2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

ABET has long required a capstone or integrating experience for accredited engineering technology programs. This requirement comes from the need to make graduating students as job-ready as possible. For Bachelor of Science programs in engineering technology, this experience is generally an open-ended project demonstrating knowledge in a student’s relevant field of study along with project management skills. This paper looks back at the evolution and impact of more than 30 years of history of senior capstone projects for Engineering Technology programs at xyz university, with focus on how industry partnerships have contributed to capstone project success. Other types of projects completed as capstone experiences, including individual, academic, and regional, national and international competitions are also examined. Finally, this paper explores the role of industry collaboration in shaping course and program curriculum, graduate readiness, faculty skills, and industrial funding to support academic experiences.