"Master of Science" in Engineering degree.

[wifey99999999]

Some big time schools like Purdue and UCLA have programs called "Master of Science, Engineering" degree programs. Programs like these are made for working professionals with the flexibility to design their own plan of study geared for their engineering career (pending advisor's approval), and mostly done by distance learning to accomodate working professionals, but you take the same class and earn the same Master degree as on campus student.

I believe the degree is "Master of Science", under the "Engineering" major.

I am just wondering what you guys think about degree like this? What would the employers view degree like this comparing to degrees like "Master of Science, Electrical Engineering" or "Master of Science, Computer Science"???

I think there has not been discussion about programs like this since this is actually new trend.

[twocosmicfish]

Some big time schools like Purdue and UCLA have programs called "Master of Science, Engineering" degree programs. Programs like these are made for working professionals with the flexibility to design their own plan of study geared for their engineering career (pending advisor's approval), and mostly done by distance learning to accomodate working professionals, but you take the same class and earn the same Master degree as on campus student.

I believe the degree is "Master of Science", under the "Engineering" major.

I am just wondering what you guys think about degree like this? What would the employers view degree like this comparing to degrees like "Master of Science, Electrical Engineering" or "Master of Science, Computer Science"???

I think there has not been discussion about programs like this since this is actually new trend.

These programs have been around for a while - I did my masters at Hopkins while working under a similar program. Academically, these programs are weaker than a regular program (especially a research-based program) and employers know that - they will give you more credit than a BS holder but not as much as someone with a research degree. It also hurts you a bit in PhD admissions but is not insurmountable.

[wifey99999999]

These programs have been around for a while - I did my masters at Hopkins while working under a similar program. Academically, these programs are weaker than a regular program (especially a research-based program) and employers know that - they will give you more credit than a BS holder but not as much as someone with a research degree. It also hurts you a bit in PhD admissions but is not insurmountable.

What similar degree did you do at Johns Hopkins?

I think these programs are geared toward working professionals and are not research-based program, but it does not mean it is "weaker"??? After all, it is still a "Master of Science" degree...

[bgk]

What similar degree did you do at Johns Hopkins?

I think these programs are geared toward working professionals and are not research-based program, but it does not mean it is "weaker"??? After all, it is still a "Master of Science" degree...

At Cornell they offer an MEng degree, which I believe is a 1 year taught course. This is specifically designed for those whose goal is a professional career in Engineering (i.e. working professionals as you call them). There is no terminal MS program (if you get an MS its supposed to be along the way to a PhD). So in this sense certainly the MEng is 'weaker' than the PhD and MS. I think other engineering programs here have an MS degrees (distance based) as you described.

To answer your question better I think you should say in what they are comparing to? MS, Engineering vs PhD? MS, Engineering vs just a BS?

[twocosmicfish]

What similar degree did you do at Johns Hopkins?

I think these programs are geared toward working professionals and are not research-based program, but it does not mean it is "weaker"??? After all, it is still a "Master of Science" degree...

My degree is an MS, while full-time daytime students received an MSE (Master of Science in Engineering). And just because 2 degrees hold the same title, they can still be incredibly different - especially when programs have restrictions placed upon them.

I stand by my statement that these programs are weaker - the courses are often taught by adjunct faculty who often lack theoretical knowledge and teaching skill, the courses are generally less focused, labs are more limited in time and equipment, and the lack of a research project results in a much more shallow understanding of the material. Of the ten courses I took, only two utilized published textbooks, with many of the others using photocopied notes, often handwritten. Part-time programs often hold classes 1x week, 2-3 hours at a shot, which is a good format only for labs and small discussion groups. There are probably more reasons, but it is late.

This is not just my experience - I work for a Fortune 100 company, and I have had it from a few managers that they prefer the full-time degree, and have never heard a counter argument.

[wifey99999999]

My degree is an MS, while full-time daytime students received an MSE (Master of Science in Engineering). And just because 2 degrees hold the same title, they can still be incredibly different - especially when programs have restrictions placed upon them.

I stand by my statement that these programs are weaker - the courses are often taught by adjunct faculty who often lack theoretical knowledge and teaching skill, the courses are generally less focused, labs are more limited in time and equipment, and the lack of a research project results in a much more shallow understanding of the material. Of the ten courses I took, only two utilized published textbooks, with many of the others using photocopied notes, often handwritten. Part-time programs often hold classes 1x week, 2-3 hours at a shot, which is a good format only for labs and small discussion groups. There are probably more reasons, but it is late.

This is not just my experience - I work for a Fortune 100 company, and I have had it from a few managers that they prefer the full-time degree, and have never heard a counter argument.

I do have some counter-argument to your points. First, the UCLA courses are exactly the same as on-campus course, taught by exactly same professor, and exams and homeworks are exactly the same, and textbooks are exactly the same. Just the mode of delivery is different for distance learning students. In this sense, you'd have to study a lot harder than regular students because you'd get less time to listen to professor/TA outside of lecture. Essentially, you are doing the same work as regular students, but with less help from professors / TA. As far as your point on lack of research projects, I must agree that the part time students will be given less emphasis on research because they are already in work force. However, the UCLA program requires a capstone research project at the end of M.S. study for both part time and full time students....

What college did you get your M.S. in Engineering from?

[twocosmicfish]

I do have some counter-argument to your points. First, the UCLA courses are exactly the same as on-campus course, taught by exactly same professor, and exams and homeworks are exactly the same, and textbooks are exactly the same. Just the mode of delivery is different for distance learning students. In this sense, you'd have to study a lot harder than regular students because you'd get less time to listen to professor/TA outside of lecture. Essentially, you are doing the same work as regular students, but with less help from professors / TA. As far as your point on lack of research projects, I must agree that the part time students will be given less emphasis on research because they are already in work force. However, the UCLA program requires a capstone research project at the end of M.S. study for both part time and full time students....

What college did you get your M.S. in Engineering from?

My MS is from Johns Hopkins. UCLA's program (as you are describing it) sounds different than other programs with which I am familiar, although my understanding is that the research project is an option, not a requirement - you can do a comprehensive exam and an extra course instead. IF you are taking courses from the regular faculty, as part of the same curriculum as the full-time students, using the same textbook and materials, then I would not see a huge problem with the program. Do you have full access to the same labs and facilities? Is the range of courses similiar to the full-time program, or is it a limited selection?

[wifey99999999]

My MS is from Johns Hopkins. UCLA's program (as you are describing it) sounds different than other programs with which I am familiar, although my understanding is that the research project is an option, not a requirement - you can do a comprehensive exam and an extra course instead. IF you are taking courses from the regular faculty, as part of the same curriculum as the full-time students, using the same textbook and materials, then I would not see a huge problem with the program. Do you have full access to the same labs and facilities? Is the range of courses similiar to the full-time program, or is it a limited selection?

The research project is a requirement, not an option. UCLA program's students have full access to facilities, such as library and labs on campus (if you are in the area). Because this is a new program, the range of courses is not as extensive as full time program, but more than enough courses are offered for the students to satisfy the requirement to graduate... I am sure the range of courses selection will continue to grow (they just added 2 new area of studies this past Fall.).

I tried to search JHU's website to find out more information about your program, but didn't find any... maybe you can provide a link to the website that describes your program?

Edited December 26, 2009 by wifey99999999

[twocosmicfish]

The research project is a requirement, not an option. UCLA program's students have full access to facilities, such as library and labs on campus (if you are in the area). Because this is a new program, the range of courses is not as extensive as full time program, but more than enough courses are offered for the students to satisfy the requirement to graduate... I am sure the range of courses selection will continue to grow (they just added 2 new area of studies this past Fall.).

I tried to search JHU's website to find out more information about your program, but didn't find any... maybe you can provide a link to the website that describes your program?

"http://ep.jhu.edu/"