How long does it take to complete a MS in structural engineering?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the timeline and workload associated with completing a Master of Science (MS) in Structural Engineering. Participants explore the feasibility of finishing the degree in a condensed timeframe, considering factors such as course load, thesis requirements, and the nature of graduate-level coursework.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, a junior in civil engineering, inquires about the possibility of completing the MS in two semesters plus summer courses, given the requirement of 36 credit hours.
  • Another participant suggests that completing the degree in three semesters may be more realistic due to the expected workload of graduate classes.
  • There is a mention of a non-thesis option that allows for a faster completion route, contrasting with a thesis option that requires more credit hours.
  • Concerns are raised about the increased difficulty and workload of graduate courses compared to undergraduate classes, with one participant sharing personal experience that graduate classes typically involve more theory and take longer to complete.
  • Some participants express that while a thesis may be of interest to certain companies, the possession of a master's degree itself is often more significant in the practical field of structural engineering.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the feasibility of completing the MS in two semesters plus summer courses, with differing opinions on the workload and the impact of thesis requirements on the timeline.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the variability in course difficulty and workload between undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as the differing requirements for thesis versus non-thesis options, which may influence completion time.

ride5150
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Im a junior majoring in civil engineering, and I am considering going to grad school to get a MS in structural engineering. i see that my school requires 36 credit hours for a MS in structural, which is about 12 classes. assuming that i took 2 classes over the summer, could i finish a MS in 2 semesters +summer?

or is the courseload so much that you can only take a few classes at a time?
 
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I think this may be difficult. If you take two summer classes, I would plan on 3 semesters as these classes will take some work. Does your MS program require a thesis or project write-up?

BTW, structural engineering is a very interesting field - I think you are making an excellent choice. I have learned a lot of practical structural engineering on-the-job over the years.
 
edgepflow said:
I think this may be difficult. If you take two summer classes, I would plan on 3 semesters as these classes will take some work. Does your MS program require a thesis or project write-up?

BTW, structural engineering is a very interesting field - I think you are making an excellent choice. I have learned a lot of practical structural engineering on-the-job over the years.

thank you for the response. my school doesn't require a thesis if youre doing the 36 credit hour route. the other option is to take twenty-something (cant remember exact number) credit hours but it requires a thesis.

so you're saying that classes in grad school would be a lot more work than my undergrad classes now?
 
ride5150 said:
thank you for the response. my school doesn't require a thesis if youre doing the 36 credit hour route. the other option is to take twenty-something (cant remember exact number) credit hours but it requires a thesis.

so you're saying that classes in grad school would be a lot more work than my undergrad classes now?
The non thesis option would be faster in my opinion. In my case, I had all my graduate engineering classes done, but went round-and-round with my professor on the thesis write-up (mostly nit-picky things).

A few companies may be interested in your thesis, but for a practical field like structural engineering, the fact that you have a masters degree is what counts.

My experience was the graduate classes were usually more work than undergrad. There is more theory in graduate school, whick took me longer.
 

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