Preparation
 Advanced Degrees
 In
engineering, the higher the level of formal education, the higher the
salary. Click here to find out more about advanced degrees. At the very least, consideration should be given to obtaining a
post-baccalaureate degree. Depending on your career interests, education
at the master's or doctoral level could be in an engineering or related
discipline or in the field of business. Be aware that there are various
degree options for electrical engineers, including a master's of
engineering (ME), which does not require a thesis, and a master's of
science, MSc, which does.
If you are interested in management or entrepreneurship, a master's degree
in business could bring balance to the subject matter gained from your
undergraduate degree. Other options are advanced degrees in law and
medicine.
Planning
Prepare yourself for the possibility of graduate study by researching
graduate schools early in your undergraduate career. Look at the entrance
requirements and tailor your choice of courses to get a step ahead. Think
about your extracurricular activities, investigate research experiences
and special programs, and cultivate relationships with faculty in your
major. Professors can be crucial in advising you, providing worthwhile
out-of-classroom learning experiences, and recommendations for graduate
school.
Educational Levels of IEEE Members
According to a recent IEEE Salary Survey, IEEE members report the
following education levels:
-
Bachelor of science in
electrical engineering or computer and electrical engineering (BSEE /
BSCEE) - 29.8%
-
Master of science in
electrical engineering or
computer and electrical engineer (MSEE / MSCEE) - 23.9 %
-
PhD - 20%
-
MA or MS - 8.6%
-
MBA - 5.2%
-
Bachelor of science in
engineering technology - 2.1%
-
Bachelor of science in
computer science (BSCS) - 1.9%
-
Two-year degree - .5%
-
BA - 1.3%
-
JD (law) - .5%
Another smaller survey of
IEEE respondents reported the following data in response to the
question, "Which of the following degrees have you obtained?":
-
BSEE - 60%
-
Other - 30%
-
MSEE - 29%
-
PhD - 17%
-
BS in engineering
technology - 7%
-
Associate's degree - 6%
-
MS in computer science - 5%
-
BS in computer science - 2%
Growth of PhDs by Gender
 There
has been a steady growth of the number of engineering PhD recipients
during the past thirty years. According to the National Science
Foundation, the annual number of engineering PhDs awarded has grown
dramatically since 1965. The proportion of female PhDs in
engineering and the physical sciences recipients is modest in comparison
with the life sciences, social sciences, humanities, and other
professions. The median time to doctorate from baccalaureate award for engineers is
about 9.1 years. Median registered time is 6.4 years to doctorate. PhDs in
engineering and physical sciences compare favorably with other fields for
time needed to complete.
Applying to Graduate School
Find out about requirements by obtaining university bulletins or catalogs
or by visiting web sites. Peterson's guides are also an excellent source.
Information about graduate programs is also available from the American
Society for Engineering Education, which publishes a list of graduate
schools. All applicants are required to take the Graduate Records Exam
(GRE), administered by the Educational Testing Service. If you reside
outside of the United States, you will have to take the Test of English as
a Foreign Language (TOEFL), also administered by the Educational Testing
Service.
Factors to Consider
Selecting the right graduate school is like finding the right job. You
have to match your requirements with the ideal school and be prepared to
settle for what you can get. Ask yourself: which are the best schools in
your technical interest area? Which have partnerships with industry? Which
have a track record in particular kinds of research? Which are known to
place graduates in jobs with companies that interest you? What do your
professors think? If possible, visit campuses and talk to professors and
students to determine if their institution is for you.
Financial Aid
Graduate school can be expensive. However, financial aid is available for
those who search and apply. Part of the application process is to find out
about fellowships and assistantships available through the schools to
which you are applying. Start that process during your junior year, but no
later than the summer preceding your senior year. Seek advice from your
financial aid office. Go to the reference section of your school's library
or your public library. Also check out the web. A major cost of a graduate
degree could be lost income from being in school instead of on the job.
One option is to go to graduate school part time while working. Some
employers will pay a portion of tuition expenses.
Among the National Science Foundation (NSF) programs of interest to
graduate students are the Graduate Research Fellowship Minority Awards.
Through this program the National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to ensure
the vitality of the human resource base of science, mathematics, and
engineering in the United States and to reinforce its diversity. The NSF
awards approximately 1,000 new three-year Graduate Research Fellowships
and Minority Graduate Research Fellowships in March of each year. NSF
Fellows are expected to contribute significantly to research, teaching,
and industrial applications in science, mathematics, and engineering. For
more information, see the Graduate Research Fellowship Program
announcement.
Note: Most resources in this section are provided by
IEEE and the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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