Career By Design

I did ABET-certified Environmental Engineering for 5 semesters, messed up, changed major and graduated 3 semesters later in Applied Mathematics & Statistics.

I then applied at the same university for MS in Civil & Environmental Engineering with specialization in Water Resources Engineering and got accepted into the program with no additional coursework as I had already met the requirements for a BS in Civil/Environmental Engineering.

I would very much like to do my FE and find myself in a bit of a pickle as the state I am in does not allow one to get FE without an undergraduate engineering degree.  I looked at a few other states also and the requirements for someone like me to do an FE seem onerous.

What then is the path to an FE for someone like me?

I am in NY, but if I have to move to achieve licensure, then I may have to seriously consider that.  Which states accept an MS in Civil Engineering for FE?

This is my first post on ASCE and I would sincerely appreciate your guidance.

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
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It is not what you want to hear, but I would advise you to "stay the course" and wait. I was a non-traditional student. I was given the ability to take the FE and PE immediately upon graduation (yes, 35+ years ago) in my home state. I waited until I felt sure I had the time necessary and  then took the tests. a couple years later, applying for reciprocity to a neighboring state, I was told I was 0.2 years short of my experience and had to retake my PE exam for them; it did not matter that at that time I also had 13 hours toward an MSEnvE. So, I did retake. I passed. Big deal. You have a career in front of you...take the extra time to get this done right and move on so you do not have to study and retake tests. 

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Reed Schwartzkopf P.E., M.ASCE
Roadway Engineer III
Speece Lewis Engineers Inc. (A Bowman Company)
Lincoln NE
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Thank you so much for your reply!

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2024 08:55 AM
From: Reed Schwartzkopf
Subject: FE with MS in Civil Engineering (BUT NO undergraduate engineering degree)

It is not what you want to hear, but I would advise you to "stay the course" and wait. I was a non-traditional student. I was given the ability to take the FE and PE immediately upon graduation (yes, 35+ years ago) in my home state. I waited until I felt sure I had the time necessary and  then took the tests. a couple years later, applying for reciprocity to a neighboring state, I was told I was 0.2 years short of my experience and had to retake my PE exam for them; it did not matter that at that time I also had 13 hours toward an MSEnvE. So, I did retake. I passed. Big deal. You have a career in front of you...take the extra time to get this done right and move on so you do not have to study and retake tests. 

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Reed Schwartzkopf P.E., M.ASCE
Roadway Engineer III
Speece Lewis Engineers Inc. (A Bowman Company)
Lincoln NE
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Two suggestions

1. Contact the board directly and see if they will grant a waiver to their requirement, if you haven't already, stating your unique issues. Also, ask the local board directly for their recommended remedies. 
2. Contact your university that awarded your MS and see if they will also award you the BS since you "already have the requirements for a BS". Once they updated your transcript you should be good to go. 

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Benjamin Bialas P.E., M.ASCE
Richmond TX
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Thank you so much for your reply!  Shall look into the possibility of waiver, I hear it is next to impossible to obtain one in NY.

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2024 09:02 AM
From: Benjamin Bialas
Subject: FE with MS in Civil Engineering (BUT NO undergraduate engineering degree)

Two suggestions

1. Contact the board directly and see if they will grant a waiver to their requirement, if you haven't already, stating your unique issues. Also, ask the local board directly for their recommended remedies. 
2. Contact your university that awarded your MS and see if they will also award you the BS since you "already have the requirements for a BS". Once they updated your transcript you should be good to go. 

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Benjamin Bialas P.E., M.ASCE
Richmond TX
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I agree with Benjamin. It's best to contact the board, since they may have some latitude to grant exemptions/waivers and may be understanding to your situation. 

Reaching out to the university is also a good idea - I would recommend contacting your dean and/or speaking to some of the civil engineering professors. They may be able to offer additional guidance. 

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Cody Obropta P.E., M.ASCE
Environmental Engineer
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Bangor ME
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2024 09:02 AM
From: Benjamin Bialas
Subject: FE with MS in Civil Engineering (BUT NO undergraduate engineering degree)

Two suggestions

1. Contact the board directly and see if they will grant a waiver to their requirement, if you haven't already, stating your unique issues. Also, ask the local board directly for their recommended remedies. 
2. Contact your university that awarded your MS and see if they will also award you the BS since you "already have the requirements for a BS". Once they updated your transcript you should be good to go. 

------------------------------
Benjamin Bialas P.E., M.ASCE
Richmond TX
------------------------------

Thank you so much for your reply!

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2024 10:06 AM
From: Cody Obropta
Subject: FE with MS in Civil Engineering (BUT NO undergraduate engineering degree)

I agree with Benjamin. It's best to contact the board, since they may have some latitude to grant exemptions/waivers and may be understanding to your situation. 

Reaching out to the university is also a good idea - I would recommend contacting your dean and/or speaking to some of the civil engineering professors. They may be able to offer additional guidance. 

------------------------------
Cody Obropta P.E., M.ASCE
Environmental Engineer
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Bangor ME
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2024 09:02 AM
From: Benjamin Bialas
Subject: FE with MS in Civil Engineering (BUT NO undergraduate engineering degree)

Two suggestions

1. Contact the board directly and see if they will grant a waiver to their requirement, if you haven't already, stating your unique issues. Also, ask the local board directly for their recommended remedies. 
2. Contact your university that awarded your MS and see if they will also award you the BS since you "already have the requirements for a BS". Once they updated your transcript you should be good to go. 

------------------------------
Benjamin Bialas P.E., M.ASCE
Richmond TX

Hi David-

I'm in a similar situation, I have a BS in Environmental Science and an MS in Freshwater Science. Neither are ABET accredited programs. In the state of Arizona there is a rule where a person can qualify on the basis of education plus experience. This is also a rule in other states but I'm not sure which ones. I applied to my State Board with 6 years of higher education plus 3 years of engineering-related experience. The board sent my application to several PEs for review because my application was a "special circumstance". After waiting 4 months to hear back, they determined that my application met the requirements equivalent to an ABET certified degree. I am now studying to take my FE exam this spring. 

One thing that may have helped me and could help you, is that I submitted a 1-page table displaying my college credits side-by-side with the credit requirements for the ABET accredited degree at my school. The table shows that my credits are about 90% similar to what is required for an engineering degree. I have attached the table here. 

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Haley Lucas A.M.ASCE
Designer
Flagstaff AZ
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Haley, that's great!  I feel a lot more confident knowing about you.  Right now I shall focus on completing my MS and then prepare for FE early next year.

On a whim, I went through the FE process for FL (not sure why exactly except that maybe I was thinking of sun and beaches), but I learnt that I can apply with NCEES for a credential evaluation and then take the FE exam from NCEES.  So it looks a lot more attainable now.

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David Paul S.M.ASCE
Potsdam NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-15-2024 11:11 AM
From: Haley Lucas
Subject: FE with MS in Civil Engineering (BUT NO undergraduate engineering degree)

Hi David-

I'm in a similar situation, I have a BS in Environmental Science and an MS in Freshwater Science. Neither are ABET accredited programs. In the state of Arizona there is a rule where a person can qualify on the basis of education plus experience. This is also a rule in other states but I'm not sure which ones. I applied to my State Board with 6 years of higher education plus 3 years of engineering-related experience. The board sent my application to several PEs for review because my application was a "special circumstance". After waiting 4 months to hear back, they determined that my application met the requirements equivalent to an ABET certified degree. I am now studying to take my FE exam this spring. 

One thing that may have helped me and could help you, is that I submitted a 1-page table displaying my college credits side-by-side with the credit requirements for the ABET accredited degree at my school. The table shows that my credits are about 90% similar to what is required for an engineering degree. I have attached the table here. 

------------------------------
Haley Lucas A.M.ASCE
Designer
Flagstaff AZ
------------------------------