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

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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

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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

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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?