Engineering vs. Engineering Technology

ABET ACCREDITATION | ENGINEERING LICENSURE

Differences Between Engineering and Engineering Technology Degree Programs

Joseph Reutzel earned a degree in electrical
engineering technology."The hands-on training
I got was very impressive," he said.

Students who are considering technical careers may be unfamiliar with engineering technology or may misunderstand its relationship to engineering.

Engineering technology programs emphasize the practical application of mathematical, scientific and engineering principles while engineering programs emphasize the theoretical study of the same mathematical, scientific and engineering principles.

Neither program is inherently superior to the other and both programs effectively prepare graduates for productive careers and for further study in graduate school.

From an educational standpoint, the measure of any undergraduate curriculum in engineering or engineering technology is its accreditation by ABET. This body accredits engineering technology programs through its Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission and engineering programs through its Engineering Accreditation Commission.

Our program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering technology is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Our programs leading to Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org. These programs are newly accredited, and their accreditation extends retroactively from October 1, 2018.

Under the laws of most states, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a graduate of either an engineering or engineering technology program is eligible for licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) after gaining the requisite experience and taking the prescribed examinations.