Accreditation

The Aerospace Engineering (BS in Engineering) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Aerospace and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Criteria. 

The Mechanical Engineering (BS in Engineering) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Criteria.

The following accreditation-related information is available:

  • Program educational objectives
  • Student outcomes
  • Program enrollment and degree data
  • Advisory boards
  • Aerospace engineering program

    Program educational objectives

    The educational objectives of the aerospace engineering program at Western Michigan University are to have graduates

    1. Career Growth: as demonstrated by achieving proficiency in current position, increasing responsibility, diversity of job functions, recognition, progression and/or job advancement.
    2. Professional Development: as demonstrated by pursuing additional education, professional certifications, leadership effectiveness, staying current with evolving technologies and/or demonstrating initiative.
    3. Service: as demonstrated by community involvement, professional societies, and/or humanitarian endeavors.
    4. Innovation: as demonstrated by the development of new processes, devices, methods, patents, and/or dissemination of knowledge.

    Student outcomes

    The following student outcomes are produced by the faculty of the aerospace engineering program at Western Michigan University satisfying the ABET criterion for student outcomes (1-7).

    1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
    2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
    3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
    4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
    5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
    6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions.
    7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

    Program enrollment and degree data

    Academic YearTotal Undergraduate
    Enrollment
    Bachelor’s Degrees
    Awarded

    2023-24

    326

     

    2022-23

    312

    44

    2021-22

    315

    41

    2020-21

    316

    20

    2019-20

    288

    48

    2018-19

    263

    39

    2017-18

    263

    27

    2016-17

    275

    36

    2015-16

    277

    24

    2014-15

    254

    22

    2013-14

    213

    34

    2012-13

    187

    12

    2011-12

     

    22

    Advisory board

    • Rob Curtis, B.S.'11, Engineering Manager, Parker Aerospace
    • Dr. Tom Heine, B.S.'02, Flight Systems Engineering Lead, Meta Orbital Effects
    • Alexander Porter, B.S.'89, M.S.'92, Global Director of Engineering, Intertek
    • Dr. Sudesh Woodiga, Ph.D.'13, Principal Experimental Aerodynamicist, Ford Motor Company
  • Mechanical engineering program

     Program educational objectives

    The educational objectives of the mechanical engineering program at Western Michigan University are to have graduates:

    1. Career Growth: as demonstrated by achieving proficiency in current position, increasing responsibility, diversity of job functions, recognition, progression and/or job advancement.
    2. Professional Development: as demonstrated by pursuing additional education, professional certifications, leadership effectiveness, staying current with evolving technologies and/or demonstrating initiative.
    3. Service: as demonstrated by community involvement, professional societies, and/or humanitarian endeavors.
    4. Innovation: as demonstrated by the development of new processes, devices, methods, patents, and/or dissemination of knowledge.

    Student outcomes

    The following student outcomes are produced by the faculty of the mechanical engineering program at Western Michigan University satisfying the ABET criterion for student outcomes (1-7).

    1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
    2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
    3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
    4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
    5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
    6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions.
    7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

    Program enrollment and degree data

    Academic

    Year

    Total Undergraduate Enrollment

    Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded

    2023-24

    290

     

    2022-23

    333

    79

    2021-22

    375

    82

    2020-21

    447

    84

    2019-20

    483

    79

    2018-19

    545

    98

    2017-18

    556

    84

    2016-17

    537

    73

    2015-16

    540

    63

    2014-15

    489

    61

    2013-14

    453

    49

    2012-13

    447

    59

    2011-12

     

    62

    Advisory board

    • John Bair, Executive Director, Western Michigan University's Center for Advanced Vehicle Design and Simulation
    • James Castellano, B.S.'83, Vice President, Hitachi
    • Jim Medsker, B.S.'99, President, Keystone Solutions Group
    • Kurt Lentner, B.S.'96, Senior Director of Corporate Engineering and Analytics, Stryker
    • Yasir Khogali, B.S.'00, Senior Engineering Manager, Nissan Technical Center
    • Mike Preston, B.S.'05, MBA'18, Senior R&D Manager, Stryker