Funded by
National Science Foundation
EEC-0934643
Pursuing an Engineering Doctorate:
Exploring the Role
of the Combined BS/MS Program
Erin Crede
Maura Borrego
Department of Engineering Education, Virginia Tech
Presentation for the 2010 FIE Conference
Engineering
Education
Overview of the Presentation
•Introduction
•Group Discussion
•Data Collection
•Snapshot of Current Programs
•Future Research Directions
Engineering
Education
Combined BS-MS Programs
•Majority of graduate education studies focus on doctoral
level
• Limited and widely varying information
on combined degree programs in
engineering
• Research questions:
1. What is the prevalence of combined degree
programs among U.S. colleges and universities?
2. What are the aims of these programs, as they relate
to students’ education and career plans?
Engineering
Education
What is a Dual Degree Program?
• Students earn both a BS and
a MS degree from the same
institution
• reduced course load
• often in a shortened
period of time
• Students take both
undergraduate and
graduate classes senior
year
• May be Thesis or Non
Thesis
• Completion times range
• 3 BS / 2 MS
• 4 BS +1 MS
• MS in one semester less
than regular students
Graduate
Undergraduate
Engineering
Education
What about your experience?
Discuss with a neighbor:
Does your university or department have a combined or
dual degree program?
• What is the goal of the program?
• How long does it take for
students to complete?
• How are students recruited?
• Do they complete a thesis?
Engineering
Education
Classification and status of schools with bs/ms programs
Methods-Data Collection
• Baseline understanding of the types of programs in universities across
the United States
• Internet search for “BS + MS engineering programs”
• 40 pages of relevant links, including 100 colleges and universities:
Classification
Masters L
DRU
RU/H
RU/VH
Description
Large University awarding primarily
Master’s Degrees
Doctoral Research Institutions
High Research Universities
Very High Research Universities
Private Public
5
6
2
8
13
2
27
37
Engineering
Education
Themes, categories and codes
Methods-Data Analysis
• Content Analysis of
published materials
• Level of detail varied
• 1-2 sentences
• pamphlets
available for
download
Themes
Categories
Timeline for  Less than
Completion traditional
 Five years
 Accelerated
program
Codes
 Number of semesters
less
 Number of credits less
Qualities of  General
Applicants  Academics
 Motivation
 Highly qualified
 Academically talented
 Outstanding
 Qualified
 Engineering students
Program
Objectives
and
Benefits
 Career possibilities  Increased salary
 Start research early  industry career options
 Practical benefits
 Continue to PhD
 Program flexibility
Engineering
Education
A Snapshot of Current Programs
Timeline for Completion
• 41% listed a “five year” program, or “one year beyond the BS”
• 29% percent labeled as ‘accelerated’
Types of Students Who Should Consider the Program
• 20% searching for “outstanding” students
• 16% interested in “highly motivated” students
• 15% looking for “academically talented” or “academically
excellent” students
Program Objective and Benefits
• 33% to broaden students’ career possibilities
•in industry
•doctorate education
• 33% to get an early start on research
Engineering
Education
Conclusions
Overview of existing dual degree programs
Foundation for future studies
Students should ask questions early to
determine the best course of study
and understand career impacts
Universities should articulate goals and consider
establishing standards across engineering departments
Engineering
Education
Directions for Continued Research
Future Plans for the Study
• Interviews with current BS/MS students regarding further graduate
education
Additional Research Questions:
• Do the ways that combined degree
programs recruit students influence their
expectations regarding graduate school?
• Do these experiences and expectations
influence their perceptions about doctoral
study?
Engineering
Education
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the support of
the National Science Foundation who
funded this research under IEECI 0934643
Questions?
Engineering
Education