While there are several master’s degrees in engineering, most of them can be sorted into two distinct categories: practice-based or research-based degrees.
Master of Engineering (MEng) degrees are practice-based and include a practical independent project as part of the degree completion requirements. These degree programs typically can be completed in one year or less. Students in these programs do not typically pursue doctorate studies in engineering and instead work in management positions related to engineering or as team leads for engineering projects.
Master of Science (MS) degrees are research-based and typically require a research thesis as part of the terminal degree requirements. In addition, students in these programs can pursue doctoral studies and often need 18 to 24 months to complete their master’s degree.
Other master’s degrees in engineering include:
These days more and more on-campus and online degree programs offer part-time and full-time enrollment options to meet the diverse needs of today’s students. Part-time enrollment options allow students flexible scheduling to complete their degrees while maintaining employment in their current professions.
Part-time enrollment reflects the number of courses a student takes in a semester, typically fewer courses than the typical time-to-completion timeline suggests for full-time enrolled students. Colleges and universities may include a completion deadline for part-time students and require that they complete their degree within a certain number of years.
Full-time enrollment indicates that a student is taking classes at the time-to-completion rate suggested by the academic department. Most master’s degree programs take approximately one to two years to complete full-time enrollment.
Here’s an example of part-time and full-time enrollment: if an engineering program reports its time-to-completion as 24 months and requires 32 credits to complete the degree, students have two timeline options. With the full-time option, graduate students would take eight credits per semester and finish their degree in four semesters or 24 months.
With the part-time option, graduate students taking less than eight credits per semester would complete their degree when all 32 credits are earned. Some programs have completion deadlines that dictate the maximum number of years students have to complete their degrees.
Accelerated master’s degree programs are fast-tracked degrees that allow students to pursue degree studies in 12 to 18 months or half of the time typically required in a traditional two- or three-year master’s degree program. Students who want to save time and money without sacrificing academic rigor are ideal applicants for accelerated degree programs.
Accelerated program course formats are both on-campus and online and typically require coursework to be completed during summer semesters and sometimes nights and weekends. In addition, the intensive nature of accelerated degree programs usually requires students to be enrolled full-time.
Dual degree programs allow students to complete two degrees in closely related disciplines by offering them the chance to apply credits earned toward two separate academic programs. They typically extend the average time to completion of graduate studies by one year or more.
Dual degree programs include the combination of an undergraduate and a graduate degree or two graduate degrees. For example, combining an engineering degree with another related degree, such as an MBA, allows students to apply credits earned from one course towards two degrees.
Full-time undergraduate students in dual degree programs earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five years rather than six years. Dual-degree graduate students can earn two degrees in three years rather than four years. For students who want to save time and money, dual degrees allow “double-dipping” by earning course credit that counts towards two degrees rather than just one.
An example of a bachelor’s and master’s dual-degree program is Northeastern University’s “PlusOne” accelerated master’s in engineering management. Students enrolled in this dual degree program can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. In addition, a master of science in energy systems program is also available and can be completed through the PlusOne program in five years.
An example of a dual master’s degree program in engineering is the Purdue University College of Engineering which offers engineering graduate students the option of earning a dual master of science in engineering (MS/MSE) and a master of business administration (MBA) through Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Students in this online dual degree program earn valuable skills that prepare them for engineering management careers.
In addition, students in this program save approximately $100,000 in tuition and take 80 credits fewer than they would in a non-dual degree program.
Dual degrees in engineering and business administration give students a competitive edge in searching for jobs with combined technical and business leadership skills.
Other typical dual-degree combinations in engineering include:
In recent years, educational institutions have followed economic trends and started offering online degrees and on-campus degrees. Data from U.S. News and World Report shows that in today’s world shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic, online delivery of education shined brightest in 2020 and beyond. As many campuses closed down, colleges were made to shift their courses to remote delivery and were made to finish out their semester online.
Education experts believe that this sudden shift will further accelerate the growth of distance learning and will show its true potential. Due to this forced trial, experts say colleges will now look forward to delivering more online offerings and developing new degree programs.
If current trends hold, more students are opting to earn their degrees online to remain in their current jobs and avoid relocating themselves and their families. Online degree programs expand educational access for students who are unable or unwilling to disrupt their earning potential while completing their degree. A list of online engineering degrees can be found on this site’s online engineering degree programs page.
U.S. News & World Report shows the following trends to watch in online education:
On-campus degree programs in engineering are also available from various educational institutions for students who live near a college or university, can relocate, or can attend classes in person.
The number of specializations available to prospective engineering students is vast and often combines with other related fields in science and technology. Below is a list of some specialization fields available to students bound for engineering graduate programs, which can affect program duration.
With all the information provided above, it is clear that a substantial amount of time commitment is required to earn a master’s in engineering. Programs mostly require a minimum of 30 credits and approximately two years of study (full-time).
Depending on the delivery structure and specialization, some programs may take three years to complete, while others might take just one year. In certain cases, part-time students may be given up to six years to finish their degree.
Several shorter programs usually focus on a specific concentration or might expect their students to apply for transfer credits toward their degree requirements. This tends to cut down the program duration even more.
Others might offer asynchronous courses which are presented in self-paced or accelerated formats. Students preferring a more structured experience might be interested in pursuing cohort-based programs, as these programs offer great faculty support but are generally longer in duration. As you explore your course delivery methods and program options, it is crucial to consider your career goals, personal preferences, and learning style.
Rachel Drummond has combined her experience in education and mindfulness to foster a holistic approach to engineering studies since 2019. She explores how nuance can be integrated into repetitive practices, advocating for balancing mental and physical well-being to enhance productivity and innova...
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