Everything You Need to Know About Engineering School Programs in MA
What is an engineer? Engineering covers a wide array of disciplines but all are based on constructing things according to mathematical and scientific principles. The goal of engineering is to design and create structures which will help to improve the lives of the public. The very best engineer candidates possess several key characteristics:
- Strong proficiency in math and science
- Good communicators and team players
- Detail oriented and very analytical
- Inventive and creative
Areas that Massachusetts Engineering School Programs May Specialize In
Civil engineering. Concerns itself with the design and expansion of buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructures.
Chemical Engineering. Employing the application of chemical principles to design new fuels and materials.
Electrical engineering. Specializes in the design and study of electrical and electronic systems. For example telecommunications, motors, circuits, personal computers, generators, etc.
Mechanical engineering. Refers to the design and implementation of mechanical systems for example weapon systems and aerospace products.
Other common areas of interest include:
- Environmental engineering
- Nuclear engineering.
- Biomedical engineering
- Industrial engineering
- General engineering
By no means, however, is this list exhaustive. Altogether there are actually over 20 types of disciplines in engineering.
Why Enroll in Engineering School in Massachusetts?
If you aim to eventually secure a professional job in Massachusetts being an engineer, with no doubt, receiving a 4-year degree from an accredited college is a must. A Bachelor of science in engineering or perhaps a Bachelor of engineering technology will help you to pursue a successful career within the engineering field in MA. If you choose to go to a Massachusetts engineering school it may improve your odds of making connections in the industry and interning on local projects.
How Do I Choose the Right Massachusetts Engineering School for Me?
Choosing the best school and degree program for you personally can be a daunting and difficult task. There are numerous variables to take into consideration, and ultimately you have to choose an institution that that can satisfy your needs. For many, the top three contributing factors are tuition costs, location and reputation. Other factors to think about are:
- Is the engineering school ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited?
- What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
- Do they provide continued education (Masters/Doctoral programs)?
- Will the school offer you internship and foreign study opportunities?
- Is the curriculum suited to your particular area of interest?
- Does the engineering school offer any kind of job placement help or services in Massachusetts?
After Engineering School
Another essential step is the getting a professional engineering license. Should you ultimately wish to offer your services as an engineer Massachusetts law requires that you pass a number of engineering test.
The engineering exams required for acquiring your license are split up into two test. The first is the fundamentals of engineering exam. The 180 question test covers:
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Computers
- Stats and probability
- Ethics and business practice
- Economics
- Engineering and fluid mechanics
- Strength of materials
- Material properties
- Magnaitism and electricity
- Thermodynamics
The second test within the series of exams will be the Principles and Practice of Engineering test. By comparison, the PE exam would depend on your discipline of engineering. Pre-requisites to take the exam include a degree and 4 years of experience working under a licensed engineer. The exam is given twice a year in Massachusetts by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES.)
As an engineer you might work as a self-employed contract for hire, or work at a large firm. Regardless of the route you choose to take, increasingly, firms and clients are looking for people with a PhD or Master’s degree. Doctoral programs require a bit more schooling and tend to be either 5 or 7-year programs. Getting a Master’s degree is a touch less intense and only requires a 2 year, full-time program.
