Words of wisdom/suggestions for ME returning to school for grad work 1

[beh188]

I am in the (very) early stages of investigating the options for returning to school for graduate study in the field of mechanical engineering. My undergraduate degree is also in mechanical engineering, which was obtained about 5 years ago. I would like more technical training in my professional work, which typically involves a mixed bag of design issues (material stresses, joint design, material specifications, ect).

I am interested in part time study so that I can continue working. I am also open to considering online classes. My goals are to increase my technical ability in my professional career. As of yet I have not developed a specific interest, and would potentially be interested in more general study if possible.

Does anyone have suggestions for graduate study in the field of mechanical engineering related to part time and/or online course work?

 

[jdalton]

I completed a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering through Iowa State Universities Engineering On-Line Program. The program is course work only and involves completing 30 hours of work. The professionals and the school were always very understanding towards part time students. It was a significant challenge to complete the degree program and continue working full time.

 

[dhengr]

Beh188:
Given your OP interests/design specs. (issues), why not consider a Structural Engineering Masters? With courses in Advances Strength of Materials, Theory of Elasticity, Materials Testing Methods, Materials Sciences (metallurgy, etc.); Structures, maybe including Shells and Pressure Vessels, Welding, Machine and Equipment Design; Fabricating and Manufacturing methods, and of course various software applications and methods, etc. Some programs will let you tailor most of your courses to build your own program. And, that might lean more toward becoming a good practical, well rounded, engineer, rather than some specific advanced degree, by whatever name. This mixed bag will be from several different university departments, and many of these kinds of courses aren’t taught every quarter, or in night school. I’ve often wondered if having the advanced degree (sheep skin) was as important as being the better engineer you would be for having taken the advanced course work and then show what you can do. Masters degrees and Ph.D’s. can sorta be a dime a dozen, and many of them couldn’t engineer their way out of a paper bag which was open at both ends, and they would need a big computer and FEA software to even make that attempt.

 

[jpankask]

This has been discussed multiple times, so you should be able to do a search and find some good information. In brief, most that have done a part time/online masters while working are glad they did, but it is a lot of work and time commitment. There are many good programs that offer online masters in mechanical engineering. Fewer, but still good ones that offer structural engineering. They will all be about 30 hours of coursework. However, the course offerings will differ somewhat between the various programs. You will need to find the program that offers the classes you want to take and then do a little more research into those specific programs to decide. In general, the professors are fairly accomodating for working students.

For me, the upper level graduate classes is when a some of my undergrad stuff came together. I've said in previous posts on the subject, I can still remember the point in Numerical/Analytical Techniques for Engineers class when several semesters of finally all merged in an "aha" moment and I understood WHY the analysis was done that way.

Am I glad I did the work to get my MS? Yes, it has given me a good background and opened up opportunities for promotion that would have taken me much longer to qualify for at work. Would I do it again if I had really known going into it how much work it would be? I can't definitely say yes to that. When I started, I had one new baby. By the time I was done, I had 3 kids. It was very difficult to juggle work, school and family. My wife was very supportive. Good luck with your decision.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

When I started, I had one new baby. By the time I was done, I had 3 kids.

So we can infer getting your MS online leads to having a lot of kids... ;-)

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[mtu1972]

I agree with what was stated above. In my case I had walked away from a MS program with only my thesis to do because of problems with the schools new main frame and some commitments I made to my then new wife.

That coursework always benefited me, as my contemporaries with BS degrees had not been exposed to it. Segway 27 years down the road and I found 2 schools with structural MS programs (there are plenty more now). I got started and found that I could only take 1 class at a time while juggling work and family. Had some semesters when there was nothing being offered that I wanted. Still in 6+ years I got my degree, learned a lot about computer analysis that had greatly evolved, and know that it made me a better engineer.

At the same time, I knew a young EE that was in a similar program and was taking 2 classes per semester because he had promised his wife that he would get this behind him so they could start their family.

There is no distinction on my MS diploma that indicates that this was from Distance Education in lieu of being on campus. About the only downside is that it was out-of-state tuition.



gjc

 

[jpankask]

I guess you could infer that, MacGyverS200...stress relief! LOL. Have 4 now.

 

[ports394]

I was in my senior year and grad school with some returning industry Mech E's... the one thing I HATED, and made me angry, was when they would interrupt the professor and say "Well that's not how we did it in the industry.". They'd get us off on all kinds of tangents wasting class time and my education dollars.

You have to return to school with an open mind, and above all.. understand you have to pass that professor's tests...

 

[KENAT]

Alternative point of view, the prof's may have been in their academic ivory towers for a bit too long, isolated from industry.

Truth is probably somewhere between the 2, but just saying.

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[ports394]

KENAT, I understand that point of view.. I really do. Because we toss a lot of engineering school work when we get out of school.

But you still have to pass that professor's test. And arguing with them only antagonizes most professor's and eats up valuable class time.

You have to play the game to win.

 

[KENAT]

I suppose it depends on if you take the view point that the degree is just a qualification you need to earn, or if you look at it more as an education to be able to do the job itself.

As an undergrad I would have entirely agreed with your point of view.

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[ports394]

KENAT, even in grad school. I was a controls engineer assigned to a professor that specialized in Jet Engines... my project was heat minimization in hydrogen fuel cells... something neither of us knew a lot about.

I had to drop the program and re-evaluate where I wanted to be because of that. Because going forward meant following the program they had set out for me. I had no option of switching to another grad advisor, or to another project. Thanks to the new graduate department head and I not having a strong relationship.

You can argue with academics all you want, till youre blue in the face...but it comes down to doing what they want if you want a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD.