Students across the University frequently decry the lack of practical-based learning they receive from their classwork. When classes are designed, professors and program directors tend to opt more for theoretical based learning than they do more hands-on, real-world application learning. But the College of Engineering may be seeing it a little differently now.

For Monday’s meeting of the Urbana-Champaign Senate, professor Victoria Coverstone, associate dean for graduate and professional programs, submitted a proposal for a new master’s of engineering degree, which would be offered alongside an already existing master’s of science program.

The new program would offer students looking for a more class-based learning experience, opposed to the research-focused program currently offered to students. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature between the two engineering degrees offered is the lack of a thesis in the newly proposed program.

Traditionally, a masters degree in engineering leads to further research in a doctoral program. That route satisfies the needs of mostly foreign-born students, who obtain over two-thirds of all doctoral engineering degrees awarded by U.S. universities. Last fall, 1,133 students were enrolled in a masters of science program in Engineering and 1624 were enrolled as Ph.D candidates. Half of the masters students and nearly two-thirds of the doctoral students enrolled during that semester were international students.

While not all of those international students will return to their home country, many of them will. Those who remain in the United States pursue the degree beyond the bachelors because the job market demands that they be more educated in their respective fields. For those students that simply want more practical experience, the College of Engineering has awarded several non-thesis masters degrees.

Because the proposed degree track is meant to streamline the process of awarding non-thesis degrees and better meet the desires of students, the proposal should be pursued ardently.

Other top engineering schools like MIT and Cornell offer similar course-based masters programs, so offering the additional degree option could attract more students simply wishing for additional education.

This is also the kind of degree that employers will more likely pay for, so they will send their employees here. Employers increasingly need staffs that are well-versed in a world where technology shifts at ever-increasing rates. Beyond that, the connection could bolster recruitment opportunities for our already talented Engineering graduates.

Developing new degrees like this can be pricey, but so far, the college seems confident that the initial sunk costs can and will be covered by existing funds.

So far, the only downside to the degree is that it could limit a student’s ability to advance their studies into a doctoral program if they should wish. That’s simply due to the lack of a thesis and other necessary research skills that most Ph.D. programs require. Those students enrolling in the masters of engineering program will enter it knowing fully well the minor limitation, though.

At that, the job-oriented mission of the College of Engineering is the kind of mentality needed for today’s graduates in all majors, and we wish the program success.