Help w/ DL Master of Science in Engineering

I received a BS in Mechanical Engineering (Norwich University, Northfield, VT) the traditional, face-to-face way. I received an MBA (Regis University, Denver, CO) via its online program, which was an excellent program in my opinion. I believe that certain fields of studies such as an MBA, no matter where the institution is, is conducive to the Internet technology. For one thing, hands-on learning is not necessary in MBA. A technical degree such as engineering, on the other hand, requires the student to physically construct a widget, design a circuit board, fabricate a prototype, etc…

This leads me to the following question:

I would like to work on my Engineering Master’s via distance learning. Is MS in engineering more (or less) hands-on than the BS curriculum? What institution would you recommend? Personally, I would prefer getting an Engineering Master’s in a face-to-face environment, but I had such a positive experience with Regis that I wouldn’t mind doing it online. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Javila544,

IMHO, I think it depends to a great extent on what specialization you wish to pursue. If you’re interested in something like thermofluids, be ready for long lab sessions. I suspect serious universities won’t make this type of programs available on a distance-learning basis. If you prefer something like manufacturing systems, you won’t probably need hands on work. My master was in Engineering Product Design (on campus), and I had to spend a lot of time working with CAD tools like Finite Element Method programs like ANSYS which it can be a nightmare but doable if you understand the math behind it. I could have done it by distance perfectly. So probably you’ll probably have to stick to a similar program.

Nevertheless, and answering your question, engineering master’s programs tend to be more theoretical than bachelor’s. They expect you to have gone through that already while you were an undergrad or at your job.

There are literally dozens of programs in mechanical engineering in the US. I remember now the one at the University of Arizona, University of Wisconsin, Colorado State University, etc… As you see well-known, prestigious universities. There are also a number of universities that offer MEng degrees that allow room for designing one’s degree, and have no final thesis. Finally, I think (in my humble opinion) that your combination BSME + MBA + MSME is an excellent idea, and I hope it can get you very far. The MBA is a great addition to any engineer’s curriculum.

Cordial greetings

 

A MS in Engineering covers a wide area like JLV implied. Many programs are available but it does depend in what disciplene. A few that supposedle offer a MS in engineering with no residency are:
Arizona State University
Boston University
California State University, Northridge
Georgia Institute of Technology
Kansas State University
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Northern Arizona University
Oklahoma State University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Texas Tech University
The University of Arizona
The University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee Space Institute
The University of Texas System
University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Michigan
University of Missouri–Rolla
University of Toledo
University of Virginia
University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Platteville
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Wright State University


some that require some on site attendance (often just 2 or 3 days (Colcorad State) for some classes).

Auburn University
Colorad State University
Illinois Institute of Technology
Lehigh University
Michigan Technological University
Mississippi State University
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
The University of Arizona
University of Colorado at Denver
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
University of Maryland, College Park (E-Learning)
University of South Florida (Educational Outreach)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

 

NC State University, Raleigh, NC

Check out this state school It used to have a totally online MS in Engineering for those with the undergraduate degree in field.

 

That's one whale of a list. I believe that Stanford also can be added to that list. Miss State even offers a PhD in Engineering DL.

A good resource is the US News online programs search tool.