Masters in Engineering

"Advance Your Career with a Master's Degree in Engineering"

UPDATED @ April 4, 2023

Masters in Engineering

Masters in Engineering is an immensely broad field, encompassing a wide range of specializations and disciplines. From traditional fields such as civil engineering and electrical engineering to more specialized areas like nanotechnology and biomedical engineering, there are many different types of engineering encompassed within the field.

Among these major disciplines are civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace/aeronautical engineering, agricultural/biological engineering, computer science/engineering, industrial/manufacturing engineering, materials science and nuclear science/engineering.

Within each of these primary fields exists a variety of sub-disciplines which further specialize knowledge and skills.

For example, within civil engineering there are subdivisions like structural or environmental engineering; within mechanical there are subdivisions like robotics or fluid mechanics; and within electrical there are subdivisions such as microelectronics or photonics.

This then serves to greatly expand the number of individual fields represented in the broad umbrella term ‘engineering’. Moreover, with the rapid advances made in technology and scientific knowledge over recent decades – especially in combination with the rise of interdisciplinary research – it is likely that new branches of specialization will continue to be added to this list in the years to come.

All told then, there are currently dozens upon dozens of distinct fields that can be found under the umbrella term ‘engineering’.

A more thorough list can be found on this page.

Coming back to masters in engineering, A Master’s in Engineering is a postgraduate degree that provides students with advanced knowledge and technical skills in a specialized area of engineering. With this degree, graduates can pursue careers in a wide range of industries and disciplines, from civil engineering to computer science/engineering and even biotechnology.

Masters in Engineering has become one of the most crucial fields as there is growing and always will be a substantial need for engineers. Historically engineering has been one of the highest paying careers. In many studies and surveys, engineering-related jobs still command some of the highest incomes of all.

A Master’s in Engineering typically requires two years of coursework and research. This includes courses such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering theory, as well as specializations specific to the student’s chosen field.

Depending on the program, students may be required to conduct laboratory or field work to understand concepts more deeply or complete an independent research project. Some programs also require students to take additional courses outside their major field of study such as business management or law.

Students who obtain a Master’s in Engineering are highly sought after by employers due to their diverse knowledge base and technical skills acquired during the program.

Graduates of a Master’s program can go on to become involved in research and development projects, teach at universities, or transition into industry positions such as product design engineers or operations managers.

Additionally, many engineers use their degrees to pursue higher-level administrative positions within organizations or transition into management roles overseeing engineering projects.

A Master in Engineering is required for various job roles and can lead to many excellent and rewarding career opportunities. So if you have a flair for applied sciences and are looking for a steady career, then engineering is a wise choice.

There are engineering careers for practically every discipline of science. Though it is not mandatory to complete a master’s degree to get a job in engineering, there are many valid reasons why earning this credential might be worth it.

Along with the apparent salary benefits, you’ll qualify for more jobs, have greater job security, and put yourself in the best position to stay up-to-date in your skills.

Time Frame & Entry Requirement

Completing a Masters in Engineering typically takes one to two years of study at an accredited college, university, or professional school. However, various factors may increase or decrease the amount of time taken from enrollment to graduation.

As for all subjects, entry requirements will vary depending on the program and institution. Students need to check the website of the university for their entry policies. However, most courses tend to require a high level of mathematic and scientific performance from students.

You’ll be required to turn in typical admissions requirements along with a bachelor’s degree, such as an application and fee, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and personal essays.

If you have a bachelor’s in a field other than engineering, you can still choose to do a Masters in Engineering. Many engineering colleges allow non-engineers to apply to their master’s programs by providing bridge programs to get students up to speed before entering the actual master’s program.

You’ll likely need some graduate-level math and engineering courses behind you. This means you might need to take some college-level math courses at a different institution before applying for your master’s.

Course Structure and Content

In terms of branches and sub-branches, Engineering is a diverse field. One might expect to acquire a detailed knowledge of an engineering specialization throughout their masters.

Engineering jobs and education come in all shapes and sizes. However, courses tend to require a high level of mathematics and scientific performance from students. Many masters-level programs may include hands-on projects or theoretical thesis.

Graduates may also improve their organizational and research abilities, which are helpful in personal and professional situations. Few Common specializations for a masters degree are

Electrical Engineering: Electrical engineers oversee the design, development, and manufacturing of tools and equipment to produce and distribute electricity. Engineers work with equipment such as generators, transformers, electric motors, and electric ignition systems.

Civil Engineering: Civil engineering involves designing and developing infrastructure projects. It can be on a vast scale, such as the development of nationwide water supply networks or transport systems, or a smaller scale, such as constructing single roads or buildings.

Mechanical engineering: For Masters in Engineering mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest types of engineering. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test. They deal with anything that moves, from small components to build machines.

Computer engineering: This subject draws expertise from electrical engineering and computer science. It is related to the prototyping and design and of computing hardware and software.

Aerospace engineering: Aerospace engineers explore the knowledge of interdisciplinary subjects such as computer science, physics, and maths to design, build, and test machines that can fly. Aeronautical engineers focus on aircraft, and astronautical engineers focus on spacecraft.

Chemical engineering: Chemical engineering involves developing and applying chemical substances (or products), usually in industrial quantities.

Engineering Management: You could also study one of the above branches of engineering with management. Engineering Management is an interdisciplinary field. Courses in these programs combine industrial engineering skills and business expertise.

Tuition Fee For Masters in Engineering

The tuition costs vary significantly across countries and institutions. You can expect to pay between $30,000 and $80,000 per year for a Masters in Engineering in the U.S. The cost range for an equivalent degree is 15,000 GBP – 35,000 GBP per year in the U.K.

Salary and Career Outlook

The Mater’s degree is just one step on the path towards becoming an engineer; depending on the specialization chosen by the student, further education may be required for professional licensure or certification.

Along with other qualifications (such as relevant experience) licensure often allows engineers to ascend quickly up career ladders within their fields of expertise. Obtaining a Masters degree from an accredited university will give you all the necessary tools needed for success within this broad yet rewarding profession.

Graduates of an engineering master’s program may choose to continue their education in a doctoral program and direct a research facility or teach at the university level. Others can work as independent consultants for engineering firms.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), engineers have a median annual wage of $91,010. The Masters in Engineering field projects to have employment growth of nearly 140,000 new jobs over the next decade, especially in industries like mining, construction, and manufacturing.