Professional Master's Program
The Master of Engineering (MEng) degree at Michigan Tech is a professional degree. It meets the needs of engineers who want to expand their knowledge in a specific discipline or to move into interdisciplinary areas as they plan careers in corporate markets as well as other professional arenas.
The MEng degree is a professional degree, different from the Master of Science (MS) engineering degree. The MEng is a coursework-only degree is designed for students who want to enhance their educational background, but are not interested in doing advanced research. The degree is flexible in that it allows students to gain either a greater depth or more breadth in professional skills. Students may even elect to take coursework in business, in addition to advanced engineering courses, that prepares them for careers in business or government.
The MEng degree can be completed with two semesters of full-time study. This option is less than the typical one and one half to two years of full-time study required for the research-based MS. A student may choose to take a lighter on-campus course load and include a 2-4 credit practicum that can be performed off campus. If chosen, a practicum can be done either on-campus, with your graduate advisor, or off-campus, usually through your employer. The MEng degree particularly lends itself to short-term projects that often are required by industry.
Students pursuing professional degrees are expected to be self-supported and are not eligible for graduate teaching or research assistantships. Scholarships could be available for some students, but, for the most part, MEng students pay full tuition.
Students electing the MEng degree are expected to have a baccalaureate degree in engineering. Exceptional students with degrees in mathematics or science may be selected but are likely to be required to take additional course work for no credit.
Individual degree programs are established by individual students in consultation with their advisor and advisory committee. The College of Engineering and the Graduate School must approve the degree program.
The Master of Engineering student must complete the following:
- Choose an advisory committee
- File a Degree Schedule form
- Complete course work and practicum
- Fulfill a campus residency requirement
- Finish the degree within a prescribed time limit
In addition to College of Engineering requirements, which are described below, individual departments may have additional requirements for MEng degrees with emphasis in their discipline. Students are expected to know their department's requirements.
Degree Option
Coursework requirements must be approved by the advisory committee, and the department chair or associate dean of engineering. Courses taken while an undergraduate at Michigan Tech may be used for graduate degree credits in accordance with the senior rule.