Good, bad, or somewhere in between? A content analysis of perceptions of CEAB accreditation through CEEA proceedings

This paper investigates the perceptions of interested and affected parties regarding the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) accreditation system, which is of importance amidst Engineers Canada’s ongoing initiatives such as the Accountability in Accreditation (AinA) and the Futures of Engineering Accreditation (FEA) projects. Through a content analysis of adjectives and adverbs in the proceedings of the Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA) conferences from 2020 to 2022, this study reveals a predominantly neutral impression of the CEAB accreditation system. Qualitative analysis highlights concerns such as feasibility and effectiveness alongside recognition of accreditation's benefits in ensuring program quality and student success. Thematic codes shed light on various aspects of engagement with the CEAB accreditation system. The findings may contribute to informed decision-making processes and discussions within the engineering education community around improvements and the future of the CEAB accreditation system.