Southern Miss Engineering Programs Earn Continued ABET Accreditation
Fri, 10/17/2025 - 09:34am | By: Dr. David Tisdale
Undergraduate programs in polymer science and engineering, computer engineering, and ocean engineering at The University of Southern Mississippi have earned continued accreditation from ABET (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.), considered the gold standard for program assessments in the field.
Founded in 1932 as the Engineers’ Council for Professional Development, ABET describes itself as the “world’s leading accreditation body for programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.” Accreditation awarded through ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) affirms that these Southern Miss programs rank among the nation’s best for students pursuing careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
“ABET EAC accreditation is essential for engineering programs to demonstrate they meet the quality expectations of the industry, and that we are achieving the outcomes we’ve defined for our programs,” said Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Polymer Science and Engineering
The university’s Bachelor of Science in Polymer Science and Engineering was first offered in fall 2012, with its first graduates completing the program in spring 2016. The program’s last general review was the initial accreditation visit conducted Sept. 16-18, 2018, with full accreditation granted in August 2019. It was the first EAC-accredited program offered at Southern Miss.
Dr. Derek Patton, director of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering, said accreditation from ABET now through 2031 “reinforces the reputation of our program as one of the nation’s leaders in polymer education and assures students and employers alike that a degree from Southern Miss in polymer science and engineering meets the highest standards of quality.”
He thanked Drs. Sarah Morgan, Heather Broadhead, Sergei Nazarenko, Zhe Qiang, and staff member Bret Calhoun, among others, for their work in securing this outcome.
“Accreditation by ABET ensures that degree programs meet rigorous criteria for curriculum, faculty expertise, facilities and continuous improvement,” Dr. Patton added. “It also assures employers that graduates of our undergraduate degree in polymer science and engineering are well prepared with technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, design skills, hands-on experiences, and have benefited from our engagement with industry partners.”
“Those who complete the program not only advance technology but exemplify the university’s ‘Ready for Life’ commitment in preparing them to lead, adapt, and innovate in a rapidly changing world."
Computer Engineering
A proposed curriculum and degree plan for the Computer Engineering program were developed by the School of Computing in 2015, with final approval by the university’s Academic Council. The proposal was approved by Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), the governing board for the state’s eight public universities, in 2016.
The Computer Engineering program officially launched in fall 2017. In fall 2022, the program completed its initial accreditation process and was accredited through Sept. 30, 2025, by ABET. The accreditation action was applied retroactively to Oct. 1, 2020.
“Achieving initial ABET accreditation for our computer engineering degree was a tremendous milestone, ensuring that students are prepared to meet the growing demand for skilled engineers in Mississippi and beyond,” said Dr. Sarah Lee, director of the School of Computing Science and Computer Engineering.
“This reaccreditation reflects the strong leadership of the program coordinator Dr. Zhaoxian Zhou and the dedication of the entire Computer Engineering faculty, whose commitment to excellence made this achievement possible.”
Ocean Engineering
The Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering at Southern Miss launched in fall 2017, with its first graduate in summer 2021. The program was established to support the university’s contribution to the Blue Economy of the Gulf Coast, addressing regional needs and expanding employment opportunities.
Identifying ocean engineering as a focus for program development leveraged existing resources and faculty expertise within the School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE), resulting in a regionally distinctive program designed to attract new students. The program’s last general review was Oct. 9-11, 2022, and it received initial ABET accreditation in 2023.
SOSE Director Dr. Robert Leaf said ABET accreditation “signals to students and employers alike that graduates are ready to enter critical technical fields” and “expands access to opportunities that include competitive scholarships and grants to roles where an ABET-accredited degree is preferred or required.”
Dr. Leaf credited Drs. Gero Nootz, Mahdi Razaz, Kemal Cambazoglu and Jerry Wiggert, “alongside partners inside and outside of SOSE,” for their efforts in preparing the program for accreditation review.
“Our receiving the ABET accreditation affirms that our curriculum, faculty, facilities, and institutional support meet rigorous, internationally recognized criteria focused on quality, precision, and safety, and that we are committed to continuous improvement,” he said. “The outcomes for our students are validated by employer feedback and by students who tell us the program gave them a decisive advantage in the job market.”
“This milestone also underscores the university’s leadership in the Blue Economy,” Leaf added. “Our ocean engineering program is the only one of its kind in Mississippi and one of just eight ABET-accredited ocean engineering programs nationwide. Our location enables us to leverage our coastal setting to provide students with authentic, hands-on experiences in industry and at-sea testing.”
Click here to learn more about ABET.