Thesis vs. Non Thesis Masters Degree

[CivilSigma]

Hello,

I always had in mind to complete a masters program with the thesis option in civil engineering.

However, I have become skeptical of this option as I am not sure how relevant it will be in terms of design in the "real" world or how the research I will do is ever going to be used by others ( I feel like it will be just another paper archived online).

With a non-thesis program I will also be required to do research, but it is on a smaller scale and the program is 1 year shorter. Is the M.Eng considered inferior to the M.Sc. ?

I'm not really sure which program to take.

Could someone please share with me their experience with graduate studies (in any field) and your considerations for taking either the thesis or non thesis option?

Thank you.

 

[Vanadium 50]

You've asked this before. Can you tell us what you found unsatisfactory about your answers there? Otherwise, you shouldn't expect anything different.

 

[CivilSigma]

You've asked this before. Can you tell us what you found unsatisfactory about your answers there? Otherwise, you shouldn't expect anything different.

First point, good catch, I forgot about that post.

What I wanted more input from this thread is anyone's experience with any of the programs and what their degree has allowed them to do (maybe the title could have been better worded).

 

[tygerdawg]

I started out in MSME. Very quickly realized that my particular University was using MS program to create applied mathematicians who would be pushed to Ph.D. program for research purposes and most likely a career in academia. Pursuing a Ph.D. did not interest me.

After the 1st semester, a new "Research Project based non-Thesis Master of Engineering" program in manufacturing was opening up. These programs were all the thing back in the 80's: combo of ME, EE, IE, Business, & CompSci. Kind of build my own degree program. Did it, it fit my personality & needs, has served me well, and never regretted it.

BECAUSE I went into manufacturing as a career, no one ever challenged my degree. When queried, I always explained that I regarded the degree program as "advanced training" beyond the BSME, which it was.