<p>I am a recent graduate from UCSD with a BS in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. After exploring the many career options within the sciences, I find that none fit the lifestyle I want, and now I am looking to pursue a degree in Engineering. I am still undecided which specialty I would like to study, but I am looking at Civil/Structural, Mechanical, or Environmental. I know that I want to be able to design and do project management related work, working in teams. </p>
<p>I started researching programs for engineering, and it is difficult to find ABET accredited master's programs for engineering. So I feel like I might need to go back to get a second bachelors in an ABET- accredited engineering program. If someone can give me advice on which path I should take, and if I do pursue a non-accredited master's program, what will I have to go through in order to become a PE (because I think it is necessary for the areas of engineering I want to get into). </p>
<p>Also, if anyone has advice or experience in working in these engineering fields so that I can get a better perspective of what a career in them would be like, I would also love to hear about that as well. I feel like I have some prerequisites covered by pursuing a science degree, so a second bachelor's might not take as long to obtain, and ultimately I could get licensed as a PE faster than maybe doing a master's program and having to get much work experience to be able to get licensed. </p>
<p>The ABET-accredited master’s degree programs include applied science programs in subjects like Industrial Hygiene, Health Physics, Radiological Science, and Occupational Safety and Health, and a very small number of master’s degree programs in engineering.</p>
<p>ABET-accredited master’s degree programs in engineering can be found at:</p>
<p>Air Force Institute of Technology (Aeronautical, Astronautical, Computer, Electrical, Engineering Management, Environmental, Nuclear, Systems)
Manhattan College (Environmental)
National Test Pilot School (Flight Test)
Naval Postgraduate School (Astronautical, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems)
Texas Tech (Environmental)
University of Arkansas (Biomedical, Environmental)
University of Cincinnati (Environmental)
University of Hawaii (Ocean)
University of Louisville (Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Industrial, Biomedical, Mechanical)
University of Nebraska (Architectural)
University of St. Thomas (Manufacturing Systems)</p>
<p>No one really accredits Masters programs. If the undergrad program at a school is accredited, chances are the graduate program is of sufficient quality as well. Graduate school is such a personal experience for each student that the concept of accreditation doesn’t make a lot of sense. There isn’t a body enforcing what people should and shouldn’t learn in most graduate programs in engineering because there isn’t a set of expectations that need to be followed. The goal is just to specialize for some people, to dig deeper for others, to do research for still others or a combination of those and other goals, so an accrediting body would be meaningless.</p>
<p>a) It’s almost never a good idea to go back for a second bachelor’s
b) Most good schools state they don’t even accept people going for a second bachelor’s</p>
<p>ABET DOES accredit masters programs, they just will not accredit bachelors and masters programs at the same school and most schools value the undergraduate accreditation more. Accreditation of masters programs (and the leftover undergrad programs) is done by regional accreditation boards - this is perfectly acceptable.</p>
<p>Except in the case of licensing. Some states have different requirements for those with ABET accredited degrees and those without. For a CE or EnvE, that could be a big deal.</p>
<p>What would that mean for someone who has a non-accredited master’s in engineering and a non-engineering BS degree for getting licensed to be a PE? would it be possible to take the FE exam and with much work experience the PE exam?</p>