Post graduate education accreditation?
Post graduate education accreditation?
(OP)
Hi everyone. So I'm in a bit of a pickle... I'm in my 3rd year as a civil EIT, working in bridge design in WV. I'm wanting to get started on a graduate degree, but am running into hurdles so I have a few questions:
1. The only college I can physically attend while keeping my job is Marshall U. Their undergrad is ABET accredited but none of their grad programs are. How important is accreditation for the graduate degree?
2. ME vs MSE in regards to professional advancement and usefulness?
3. What about an online grad degree? I've seen some offered from colleges like University of Louisville and North Carolina State... anyone have experience, recommendations, or advice on going that route?
Thanks!
1. The only college I can physically attend while keeping my job is Marshall U. Their undergrad is ABET accredited but none of their grad programs are. How important is accreditation for the graduate degree?
2. ME vs MSE in regards to professional advancement and usefulness?
3. What about an online grad degree? I've seen some offered from colleges like University of Louisville and North Carolina State... anyone have experience, recommendations, or advice on going that route?
Thanks!





RE: Post graduate education accreditation?
RE: Post graduate education accreditation?
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: Post graduate education accreditation?
RE: Post graduate education accreditation?
@77JQX - no, you're right, I'm only getting one for Civil as well. Guess that answers that question.
My state (WV) credits 1 year experience for the graduate degree as well, but the way it was explained to me was that I couldn't get the credit for the graduate degree AND get the credit for experience from work while pursuing the degree. Basically, I'd have to pick between claiming the two years of work experience, or claiming the 1 year from the degree. (Perhaps this is a common practice in the other states too?) So I don't think I'd be claiming the degree for the experience to sit for the PE, it'd be more for professional development and expanding my education.
RE: Post graduate education accreditation?
Be careful with that. I don't think you get to double count your time. If you spent the year of 2015 working under a PE while getting an ABET Masters degree, I don't think that counts as two years of experience, only one. You'd get the year by doing either or both, but you don't get two years for doing both. At least I don't think you would. It might vary by state, and you'd be wise to verify with your state board before banking on it.
I believe the rule is interpreted in Georgia as "up to one year of your life in post graduate engineering education can be applied toward your experience," not "we tack a year onto your experience if you've got a Masters degree."
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: Post graduate education accreditation?
You might want to look at taking the night courses in order to develop your craft without regard for the above.