<p>As some of you may know, I'll graduate next Spring with a B.S. Mathematics and Physics minor. From my perspective, I wanted to gain a broad and fundamental technical education in undergrad. I view grad school as career training. Applied math is an option at my university. It would be the easiest route logistically. I kind of want something not as technical/hard for graduate school. I know that's backwards. However, I found two interesting engineering programs at University of Maryland: Master of Engineering and Public Policy and Master of Sustainable Energy Engineering. The MSEE is completely online. The MEPP is not. But, the tuition rate is the same for both: ~$880/hour. That's a lot of money. The MSEE would be cheaper, but I like the MEPP.</p>
<p>What do you guys think of the utility of these degrees, particularly the MEPP? Move to Maryland and do the MEPP or stay here and do the MSEE online? I like to look at all my options.</p>
<p>I’m not familiar with the public policy program at UMD so I don’t know what kind of “reach” it has. </p>
<p>As far as usefulness of the actual degree elsewhere, I’m sure there are plenty of places looking for grads. What do you want to do with a public policy degree?</p>
<p>Well, coupled with my undergrad technical background and the engineering graduate courses, some kind of consulting on technical issues for the public and private sectors would be nice. I have a certain interest in politics, government, and so forth.</p>
<p>I too like the UMCP grad programs. Son is interested in biomedical engineering, and they have a nonthesis option. I noticed the online program you speak of. Since grad school apps are going to be very competitive, even in engineering, with advanced degrees needed for employment, I’m wondering if online graduate programs might be good to use as “safeties” should you not get into or get financial aid to your top choice grad program.</p>
<p>I had not thought of a safety. However, I don’t have any top-choice programs. My university right now is borderline Tier 2/Tier 1, so UMCP would be a step up. In fact, all of my other graduate program options are at higher-rated Tier 1 universities.</p>
<p>U-Maryland’s graduate engineering programs are great. My reasons of liking them:</p>
<p>1) Highly ranked and highly regarded
2) GRE’s are not needed for experienced engineers
3) Only 30 credits
4) Can be done online</p>
<p>Because so many jobs are tied to the federal government and have applicants of varied undergraduate majors, you will see many engineering positions (government or consulting) that will ask for a M.S. in Engineering. It doesn’t HAVE to be a specialized engineering field, just a masters level engineering degree.</p>
<p>I’m glad to hear it’s a good program. I’m not an environmental wacko, but this program is very interesting. It would give me flexibility in potentially working in different energy technology start ups, consulting, etc. I support highly-expanded domestic drilling, but I like the all-of-the-above approach to providing energy, if it is market-profitable, not subsidized.</p>
<p>I also like how they have a three-in-one condensed leveling course for someone like me. Otherwise, I would typically have to take three or so leveling courses.</p>
<p>So, should doing the online program be an option? Would potential employers care? Also, this program is a Master of Engineering, not Master of Science. Again, would the employers care? The coursework is the same; there’s just no research component.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t imagine the MEPP program would be useful very many places to be honest. Maybe the school can give you an idea of where the grads of this program typically end up.</p>
<p>There certainly won’t be as many places where it would be as useful as an engineering degree. A graduate might work for a lobbyist organization, government, or non-profit. For example, if you focus on transportation, you may work for the Regional Plan Association, which is a non-profit urban planning organization in the NY/NJ/CT area. Chances are you would work more on the public policy side with such a degree from UMD. Any highly technical work would probably be given either to an in-house engineer, or more likely outsourced to an engineering consultant.</p>
<p>From what I have witnessed, if the position includes R&D and/or managing R&D, then a M.S. with a Thesis component may be sought after because it shows prior work with research. Even today, some “Master of Science” degrees are still non-thesis. If the position does not have any research responsibilities, then it doesn’t matter if the degree is a MEng or M.S.</p>
<p>Disclaimer: I work in software engineering, so my post may or may not apply to other engineering areas.</p>
<p>CMU has a public policy program that’s tied in with the engineering school. However, I believe someone had a negative experience with it on this forum. Can’t remember who exactly though.</p>