<p>I?ve been looking at numerous college career websites and it seems that the percentage of mechanical engineers and civil engineers that go to graduate school is significantly lower then the number of electrical, chemical or aerospace engineers. Anyone know why? </p>
<p>I was thinking that maybe mechanical and civil engineers can easily get jobs out of college and only need to go to graduate school if they want to specialize in something specific whereas there aren?t as many opportunities for electrical, chemical, or aerospace engineers until they go to graduate school and specialize. Any ideas?</p>
<p>I think you learn most of what you need in your undergrad coursework to handle a job as a civil engineer. For a civilE, I think it's more important to get a PE rather than a MS. A PE is basically required if you want to work as a civil. </p>
<p>And I don't necessarily agree that EE/AE/chemE have to specialize in something in order to find opportunities. The majority of EE/AE/chemE don't continue to grad school, so it must mean that what they learned as an undergraduate is sufficient enough to find a job. Quite frankly, you don't need an advanced degree to handle industry jobs.</p>
<p>A BS in engineering is typically all one needs to secure a good job in industry. I read somewhere recently (have to dig up a link) where a MS is becoming the new standard in Civil Engineering though, and may become a prerequisite for the PE license in the future.</p>
<p>According to a highly respected member of the CE department at my school a Meng or MS will be a minimum prerequisite for a PE within the next 7 years.</p>
<p>Organizations like ASCE and NCEES have recommended adopting a new model for PE licensure. The new education standard would require an approved MS degree in engineering, or an approved BS degree plus 30 credits of additional study.</p>
<p>But note that private organizations like ASCE and NCEES have no power to enforce these recommendations. The new model would have to be adopted on a state-by-state basis by state engineering boards. In most states, the engineering board probably does not have the power to make these changes either; it would require an amendment to state engineering laws, with approval by the state legislature and the governor. Not a simple or easy process.</p>
<p>These changes probably will happen eventually, but over a period of many years, and the timing will vary from state to state.</p>