About the Engineering Program

Depending on their interest and career goals students can choose a multidisciplinary MSE, a specialized MSE, or a more classical MSE program.

The multidisciplinary MSE program is designed as a highly customizable and modular MS engineering degree, which enables students to choose coursework from multiple disciplines to design specialties typically not available in the classical engineering MS degrees.

The flexibility in the MS in Engineering degree ensures a relevant, up-to-date educational experience, and the ability to meet urgent industry needs in multidisciplinary technical fields. The program is designed to provide maximum flexibility while maintaining academic rigor.

MSE Program & Technical Fields

Oregon Tech currently offers a multidisciplinary MS in Engineering degree (MSE) where students take courses in Systems Engineering, Research Methods & Innovation (covering peer-reviewer research, IP fundamentals, and technology commercialization), as well as engineering specialization courses from the various engineering disciplines.

Additionally, students can choose to focus on a particular technical field by completing a specialized MSE degree or a MSE on a classical engineering discipline (MSE in EE).

Graduate Programs Blended/Portland-Metro Online
Multidisciplinary MSE Programs  
MSE (Multidisciplinary) ✔ ✔
MSE in Systems Engineering ✔ ✔
Engineering Discipline MSE Program  
MSE in Electrical Engineering (MSE in EE) ✔  
Specialized MSE Programs  
MSE in Power Systems Engineering (jointly offered with MSREE) ✔  

The Multidisciplinary MSE and the MSE Systems Engineering programs can be completed fully online. The other MSE programs can be completed partially online but also require attendance to the Oregon Tech Portland-Metro Campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

The MSE Specialties appear on the official transcript. Consequently, the following designations are appropriate:
  • Master of Science in Engineering - Specialty Name (e.g., Master of Science in Engineering - Systems Engineering),
  • M.S. Engineering - Specialty Name, or
  • M.S.E. Specialty name.
As an example, in the case of students completing the Systems Engineering MSE Program, the appropriate degree designations include:
- M.S. in Engineering - Systems Engineering
- M.S. Engineering - Systems Engineering
- M.S.E. Systems Engineering
- MSE in Systems Engineering

Similarly, students completing the other MSE programs can use the following designations:
- MSE in Electrical Engineering
- MSE in Power Systems Engineering
The MSE and MS degrees differ mainly in name. The MSE (Master of Science in Engineering) designation is used to emphasize the engineering nature of the graduate program and the focus on engineering design.

In some universities (e.g., University of Michigan) the MSE in Electrical Engineering (MSE in EE) requires an accredited BSEE degree for admission, while the MS in EE does not. Similarly, at Oregon Tech, admission to the MSE in Electrical Engineering is restricted to graduates from an accredited BSEE program (ABET accredited BSEE in the US or accredited BSEE for international applicants).

While the MSE in EE requires a BSEE undergraduate degree, admission to the multidisciplinary MSE Programs (General MSE or MSE in Systems Engineering) as well as the Specialized MSE Programs (MSE in Power Systems Engineering) is possible with other undergraduate degrees in engineering, technical fields, and hard sciences (e.g., BS in Physics).

You can find information regarding tuition costs at Online Tuition and Fees. For information about scholarships and financial aid, please visit Online Costs and Financial Aid.

The Tuition and Fee Calculator will provide you with estimated per quarter costs (tuition, fees, and other expenses). For example, if you are completing 9-12 credits per term (approx. 3 courses), your per quarter tuition + fees expenses will be between $4,605 and $6,103.

The total tuition + fees of the program based on 45 credits would be around $22,914. This is based on the current (2017-18) tuition rates and fees, assuming no graduate assistantships, scholarships, or other financial aid.”

There are a number of Teaching & Graduate Assistantships (TA/GAs) available. TA/GAs receive tuition remission and/or a stipend. 

All MSE applications from full-time students are automatically considered for the TA/GAs. No additional TA/GA application is necessary. The teaching assistantships are awarded based on the academic record and background of the MSE applicant based on departmental needs. Since TA/GAs can only be considered once the full MSE application is completed and evaluated by the MSE Admission Committee, we discourage prospective applicants to contact individual faculty regarding TA/GAs before receiving the admission decision letter. 

Admission Requirements

  • Meet the Oregon Tech Graduate Admission Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, physical science, or related technical field (depending on specialty).
  • Show Evidence of:
    • potential for graduate level academic work
    • work experience or potential for success in industry
    • demonstrated interest in selected area of specialty. This evidence is to be provided as part of a Resume (Required), and optionally a Personal Statement and/or two Reference Evaluations for Graduate Admission

The Resume, Personal Statement, and Letters of Recommendation can be uploaded to the applicant’s admission account from each author's professional email account. Letters can be from professors, academic advisors, work supervisors, and mentors. The references should assess the applicant's potential as an engineering student at the graduate level (MS), as well as the professional success or potential for future professional success. The reference letters should be between 1 and 2 pages long.

MSE Degree Requirements

  • Minimum Credit Requirement: 45 credits (12-15 graduate courses, quarter system)
  • Specialization Credit Requirement: 15 or more (4 to 5 specialization courses)
  • Residency Requirement: 30 or more credits at Oregon Tech
  • Completion of Approved Plan of Study:
    • Defined Specialty (Specified Plan of Study)
    • Custom Specialty with Advisory Committee Approval (Advisor(s), Program Director, Department Chair)

 

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Accreditation

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Oregon Institute of Technology is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. NWCCU is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education and/or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.