Hello all, I’m in an unaccredited engineering program. Before I look into transferring I was just wondering if there’s any possible way at all that I could go to a masters program. I attend Electronics Engineering at JWU currently. I’m debating about transferring out, but I just wanted to get all information about furthering my education first.
We have consistently given you the same advice on the matter: transfer. Any half-decent Masters program would require that you take the core of the accredited Bachelors program for the relevant major anyways - the only thing you would get leeway on is elective classes. A (useful) Masters isn’t some way to get around the requirements of the undergraduate degree, it is strictly a means to further your education in the field.
I’m simply just exploring all options before making a big financial decision. I just want detailed information about this topic in order to completely think things through.
On a side note I have figured out that if I move to Massachusetts I can take both the FE and the PE even though I’m unaccredited. The whole point of accreditation from what I gather, is to both prove that your program met the standard and to enable you to take the FE and PE. I’m just trying to figure out if non-abet can go to masters degree to evaluate transferring vs not transferring. I already work in the field, and getting a FE and PE would certainly help.
The way it seems right now, the only downside of graduating unaccredited for me might mean I can’t continue my education. I just want to determine if this is the case 100% of the time for all valid masters degrees, as I heard before that needing an abet degree 100% of the time isnt entirely the case. I just wanted some explanation regarding that. Also if it’s required that I get a master’s degree or not. What advantages it has.
I’m only trying to evaluate everything before moving forward.
The thing is, you’ve made several topics on this same issue and gotten a lot of information on it. I am not really sure what else you are trying to find.
There comes a time when “I just want more information” is just an excuse for inaction. It’s good to be sure you are making the right decision but you do eventually have to take action.
The licensure requirements absolutely need accreditation. Further education will also either need or strongly support the need for accreditation. The decision to take a program that is not accredited for EE specifically is a bad one. The decision to pigeonhole yourself into a terminal degree of questionable value is a poor one.
At this point, you have everything you need. It’s time to act.
You can take the PE exam in CA without an ABET degree. It just requires more work experience (2 years more I believe) before you can take the test. An ABET degree probably better prepares you to actually pass the exam.
for Massachusetts
https://www.pcshq.com/?page=engineeringandrelatedfields,umassachusettspebycomityeligibilityrequi
So you either have to get an accredited advanced degree and then work four years, or work eight years. That’s a long time. I think it would be hard to get a master’s with a n unaccredited bachelor’s. And employers would not be happy if you had to wait 8 years to get your PE.