Greetings. Would it be fair/accurate/irreproachable to call a BSGA with a concentration in Computer Science a Computer Science degree? Similarly, is a BSGA in Engineering Studies an Engineering Degree? Just curious. Cordially, Richard Kanarek Composed using WordStar 4
I am an engineer with a BS in liberal studies from Regents (Excelsior). I list my degree as BS on my resume and other documents. I have never been questioned about this degree but if I was then I would explain that it was more than 50% engineering, math, and science.
FWIW on resumes, job applications, etc., I'm pretty scrupulous about using the exact wording on my diplomas in describing a degree ("Bachelor of Science in Operations Management" for my Regents degree and plain old "Bachelor of Science with High Honor" with majors mentioned separately for my Michigan State degree.) In less formal usage, including letters of interest, I'm more likely to say something like "bachelor's degree in business," "liberal arts degree", "operations management degree" or somethng else a little looser and tighten it up in the resume, application and interview. I guess I view this as "fair" and "irreproachable" although a little "accuracy" is sacrificed in the name of non-nitpickiness. Regards. TommyK
Call it what it is..... On your resume, list your degree as it reads - BSGA, then add the focus and scope of the program. I had to let a person go because to listed an AA in Computer Science on this resume (the real degree was a AA in general education), the red flag was the date - 1976 HR Director
I am considering a BSLS from Excelsior. Did it give you any trouble in regards to your engineering position? Did you ever get any "We want somone w/ an engineering degree" comments? What was your concentration? Regards, Bill
One can only state that he/she holds an "engineering degree" if it is accredited by ABET. Someone who holds a BA/BS in Computer Science is justified in saying that they hold a "computer science degree" if it is their MAJOR. A MINOR does not cut it. Since computer science is not a license profession (yet) like engineering, this is just fine. As long as the MAJOR is in a specific discipline (i.e. Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and is not violating a licensed profession, this is acceptable practice. A "specilization" or "focus" in a degree is not the same as a MAJOR. I would be careful about using the XX Degree in XX with these types of degrees. Hope this helps.
I am considering a BSLS from Excelsior. Did it give you any trouble in regards to your engineering position? Did you ever get any "We want somone w/ an engineering degree" comments? What was your concentration? Regards, Bill
Dear. Mr. Henley: Greetings. In your recent post, you wrote the following: "One can only state that he/she holds an "engineering degree" if it is accredited by ABET." While I doubt you are alone in holding this opinion, I do believe that it is an opinion, and an opinion that lacks the support of logic or popularity. The most obvious fault with the postulate you profited is that ABET only covers the US (AFAIK), and there are engineering schools elsewhere. (I've heard that there may be one or two engineers in Germany too, for example. <g>) Where were these foreign engineers at while they naively thought they were in engineering school? And what sort of degree do they now have? The NCEES (i.e. the P.E. people) also, unwittingly I'm sure, deal your postulate another blow. There is little to prevent (but a great deal to deter) you from becoming a license engineer with a non-ABET engineering degree. Again, having an degree from an ABET approved school would make getting a P.E. (probably, in most or all states) quicker & easier, however I don't believe it is an insurmountable barrier *anywhere*. As if being picked on by me, the third world (i.e. anywhere outside America <g>), and the NCEES weren't enough, the DETC doesn't seem to agree with you either. They accredit schools issuing engineering degrees (example: "The CNU College of Engineering offers Bachelor and Master of Science in Engineering degrees with electives in ..." from http://www.cnuas.edu/pages/AcademicPrograms/AcademicPrograms.shtm) yet (AFAIK) no school with only DETC accreditation can be ABET accredited too. Admittedly, the DETC doesn't seem to know a good distance education book author when they meet one, but surely they wouldn't call, or allow to be called, a degree an engineering degree unless it really was one, would they? Cordially, Richard Kanarek Future BSGA Engineering Degree holder, (G-d willing!)
This is not true at all; the vast majority of master's and doctoral programs in engineering are not ABET-accredited, even those offered by top-tier schools (example pulled at random from GYITD&GA: UC-Berkeley's M.Eng. programs aren't ABET accredited). And while ABET is definitely the standard at the undergraduate level, it is both acceptable and appropriate to refer to a non-ABET bachelor's in engineering (such as the BSCE offered by Marquette University) as an engineering degree. Cheers,
As for Regents and engineering degrees (how did I know Scott was still riding the Regents bandwagon...?): Actually, at least one of Regents's bachelor's programs (the BSEET) is accredited by the ABET, albeit as an engineering technology program. As for whether a BSLA can be called an engineering degree: It depends on the context, as far as I'm concerned. Cheers,
Re: Re: Degree Terminology I was under the impression that ABET doesn't even accredit doctoral programs??? Bruce
Re: Re: Re: Degree Terminology You're absolutely right. That should have read "...the vast majority of master's programs, and all doctoral programs..." Cheers,
Re: Re: Degree Terminology Yes ABET does not accredit any Doctoral programs. It is not in their charter. For a school to accredit a Master's program, they have to meet all the undergraduate programs with the addition of course work which will result in a scholarly paper at the end of the program... ie Thesis. In addition the accredidation is a mutually exclusive proposition. You either get accreditation in the Graduate program or undergraduate program.. not both. ABET is strictly a program accrediting body. An engineer can get liscensed without graduation from an ABET accredited program. States typically have rules that call for "equivalency" to ABET and they usually center around course work distribution topics. Regards, Dick A PE from non-ABET programs BE and MEng Volunteer ABET visitor for Manufacturing Engineering programs.
And as long as we're on my bandwagon, let's not forget the difference between computer science and information systems. Regards. TommyK
