Engineering Education - PhD, MS
About This Degree
In recent years, the field of engineering education has evolved into its own emerging discipline that currently exists in parallel with more traditional engineering disciplines, such as mechanical, civil, electrical, and biological engineering.
Utah State University (USU) is one of the earliest higher education institutions in the United States that offers both Ph.D. and M.S. programs in engineering education.
What You Will Learn
Both Ph.D. and M.S. programs will prepare students to be engineering instructors, engineering education researchers and specialists with solid knowledge and skills in designing and assessing engineering curriculum and engineering knowledge, implementing evidence-based instructional approaches in student-centered engineering learning environments, identifying and synthesizing relevant theories to frame the research problem, applying appropriate and creative research methods to studies in engineering education.
In addition, the Ph.D. program will develop students' knowledge in engineering education foundations and the role of cognition in engineering education, and will train students to develop competitive grant proposals for improving engineering education.
ADVISING
At a Glance
College: College of Engineering
Department: Engineering Education Department
USU Locations:
- Logan campus
Program Requirements
Career And Outcomes
Career Opportunities
Ph.D. graduates typically enter into a higher education institution for teaching and research or administration. M.S. graduates either continue for a Ph.D. study or enter into industry. Additional career options for both Ph.D. and M.S. graduates include: education or training specialist in government and non-profit organizations, education data specialist in government and non-profit organizations, and educational hardware/software developer and specialist in education industry.
Job Outlook
USU Locations
LOGAN CAMPUS
Admission
Admission Requirements
Applicants for the Ph.D. program must have a bachelor's degree in an engineering, engineering technology, or computer science discipline, as well as a Master's degree in any discipline prior to admission. Applicants for the M.S. program must have a bachelor's degree in an engineering, engineering technology, or computer science discipline prior to admission. Applicants for either Ph.D. or M.S. program must have minimum GPA (or equivalent) of 3.0 (out of 4.0) during the most recent 60 semesters (or 90 quarter credits) of college instruction.
Application Requirements:
Applicants must complete the online application, which includes:
- Online application form
- Official transcript of bachelor's courses
- Official transcript of Master's courses (if applicable)
- Names and e-mail addresses of three professional references who will be contacted by the USU Graduate School after the online application form is submitted
- Resume or curriculum vitae (i.e., detailed form of resume) highlighting your relevant qualifications and achievements, and
- Typed, single-space written response to each of the following prompts (1-2 pages for each prompt).
- Background: How does your background (work, study and life experiences) prepare and inspire you to pursue a graduate degree? Why are you passionate about engineering education?
- Career Goals: What are your career goals? How will a graduate degree further those goals? What do you know about engineering education practices and/or engineering education research?
- Why USU: Why is USU the place for you to pursue your EED graduate program? How are your interests aligned with the research conducted within EED? Which professors would you like to work with and why?
International students must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. The requirement for submission of TOEFL or IELTS scores is waived if 1) the applicant's native language is English OR 2) the applicant's undergraduate courses were taught in English. The requirement for submission of GRE scores is waived for all applications. For details, see additional admissions requirements.
Deadlines
The Department of Engineering Education admits and funds selected students on a rolling basis. Applicants can submit their applications anytime. They are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible, typically 3-4 months before spring or fall semester starts. International students are encouraged to apply much earlier to allow sufficient time for visa applications.
Program Requirements
The Ph.D. program requires students to:
- Complete minimum 42-credit course requirements, including 16-credit Engineering Education Core courses, 9-credit Research Theory Core courses, minimum 5-credit Technical Elective courses, and minimum 12-credit Ph.D. Dissertation research.
- Complete Qualifying Examination.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 during the graduate study.
The plan A of the M.S. program requires students to:
- Complete minimum 30-credit course requirements, including 6-credit Engineering Education Core courses, 6-credit Research Theory Core courses, minimum 12-credit Technical Elective courses, and minimum 6-credit Master's Thesis research.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 during the graduate study.
The plan B of the M.S. program requires students to:
- Complete minimum 30-credit course requirements, including 6-credit Engineering Education Core courses, 6-credit Research Theory Core courses, minimum 15-credit Technical Elective courses, and minimum 3-credit research project.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 during the graduate study.
Potential students are encouraged to contact the Department of Engineering Education to find out detailed requirements for Ph.D. and/or M.S. program.
Financial Aid
Depending on the availability of project funds, the Department of Engineering Education may fund full-time Ph.D. and M.S. students with research and/or teaching assistantships.
A variety of funding opportunities are available on the graduate school website.
Take The Next Step
How to Apply
View our step-by-step guide on how to become an Aggie.
Request Information
Contact the School of Graduate Studies to ask questions or receive more information.
Cost and Funding
Calculate the cost of graduate school and learn about funding opportunities.
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