Looking for Advice on how to Decide on Program and Degree

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello friends, I graduated last year with a BS in Mech. Eng. and am looking forward to grad school sometime in the next few years. Just looking for some advice from those who have done this or are doing something like this now.</p>

<p>In my UG studies I didn't specialize in any sub-disciplines of M.E. because I wasn't really sure what I was really interested in. That's one of the big reasons why I chose M.E. - because of the broad foundation it provides. So now that I have a good idea of what I'd like to specialize in, I'm naturally looking to grad school. My question is really this: how do I choose between a thesis or course-based masters? Does it matter much if its sort of a change of field, like if I go into EE from ME?</p>

<p>I'm looking at doing a Masters in EE/systems/controls which, in my understanding, is outside the field of ME. So how should I decide which department to apply to? Or should I be looking from more of a top-down approach by looking at interesting research/profs/labs and pursuing that avenue?</p>

<p>I know this is sort of a vague and scatter-brained post but I'm hoping some wise or experienced peoples can sound-in on their experiences.</p>

2

<p>A thesis-based master’s is more if you are interested in research as a career, and/or if you think you might want to go on to do a PhD. If you just want to work as a professional engineer, it doesn’t matter which one you pick.</p>

3

<p>I presume that you are working now or at least looking for work. Once you have a few years of experience, it will be clearer to you what kind of degree you want to pursue. As @juillet points out a thesis-based Masters is generally for someone who wants to continue in s research, possibly through to a Ph.D. You might find that your employer is willing to pay for you to get a professional Masters in a specific field or you might decide that you have had enough of the life of an engineer in industry and you want to either change fields or pursue a more academic career.</p>