Concurrent application for ABET and NCAAA accreditation

Applying and securing accreditation from the ABET and NCAAA on the first attempt can be a daunting target, although not impossible. The task is indeed strenuous; however, a methodical and step-wise approach positively facilitates the way to success. After establishing a new program in a public university in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the majority of funding from the Ministry of Higher Education depends on acquiring the national accreditation (NCAAA). When it comes to the engineering programs in particular, along with the national accreditation, there is a tremendous pressure from the same Ministry to attain some international accreditation, primarily from the ABET. This paper will shed some light on several key aspects where work between the two accreditation processes can be shared and, thus, help reduce the burden thereof.