Posted: 5/17/2008 3:56:39 PM EDT
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Here is a specific example: Univ Florida Aerospace What the prognosis on these type of programs? |
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I would ask them if the specific program you're interested in is "ABET" accredited. ABET is the national organization that accredits engineering programs. The professional society for your discipline (ASME, IEEE, etc) would sponsor accreditation by making trained accreditors (Program Evaluators) available to ABET to go through the approval process. You can go to www.ABET.org to determine which programs have been approved. The site is a little user unfriendly so make sure you're looking for the right program. |
) in the current US News Grad school ratings mag.
I looked up UF after reading your e-mail. Didn't look too far but could only see that their BS program was ABET approved. I would ask them via their e-mail link whether the MS program is also accredited, and whether the off-campus program is part of that approval. ABET asks specifically if programs like the one you're interested in exist as part of the basic program being accredited. Being ABET accredited is not essential, but could be a metric to compare one program with another. I'm an ABET Evaluator for certain engineering programs and each program review that I've particpated in had issues that needed fixing, so there is some merit in the ABET process. Good luck. |
I checked out random schools, including my alma mater, and only saw accreditations for BS degrees. I thought maybe accred for that would translate to MS and PhD progs ....? |
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My experience with ABET is limited to BS level programs. I have assumed, maybe incorrectly, that seperate accreditation was available for MS/PHD programs, but maybe not--I have enuff problems keeping up with the BS requirements. Forgot to mention that I got an off-campus engineering Masters degree from UF a long time ago when their learning centers were located at several sites around the state and were linked by closed circuit TV. |
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I've actually about half way done with my MSME and will be finishing it through distance education. I'll be either finishing it through my current school or hopefully if all goes well Purdue. As far as I'm concerned it's just as well to do it distance and work if you can handle it. I was planning on staying and finishing but it is more cost effective for me to work and finish it online. There were some other circumstances that forced me to finish this way but I think it will work out for the best. Don't worry about ABET for MS programs. You will more than likely not find and ABET accredited graduate program since you can't have both BS and MS accredited from what I was told. At the grad level being accredited isn't something to worry about as long as the BS program is. They will be looking more at the program rank and what school it is. I'd do a distance program through the best school you can get into. Good luck. By the way, I also looked at the Georgia Tech program, very good school like Purdue, I'd personally look at Purdue. They are both in the top 10 I believe. |