For immediate release: Aug. 27, 2007

BLOOMSBURG — The computer science program at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania has earned accreditation from the ABET Inc., Computing Accreditation Commission through September 2009.

Offered by BU’s department of mathematics, computer science and statistics, the bachelor of science degree program in computer science has approximately 120 students. “The job placement rate is virtually 100 percent,” said Curt Jones, department chairperson.

The computer science program is BU’s second to be recognized by ABET, which stands for Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In 2006, the bachelor of science program in health physics became only the third program in the nation to be accredited by ABET’s Applied Science Accreditation Commission.

“This is no small feat. ABET is considered to be one of the most rigorous accrediting agencies,” said James Mackin, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The department began working for ABET accreditation two years ago, said Jones, with a group of eight faculty meeting twice a month to evaluate the academic program and develop an assessment plan.

“It was a very valuable process. We learned a lot,” said Jones. “We made some very minor changes to the curriculum. And we now have a very well-designed assessment system to make sure that students are meeting our educational goals.”

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Professional Studies, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.