A comparison of accredited and non-accredited industrial technology programs

The main purpose of this study was to determine if a statistical difference exists in selected variables for students graduating from accredited and non-accredited industrial technology programs. The accrediting body for these programs was the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT). The selected variables consisted of scores from the NAIT Certified Industrial Technologist (CIT) examination and selected demographic data variables.; Fifteen accredited and fifteen non-accredited industrial technology programs participated in this study with 227 students being from accredited programs and 191 from non-accredited programs. Students who participated in this study were scheduled to graduate during the 2001–2002 academic year. Students from the 30 industrial technology programs took the certification examination and completed a demographic data form.; Additional program information was obtained from 100 of 109 of the industrial technology programs identified in the 2001 NAIT Baccalaureate Program Directory. This program information included supporting courses, student enrollment and graduate program information. Comparisons were made between reported information from the overall group of industrial technology programs and the programs that participated in this study. The overall program data were also compared to the National Study of Industrial Technology Programs conducted in 1991.; Conclusions drawn from the study include: (1) There is no significant difference in students graduating from accredited and non-accredited industrial technology programs involving: (a) raw certification examination scores; (b) pass rates on the certification examination. (2) There is no significant difference on the certification exam involving: (a) a co-operative education experience; (b) the level of physics taken. (3) There is a significant difference on the certification exam involving: (a) the level of math taken; (b) taking statistics; (c) the level of chemistry taken; (d) the age of the student.