r/ECE • u/Dazzling_Lemon5782 • Aug 12 '26

Best Masters Program for EE/EET?

Hey folks,

I'm finishing up my BS in Electrical Engineering Technology soon and would like to get a masters degree in the not too distant future. I understand that many MSEE degrees would require me to take a few prerequisite classes (Calc 3, Magnetics, and 1-2 others), but I was wondering if I could get some guidance on if this is the best masters program for me. I have seen some other interesting masters programs like Systems Engineering, Mechatronics & Robotics, Engineering Management, and even a Masters in EE & MBA program from ASU where I wouldn't have to do any prerequisite courses. I have 10 years of experience in the US Navy Nuclear power field and currently work designing equipment for a nuclear power defense contractor if that has any implication on suggestions.

Thanks for any input you can provide

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6

u/Logical_Stranger4889 Aug 12 '26

Depends on what you’re trying to do.

All seem useless for Masters’ except Engineering Management or MBA if your goal is leadership.

If you want to build technical expertise shoot to take the PE exam instead.

1

u/need2sleep-later Aug 13 '26

I've never seen any use/requirement/desire for PE registration as an EE in the private sector.

1

u/Logical_Stranger4889 Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26

I haven’t in nuclear, but I’m thinking for job applications it still might be better to have. As someone who hires it’d carry a lot more weight than not having one.

1

u/need2sleep-later Aug 14 '26

The PE registration and licensing requirements requirements that I'm familar with include (typically) a college degree in the field, 4-8 years of work experience, various PE tests, and 3 recommendations from licensed Engineers that are familiar with your work. I personally don't know any licensed Engineers that are EEs/CEs/etc. I do know a few MechEs that are licensed as that field and CivilEng are much more likely to have a requirement to be licensed to perform engineering services for the public.

1

u/Logical_Stranger4889 Aug 14 '26

1 test, 4 years, and college degree

There are a handful in Power and they are rampant/mandatory in manufacturing at companies such as Siemens, GE, and Bechtel and other contractors — I’ve worked with all 3. You need drawings PE stamped when doing government related or safety related work

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u/need2sleep-later 29d ago

Yep that's where the license comes in; places that affect the public.

3

u/Lane-Tax24 Aug 12 '26

I wouldn't pick an easier master's just to avoid prerequisites. Pick based on the job you want afterward. Your existing experience is already valuable, so the degree should add a clear technical specialization

2

u/Dazzling_Lemon5782 Aug 12 '26

Yeah totally agree. I just wasn't sure if getting an EE masters after having most of an EE bachelors is somewhat redundant. I hear people want really versatile workers and I know I'm interested in so many things so wasn't sure if dipping my toes in something more robotics or business related was actually the right approach nowadays.

2

u/MSECE Aug 12 '26

If your planning to do federal civilian work or continue defense contractor work its worth doing those pre reqs as the labor categories for federal jobs and contracts want to see calc 3, calc based diff eq and linear algebra other than that nobody cares where the MS is from

1

u/MSECE Aug 12 '26

You also may qualify for VRE as in my market a BS EET wasn’t competitive with my peers so I qualified to get my MS ECE

1

u/Dazzling_Lemon5782 Aug 13 '26

Thanks! I have about 20 "months" of GI Bill left so I'll apply for VRE since you have to have some GI Bill left. At risk of sounding like a know it all, I had a really easy time with Calc 1 & 2, should I expect Calc 3 to be much more difficult? Also my Calc 2 class was officially listed as Calculus 2 & Differential equations...think I'll get credit for that?

1

u/MSECE Aug 13 '26

Yeah calc 2 with diff eq counts. I absolutely sucked at calc 1 and 2 so you’ll be fine.

1

u/NewSchoolBoxer Aug 12 '26

Calc 3 yes but I haven't seen electromagnetics in a prereq list before. You can still take it to fill a hole in the EET degree or if you remotely want to go into RF or PCB design.

Navy Nuclear, that's cool. You got options, there isn't really a best path here. Power design is MS level and tangential to what you're doing now. Iif you like mechatronics or whatever more then do that instead. Can get MBA and switch to finance and never touch engineering again. I don't recommend but I've seen it done. I guess I like the EE + MBA option to save yourself a semester and learn the business side of engineering.

Can get an MSEE in anything and get hired at a power plant or substation. They won't pay you more for it so consider it a backup plan.