Can you get a Master's degree in engineering without a Bachelor's in engineering?

Question

I am going to a liberal arts college that doesn't offer engineering majors, but I am interested in a career in engineering. Can I take a B.A. in a related field and get into a Masters program in engineering, or do you have to have a B.S. in engineering?

Answer 1

Yes, but...
It is much more difficult and there are several complications. I have friends who have gone about it this way and they ran into these difficulties:

~ You have to demonstrate to the school that you are serious and have what it takes. That usually is done by excelling in a rigorous engineering BS program. However, a similar natural resources or physical sciences BS may work as well, but don't expect to get as much financial aid without an engineering background.

~ Takes longer since many grad level classes assume (if not outright require) certain perquisites. This may even include series of classes that must be taken one after another before being able to take the grad class you need. With one friend this equated to completing enough undergrad classes to nearly get a second bachelor's degree!

~Difficulty in becoming a professional engineer (PE) after graduating. Becoming a PE generally requires several years of working experience AFTER TAKING THE FE (fundamentals of engineering) EXAM. My friends found that they were not allowed to take the FE since it was only open to juniors or seniors in a BS engineering program. There are ways around this for the PE but it usually involves much more time, money, and paperwork and jumping through hoops for whatever state you are applying to.

So to answer your question, it is possible but much to difficult for most people to care to attempt it. If you really want to pursue engineering I would recommend you transfer schools as soon as possible to save yourself a lot of headaches.

Answer 2

Here is Polytechnic University's policy:

To be eligible for admission as a graduate student, an applicant must hold a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution involving a minimum of FOUR YEARS of full-time study with a cumulative average of "B" in the major field. Attention will be given to the listing of schools by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Computer Science Accreditation Board (CSAB), and by the various regional accrediting associations.

An applicant wishing to enter a graduate field of study different from the undergraduate field in which a Bachelor's degree was earned must anticipate the possibility of taking prerequisite courses for which graduate credit may not be given.

Answer 3

Yes you can. One of my engineering professors did it. However some schools will not expect you unless you got an engineering degree from an ABET accredited school.

You might have to take the junior and senior level engineer courses before they will allow you to get an MSE. Some schools offer engineering masters for non engineering undergrad students.

Look at Purdue University. They offer both types

Answer 4

Check the prerequisites for your Master's degree. There may be some additional courses you may need to get into the Master's program.

Answer 5

I think it depends on the University and the grad program. I'm sure there are programs that would allow related undergrad majors. Start by looking at schools you might be interested in for grad school and see what their requirements are.

Answer 6

No. If you had a degree in something like physics or mathematics... maybe. Liberal arts... no.

Answer 7

You can, but it's more difficult to be accepted and be successful without the background.

Answer 8

Just as long as you have the prerequisites.