With the possibility of a master’s degree in Engineering, students could further develop their technical and professional skills to become more competitive in their fields. 

The proposed Master of Engineering degree is a non-thesis, professionally oriented program that will seek to develop curriculum among different industry-related departments, said Victoria Coverstone, associate dean for graduate and professional programs in Engineering.

More importantly, she said, the new degree will combine in-depth technical expertise with more professional development. This training is beyond what a student could receive from a traditional bachelor’s degree, without the commitment to a Ph.D.

“Increasingly, in the breadth and depth of the engineering profession today, we need additional preparation in professional skills,” Coverstone said. “Industries are looking for engineers who have a broad mix of hard science and math tools, and a big picture understanding of project management and business.”

The proposal for the Master of Engineering degree was passed through the college and graduate college levels before it was approved by the Urbana-Champaign Senate on Feb. 4. Proposals for programs within the master’s degree were also approved, including a major in materials engineering and a concentration in energy systems.

These proposals will be brought to the University board of trustees and the Illinois Board of Higher Education for approval.

Although the college is already well known for its rigorous science curriculum, Coverstone said many engineering students have come forth inquiring about a program that will better prepare them for jobs in industry-related fields of engineering.

“There is a real need for these types of programs, as a bachelor’s degree is not always enough to obtain or keep a good position, and one cannot usually afford to return to school for more than a year to do the advanced training employers want,” said Randy McCarthy, professor of mathematics.  

Coverstone said officials are looking to enroll about 20 to 30 students in the program per year, and the degree will most likely be offered starting in fall 2014. Most of these students will pay full tuition, which will allow the college to generate enough revenue to cover the additional expenses of implementing the program, she added.

A total of 32 hours would be required for the degree, 12 of which must be technical coursework specific to the student’s major or concentration, according to the proposal. At least four of the remaining 20 hours must be spent on an internship with a professional company, laboratory or agency; a design project; or business and leadership courses.

This framework allows for the College of Engineering to team up with departments in other colleges to create a more interdisciplinary program, Coverstone said.

“The Master of Engineering will provide a mechanism to allow us to partner with other colleges in offering new merging areas,” she said. “Now, we have to develop the specific curriculum that will fall under (that framework).”

Steven Michael, professor in business administration, said he supported the program and thinks it is a great addition to the campus. He said he hopes the new program will take advantage of the University’s strengths in other departments. For example, he said the new master’s degree could incorporate curriculum from mathematics, chemistry and business departments.

“I hope that those departments receive adequate information and adequate compensation to plan, and staff courses to meet these programs’ demands,” Michael said.

Gay Miller, chair of the Educational Policy Committee, said transparency in the implementation of any program is a priority, especially if other departments and colleges are involved in the process.

So, as the curriculum for the degree is being developed, Coverstone said she expects departments to be at the discussion table through the whole process.

“If a college were choosing to team with us, they would be involved in developing curriculum from the ground stages, so they would have an equal say in what their involvement would be in the degree,” Coverstone said. 

Lauren can be reached at [email protected].