Career By Design

Why aren't there more options for hybrid/online master's programs within civil engineering? If there are hybrid or online options, why aren't these publicized more?

Let me explain, I started graduate school in 2020 which means that it started as an online school.
Last semester I had one class hybrid (online lectures and in-person exams). Now I am back to fully in-person. With these perspectives of different modes of teaching, I can say that master program courses can be successfully taught online. 2020 has demonstrated that schools have the capability and infrastructure to host these classes online, so why don't they?

A hybrid or remote option for graduate school will allow civil engineers who are working full time to obtain and continue their education. It will also allow civil engineers who don't work near a college campus to further their education. This is a win for the practice of civil engineering and for the schools who now have more students enrolled.

Perhaps there are options available but when I was looking, for a structural engineering program I couldn't find an affordable online program.

Looking for some insight, 

------------------------------
Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
Structural Engineer
Brooklyn NY
------------------------------

I'm not structural, so I can't speak to that field specifically, but there are many online civil engineering MS programs available these days. In the last line, you mention "an affordable online program." The thing to remember is that many folks get a "free" MS degree by working for a professor as a research or teaching assistant while in school. The professor pays the tuition for the student and some stipend for minimal living expenses. That arrangement is difficult or impossible (depending on the field) if the student is remote and/or working a full-time job. 

Many employers offer programs to help pay for classes that may make the programs more affordable.

------------------------------
Erin Rooney P.E., M.ASCE
Coastal Project Manager
Metairie LA
------------------------------

I don't know about nationally publicized programs, but I live in North Carolina and I completed an online Masters of Civil Engineering with a structural concentration from NC State from 2012 to 2015.  That program has been online since before I started and well-known within the state.  As an in-state student it was affordable enough that it was completed covered by the tuition reimbursement that my company offers.

------------------------------
Dustin Tuttle P.E., M.ASCE
Staff Engineer
Raleigh NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-23-2022 08:58 AM
From: Erin Rooney
Subject: Where are the Online CE Master Degrees?

I'm not structural, so I can't speak to that field specifically, but there are many online civil engineering MS programs available these days. In the last line, you mention "an affordable online program." The thing to remember is that many folks get a "free" MS degree by working for a professor as a research or teaching assistant while in school. The professor pays the tuition for the student and some stipend for minimal living expenses. That arrangement is difficult or impossible (depending on the field) if the student is remote and/or working a full-time job.

Many employers offer programs to help pay for classes that may make the programs more affordable.

------------------------------
Erin Rooney P.E., M.ASCE
Coastal Project Manager
Metairie LA
------------------------------

I guess my question falls to the local programs (such as a city college) to offer hybrid options so that locals can find schooling at the affordable costs that these schools typically offer while still having some flexibility. 

I wasn't commenting on the education system as a whole (that's another topic within itself). Thankfully, I am very fortunate that my employer has been paying for my city master's program thus far.

I'm curious about your thoughts regarding local schools offering more hybid options.

------------------------------
Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
Structural Engineer
Brooklyn NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-23-2022 08:58 AM
From: Erin Rooney
Subject: Where are the Online CE Master Degrees?

I'm not structural, so I can't speak to that field specifically, but there are many online civil engineering MS programs available these days. In the last line, you mention "an affordable online program." The thing to remember is that many folks get a "free" MS degree by working for a professor as a research or teaching assistant while in school. The professor pays the tuition for the student and some stipend for minimal living expenses. That arrangement is difficult or impossible (depending on the field) if the student is remote and/or working a full-time job.

Many employers offer programs to help pay for classes that may make the programs more affordable.

------------------------------
Erin Rooney P.E., M.ASCE
Coastal Project Manager
Metairie LA
------------------------------

I'm not familiar with city college programs. If it's a concern, it may be good to contact the program or some professors at that school for better insight. As an aside, even if there are not online or hybrid programs in those cases, sometimes professors will work with students to unofficially offer the class over Zoom. I've done that in recent years where the class is officially in-person, but I explained my situation and that I work full-time. Several professors have been great about simply setting up a laptop in the classroom for me to attend via Zoom.

------------------------------
Erin Rooney P.E., M.ASCE
Coastal Project Manager
Metairie LA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-03-2022 04:22 PM
From: Daniel Bressler
Subject: Where are the Online CE Master Degrees?

I guess my question falls to the local programs (such as a city college) to offer hybrid options so that locals can find schooling at the affordable costs that these schools typically offer while still having some flexibility.

I wasn't commenting on the education system as a whole (that's another topic within itself). Thankfully, I am very fortunate that my employer has been paying for my city master's program thus far.

I'm curious about your thoughts regarding local schools offering more hybid options.

------------------------------
Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
Structural Engineer
Brooklyn NY
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-23-2022 08:58 AM
From: Erin Rooney
Subject: Where are the Online CE Master Degrees?

I'm not structural, so I can't speak to that field specifically, but there are many online civil engineering MS programs available these days. In the last line, you mention "an affordable online program." The thing to remember is that many folks get a "free" MS degree by working for a professor as a research or teaching assistant while in school. The professor pays the tuition for the student and some stipend for minimal living expenses. That arrangement is difficult or impossible (depending on the field) if the student is remote and/or working a full-time job.

Many employers offer programs to help pay for classes that may make the programs more affordable.

------------------------------
Erin Rooney P.E., M.ASCE
Coastal Project Manager
Metairie LA

I can think of two or three classmates who I graduated with that went for online masters through Old Dominion after undergrad. I'm not sure how they all knew it offered programs that they were interested in, but it must be somewhat easy to find or well-advertised since they all ended up enrolling there.

------------------------------
Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
Civil Engineer
------------------------------