Masters Degree in Civil Eng 2

[keezii]

Hi

How valuable is a masters degree in civil/envr. engineering? This may seem like an obvious question to some of you, but I have received mixed views/advice on the issue.
To make the question more specific...Would taking 1-2 yrs off professional experience to attain a masters degree, be worth it considering that I am a jr. engineer?

Thnx!!

 

[UcfSE]

The knowledge itself is worth it. Everything else is gravy.

 

[RDK]

A master’s degree will accelerate your career on about a 2 for one ratio.

A two years master’s degree will effectively count for about 4 year’s experience.

This gets difficult to see since those who get master’s degrees are typically the more career driven and ambitious people so they would usually do better even without an advanced degree.

Still, I am glad I got mine, I’d go for a MEng or MSc as well as the MBA if I had it to do over again but that’s just me.


Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng

Construction Project Management
From conception to completion

http://www.kitsonengineering.com

 

[bioengr82]

I had to make the same decision. Especially in civil engineering, IMO, a master's is pointless. If you are to pursue an advanced degree go for MBA, or PhD. Here are my reasons:

You get hired at a little higher salary w/ masters but nothing 2 years experience wouldn't account for.

You get the EXACT same position as a person w/ a B.S.

A P.E. and experience are far more valuable in civil/env; these will weighed far heavier when its time for promotions & compensation.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

If you decide to get an advanced engineering degree, and have not taken the Fundamentals Exam (EIT), I recommend that you do so. In most states, the graduate school time counts, up to a point, as professional experience need to qualify to sit for the Principles & Practice Exam (PE).

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[keezii]

thnx for the responses so far...
-bioengr82: ur response is one that i have been hearing alot from some coworkers. and i truely understand that prof. experience in civil seems to dominate academics.
my need for a masters is merely on my need to learn more about my current job position which im highly interested in. my undergrad background has no relation to my current work description.

 

[monkeydog]

keezii,
If you have the time, and drive to get your MS; Go for it! I would also advise as others have to get your PE also.

 

[macmet]

what about going for the masters part time? Or a portion part time?

I see how it takes away from experience but in the long run how can it hurt? In 15 years will it matter if you have 13 years working experience or 15?

 

[CarolinaPE]

Do you know what you want to do long term? Does that area of your field value the advanced degree? If so then I say go for it. If it does not I am not sure the time and effort (much less loss of wages for two years) makes sense. If the PE is more valued in your field over the masters I would get the PE as it should require less time than a masters. You can study weekends and after hours for 3 months and pass the PE (while earning a full time wage). I have both the MS and PE. Some fields I have worked in value one while some fields value the other more. Few fields value both, neither credential though hurts to have!

 

[aggman]

I would recommend getting your masters degree. It will not hurt you. I would also recommend doing it at a part time level. Sure it requires more effort because you are trying to maintain a full time job but it can easily be done in two years. Most colleges offer the graduate classes either first thing in the morning or in the late afternoons and evenings. Usually your employer will be somewhat forgiving in your schedule as long as you are consistant each semester and they understand what you are doing. (Schedule your hours as 12 hour days for the days your are not in school and six hours for the days you are, etc.) You will not regret it and you can take the knowledge you learn in your classes and apply it to your every day job. An added bonus! The masters usually requires 30 hours. You can take four normal semesters at six hours and tey and pick up the other six during the summer. If you can't then it takes three years. I will tell you my masters has been worth every penny and all the time I put into it.

 

[keezii]

heres a few more clarifications:
- part time is always an option, but a partially full scholarship may be available to attain this ms degree on a fulltime basis only. this is why this decision is hard. if im given an opportunity to get this degree pretty much free at a good school, i will feel awful turning it away...and since its fulltime theres a big possibilty i may get it over in less than 2 yrs.
- the PE is definately something i need and want. the purpose of gettin this degree is not only for advancement but for more clarity in this field...

 

[eric1037]

It depends on your field. In geotech, a Master's is critical to get the higher paying, more technical positions. For other fields, such as civil site design, it may not make much of a difference.

I don't regret getting mine. It knocked a year off the time to get the P.E. It only took me 2 years at night while I worked full time.

It was a tough 2 years, but it was worth it.

 

[matthewj]

Seems the professional societies are leaning towards the notion that that an engineer have a masters as a condition for becoming a PE.

I'm working part-time on a masters, but am also doing some coursework outside my area of specialty, including studying foreign languages. I think versatility is just as important as being a specialist engineer. Those posters that have recommended an MBA are really on to something.

Best of luck!

 

[whyun]

Many master's degree programs are 1 year to 1.5 years. If you can "afford" to carry additional student loan, it wouldn't hurt to get the master's degree.

In reality, BS with a PE is valued more than a MS or Ph.D. without one, at least in the civil/structural design firms.

In terms of pay, in the long run, there is hardly a difference in the design world between BS, MS and PhD. If you want to pursue graduate level education, do it for the sake of self satisfaction. If money is the motivator, there are fields other than engineering that pays much higher... Good luck.

 

[HgTX]

Search through this forum. There have been several threads on this topic in the last year or so (and probably before).

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[zcp]

keezii,

DO IT! Do not wait another second. The notion that you will have the same salary / same job / no benefit as only having your BS is ridiculous.

Three important points:
1) Most of the time, you will be paid to go to school. A teaching or research assistantship is there for the taking. Now who wouldn't want to be paid for 2 more years of the college experience?

2) You will get 2 years of experience either way. A lot of what you do in grad school is even BETTER experience than the real world. Make sure you do your work under a professor with interesting work and research. And make sure to vary your classes / labs / etc. (Also remember the networking as you meet someone new everyday.)

3) [THE BIG REASON TO GO] With increased knowledge and confidence, you will zoom right past those around you. You obviously have the drive and determination or you wouldn't even be considering this. Couple that with addtional knowledge and it will be a deadly combination. You will be faster with your calculations, more organized with your reports, and more professional in everything you do.

One final note, nowadays everyone has a college degree. It is the modern day high school diploma. The only way to differentiate yourself is with the advanced degree. Take it from me, there have been so many doors opened for me because of my advanced degree. Things I wouldn't have even been considered for without it. Remember, knowledge is power.

ZCP

http://www.phoenix-engineer.com

 

[bioengr82]

zcp-
That may very well be true for mech-e, but we are talking about the civil.

 

[CRAIGSTANLEY]

i did my masters using distant education over the internet

it was a walk in the park...I took 1 class a semester(spring/summer/fall) and was finished in 3.5 years...1 class a semester is pretty easy to handle, even when working full time

i could not imagaine actually attending a masters program in person since there are several reputable schools that offer masters degrees in CE online

check out the link

http://www.engr.utk.edu/civil/gradprogram/distance-ed.php

just my 2 cents
good luck

 

[zcp]

bioengr82,

Engineering is engineering when it comes to additional knowledge, increased productivity, and getting the job done. Are you telling me a masters in civil is not up to par with a masters in any other discipline? You get more knowledge, more experience, networking, and you just might get paid to do it. If you have the desire and motivation to learn, how can a masters be bad?

ZCP

http://www.phoenix-engineer.com

 

[bioengr82]

I never said a master's was bad. The question was whether it is worth the time, money, and missed opportunites in the real world. IMO the benifits do not out weight the costs.

And yes, I would hazard to say a master's in Civil is not on par with other disiplines on a cost/benifit ratio (benifit = finincal compensation, advancement). Many disiplines require a master's to even be considered for employment (ex. physical therapy).