John Carroll University’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics has earned accreditation from ABET, the international organization that sets quality standards for engineering and technology programs worldwide.
Founded in 1932, ABET, formally known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, is considered the gold-standard evaluation system for technical STEM fields across the globe.
“The Engineering Physics program at JCU has long been recognized for its innovation, strong alumni engagement, and excellent job placement in high-profile organizations,” said Catherine Campbell, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at JCU. “We are thrilled to have achieved ABET accreditation, which underscores the faculty excellence and student success that define a JCU education. ABET accreditation is recognized by employers worldwide and enables our graduates to sit for the Professional Engineering (PE) exam, a qualification that directly aligns with current workforce needs.”
Opening Doors
ABET accreditation gives JCU Engineering Physics graduates more opportunities after graduation. It can open doors to employers that look for ABET-accredited engineering degrees, provide a clear path toward professional licensure, and give graduates a credential recognized by employers and graduate programs around the world. Whether students go directly into the workforce, pursue a Professional Engineer (PE) license, or continue their education, their JCU degree can help them take the next step with confidence.
That confidence is reinforced through Onward, JCU’s newly launched student success platform that provides students with a team of mentors and advisors who can help cultivate their passions into a purposeful life post-graduation. By pairing national technical rigor with JCU’s liberal arts foundation, the program ensures students develop both technical mastery and high-level communication skills.
“The technical foundation was very helpful, but the biggest thing JCU provided was through the liberal arts core: soft skills and communication,” said Spencer Furin ’17, an Electrical Engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center. “A lot of big engineering schools are great at technical skills, but their engineers struggle to present work effectively. I’ve received great feedback from bosses that I can explain complex technical work concisely without overwhelming decision-makers—skills that come directly from my time at JCU.”
Bridging Engineering and Physics
By blending fundamental science with practical design, JCU’s Engineering Physics program bridges the gap between pure science and specialized engineering fields. ABET accreditation confirms that JCU students master the advanced problem-solving of a physics background while meeting the exact applied design standards required by traditional engineering industries.
“Our Engineering Physics major is intentionally designed to be foundational, interdisciplinary, flexible, and infused with the type of ‘from the ground up’ physics thinking and problem-solving that sets our students apart from a traditional general engineering major,” says Dr. Jeffrey Dyck, Chair of the Department of Physics & Engineering. “It prepares students to enter a wide range of engineering sub-disciplines, careers at the interface of existing traditional fields, and the engineering jobs of the future. And very importantly, the JCU Jesuit Liberal Arts core provides essential communication, reasoning, and ethical training that all engineers need in today’s world.”
Grounded in this tradition of purpose and leadership, the accredited engineering program prepares graduates not just to solve complex technical challenges, but to step directly into technical leadership roles.
To learn more about the ABET-accredited Engineering Physics program or explore research opportunities at John Carroll, visit jcu.edu/engineering-physics.
