<p>Is this allowed? Say, for example, one came from a non-engineering background in undergrad and did graduate work in electrical engineering and was awarded an Msc. They work for a few years, decide they don't find the field too interesting, and want to go back to school for an Msc in mechanical engineering. Would they not be allowed to do this, seeing as they already have an engineering degree? I know this is not allowed in many schools for undergraduate degrees (one with an EE bachelors degree cannot go back to do ME bachelors), but do the same rules apply to graduate school?</p>
<p>If you really wanted to waste your money like that, I don’t see why the school in question would stop you.</p>
<p>A lot of people get multiple Msc degrees in different disciplines so there shouldn’t be a problem. Some schools frown upon multiple bachelors degrees if the area of study is similar. However, lots of schools will accept someone for a second bachelors if it is totally unrelated to the first (ie - Art History and Electrical Engineering). Still, some schools don’t accept students seeking a second bachelors if admission is highly competitive (UCLA, for example). </p>
<p>I know some graduate programs in engineering only state that they will not offer duplicate degrees, either in name or course work. So if you had a Msc in EE from school X & wanted to get <em>another</em> Msc in EE at more prestigious school Y, you probably wouldn’t be accepted. I know plenty of people who have multiple Msc degrees in different areas of engineering, but it <em>is</em> generally considered a waste of time and not very high ROI unless you’re doing it for self-fulfillment.</p>
<p>I think people who have multiple Masters are probably the one who have made switch in their career path several times.
Well… from Big Band Theory, I guess Sheldon is an exception</p>
<p>
ROI? </p>
<p>Also, would it be bad for employment opportunities after graduation if your employer finds out you have an EE Msc along with an ME Msc?</p>
<p>ROI = return on investment. Meaning it won’t boost your salary significantly enough to make the investment worthwhile. </p>
<p>I guess it’s up to the employer but I don’t see how it could possibly be viewed as a negative.</p>
<p>I have known people who have done this, although it was usually part-time programs. Generally speaking, universities will not award duplicate degrees (so only one MSEE) or multiple doctorates, but they will often award multiple masters degrees. In engineering, often your career changes focus as you advance and it is sometime worthwhile to update or expand your knowledge base - sometimes this means a new masters degree.</p>