Frequently Asked Questions - Master of Engineering
If I already have graduate course credits from another university, will they transfer?
Absolutely. You may transfer up to 15 total hours of graduate coursework. Only 6 of those 15 hours may be non-engineering courses, however. The Master of Engineering Program is a 36-hour interdisciplinary masters degree in engineering, which allows you some flexibility in choosing your specialization.
How long do I have to finish the degree?
Because distance students can seldom commit the time required to enroll as a full-time student, you will have nine years to complete the degree. If your schedule allows, you could potentially take one course per long semester and finish your degree in six years; the nine-year time period, however, gives you the flexibility of not enrolling in courses every semester without rushing you to finish the degree. If you have already taken graduate courses, then your nine year time period for course completion begins with the date of enrollment in your first graduate course, extending for nine years from that point.
What are the program entrance requirements?
A student interested in enrolling in the Master of Engineering program should have a BS degree (preferably in engineering) from an accredited university. Students will also need to submit GRE scores.
Students must be accepted into the TTU Graduate School, which requires that you submit a formal application and all college transcripts. Permanent United States citizens may be admitted into the Master of Engineering program as a temporary nondegree graduate student (GTMP) for one semester while the graduate school processes your application. However, you should be aware that any courses you take as a nondegree student are not guaranteed to count toward your degree, nor does taking courses in the GTMP status guarantee acceptance to a degree program.
Do I need a bachelor's degree in engineering to enroll in the program?
To enroll in the Master of Engineering program, you must have a bachelor's degree, preferably in engineering. However, if you do not have a bachelor's degree in engineering, you may be considered as a special case. To ensure that you will be prepared to complete the program, the following background is required:
Basic Sciences: at least 15 semester hours, including 12 hours of chemistry and/or physics.
Mathematics: 12 semester hours above algebra and trigonometry, generally including completion of engineering mathematics for engineers and scientists.
Engineering Sciences: 27 semester hours, which may include applications-oriented advanced science course work as well as up to 12 semester hours of engineering technology technical sciences courses.
Engineering Analysis, Design and Synthesis: need for these courses will be judged individually, taking into consideration the student's educational background, work experience, and field of interest.
Humanities and Social Sciences: 16 semester hours.
Can I choose later to convert from the Master of Engineering track to a Master of Science track?
The courses offered in the Master of Engineering program are fully approved by the Higher Education Coordinating Board of Texas. Most of the courses that you take in our program will apply to a Master of Science program, although there is no guarantee that all of the courses you take, particularly those outside of the specific engineering discipline you focus on, will transfer to that degree plan. The final decision would be with the institution and program you wish to transfer to.
If I earn the Master of Engineering degree, can I later earn a Master of Science degree?
Yes. You can earn a second master's degree if you would like, but you should keep in mind that the courses that you have applied to the Master of Engineering degree will not apply to a second master's degree. To earn the Master of Science degree, you would have to take a completely different set of coursework.
Who do I contact for more information?
The MEN program advisor is Dr. John Kobza. If you have questions about the degree program, please contact him at:
John E. Kobza, Ph.D., P.E.
Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Industrial Engineering
Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering
Texas Tech University
MS 43103
Lubbock, TX 79409-3103
T (806) 742-3451 | F (806) 742-3493
Email: John.Kobza@ttu.edu
The distance learning program director is Brent Guinn. If you have questions about the distance learning program, please contact him at:
Brent Guinn
Phone: (806) 742-3451
Email: brent.guinn@ttu.edu