Why does it usually take five years to get an engineering degree?
Most schools are requiring more classes or credit hours for engineering degrees than other degrees. It is not unusual for a quarter school to require 200 credit hours for an engineering degree. (It was the standard 180 hours when I graduated.) For example, my son's college required 43 classes for a total of 202 credit hours for a mechanical engineering degree. In an attempt to keep credit hours under 204 hours, they turned 5 credit hour classes to four credit hour courses. (Most colleges require that a degree requiring more than 204 credit hours be labeled as a five-year degree.) Additional class requirements are being added to the current requirements, specifically classes on sustainability and diversity.
As is appropriate, universities are requiring engineers to be well rounded in the basic engineering practices. They are requiring basic classes in statics, mechanics, strength of materials, mechanics of materials, hydraulics/fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, systems and electrical circuit theory for all engineering disciplines. When I graduated, civil engineers were not required to take circuits or thermodynamics. In addition to the standard calculus, physics and chemistry, many require statistics and a environmental/biology class. Civil engineering is usually requiring a bio-chemistry course (though most universities substituted this for one of the other required chemistry courses.
Trying to schedule all the class requirements is difficult - a student may not be able to get a class they need during the quarter they need it. There are students who aren't sure of their major and may take a class that isn't required for their ultimate major. There are students who want to take an additional class in an area of interest. Most colleges have a senior project requirement, a task that can take 20 hours per week for 1/2 to one year. These senior projects are usually worth 1 to 3 credits. Add that all together, almost all students take 4+ years to get an engineering degree.
Last time I looked, public universities have a four year graduation rate for mechanical engineers of under 10%.
I will add one caveat, some private schools go to great lengths to help students graduate in four years. I know private schools that offer robust summer quarters for engineers and will waive classes if a student can't fit them in their schedule.
It is just a good idea to financially plan on it taking five years to finish an engineering degree.
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Susan Everett P.E., M.ASCE
Design Manager
Seattle WA
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-05-2021 04:04 PM
From: Luis Duque
Subject: One thing you wish you knew before starting college?
Susan,
Why do you think a student can't graduate in four years?
It took me 4 years to graduate as an international student, starting behind in my math classes. I also did my masters in 1.5 years with a thesis track.
I don't believe everyone needs 5 years to graduate and everyone should aim to graduate in 4 years if that is what they want.
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Luis Duque EIT, A.M.ASCE
Bridge Engineer
Broomfield CO
<maskemail>info@...</maskemail>
Original Message:
Sent: 01-05-2021 03:29 PM
From: Susan Everett
Subject: One thing you wish you knew before starting college?
A couple more things to add:
- It takes five years to become an engineer, so don't even think of graduating in four years
- Join an engineering club - build a car, a bridge, a canoe, a robot, just build something.
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Susan Everett P.E., M.ASCE
Design Manager
Seattle WA
Original Message:
Sent: 12-15-2020 06:18 PM
From: Danielle Schroeder
Subject: One thing you wish you knew before starting college?
Hi all!
I have the honor of being the keynote speaker for a small virtual outreach event in early January. The audience will be young women in high school who are considering studying engineering in college. Keeping that in mind, what is one thing you wish you knew before starting college?
Mine is that finding a friend/support group early on is important and they don't necessarily even need to be in your major! From my personal experience, having a good group of people where we all supported each other on their paths really enhanced my college experience, especially when I was having difficulties with various classes.
Looking forward to reading your responses!
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Danielle Schroeder EIT, A.M.ASCE (She/her)
Associate Engineer
Pennoni Associates
Philadelphia PA
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