Engineering Technology Attributes Inherent to Applied Engineering Programs

For several years there has been discussion about the appropriate name for Bachelor of Science degree programs currently referred to and accredited by ABET as engineering technology programs.Very few graduates of such programs become employed in positions having technologist or engineering technologist within the title.In fact, several engineering technology programs have as a program objective the ability to function effectively in an applied engineering position, and prepare students for positions in industry that often have engineer within the titles.This paper identifies and examines those attributes of engineering technology programs that result in the program preparing its graduates to function effectively in applied engineering positions.The benefits to engineering programs, and to the engineering profession as a whole, of reintegrating qualified engineering technology programs into the engineering programs spectrum are described.The authors conclude that the incorporation of engineering technology programs that have the attributes to prepare students for applied engineering positions in industry, into the engineering programs spectrum would be of direct benefit to both engineering programs and the engineering profession as a whole.