ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN THE
US
Table of Contents
This
handout provides an overview of undergraduate and
postgraduate engineering programmes in the US.
Undergraduate Engineering
Degrees
Postgraduate Engineering Degrees
Employment Opportunities
Engineering Scholarships
Engineering Professional
Associations
Resources in the EAS
Engineering graduates are in demand all over the
world. Engineers are needed not only for the practical
application of the engineering industry, but also
in professional fields including medicine, law, business
and government. The specific knowledge of science
and technology that engineering graduates provide
is important for almost all organisations to remain
competitive. As the potential use for engineering
skills grows, engineering programmes at US universities
advance and expand in focus. Majors now include Aeronautics
and Astronautics, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering,
Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering
and Computer Science, Materials Science and Engineering,
Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Ocean
Engineering, Biological Engineering, Engineering Systems,
and Systems Design and Management. Each of these subjects
has its own curriculum and employment opportunities.
This handout will discuss Engineering as an undergraduate
major, a postgraduate programme, or a professional
field.
Undergraduate
Engineering Degrees
Please keep in mind that US university courses and
programmes differ greatly from one another in any
discipline. However, the admissions process for undergraduate
degrees in engineering is similar to other programmes
of study in the US. Usually, you must apply directly
to the institution, so visit their website to find
more information. Most US colleges and universities
require SAT exam results, a personal statement, a
transcript, and letters of recommendation. Please
read our handout, The
EAS Guide to Undergraduate Study in the US for
more information about application procedures. The
best way to discover whether a programme is right
for you is to study its course listings and to think
about its faculty. Are they professionals or scholars?
Is their work research orientated, professional or
academic? Think about what you wish to do after finishing
your education and seek programmes whose courses and
professors will help you to accomplish your goals.
It is also important to know if the programme you
are applying to is accredited. The status of your
undergraduate institution could affect you chances
of enrolling in graduate school or becoming a certified
Professional Engineer. The Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology reviews the quality of
university programs and awards accreditation for those
schools that meet the minimum standards. You can learn
more about the accreditation process by visiting www.abet.org.
Bachelor's Degree Curriculum
Similar
to other 4-year undergraduate degrees in the US, engineering
students are usually required to complete a series
of general education courses before choosing in a
specific major. Most undergraduate students are required
to take courses that are part of a core-curriculum
in the first two years of study. General requirements
include humanities, literature, science and math courses.
During the first two years students also need to fulfil
the pre-requisite or introductory courses in the subject
of their interest. In the final two years students
choose from courses that relate to their specific
major in this case, engineering science. Most undergraduate
programmes will combine mathematical and scientific
theory with hands on laboratory experience in order
to prepare students for postgraduate studies or immediate
entry to the workforce.
Two-Year Engineering Programmes
Community
Colleges in the US offer technical Engineering Degrees
including an Associate of Science (A.S.) and Associate
of Applied Science (A.A.S.). After completing an Associates
Degree, students are qualified to work as a technician
or many continue to a four-year institution to earn
a Bachelor's degree. For more information about the
Associate Degree in Science and Applied Science please
see "Community Colleges: Cutting-Edge Technology"
Advising Quarterly No 33.
Postgraduate
Engineering Degrees
Master's Programme Admission
In order
to gain admittance to postgraduate engineering programmes
in the US, most schools require applicants to have
an undergraduate degree in engineering, but a maths
or science degree may be acceptable. Some postgraduate
programmes will expect students to be familiar with
basic electric circuits and electromagnetic theory.
If you are not comfortable with some core engineering
theories it may be possible to complete remedial courses
along with your postgraduate courses.
If you have a Bachelor's degree from a foreign institution
and are planning to continue your Engineering studies
by earning a postgraduate degree in the United States
you may have to prove that your foreign undergraduate
degree is substantially equivalent to an ABET-accredited
institution. Most postgraduate engineering programme
applications require an official transcript of past
studies, a letter of reference, a personal statement
and a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
test score minimum of 550, if English is not your
native language. Some programmes may require a graduate
admission test, such as the Graduate Record Examination
(GRE).
Master's Programme Curriculum
Postgraduate
Engineering Students earn a Master's of Science (MS)
or a Master's of Engineering (MEng) degree. It is
common for graduate students to choose to specialise
in one of the five basic fields of engineering; Chemical,
Civil, Electrical, Industrial, or Mechanical. Most
postgraduate engineering programmes develop the skills
desirable in a competitive work environment. Many
engineering schools offer a curriculum with a focus
on using technology, working in teams, and taking
courses in other disciplines.
Doctorate Programmes
The two highest
degrees an engineer can earn are a Doctor of Science
(DSc) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). In order to
gain a position as a researcher or a teacher, most
engineers will need to earn a Doctorate degree. A
Doctorate degree usually takes a minimum of seven
years of undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Employment
Opportunities in the Engineering Industry
Although
most engineers specialise in one of the major field,
almost all engineers incorporate the theories and
principles of science and mathematics into their research
in hopes of developing effective solutions to design
and production problems. Engineers have the freedom
to apply their knowledge in different industries and
environments. The education qualifications and licensing
requirements ensure that engineers are highly skilled
professionals, therefore, salaries are usually higher
for engineers than in other industries. If you are
interested in returning to the UK after gaining a
US degree, we strongly recommend that you check with
engineering associations and employers in the UK to
see if they would recognise and accept an engineering
degree from the US.
A license is required before an engineer may practice
before the public in the US. Each of the 50 states
has a separate licensing board. The first step to
earning an engineering license is contacting the licensing
board in the state you wish to work. You can find
their contact details at www.ncees.org. A bachelor's
degree is also required for most entry-level engineering
jobs.
Licensing to Work in
the US
Engineers that are
licensed are called Professional Engineers (PE). In
order to become a PE, engineers must graduate from
an ABET-accredited engineering programme and pass
the state examination. All 50 states and five US territories
have different testing criteria, but most states recognise
PE licensure from other states. There are two stages
to PE licensure. Engineering students must pass an
initial exam, testing basic skills. After successfully
competing this exam graduates become Engineers in
Training (EIT). Engineers are expected to gain work
experience before attempting the second stage of licensure,
another exam entitled the Principles and Practice
of Engineering. When both stages are completed engineers
have gained the PE license valid in their state.
Foreign Graduates Licensing Procedures
Foreign
educated engineering students first must prove that
their engineering diploma is substantially equivalent
to ABET accredited programmes in order to begin the
PE licensure process. There are recognised Accreditation
Agencies for the assessment of engineers educated
outside of the United States. Engineering Credential
Evaluation International (ECEI) is an independent
service that specialises in assessing the academic
qualifications of foreign educated engineers. The
55 different state and territorial boards ensure that
practising engineers are qualified by examining three
areas.
-
Academic credentials
-
Experience as a practising engineer
-
Knowledge (by a series of examinations)
To learn more about the procedure please visit www.ecei.org.
Fellowships
and Scholarships for Engineering Studies
A
number of fellowships and scholarships have been instituted
to aid further study and research in the engineering
field. Most of these are intended for individuals
pursuing careers in engineering. Students interested
in Engineering Studies should contact organisations
specialising in their particular interest for information
about funding that may be available to them. A list
of these organisations can be found in The Encyclopedia
of Associations, 38th Edition in the EAS library.
In addition, students should contact all of the institutions
to which they intend to apply and enquire about university-funded
scholarships and fellowships, which are becoming increasingly
common in engineering fields. There may also be teaching
assistantships, research assistantships or administrative
assistantships offered by the university.
The organisations listed below provide funding for
students interested in engineering. This list is by
no means complete, and students are urged to visit
the library at the US Educational Advisory Service
(EAS) for further funding information relevant to
all subject areas and do their own research into new
funding options. Students should contact funding organisations
directly to determine their eligibility for awards.
Peterson's "College Money Handbook", pg. 786, 2000.
Found in the EAS Resource Library
"Engineering Fellowships, Grants and Scholarships"
http://www.eng.nsf.gov/Reports/Scholarships/scholarships.htm
Engineering
Professional Associations
As this list
is not exhaustive, please visit the EAS resource library
or search the internet for more organisations in your
specific field. The associations listed below are
helpful for prospective students because they can
provide insight into specific engineering fields,
and have awards for undergraduate students, postgraduate
students, and research scholars. These associations
are also helpful to job applicants because there might
be a professional willing to share his or her experience
in a specific occupation or help you in your job search.
Accreditation
Board for Engineering and Technology
Aerospace
Education Foundation (AEF)
American
Association of Engineering Societies (AAES)
American
Computer Scientists Association (ACSA)
IEE
Computer Society
Tau Beta
Pi Engineering Honor Society
RESOURCES
IN THE EAS
- Accreditation Board
for Engineering and Technology. "ABET Accreditation
Yearbook." 2002
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01 Edition, Bulletin
2520. Superindendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington CD, 2000.
- Edition XII Ltd. "Postgraduate Engineering and Technology
Studies in Europe, the CIS and NA." Edition XII, London,
1995.
- Education International Ltd. "Guide to Graduate
Engineering & Computer Science Programs in the
USA 2000 Edition".
- "Engineering and Science Programmes in the US".
Transworld Education Studying Overseas Volume 6 Issue
8. Empire Publishing Company. Pages ESP 6-18
- Encyclopedia of Associations. "Engineering, Technological,
and Natural and Social Science Organizations". The
Gale Group, 2000.
- GRE Directory of Graduate Programs in Engineering
& Business, 17th Edition, 2000. ETS, 1999.
- Education International. Guide to Graduate Engineering
and Computer Science Programs in the USA 2002. Education
International, Victoria, 2000.
- Humphreys & Tokuyama. "Community Colleges: Cutting-Edge
Technology". The Advising Quarterly. No 33 pg 10-13.
- American Society for Engineering Education, 1998
SME Guide to Minteral Schools. Seeley W. Mudd Memorial
Fund of AIME, Littleton, 1998.
- Peterson's Computer Science & Electrical Engineering
Programs. Peterson's, Princeton, 1999.
- "Studying Engineering and Science in Britain". Transworld
Education Studying Overseas. Volume 6 Issue 8. Empire
Publishing Company. Pages SC 2 - SC 18.
- Princeton Review. The Princeton Review Student Advantage
Guide to Graduate Programs: Engineering, 1997 Edition.
Random House, New York, 1996.
Further Resources on the Internet
The
following websites may be helpful to students and
professionals seeking educational programmes or employment
in engineering in the US.
Education:
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
(ECEI)
www.ecei.org
American Society for Engineering Education - www.asee.org
Distance Learning for Engineers - www.learnon.org
Employment: EngineerJobs.com - www.engineerjobs.com
Engineering Central - www.engcen.com
Petroleum and Oil Careers - www.oilcareer.com/
Summer Scholarship Programmes - zeus.sequias.cc.ca.us
/mesa/scholarship.htm
