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Claflin University has received national acclaim for the exceptional quality of its academic programs and success for producing an impressive number of STEM graduates. Many of these graduates have launched careers with globally-prominent tech companies, conduct results-driven research at state-of-the-art laboratories, and attend prestigious graduate and  professional schools. Claflin's STEM profile grew even larger when the Computer Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) recently granted accreditation to the Computer Science Program, effective retroactively to October 1, 2017. Significantly, Claflin is now one of only three private colleges or universities in the state of South Carolina with ABET accreditation. Equally significant, Claflin is among very few UNCF (United Negro College Fund) institutions with an ABET-accredited computer science program.
"ABET accreditation of our computer science program sends a powerful message to parents, students, and employers that Claflin's computer science program meets the highest national quality standard," Claflin President Henry N. Tisdale said. "This national recognition is consistent with our Strategic Plan and the strategic goal, Academic Excellence."
ABET is a non-governmental accrediting agency for programs in applied and natural science, computting, engineering and engineering technology. ABET is recognized as an accreditor by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation.
"This represents the first ABET accreditation for the computer science program at Claflin for which launched in 2006," said Dr. Verlie Tisdale, Dean of the School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. "It means our computer science program has been thoroughly vetted by higher education and industry professionals. The accreditation confirms that we have a high-quality program. It changes the dynamics of our recruiting because students want to attend a school with an accredited program. Prospective employers know that it is an excellent program."
Dr. Verlie Tisdale said the evaluators' assessment included the academic strength of the program, student performance and learning outcomes, educational objectives, and how the program has improved since it began more than a decade ago.
"They also reviewed how the computer science program is meeting the academic needs of the university and preparing students for the industry needs of today's workforce," said Dr. Verlie Tisdale. "They wanted to make certain we are teaching students who can analyze problems and design and implement programs that find solutions to those problems. Our accreditation is retroactive to October 2017. This means that computer science graduates who earned degrees last May in the Class of 2018 are the first to graduate from Claflin as an ABET accredited institution."
Computer science joins the list of other academic programs that have earned national accreditation, including education, business, chemistry, and music.
"I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Office of the Provost, the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness who worked tirelessly during the entire accreditation process to achieve this outcome for our students and the University," said President Tisdale. "Let us continue this path of excellence throughout the academic year."
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