Milestone also makes Benedict one of only four institutions in South Carolina, with an ABET accreditation
COLUMBIA, S.C., September 3, 2026, Benedict College has achieved another significant academic milestone as its Electrical Engineering program has earned ABET accreditation, making it the first HBCU in the state to earn this distinction.
“ABET accreditation is a tremendous achievement for Benedict College and a powerful testament to the excellence of our faculty, the strength of our academic programs, and our commitment to preparing students for careers that will shape the future,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, president and CEO of Benedict College. “As the first HBCU in South Carolina to earn ABET accreditation for an Electrical Engineering program, Benedict continues to demonstrate that excellence and innovation are central to the Benedict experience. We are especially proud of our faculty and staff, whose dedication made this accomplishment possible.”
The accreditation represents a major affirmation of the quality, rigor, and professional relevance of Benedict’s Electrical Engineering program and positions its graduates for expanded opportunities in engineering and related fields.
“ABET accreditation provides assurance that a college or university program meets the quality standards of the profession for which that program prepares graduates. This means that a Benedict student’s degree is recognized by an external accrediting body and by key employers providing the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to succeed in Electrical Engineering and related fields. Graduates of ABET-accredited programs are now eligible to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and pursue a Professional Engineer (PE) license in their field,” says Dean Jessica Furrer, of the School of Science and Engineering.
The accreditation also expands professional opportunities for Benedict’s Electrical Engineering graduates, including eligibility to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination and pursue Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
Dr. Janeen Witty, Vice President of Academic Affairs, says, “The success of our students is directly related to the strength of our academic programs. Dean Furrer and her team are working diligently to align their curriculum with the STEM careers available to our students. We look forward to their continued success as they seek accreditation for the Computer Science and Computer Engineering programs.”
Electrical Engineering now joins Benedict College’s Environmental Engineering program among the College’s ABET-accredited programs since 2022. The College is also actively preparing its Computer Science and Computer Engineering programs for accreditation, further strengthening Benedict’s commitment to excellence in STEM education.
This latest achievement underscores Benedict College’s continued advancement as a leader in STEM education and its commitment to producing highly skilled graduates prepared to compete and lead in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
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Benedict College
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution offering 29 competitive baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from several counties in South Carolina, states across America, and countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty deeply engaged in teaching, research, and service.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and ranked exceptionally by several academic and traditional publications for its programs. Benedict College is the recipient of the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Awardgiven by UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building Program. in Benedict was also named HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest and voted the number one Gold Winner in The States’ BEST College or University in 2025. The College was also recognized as one of the Best Colleges in South Carolina in Research.com’s 2026 rankings.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering, Studio Art, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.