- file a preliminary Degree Schedule form
- choose an advisor and advisory committee
- complete a written and oral report on a practicum
- file a final Degree Schedule form
- finish the degree within the prescribed time limit
- file a successful practicum report form.
- Forms on-line at http://www.gradschool.mtu.edu/policies/trackingforms.html
In addition to the Graduate School requirements, which are described below, individual programs may have higher standards. Students are expected to know their program’s requirements. Currently, there are master of engineering degrees in civil engineering and in environmental engineering, as well as a non-departmental master of engineering administered through the office of the dean of engineering.
Grades—All grades must be B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better in the major subject area. The department chair can approve no more than 6 credits of BC (2.5) or C (2.0) in a cognate department. The student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses taken as a graduate student.
Campus Residency Requirement—A minimum of one-half of the course work credits must be taken in residence at Michigan Tech. (Note that this is inconsistent with the general requirement that 2/3 of the course work be taken in residence. See Senate Proposal 5-98.)
Time Limit—All work required for the Master of Engineering degree must be completed within five calendar years of the first enrollment in the degree program.
Advisor—Initially the advisor may be the Director of the Graduate Program, but as soon as possible, and by the end of the first semester in residence, a permanent advisor should be chosen. This Michigan Tech graduate faculty member advises the student on course selection and choice of practicum experience. The advisor is an important factor in the graduate student’s timely and successful completion of his or her program of study.
Advisory Committee—The Advisory Committee is nominated by the chair of the major department, usually in consultation with the advisor, and approved by the College of Engineering. At least two of the three examiners must be members of the graduate faculty and at least one of the graduate faculty members must be from outside the major department.
Degree Schedule—The Proposed Degree Schedule and Work Plan form (MEng1), available from the College of Engineering and on the Grad School “forms” web page, is used to list all the courses that the student will use for the Master of Engineering degree. The completed form must be approved by the student’s advisor and department, the College of Engineering, and the Graduate School office during the first semester of enrollment.
The Final Degree Schedule form (MEng2), available from the College of Engineering and on the Graduate School “forms” web page, must be filed during the first week of the second term in residence. It lists all the courses applied to the Master of Engineering degree, gives the advisory committee membership, provides an abstract of the practicum, and is endorsed by the student, the advisor, the department chair, the associate dean of engineering, and the dean of the Graduate School.
Changes in the Final Degree Schedule—Any changes must be approved. The chair of the major department must send a memo to the dean of the Graduate School.
Course Work —Courses taken must meet certain requirements, described below, and they must be approved by the advisor and the department chair. Courses taken while an undergraduate at Michigan Tech may be used for graduate degree credits if the Senior Rule form (available from the Graduate Program Assistant) has been appropriately filed. Courses taken while a post-grad may be used on the Degree Schedule with departmental approval. The minimum requirements are as follows:
| Course work | 26–28 credits |
| Practicum | 2–4 credits |
| Total (minimum) | 30 credits |
| Distribution of course work credit | |
| 5000–6000 series (minimum) | 12 credits |
| 3000–4000 level (maximum) | 14 credits |
Master of Engineering Practicum—The practicum is an advanced independent study for students in the master of engineering program. The student in consultation with the advisor develops and executes a project demonstrating capabilities in problem solving, communication, and decision making. The practicum can be completed on campus or at the site of a Michigan Tech corporate partner. Students must submit a written report and make an oral presentation related to their project to their Advisory Committee.
The successful on-campus oral presentation will be evaluated by the committee on the MEng3 form, Report on Practicum.
Timeline to Degree—Master of Engineering
First reconcile this suggested chronology with your program’s requirements. The sequence may not be the same as written here. When you consult your advisor for your degree schedule, take this timeline to the meeting so you and your advisor are in agreement on your plans.
The degree will be granted at the end of the semester in which all courses have been satisfactorily completed and forms MEng1, MEng2, and MEng3 have been submitted and approved.
| Date | Done | Task |
|---|---|---|
| Enrolling for the first time— If you do not have a faculty advisor to help you choose courses, consult with Dr. Sheryl Sorby, Associate Dean of Engineering. | ||
| Make sure the Graduate School has official final transcripts showing proof of your previous degrees if they are not from Michigan Tech. | ||
| Fill out the Patent, Research, and Proprietary Rights form in your department office. | ||
| If your research involves animal subjects, human subjects, or recombinant DNA, you just obtain approval from the appropriate administrative review committee(s). Applications for approval(s) may be found on the Research Website. If you need further assistance, please contact the Research Compliance Administrator by phone 906.487.3403. | ||
| Inform the Office of Student Records and Registration of any changes in your status, address, student identification number, expected graduation date, etc. | ||
| MEng1, Proposed Degree Schedule and Work Plan*—This form is due early in the first semester and is prepared in cooperation with your advisor. It establishes preliminary plans for your course work and nominates a committee to complete your advising and practicum report. | ||
| MEng2, Final Degree Schedule—This form is due in the first week of your second term of enrollment. After you submit your Final Degree Schedule, you will receive a signed copy in return that includes Graduate School forms to help you finish your degree. All your grades in the courses used must be B or better in your major subject, and your cumulative GPA must be 3.0 or higher. | ||
| Set up an appointment with your committee to report on your practicum. | ||
| MEng3, Report on Practicum—This form is due when you have completed your practicum, including the oral presentation to your committee. | ||
| The Goal: Graduation—no more than five calendar years after you started graduate school. Your graduation date is the end of the term in which you complete all degree requirements. Your transcript will not indicate your degree until about four weeks after the next term begins. Your diploma will be mailed to you about 90 days after the term ends if you have completed and submitted your Life After MTU form. You may request a degree certification letter as soon as your degree is completed. | ||
* All these forms can be sent to the Graduate School by your Graduate Program Assistant via campus mail. Copies of signed forms will be returned to you and the department. Be sure to keep a file of your paperwork. |
||