Understanding the New Civil Engineering Program Criteria: Preparing to Prepare the Future Civil EngineerThe ASCE Civil Engineering Program Criteria Task Committee (CEPCTC) has completed itscharge to develop, in an open and inclusive manner seeking input from key stakeholder groups,and propose new Civil Engineering Program Criteria (CEPC). The proposed CEPC wereapproved on first reading by ABET/EAC in July 2014. Following ABET/EAC procedures, theproposed CEPC will be published for open comment from November 2014 through June 2015and, once approved, would be in effect for the 2016-2017 accreditation cycle. The purpose ofthis paper is to provide civil engineering faculty, program directors and program evaluators, andother interested parties with a thorough understanding of the new criteria and an appreciation ofthe background leading to changes in the criteria. Such an understanding of the new criteriawould be highly beneficial to properly prepare for the new CEPC.The paper will include a detailed review of the proposed CEPC, a complete presentation ofimportant explanations and clarifications of the new CEPC, and a full discussion of thebackground for changes in the CEPC. Relationships between the program criteria and theABET/EAC General Criteria will also be presented, including specific similarities anddifferences between the various criteria, and the implications for a program and program’scurriculum. The basis for the paper is the new draft ASCE Commentary for Civil and SimilarlyNamed Programs. This draft document is currently under development by the CEPCTC and willserve as a key document in guiding civil engineering program directors and program evaluatorsin interpreting the key provisions of the new Civil Engineering Program Criteria.COORDINATING NOTE: This abstract is submitted at the specific invitation and request ofTom Lenox, the coordinator of the ASCE Liaison Committee's program for the CE Division ofASEE in 2015. It should be considered for inclusion in the session that Tom Lenox is organizingand ...