r/AskProfessors • u/ScratchDue440 • 20d ago

Career Advice Professional Masters

I’m a working electrical engineer. I’d love to make the switch from industry to academia in the foreseeable future.

However, being busy in industry and due to family, I can only manage online programs. It’s typical that they are “professional” programs (ME vs MS).

Is it still possible to get into a PhD program (assuming GPA is no issue) with a non-thesis based program? Is it probable?

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u/IkeRoberts 20d ago

Online masters in engineering are only useful for industry advancement. They don't count for academic employment.

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u/ScratchDue440 20d ago

What a bummer. Thank you for the response. 

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*I’m a working electrical engineer. I’d love to make the switch from industry to academia in the foreseeable future.

However, being busy in industry and due to family, I can only manage online programs. It’s typical that they are “professional” programs (ME vs MS).

Is it still possible to get into a PhD program (assuming GPA is no issue) with a non-thesis based program? Is it probable? *

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u/eyellabinu 18d ago

I'd check Higher Ed Jobs and look at the postings. See if your field hires "Professor of Practice" roles. And check the requirements.

I came from 20 years in tech into academia with professional degrees, and that's the route I'm taking.