South Carolina State University’s nuclear engineering program recently became the first new program of its kind to be accredited in the United States during the last three decades.

The program, which originated in 2002, is also the first engineering program to be accredited at a historically black college or university in the state.

“This historic event was made possible through a collaborative partnership of academy, industry and government,” said Dr. Kenneth Lewis, dean of S.C. State’s College of Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technology.

The program was granted accreditation by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology, a non-profit organization that validates postsecondary degree programs in applied sciences, computing, engineering and technology.

The nuclear engineering program at S.C. State was made possible through a partnership with the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Nuclear engineering majors are required to complete three years of study at S.C. State and one year at the University of Wisconsin.

Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services at the Y-12 National Security Complex has supplied a large amount of funding to support loaned personnel. Since 2004, the company has also provided radiation detection equipment through its Mentor Protege program. The U.S. Department of Energy has also supported the nuclear engineering program through scholarships and faculty-supported grants since 2002.

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