Columbia Master's in Engineering

Is there any good way to get into a program like Columbia's Engineering if one does not have an Engineering degree? If you have a bachelor's in business, how hard would it be to go and get an Engineering undergrad so you can get a masters in Engineering? It would be way off track of practical?

CVN - Columbia Video Network

 

A Bachelors in Math or Physics might work but I'm guessing that a business degree would not. There are very few undergrad engineering degree programs, primarily because of the lab courses.

 

How long would it take to acquire an engineering degree once you have a business degree? Can you just transfer over gen eds and take engineering classes? Anyway to get the science classes out of the way fast? Thanks a ton

 

Please read this thread:

http://www.degreeinfo.com/distance-learning-discussions/38649-how-do-you-go-backwards.html

 

Interesting, it's a big big change especially for something completely different. I think unless that is the path I am 1005 sure of I probably won't go that route. Thanks

 

University of North Dakota is the only school that offers ABET engineering degrees online, but you have to attend "lab weeks" on campus during the summer. Usually 1 week for each 1 unit of lab credit. To give you an idea of how much coursework you would need to make up, check out UND's degree checklist for their engineering programs:

Electrical Engineering Degree Requirements
Mechanical Engineering Degree Requirements
Chemical Engineering Degree Requirements
Civil Engineering Degree Requirements

It looks like almost nothing would transfer from most undergrad majors except for maybe a few electives.

Some schools may offer foundational "bridge" programs for some of the core engineering courses. Some of the Columbia degrees say you can come from other backgrounds (like the Computer Science degrees) as long as you take some core courses. You can also look into the Applied Math program, which could work with a business undergrad and some math/physics prerequisites.

 

In 1976 I was 6 hours away from a BS in Accounting and decided that I might like to have a degree in engineering. I met with the advisor in the engineering department and asked basically the question you have asked. The advisor pulled up my transcript and said, "Hmm, let me see, OK, we can give you credit for your 6 hours of English, 6 hours for Social Science, and .... OK, you would only need another 116 hours for a Bachelors degree in Engineering." Thank you very much - I have never looked back.

 

I have an electronics technology undergrad degree, and I inquired about my chances of starting the CVN MSEE two years ago. They told me with a strong GRE score and the willingness to take undergrad course in areas I was deficient in I would have a decent chance. Since you have a business degree, you might have a lot more undergrad work to do. Also, you could take classes toward a certificate without the GRE, and if you are successful in those classes that would help your chances, but you would still need a decent GRE score. It's a competitive program with limited spaces, but if you have a resume with experience in engineering that helps as well, so I was told. How difficult would it be to go back to the school you received your undergrad from and get a minor in mathematics, physics, engineering, or anything technical? That might help.

Once I finish my UMUC degree, I am also going to be shooting for a MS in engineering without a BS in engineering. I am probably not going to go the CVN route due to the cost, but it looks like it can be done if you're willing to study up for the GRE and work on your deficiencies. If I can get my employer to back me, I may shoot for one of their certificates, though. I applied and was accepted for the fall to the UW-Platteville MS in Engineering program, but I'm waiting to hear back from a few other schools before I decide on it. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

It is often possible to be admitted to an engineering MS program if you have a bachelor's degree in mathematics or a related science. For example, Columbia's MS in Chemical Engineering says:

However, a business degree would probably not be regarded as "related".

A typical ABET-accredited engineering BS program has only a few classes outside of engineering, math, computer science, physics, and chemistry. If you didn't major in one of these fields, it's unlikely that you have much to transfer into an engineering program.

 

Well, if you have an undergraduated business degree and heading for a Master degree in Engineering. The best way is Master of Science in Engineering Management. Also, here is sneaky peak the program at SMU that I received. SMU's Telecommunications program does not require GRE score as well as math no higher than College Algebra. I took the CLEP on Pre-Calculus for my degree at Troy University. I took AP Calculus BC in high school, but did not get college credits for it.

So, technically I don't have any math or science from my background. I took CLEP for Natural Science, Biology, and Astronomy. So, if Columbia has higher standard...I would think you should seek for an alternative. BTW, I always avoid entrance exam because I am a horrible exam taker.

 

Why do you want a masters in engineering?
My experience is that a bachelors degree in engineering is what counts since that is where you learn the basics which is what is used in everyday engineering work unless you are a specialist.
But you can get a start in an engineering job with a suitable AA or BSET degree doing computer aided design.

 

You have to be ready to take at least calculus I and II, and depending on the area of engineering specialism, courses like Linear Algebra and/or Differential Equations in addition to other engineering courses pertinent to the field. I thought about taking this route sometime ago (I have an AAS in Electronics, which is transferable to BS in EET at either Excelsior College or Indiana State University) but I decided against it; those Calculus classes discouraged me since I didn't have the time to devote to studying it. I know that engineering technology programs are different from "real" engineering, but with the right set of undergrad course, you could eventually enter an engineering graduate program (most graduate engineering programs offer bridge programs for holders of engineering technology undergrad). That said, if you really want to get into an engineering program and you are good with math or are willing to devote sometime (a lot of time) to studying it, it will be easy. But if you are in a hurry to get through the degree, it won't happen. I would experiment by taking cheap calculus classes to see if it's something you can deal with before actually seeking admission into an expensive engineering program/school. Good luck with deciding.....