Master's decision... I am lost!!

Hello everybody!
A pleasure to be here with all of you.
This is my first post... and I will try to keep it short.

I am finishing a BS in Technical Management at Embry-Riddle (next August). Since I work for an Engineering company in Europe (planning engineer), I would like to continue my education with a Master's degree in Engineering... but, I don't have many of the pre-requirements to get into a GOOD degree.

My idea is to start taking the pre-requirements (depending on the master's degree).

Second, choose one of these online masters:

- Master of Science in Engineering (UW-Platteville).
- Master of Science in Engineering Management (Eastern Michigan University).
- Master of Science in Computer Science (Franklin University).

My questions for you guys/gals:

- Can I get a decent engineering job with one of these master's???
- Do I need a BS in Engineering in order to get licensed or a Master's degree works too??
- What do you think about these degrees??


The fact is that I want to become an engineer, and I would like to work around structural engineering/design... but I have so many ideas in my mind.. and I want to clear things up in order to spend my time/money into the best option available.

Thanks so much for reading and answering... I appreciate your help.

BR,

-

 

Congratualations on earning (almost) an ERAU degree.

To get a "decent" engineering job I suggest that a BS in engineering is generally more important. The UND offers several degree programs and since you are interested in structural engineering the civil engineering degree may be appropriate.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering | Online & Distance Education

Colorado State offers a master of engineering/science with a concentration in structural and materials systems. A prerequisite is a BS in Engineering but perhaps you can still gain admission by passing additional UG courses.
Aerospace Engineering Sciences Masters Degree | College of Engineering Online at CU-Boulder

I do not know what their requirements are for licensing in Europe. In the UK one becomes a Chartered Engineer though various professional societies/institutes such as the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, or the Institution of Structural Engineers. In the USA, one becomes a professional engineer by passing exams administered by individual state governments. In both cases, specified work experience is required.

I believe the MS in Engineering Management is probably not too useful unless you are already working as an engineer (although there are support divisions in an engineering department, such as configuration control, that often employ a non-engineering staff).

 

The first thing that you need to decide is whether you want to be an Engineer or a Manager of Engineers. These are two totally different career tracks. As a Manager you're more of a Business person. As a Masters level Engineer you'd be more of a Team Leader. At least that's the way it plays out in my workplace.

 

Thank you guys....

It is hard (at least for me) to find a decent fully online engineering degree that does not require a previous BS in engineering.

The idea is to finish everything from Europe... so... UND is not an option right now (I heard that a summer week is required for labs, isn´t it??

Thanks again... any help is really appreciated.

 

As I mentioned earlier, a BS Engineering is more important than a ME for becoming an engineer. Since you live in the EU check out this on-line engineering degree
B24 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Open University Qualification
You may be eligible for some credit from your ERAU degree.

 

SUNY Stony Brook has a program fulfilling the last two years to complete the Bachelors in Electrical Engineering via distance learning.

BEEOL

They have not received ABET accreditation for the program at this point but I believe you will see this program eventually make that goal.

 

Hi viipilot!

I'm working on the same thing! I've got a technology BS but aspire towards engineering. I started as a technician in my current job, but have worked my up to electronic design with the engineers. I've been lucky enough to work under the tutelage of a few great EE's who are helping me out while I wade through the prerequisites and a MS in management.

Most of the engineers I work with and interact with outside my company aren't licensed by the state for engineering. Your particular flavor of engineering may need licensing to be competitive or manage, but I've noticed in the world of electronic hardware design licensure seems to be uncommon. It may help on a resume, but specific experience in certain areas seems to be more valuable. Your field may differ, though, so it's probably a good idea to talk to some senior engineers in the field you want to break out into to get their ideas on licensing.

Some states have ways around the ABET BS in engineering requirement for a license. For example, Maryland will allow me to sit for the FE and PE exams after I have either 8 years experience in engineering (verified by current and/or previous employer statements), or a certain amount of undergraduate engineering coursework (which I'm working on) coupled with a technology degree (which I have and you will soon have). I still haven't ruled out attempting to take the exams for a license, but I'm certain I want to work on a MSEE. I still have no idea what program, but I'm going to apply to the local schools here with evening/distance programs (JHU and GWU) and look elsewhere if I can't get into their programs or find a better option. I'll let you know if I come across something worthwhile, but I have a feeling if I come across anything it will be from one of DegreeInfo's resourceful members.

Anyways, good luck in your search!

 

Hello everybody, Thank you all for your posts.

One question Jaer57.
What are the pre-requirements for the MSEE??? Online or On-campus??

I still have to take all the pre-requirements... (calculus, physics, ...)

I am also looking at the BSEE at Suny.. but they are asking a LOT of pre-requirements... quite interesting though...

Admission Requirements

Is it possible to get all those classes online??

For now.. I have this school for the online Calculus classes:

UWC Online - Course List

 

Hello Jaer57,

What course do you need for the MSEE??

 

MEng thoughts

Just a passing thought here. The UK has moved in the direction of an MEng as the minimum entry requirement for Chartered Engineer status. The rest of Europe is moving in that direction, if not there already. The USA is looking at the MS Eng or BS +30 as the minimum 'model law' requirement for professional engineer registration, and I suspect Canada is similar (I haven't looked lately).

In the USA, masters degrees are generally not ABET acredited, usually only bachelors degrees. So if registration is eventually desired (to be a consultant, public works projects, engineering & construction co., etc.) you probably should think of what you want to be doing 10 years down the road. Retirement doesn't count, unless you win the lotto.

BobbyJim, P.E.

 

Hello Bobby,

So... what if you get a Master of Science in Engineering (non ABET) and you don't have a BS in Engineering??? Will this work for registration or not????

Getting a Master's degree, well, getting the pre-reqs for the Master's degree + the Master's degree is the fastest and cheapest option that I have right now... But I don't want to spend my money and time in something that will never allow me to get registered....

I really don't know what to do... quite lost right now...

Thanks man,

Victor

 

Victor #11

It all depends on what state you will apply for registration in. Each state has similar, but slightly different rules because of ..... state legislative politics. Many states will accept a non-engineering BS (but engineering related) with a MS in engineering from a school that does has an ABET approved BS program.

Some states even accept both non-ABET BS and/or non-ABET MS engineering. Some states even accept non-ABET BS/MS Tech. In some states they just look at the courses taken with an eye toward a minimum number of higher math, engineering and science course 'equivalent' to an ABET. it's a real mixed bag, so check with your state board of registration. Check this website for registration basics and a link to each state board NCEES: Home

BobbyJim

 

Sorry I took so long to reply!

I just finished the calculus series in the spring with my local community college. I still need to take calculus-based physics with them and I plan on taking some classes in fourier analysis and signal processing as a non-degree student with Capitol College this fall since it's local to me and I can't find these classes in a distance format. JHU admissions has told me that with my undergad degree plus the classes I've taken since and plan to take, coupled with my work experience may allow me to get into their MS in electrical and computer engineering program. I'll apply next year and we'll see. GWU on the other side of town has told me roughly the same thing, though they won't take work experience as a factor in admissions. I'd be happy with either program, and if I can't get into those programs I may try for Capitol College's MSEE or UW-Platteville's MSE. We'll see. I have a ways to go!

 

A word of caution about becoming a professional engineer via alternate degree routes, as I did. I became a P.E. before the laws got so fussy about the ABET approved degree.

At the time I was a supervising engineer for an engineering & construction firm and the president ‘strongly suggested’ that I apply for engineering registration. After much back and forth with the registration board over transcript reviews and course descriptions, application revisions and umpteen recommendations by professional engineers - I got into the registration pipeline via the ‘related degree’ route.

The downside – without the ABET degree there is reduced commonality AKA reciprocity to be easily licensed in other states. Fortunately I am self-employed and don’t need the reciprocity at this stage of my career.

 

Don't worry Jaer, thanks for the post!!

UW-Platteville just told me that with my BS in Technical Management, I just need to take the Calculus I and II to qualify for admission... no physics... same for you??

 

Hey Bobby, thanks for all your comments...

You cleared up quite a lot of doubts from my head... thanks man.

 

That's great news! I never actually talked to UW-Platteville because I've been working towards getting into JHU or GWU. If that's the case I could get accepted right now. Hmmm, I may need to rethink my options. Thanks for the tip! I love this site!

 

Thanks for all your help Bobby... I clear up a LOT of doubts from my head.
I really appreciate it.