Mechanical Engineering bachelor's degree program receives accreditation from ABET

Mechanical Engineering students worked with sponsor Vision Point Systems to develop a telemetry instrumented paint sprayer to help technicians know how much paint was applied and in what locations. Photo by Ron Aira.

Mason Engineering’s bachelor’s degree program in mechanical engineering has been accredited by the Engineering, Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.  

ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public.

“Our program emphasizes enrichment by aligning with the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge Scholars Program, and we commit to broader access by partnering with Northern Virginia Community College,” says Mechanical Engineering Department Chair Oscar Barton, Jr.  “Because research is an integral component of any academic enterprise, we are building a multi-disciplinary, challenge-driven research enterprise that will engage our undergraduate students as well as provide the platform for our eventual graduate program.”

Students pursuing a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering learn from distinguished faculty in the classroom and gain hands-on experience in newly renovated laboratories.

“The department’s two-semester capstone design course gives students real-world engineering experiences and makes them more competitive for future employment,” says Robert L. Gallo, director of senior projects and professor of the practice. “Students design, build, test, and report on a physical product that meets a client’s requirements.”

Students praise the program. “I really like my mechanical engineering professors. I have a one-on-one relationship with most of them because the class sizes are small,” says senior Jack Scherer.

Renato Rodriguez, BS Mechanical Engineering ’18, says the program gave him the opportunity “to interact with experienced engineers and participate in real world engineering projects.”

ABET’s voluntary peer-review process is highly respected because it adds critical value to academic programs in the technical disciplines, where quality, precision, and safety are of the utmost importance.

“I really like my mechanical engineering professors. I have a one-on-one relationship with most of them because the class sizes are small.”

Jack Scherer, BS '19