CANTON -- Three of SUNY Canton's bachelor's degree programs have received initial accreditation by ABET, an engineering and engineering technology accrediting body, according to SUNY Canton.

Although the group is now simply called ABET, the acronym used to stand for Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.

The civil and environmental technology, electrical technology and mechanical technology programs all underwent a full site review by ABET accreditors last fall. The accreditation is retroactive to Oct. 1, 2012, according to SUNY Canton.

"Accreditation really helps establish the quality and value of these programs," SUNY Canton president Zvi Szafran said. "It is further evidence that our programs have met the standards necessary to produce well-qualified graduates who are prepared to enter their chosen careers."

All three programs began in 2010 and boast a 100 percent placement rate for graduates, according to SUNY Canton.

"The four-year educational tracks were developed to build upon SUNY Canton's strong, ABET accredited, associate degree programs," said Michael J. Newtown, interim dean of the Canino School of Engineering Technology. "Students have advanced career mobility through our four-year programs."

The college says they first received ABET accreditation in 1950. Many of the two-year programs within the SUNY Canton Canino School of Engineering Technology were reaccredited by ABET in 2009, the school said.