Education and Licensing 1

[Arparker]

I am currently in community college part time to become a civil engineer and plan on transferring to a university in 2017. How ever I have only been able to find one school with a part-time program and its called "general engineering". From what I understand its for majors that aren't going to be specifically doing engineering work its for pre-law, pre-med majors and business and basically gives you a general idea of mechanical, civil, and electrical. Can I manipulate that degree and instead of taking classes in all the different engineers just take classes in civil engineering? You still get a BA in engineering science and I want to get my F.E. then my P.E. When I reviewed the qualifications on the PA board website it didn't say you had to complete your schooling in four years or at the full time level. So, I can't understand why a lot of colleges at least within the Philadelphia area don't allow for part time students to major in Engineering. I attached the general engineering description to this from Temple University. Can anyone please help? There's no way all the engineers in PA went to school full time. And I just don't have the option to go full time. I pay out of pocket for my tuition and in order to pay for tuition I have to work.

 

[bimr]

None of the coursework for pre-med or pre-law students would meet the core requirements for an engineering major.

You need to contact the school where you plan to go in the future. Ask the future school if the credits from the initial school will transfer. It is up to the school to accept the credits. If the credits will not transfer, you would be wasting your time at the first school.

The first year and a half at engineering school, the courses are mostly the same for all engineering students. After the year and a half, engineering education begins to be specific to a discipline.

 

[Arparker]

I know my credits my community college will transfer but my question is will the "general engineering" degree work for become a civil P.E. engineer? If I just take civil engineering courses at Temple and not the other ones could I still use that to get my P.E.?

 

[Ron]

If your engineering degree is from an ABET accredited program, then the discipline makes little difference and your experience after graduation can define the exam you ultimately take. I know several engineers who have a degree in one discipline of engineering and took the PE exam in another because that's where their experience was.

If the program is not ABET accredited, there's probably not a snowball's chance in hell you'll get to take the PE exam.

 

[Arparker]

Yes, it actually is an ABET accredited program. I found that out too when on the board website. It said you could have a board interview with work, schooling and experience. but it was like very strict and precise guidelines. That was the first thing I checked. And I always structural thought structural engineering because I want to build skyscrapers or bridges. I never thought mechanical much because I'm not really in airplanes, helicopters, and engines and stuff like that. And electrical I'm scared to get shocked. Lol, I don't like flipping switch and fuse blows. So I thought it would also be a little interesting to maybe go through with it and see which one I want to do because I can take civil electives. I can't still take F.E. and the can I use the old credits to credits for another degree? I don't think I can't minor in civil. I told you I'm completely lost at this. Especially since I go part time. Drexel University, Widener University, Villanova University, and St. Joe's you had to be a full time student. Does you or anyone know why they do that?

 

[Arparker]

Omg sorry for all the grammar mistakes. My phone is being studied.

 

[Ron]

Keep in mind that essentially any engineering curriculum will expose you to cross-discipline courses. We've all suffered through electrical and mechanical courses. They have more relevance than you think! It is not until you get into your senior year or grad school that you actually have much of an opportunity to specialize or focus on any particular subdiscipline.

Make sure you will be allowed to take the FE exam in your senior year or upon graduation, then go through the internship requirement (4 years of relevant experience under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer). At that point, assuming proof of experience, you should be able to take the PE exam (Principles and Practices Exam). Check with your state board along as you go.

Also keep in mind that if you want to universally practice structural engineering, you'll need to take the 16 hour structural exam, either in lieu of the PE or in addition to....your choice.

 

[bimr]

There is probably not enough market demand for a part time engineering school. That is he reason it is no offered.

 

[bimr]

Civil Engineering at Temple is ABET accredited. There is no "general engineering" degree at Temple or in PA. There is a technology degree at Temple, but you can't get a PE with a technology degree.

http://main.abet.org/aps/AccreditedProgramsDetails.aspx?OrganizationID=338&ProgramIDs=

 

[Arparker]

Bimr look at the attachment to the threat. Yes there is its new.

 

[Arparker]

Here is the general engineering

http://bulletin.temple.edu/undergraduate/engineering/engineering/

Here is general engineering technology

http://engineering.temple.edu/department/engineering-technology

They are two different things

 

[Arparker]

And I'm sorry I read the information wrong the general engineering degree is not ABET accredited yet. It's in the process.

 

[Arparker]

http://engineering.temple.edu/engineering/accreditation

 

[bimr]

ok. One thing that you should be aware of is that some are advocating advanced training beyond the BS degree to qualify for a license.

 

[Arparker]

Okay good to know.

 

[cl220]

Temple University has a Construction Management Engineering Technology Degree offered through department of Civil Engineering. This degree was previously called Civil and Construction Engineering Technology. This degree can be obtained part time at night. And you can sit for your FE and PE with this degree. Some states do not allow you to get a PE with a technology degree, or they may make you have an additional year as an EIT before you can take your PE. Pennsylvania does allow you to get your PE with a technology degree. I hope this helps
Go Owls

 

[bimr]

It does not appear that PA allows a PE with a technology degree.

"Graduation from an ABET-accredited graduate-level engineering curriculum"

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter37/s37.31.html

The Construction Management Technology, BS is not an ABET-accredited graduate-level engineering curriculum. It is "Technology Accreditation Commission".

http://main.abet.org/aps/AccreditedProgramsDetails.aspx?OrganizationID=338&ProgramIDs

 

[cl220]

bimr,
The Construction Management Technology Program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) of ABET. Therefore it is ABET accredited. You are able to sit for the FE and PE with this degree in the state of PA.

 

[beej67]

None of the coursework for pre-med or pre-law students would meet the core requirements for an engineering major.

While this is true, I know quite a few people who got engineering degrees from Georgia Tech who went on to law school or medical school after undergrad, without a lot of the "pre-___" coursework. Turns out, part of what gets you into med school or law school is simply being smart, and focused.



Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East -

http://www.campbellcivil.com

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

Others have given you some good adivse, please look into programs very carefully before you sign up.

My advice, without consideration of the specific programs, is pick an engineering school that offers a program in the field you want to work in, i.e. Civil, Mechanical, etc. Once you identify the school,apply. If you have to work and can only go to school part time, so be it; most schools will work with you.

I do not under any conditions recommend spending any time/money in community college. I know this is unpopular, but the level of education is substandard compared to engineering school. You will spend years in school and then get to the engineering school and find that you are totally unprepared. In many cases the engineering schools are being forced to accept transfer of credits, but that doesn't mean you will be able to keep up once you transfer.

Engineering school is hard, it takes time, and it costs money. Sorry, but that is just the way it is. There aren't short cuts.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope you find a way to make it all work out.

Mike Lambert