, with many outsourcing more than half of their design work because of limited in-house staffing capacity. 

The private sector is facing the same challenge, with the AGC’s 2025 Workforce Survey reporting that 92% of contractors are having trouble filling open jobs, including engineering roles.

These nationwide shortages show why strong engineering programs matter, and that’s where ABET accreditation plays a critical role. 

The Real-World Importance of ABET Accreditation 

ABET accreditation goes far beyond academics and it has practical, industry-wide impact.

For jobs tied to roads, bridges, water systems, power grids, or automated equipment, it means graduates have the basic engineering and safety training they need. Without that foundation, problems can arise.  

For example, an engineer might overlook a flaw in a bridge design or make an error in a water or power system layout, leading to delays, outages, or expensive revisions.

In many engineering fields, graduating from an ABET-accredited program is also an important step toward becoming a licensed professional engineer. Most states expect applicants to come from accredited programs before they can take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, which is the first big step in the licensing process.  

Without that accreditation, engineers may face extra barriers or might not qualify for licensure at all, which can limit the projects they’re allowed to take on or approve.

Beyond safety and licensing, ABET accreditation also helps engineers work together more smoothly. Companies, agencies, and contractors rely on graduates who speak the same technical language, understand shared standards, and can collaborate across different specialties.  

That shared foundation means that whether someone is building a bridge, programming a robot, or designing a control system, they enter the field with solid, reliable training.

“Earning ABET accreditation for our Robotics Engineering program is incredibly exciting,” said Dr. Edoardo Sarda, the school’s coordinator of robotics engineering, in a news release. “It reflects decades of expertise in robotics at LSSU and confirms the quality and relevance of our curriculum to prepare students for the growing field of robotics.”

Dr. Kimberly Muller, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, couldn’t agree more. She pointed out that faculty play a big part in helping students succeed. She said LSSU’s engineering programs stand out because professors work directly with students and connect them with real industry experience.

Students in LSSU’s engineering programs get the advantage of small classes, hands-on learning, and strong connections with industry. They take part in senior projects, lab work, and collaborations with real companies. These experiences help them build the skills they need to work well on diverse teams and succeed in fast-changing technical fields.

Muller added that this level of support helps graduates enter the workforce confident and in demand, with strong job placement rates that show the strength of an LSSU Engineering degree.

Source: Lake Superior State University