department of engineering education, virginia tech
DESCRIPTION
Funded by National Science Foundation EEC-0934643. Pursuing an Engineering Doctorate: Exploring the Role of the Combined BS/MS Program Erin Crede Maura Borrego. Department of Engineering Education, Virginia Tech. Presentation for the 2010 FIE Conference . Overview of the Presentation. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
EngineeringEducation
Pursuing an Engineering Doctorate: Exploring the Role
of the Combined BS/MS Program
Erin Crede
Maura BorregoDepartment of Engineering Education, Virginia Tech
Presentation for the 2010 FIE Conference
Funded by National Science Foundation
EEC-0934643
EngineeringEducation
Overview of the Presentation
• Introduction
• Group Discussion
• Data Collection
• Snapshot of Current Programs
• Future Research Directions
EngineeringEducation
Combined BS-MS Programs
• Research questions:1. What is the prevalence of combined degree
programs among U.S. colleges and universities?
2. What are the aims of these programs, as they relate to students’ education and career plans?
• Majority of graduate education studies focus on doctoral level
• Limited and widely varying information on combined degree programs in engineering
EngineeringEducation
What is a Dual Degree Program?
• Students earn both a BS and a MS degree from the same institution
• reduced course load • often in a shortened
period of time
• Completion times range • 3 BS / 2 MS• 4 BS +1 MS • MS in one semester less
than regular students
Graduate
Undergraduate
• Students take both undergraduate and graduate classes senior year
• May be Thesis or Non Thesis
EngineeringEducation
What about your experience?Discuss with a neighbor:
Does your university or department have a combined or dual degree program?
• What is the goal of the program?• How long does it take for
students to complete?• How are students recruited?• Do they complete a thesis?
EngineeringEducation
Methods-Data Collection• Baseline understanding of the types of programs in universities across
the United States
• Internet search for “BS + MS engineering programs”
• 40 pages of relevant links, including 100 colleges and universities:
Classification Description Private Public
Masters L Large University awarding primarily Master’s Degrees
5 6
DRU Doctoral Research Institutions 2 2RU/H High Research Universities 8 27RU/VH Very High Research Universities 13 37
Classification and status of schools with bs/ms programs
EngineeringEducation
Methods-Data AnalysisThemes Categories Codes
Timeline for Completion
Less than traditional
Five years Accelerated
program
Number of semesters less
Number of credits less
Qualities of Applicants
General Academics Motivation
Highly qualified Academically talented Outstanding Qualified Engineering students
Program Objectives and Benefits
Career possibilities Start research early Practical benefits
Increased salary industry career options Continue to PhD Program flexibility
Themes, categories and codes
• Content Analysis of published materials
• Level of detail varied • 1-2 sentences • pamphlets
available for download
EngineeringEducation
A Snapshot of Current ProgramsTimeline for Completion• 41% listed a “five year” program, or “one year beyond the BS” • 29% percent labeled as ‘accelerated’
Types of Students Who Should Consider the Program• 20% searching for “outstanding” students• 16% interested in “highly motivated” students• 15% looking for “academically talented” or “academically
excellent” students
Program Objective and Benefits• 33% to broaden students’ career possibilities
• in industry • doctorate education
• 33% to get an early start on research
EngineeringEducation
Conclusions
Universities should articulate goals and consider establishing standards across engineering departments
Overview of existing dual degree programs Foundation for future studies
Students should ask questions early to determine the best course of study and understand career impacts
EngineeringEducation
Directions for Continued Research
Additional Research Questions:
• Do the ways that combined degree programs recruit students influence their expectations regarding graduate school?
• Do these experiences and expectations influence their perceptions about doctoral study?
Future Plans for the Study
• Interviews with current BS/MS students regarding further graduate education
EngineeringEducation
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the support of the National Science Foundation who funded this research under IEECI 0934643
Questions?