Is an Engineering Studies BA useful?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the utility of an "Engineering Studies" Bachelor of Arts degree, particularly in relation to its potential impact on employment opportunities in engineering fields. Participants explore its relevance, perceived value, and implications for a resume, especially for someone majoring in Physics and Math.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the usefulness of the "Engineering Studies" degree, noting that it is not ABET accredited and lacks specificity.
  • Another participant suggests that having a degree in multiple majors may not significantly enhance one's resume, implying that the degree may not add value unless one intends to work specifically in electrical engineering.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the degree, with one stating that degrees ending in "studies" often seem less credible and suggesting that employers would focus more on specific courses taken rather than the degree title itself.
  • There is a suggestion that pursuing a minor in Electrical Engineering might be more beneficial for gaining relevant engineering credits.
  • One participant comments on the proliferation of seemingly pointless majors in higher education, indicating a belief that such degrees may exist primarily for institutional financial gain.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express skepticism about the value of the "Engineering Studies" degree, with no consensus on its utility. Multiple competing views remain regarding its relevance and impact on job prospects.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the lack of accreditation and specificity of the degree, which may affect its perceived value in the job market. There is also an acknowledgment of the variability in how different employers may interpret the degree title.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering an "Engineering Studies" degree, those exploring engineering-related majors, and individuals interested in the job market perceptions of various degrees may find this discussion relevant.

chickenwing71
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Is an "Engineering Studies" BA useful?

I'm going into sophomore year with a double major in Physics and Math, with a minor in Computer Science. I was looking through the course catalog reviewing my required courses, and noticed I could pick up an "Engineering Studies" degree with just three extra courses (Digital Logic, Circuit Theory, and Engineering Design/Project/Presentation). I'm just kind of curious what purpose the degree serves, and if it would help my resume at all.

It's not ABET accredited, and entirely nonspecific. Would it help a Physics major land an engineering job? Or is it more typically associated with management? Or is it one of those pointless degrees that can actually hurt you, being seen as a Tech degree? I'm at quite a small school, so there isn't some big name behind it. Just kind of curious, since I can't find any information on it online.
 
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At some point, saying "I have a degree in x majors" is no more impressive than "I have a degree in x-1 majors."

I can't speak for that degree, since I've never heard of it before, but I'd only take the extra classes if you plan to work as an electrical engineer at some point.
 


Engineering Studies sounds like BS to me. Pretty much anything that ends in studies does. Just take the classes you think are most interesting, and that you think may be useful or applicable. An employer can look at the specific classes you took to see if they think any of it is a credit to your resume. The first thing they're going to think when they see engineering studies is "what the heck is that", and then they'll look at what you actually took to find out the real information, so I don't think you should go out of your way to take those classes.
 


Yeah, I kind of expected it to be BS. I was just kind of curious if by some chance it was a somewhat known degree, but apparently it isn't. I'd probably be better off picking up an EE minor if I really wanted some engineering credits anyway.

It's amazing how many schools offer such pointless majors. I honestly don't understand some of them, like the "General Studies" major some schools have, for instance...
 


It's so they can get more people to go to their school, it's more money for them.
 

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